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compare yamaha and sea-doo
- Thread starter DaveK
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Google it....this forum is bias to seadoo...with good reason. We own the best.
Karl
Karl
I am a certified technician for Kawasaki, and worked actively for Honda...for years. I will only buy SeaDoo. I have 35 years in the water craft industry. I have seen lots of things in all machines...worked on more than I will admit to...The best advise I can give, is you need to ride and experience it for yourself. I don't make anything($$$) but praise here, and get paid nothing from any one to help out. Go ride a couple different machines and compare for yourself, so you see the difference. Everyone has difference tasts. Don't take my word for it ...If you have questions on seadoo's, I'm sure you'll get lots of members to respond...except on a holiday weekend...:rofl:
Karl
Karl
Challenger......
As Karl has said, we are a biased crowd. But if I can try to remain neutral for just a moment, I still would lean toward the Seadoo. Not because of engines etc....just for looks and body styles.
I have no idea what kind of motors are in these things, but I know my Challenger, with it's built in swim platform, built in ice cooler. Stowage for my ski rope, directly behind the pylon and a storage area between the motor and the top of the hull, gives me plenty of room to store a wake board, or other toys.
There is a twin engine Yamaha at the marina here where I live. I don't know a lot about it, but when I slow to look at it, the design doesn't look very sleek. The jet and reverse bucket are really squared off, like the old style (it may be an older boat).
On the river, I see more Seadoo's than I see Yamaha's...........but like Karl says, I'm biased too................I'd never give the Yamaha a chance!.........
As Karl has said, we are a biased crowd. But if I can try to remain neutral for just a moment, I still would lean toward the Seadoo. Not because of engines etc....just for looks and body styles.
I have no idea what kind of motors are in these things, but I know my Challenger, with it's built in swim platform, built in ice cooler. Stowage for my ski rope, directly behind the pylon and a storage area between the motor and the top of the hull, gives me plenty of room to store a wake board, or other toys.
There is a twin engine Yamaha at the marina here where I live. I don't know a lot about it, but when I slow to look at it, the design doesn't look very sleek. The jet and reverse bucket are really squared off, like the old style (it may be an older boat).
On the river, I see more Seadoo's than I see Yamaha's...........but like Karl says, I'm biased too................I'd never give the Yamaha a chance!.........
I have some experience with both these boats, and they are very hard to compare, as they are both quite unique boats, and vastly different in size.
My best friend bought the Yamaha AR230 two years ago, while I picked up a used Utopia 185, and my sister and her husband have a Challenger 180se as a second boat.
I looked long and hard at both the boats you are interested in at the boat show, and ended up with the used Utopia, because for me the Challenger felt a little cramped, and the Yamaha was to big to fit in my garage. The first thing is the Yamaha dwarfs the little Challenger in size. At 21 feet on the nose, it is 3' 5" longer, and because of the squared off bow seems 5' longer when you sit in the interior. Having used both the Yamaha, and the Sea-Doo on the water, the Yamaha has the most user friendly and well laid out interior and swim platform on the market out of any boat I have ever seen. (remember I still bought a Sea-Doo)
Depending on your location and tow vehicle, the Challenger is much easier to tow and store so keep this in mind.
The Yamaha is quicker out of the hole (twin engine)
The Challenger is a bit better on fuel, and cheaper on maintenance
The Yamaha low speed handling is dismal at best. I can't stress that enough. Below 2000rpm or about five miles an hour the Yamaha's are floating corks.
The Sea-Doo's are the closest thing to a stern drive in handling you will find in a jet boat. (admittedly reverse is a bit weak)
The Yamaha has topside jet clean outs that tend to come in handy.
The Challenger has closed loop cooling.
These are some quick pro's and con's that I have noticed when using both boats, but at the end of the day you should go sit in and crawl around both of them to see which one you feel will work best for your situation. If at all possible, try and arrange an on water test, even if you have to rent the boat.
Good luck, and have fun.
Aaron
My best friend bought the Yamaha AR230 two years ago, while I picked up a used Utopia 185, and my sister and her husband have a Challenger 180se as a second boat.
I looked long and hard at both the boats you are interested in at the boat show, and ended up with the used Utopia, because for me the Challenger felt a little cramped, and the Yamaha was to big to fit in my garage. The first thing is the Yamaha dwarfs the little Challenger in size. At 21 feet on the nose, it is 3' 5" longer, and because of the squared off bow seems 5' longer when you sit in the interior. Having used both the Yamaha, and the Sea-Doo on the water, the Yamaha has the most user friendly and well laid out interior and swim platform on the market out of any boat I have ever seen. (remember I still bought a Sea-Doo)
Depending on your location and tow vehicle, the Challenger is much easier to tow and store so keep this in mind.
The Yamaha is quicker out of the hole (twin engine)
The Challenger is a bit better on fuel, and cheaper on maintenance
The Yamaha low speed handling is dismal at best. I can't stress that enough. Below 2000rpm or about five miles an hour the Yamaha's are floating corks.
The Sea-Doo's are the closest thing to a stern drive in handling you will find in a jet boat. (admittedly reverse is a bit weak)
The Yamaha has topside jet clean outs that tend to come in handy.
The Challenger has closed loop cooling.
These are some quick pro's and con's that I have noticed when using both boats, but at the end of the day you should go sit in and crawl around both of them to see which one you feel will work best for your situation. If at all possible, try and arrange an on water test, even if you have to rent the boat.
Good luck, and have fun.
Aaron
I chose the challenger because its like a mini yamaha that actually fits in my garage. There is HOA where i live and i dont have access to my backyard. I dont feel like paying the $70.00 dollar a month fee for storage either. I got the fold away done on my trailer and now it fits perfect in my garage. For you davek its gonna come down to size, power, and price difference.
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