Dilemma Time, Challenger 180/performance

[BRJ]

Its a long story but here is my dilemma. I have a '98 speedster w/twin 110 hp, flippen love the boat. BUTTT maintenance is getting to be a bit of an issue. My kids are just hitting that phase where the are involved in a ton of crap and my time is starting to get really limited. I get it I have a 12 yr old boat, a leaky tuner pipe here, cavitation issues there are to be expected and very solvable issues with this forum but I just don't have the time to do it myself anymore.

Working on the boat on Friday night (Mon-Thurs nights seem to be taken up by Softball, Tee ball, Soccer, ETC) when the kids want to be tubing plus the fact the wife wants a bigger boat has just lead to a whole new level of frustration on my part. So I am looking at a left over 2009 Challenger 180 SE with tower (215hp). My questions are as follows.

1) Moving from a twin engine 220hp 15.5' 1500lb boat to 17.5' 2000 lb 215hp single engine will I really be happy with the performance? Given
A) We do a ton of towing tubes, knee boards, and wake board soon to come etc.
B) Everybody loves thrill rides - jumping wakes, spin outs, neck snapping excelleration etc.

2) Am I really buying myself out of the maintenance problem by buying a new boat?

3) Although realistically out of my budget and available space should I step up the to challenger 210 with twin 155's to alleviate my performance concerns.

I know this post is half rant half seeking feed back, so throw at me what you will. Thanks

 

[timhood]

So, how fast are you used to running your Speedster? You can expect mid 40's or a little better. I've gone over 40 with a full boat (6 adults, 1 child). Getting up to speed takes longer than if you had more horsepower. The 215 hp is enough to get the job done, but if you're an acceleration junkie, you'll probably have a little disappointment since you have more boat weight to work with.

I would expect the newer 215 hp motor performs better than the older 110's. I would think it may rev better or have more torque. That might make up for some of the difference. The '09s did also have a 255hp option that might even out the playing field for you.

Not having a previous boat to compare with, I've found my Challenger (also a 215) to do the job pretty well. I'm sure if I had 430 or 510 hp I'd have fun with the acceleration, but I'm not so sure I'm ready to pay the price in (lack of) fuel economy. Maybe you could get a water test ride?

 

[RFoster130]

I am very interested in what yuo decide. I also have the 98 and I love it. The boat flies. I have seen it hit 53-54 on gps. I have zero issues maintenance wise and it is very reliable. The ONLY reason I would get rid of it is for a bigger boat. I wish I could take more than 3 people out with me. I have thrown around the idea of getting a 180 challenger, but I dont think it will be fast enough for me. My only other option is a 20 ft speedster, but im not sure I could get it in my garage. Keep this updated on your decision and what works out.

 

[rich9426]

Good luck in what ever you decide. I have a 2007 180 Challenger SE, I tow tubes ,I race and I fish from it. The boat is fantastic and can do everything you want and more. I have had as many as 4 kids and 4 adults aboard while towing (usually 3 kids or a mix of kids and adults on the tube) around the lake. As you get bigger than the 180 with Seadoo the price becomes prohibitive, so I went with the little smaller boat and am glad I did. Also I have had the boat up to 48 mph with people on board. I usually tow at 28 to 33mph.

 

[BRJ]

Decisions

Thanks for the feed back guys. I definatly helps to know you guys are loading up the boat and still pulling tubes etc with the 180.

I may snap some pics of the boat over the weekend and maybe throw it on craigslist next week and take it from there. Given that I have a boat I know and love I am not in a big rush to make a move.

Overall the boat is fairly reliable, but things happen. Living in minnesnowta we dont have that many great weekends and it sux when the first run on a Saturday morning you wonder why its a running like a dog and realize damn leaky tuner pipe, down for 24 hrs.

Oh well, the indecision goes on. I will keep you guys updated.