I'm going to look at a 1999 Challenger 1800 for sale....

[Huntleybill]

I found a challenger for sale locally that the seller says has one engine replaced last winter. Seats show some seam wear. Can you tell me what I should look for on these boats as potential problems? He is asking $7500. I know there are the obvious question one would ask, but I have never owned a Seadoo and thought you good folks can guide me for this particular boat.

Thank you
Bill

 

[RFoster130]

First off, you have to take it out on a water test. Looking at it sitting on the trailer is worthless. Get it up to normal temp and keep it out at least 30 minutes. Test every button and function. See how long it takes to get up on plane. See if it feels like its just spinning (cavitating) when you nail it from a dead stop. Read how to compression test the engines and do it. Should be 150ish. Don't rush to buy, it's a buyers market, so sellers can sit and wait.

 

[Huntleybill]

Thank you RFoster. I have a compression tester and will bring it. I also have a spark tester. I'll update when I get back.

 

[Guest_User]

+1 with RFoster.
aside from water testing and over all looking and testing, find out if there are any service records or parts receipts.

climb under the boat and look into the pump tunnels, condition of driveshafts?

place the shifter in Forward and look into the rear of the pumps. condition of impellers/stator housing?

Feel the operation of the shifter, it should be smooth, not jerky, other than the detents you will feel as it goes from revers, past neutral and into forward.

Feel the throttles, are they smooth, do they stay in place, meaning they have enough tension to not move while underway.

The engines should refire, immediately after shut down, and may take a bit to restart if sat for more than 5-10 minutes, a common issue.

look at all the hoses, including exhaust, also look for any discoloration (burn paint) on the exhaust parts and engine head.

look for signs of oil leaking at the RAVE`s, and melted caps/red adjusters...

Is the fuel line original, oil filters changed? as well as fuel filters?

R & L visor latches and hinges, glove box hinges, hood release cable...

is there oil in the bilge or under the engines?

ask a bazillion questions:
when was the last time carbs were rebuilt?
when was the last time the carbon seals and related parts serviced/changed?
when was the last time the jet pumps were serviced?
salt or fresh water boat?
etc etc

does this included a trailer?, also ask about maintenance.
condition of winch, winch strap, tires, bearing and leaf springs, overall condition of trailer and bunks...

IMHO, 7500 is to much. I`m guessing the owner is looking to recoup some coin from replacing an engine and that shouldn`t be your problem...
Seats take a beating from being in the hot sun and salt water. and often difficult to find replacements. The vinyl alone from BRP is costly.
For this price the boat should be in very good condition and needing normal maintenance items. Trailer is subjective.

I know this sounds like a lot of things to go over. The more you find out the better educated you are in making an informative choice. Just don`t get burned, I did big time, long story...

when all is said and done, have enough reserve in your pocket to R&R anything that might need it.

Good luck, and I hope the boat turns out to be a nice craft and worth it...

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Also ask to see what oil he used in it. Hopefully he can show you a partly filled jug of it.

 

[jhjesse]

Just bought my first Challenger 1800 a couple months ago after having jet skis for many years.

My 2 cents,
Lake test - and not just around the cove and back
See how the engines start cold, but more important see how they start hot after sitting 5 minutes.
Verify what type oil is in the oil tank.
Look for water in the engine compartment and if the bilge pump works.
Upholstery is not a big deal, but use it to get money off the deal.
Pay attention to how easy it is to steer, shift, choke and accelerate. Most cables are aftermarket now and expensive.
Look into each jet pump and check the condition of the wear rings and impellers.

I paid $5800 for mine off of $7000 from me dickering about the upholstery coming apart at the seams and a little hard to start hot. (needle and seats - easy fix)

One last thing - chances are good if one engine was recently replaced, it won't be long before the other needs replacing as well.

Good Luck!

 

[1800chall_tim]

+1 with RFoster.
aside from water testing and over all looking and testing, find out if there are any service records or parts receipts.

climb under the boat and look into the pump tunnels, condition of driveshafts?

place the shifter in Forward and look into the rear of the pumps. condition of impellers/stator housing?

Feel the operation of the shifter, it should be smooth, not jerky, other than the detents you will feel as it goes from revers, past neutral and into forward.

Feel the throttles, are they smooth, do they stay in place, meaning they have enough tension to not move while underway.

The engines should refire, immediately after shut down, and may take a bit to restart if sat for more than 5-10 minutes, a common issue.

look at all the hoses, including exhaust, also look for any discoloration (burn paint) on the exhaust parts and engine head.

look for signs of oil leaking at the RAVE`s, and melted caps/red adjusters...

Is the fuel line original, oil filters changed? as well as fuel filters?

R & L visor latches and hinges, glove box hinges, hood release cable...

is there oil in the bilge or under the engines?

ask a bazillion questions:
when was the last time carbs were rebuilt?
when was the last time the carbon seals and related parts serviced/changed?
when was the last time the jet pumps were serviced?
salt or fresh water boat?
etc etc

does this included a trailer?, also ask about maintenance.
condition of winch, winch strap, tires, bearing and leaf springs, overall condition of trailer and bunks...

IMHO, 7500 is to much. I`m guessing the owner is looking to recoup some coin from replacing an engine and that shouldn`t be your problem...
Seats take a beating from being in the hot sun and salt water. and often difficult to find replacements. The vinyl alone from BRP is costly.
For this price the boat should be in very good condition and needing normal maintenance items. Trailer is subjective.

I know this sounds like a lot of things to go over. The more you find out the better educated you are in making an informative choice. Just don`t get burned, I did big time, long story...

when all is said and done, have enough reserve in your pocket to R&R anything that might need it.

Good luck, and I hope the boat turns out to be a nice craft and worth it...

right on pale, i to got burned. WISH I HAD WENT TO THIS FORUM BEFORE PURCHASE!!! not gunna say what i paid, but because i didn't find this sight until after purchase I now need a total engine rebuild, and i had to do SEVERAL maintenance procedures that hadn't been done.

 

[RFoster130]

Did you check it out....any luck?

 

[ellenor]

+1 with RFoster.
aside from water testing and over all looking and testing, find out if there are any service records or parts receipts.

climb under the boat and look into the pump tunnels, condition of driveshafts?

place the shifter in Forward and look into the rear of the pumps. condition of impellers/stator housing?

Feel the operation of the shifter, it should be smooth, not jerky, other than the detents you will feel as it goes from revers, past neutral and into forward.

Feel the throttles, are they smooth, do they stay in place, meaning they have enough tension to not move while underway.

The engines should refire, immediately after shut down, and may take a bit to restart if sat for more than 5-10 minutes, a common issue.

look at all the hoses, including exhaust, also look for any discoloration (burn paint) on the exhaust parts and engine head.

look for signs of oil leaking at the RAVE`s, and melted caps/red adjusters...

Is the fuel line original, oil filters changed? as well as fuel filters?

R & L visor latches and hinges, glove box hinges, hood release cable...

is there oil in the bilge or under the engines?

ask a bazillion questions:
when was the last time carbs were rebuilt?
when was the last time the carbon seals and related parts serviced/changed?
when was the last time the jet pumps were serviced?
salt or fresh water boat?
etc etc

does this included a trailer?, also ask about maintenance.
condition of winch, winch strap, tires, bearing and leaf springs, overall condition of trailer and bunks...

IMHO, 7500 is to much. I`m guessing the owner is looking to recoup some coin from replacing an engine and that shouldn`t be your problem...
Seats take a beating from being in the hot sun and salt water. and often difficult to find replacements. The vinyl alone from BRP is costly.
For this price the boat should be in very good condition and needing normal maintenance items. Trailer is subjective.

I know this sounds like a lot of things to go over. The more you find out the better educated you are in making an informative choice. Just don`t get burned, I did big time, long story...

when all is said and done, have enough reserve in your pocket to R&R anything that might need it.

Good luck, and I hope the boat turns out to be a nice craft and worth it...

Great write up. Ill be honest....when I was looking to buy the above post would have helped, but now that I have had my boat for almost a year everything you mentioned I now know about it and where to look for it if there is a problem.
I got very lucky when I got my 99 Speedster. Found out alot about my boat by looking at these forums and going over the entire boat after reading several posts.