first off hello.
I've been on the water for years. mostly river "local" and down on the bay a few times (salmons island md). I've mostly been a co-captain on a friends boat. drove and docked. trailered and etc. one of the responsible friends that once they are intoxicated I get the party safely home. sometimes it was fun sometimes it sucked lol.
I recently bought a 98 season challenger 1800 twin. it runs. floats. isn't destroyed. both engines have around 135-140 compression. I'm currently premixing the fuel 50-1 based on the previous owner saying the oil pump on one engine has issues (haven't tested it yet).
I've taken it out and it holds 7k rpm with a few blips on the throttles. if you don't bounce it sometimes it will fall on its face. bump then down and bump and it comes alive. currently working on the left engine throttle cable. its loose under the shifter. meaning it has play. I picked the boat up for 2k on the trailer and it wasn't trashed. after a good pressure washing and fresh fuel (premix) and a few extra gallons of race fuel from a local drag racing friend it hasn't missed a beat. personally I think I got a good deal.
I've vinyl wrapped the windscreens.restored the handles with heat.pressure washed the boat, trailer and engine bay.
I've added a radio with aux and 4 Pyle hydra speakers with leds. I've changed plugs and looked it over pretty well. I'm a mechanic. I've owned rotary engines (Mazda rx8) and rebuilt them. I flip cars on the side so I'm not afraid to turn a wrench.
just wanted to say hello and thanks for all the info I've found on this site. at this time I have no real questions. I've read and read and reread all you have to offer. I pride myself on my ability to teach myself. I'm also not arrogant and will listen to sound advice tho. if you have something feel free to shoot.
some of the upholstery has been redone. some hasn't. I've been reinstalling the pieces that have and removing the rear seat (main piece that hasn't been) since purchase.
I'm looking for advice on impellers and upgrades (motor, performance,etc). I plan on doing the carbs and rave valves this winter as long as it holds up that long.
this is for family fun with plenty of friends and party barges (pontoons) to tie to. I plan on putting a tower and some fat sacks to help with wake boarding. I know this isn't the best boat for the job. however, its the safest option for our shallow waters.
any advice for a newcomer restoring a boat? ill post pics when I can and I will add I've been offered over a grand more than I paid if that shows the condition of the boat.
I've been on the water for years. mostly river "local" and down on the bay a few times (salmons island md). I've mostly been a co-captain on a friends boat. drove and docked. trailered and etc. one of the responsible friends that once they are intoxicated I get the party safely home. sometimes it was fun sometimes it sucked lol.
I recently bought a 98 season challenger 1800 twin. it runs. floats. isn't destroyed. both engines have around 135-140 compression. I'm currently premixing the fuel 50-1 based on the previous owner saying the oil pump on one engine has issues (haven't tested it yet).
I've taken it out and it holds 7k rpm with a few blips on the throttles. if you don't bounce it sometimes it will fall on its face. bump then down and bump and it comes alive. currently working on the left engine throttle cable. its loose under the shifter. meaning it has play. I picked the boat up for 2k on the trailer and it wasn't trashed. after a good pressure washing and fresh fuel (premix) and a few extra gallons of race fuel from a local drag racing friend it hasn't missed a beat. personally I think I got a good deal.
I've vinyl wrapped the windscreens.restored the handles with heat.pressure washed the boat, trailer and engine bay.
I've added a radio with aux and 4 Pyle hydra speakers with leds. I've changed plugs and looked it over pretty well. I'm a mechanic. I've owned rotary engines (Mazda rx8) and rebuilt them. I flip cars on the side so I'm not afraid to turn a wrench.
just wanted to say hello and thanks for all the info I've found on this site. at this time I have no real questions. I've read and read and reread all you have to offer. I pride myself on my ability to teach myself. I'm also not arrogant and will listen to sound advice tho. if you have something feel free to shoot.
some of the upholstery has been redone. some hasn't. I've been reinstalling the pieces that have and removing the rear seat (main piece that hasn't been) since purchase.
I'm looking for advice on impellers and upgrades (motor, performance,etc). I plan on doing the carbs and rave valves this winter as long as it holds up that long.
this is for family fun with plenty of friends and party barges (pontoons) to tie to. I plan on putting a tower and some fat sacks to help with wake boarding. I know this isn't the best boat for the job. however, its the safest option for our shallow waters.
any advice for a newcomer restoring a boat? ill post pics when I can and I will add I've been offered over a grand more than I paid if that shows the condition of the boat.
