Looking to purchase 2001 Challenger 1800 $9000 - need advice

[schnur7]

I'm new to this forum and new to the boating world. We've been living on a river for the last 7 years and my wife really wants a boat so we can enjoy. A jet boat is really our only option due to shallow spots/sand bars.

We've looked at a Sugar Sand Tango and will probably be looking at a 2001 Challenger 1800 this weekend. The current owner put a new motor in it 3 years ago and he says it probably has less than 100 hours. This has the 175 hp EFI mecury. With the fuel injection I'm assuming it has a brain and someone could run diagnostics on it and see how many hours on it? Is this an inexpensive meter any joe shmo could buy?

I'm interested in any thoughts on this boat, particularly the motor and it's maintenance issues. Since it's a jet I'm assuming it's not the best on gas mileage, but probably better than carberated versions. I actually talked to one mechanic who preferred the carberated versions because they're cheap and easy to rebuild.

Also wondering what to look for when I inspect it. I'd like to take it to a mechanic if possible prior to my purchase.

Any thougths on price? There was a 2000 challenger that went for $6k last week.

thanks

 

[ocod]

I'm going to tell you run away and don't look back.

There is a debate on which one. If you have deep pockets buy the Mercury. When motor or drives needs work b/c you cant do it you'll understand why they are called B.O.A.T

Seadoo's are meant to be either a 2 stroke Rotax engine. Or the newer 4 stroke Rotax engine.

Their price is almost half the amount your looking to spend for that model/engine combo.

Then you have the new 4 stroke Rotax in the newer models in the price range your in or a little more if you want supercharged.

Hope this helps.

 

[schnur7]

rotax vs mercury

I've read other places that say the Rotax is less reliable but cheaper to fix and the mercury is more reliable but more expensive to fix. Something about the Rotax tolerances being pushed to their extreme to get every last bit of power out of them. It also seems to me that having 2 rotax motors to maintain would be more expensive than one mercury.

My price range started at $5k and has creeped to about $7500.

 

[ocod]

very true points but if you want a mercury go but an outboard.
You never know what you are getting for a 10+ year old boat.
I rather pay 1000 bucks for a new motor than 5k for a power ??? on a mecury w/o labor.....

 

[Dr Honda]

The Rotax engines are pushed to the max. they get 110 hp out of a 2 cyl 800cc engine. BUT... as far as reliability... I have a 96xp with the 800 engine, and it's still running fine. So... 15 years on a boat engine is pretty dam good to me.

But as dcod said... RUN. $9k is way too much for that boat. If it's super clean... $6k is a better price. I've seen them go for $4500 toward the end of the season.

 

[schnur7]

Whoops I messed up on my original post. It has the 240 hp EFI motor. I'm not sure what type of rebuild was performed on the motor. The previous owner ran the motor dry out of the water without hooking up a hose. But with a rebuilt motor only 3 years old, that ups the value a bit. He says it has less than 100 hours on it. I was thinking if I could get it for $7500 that would be a pretty good buy. There was a 2000 Challenger 1800 that went for $6K last week. So that's a year older without a rebuilt motor. But maybe waiting until fall isn't a bad idea. But I think living in Oregon we don't see too many of these boats pop up.

 

[YUOnDaGround]

Schnur7,

What doc says holds water... no pun. It seems like you have made your mind up about this boat. Having said that, everyone here that has experience with both motors is saying to go with Rotax. Why do you think that Seadoo only used Mercury for a limited run?

 

[schnur7]

I definitely have not made my mind up on the boat. Just thinking out loud. I've lived without a boat my whole life and the entire 7 years I've been on the river so I certainly don't need to be in a hurry. But of course there's always that desire that can get in the way of rational thought...

I've read up and down about rotax vs mercury and the pros and cons are pretty much a wash to me. I'm still uncomfortable with twin engines vs one. I'd rather maintain one rather than two. I'm not aware of a challenger with a single rotax motor, but I could be wrong. I also think it would be easier to find someone to work on the mercury as opposed to the rotax.

I've looked at challenger prices across the nation and don't see anything even close to $6k. I hardly find anything for $9K. But maybe end of the summer, things will look different.

I appreciate all your advice

Maybe I should focus on my dock first...

 

[schnur7]

So what about this Challenger 1997 twin 85 hp Rotax for $6500. Obviously price is too high, but seems like a total of 170 hp might not be enough.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/boa/2488073911.html

Here's a 1999 one with twin 110 hp rotax motors for $5500.

http://bend.craigslist.org/boa/2480776407.html

 

[RFoster130]

The maintenance on the twin engine boats is minimal. I spend less than 100 bucks a year to maintain both. You really cant go wrong with the rotax. They are very easy to work on. Everything you need is right here. I would prefer the 18ft boat with twin 110's or the speedster like i have. BUT the 85hp motors are great too. That boat looks good. If it checks out good on the water, i would pay 5500 to 6000 for it.

 

[RFoster130]

Also, it comes with about $700 worth of accessories. So 6500 isnt quite so far off.

 

[schnur7]

I posted an earlier reply this morning with craigslists links but maybe it got removed because links are not allowed?

I found a 1999 Challenger 1800 with twin 120 hp for $5500. Comes with cover, anchor, ski ropes and buoys. That's what RFoster is referring to.

 

[RFoster130]

thats odd, usually CL links are ok. It had twin 85HP and was 6500. I thought it was a 97. Looked clean.

 

[schnur7]

You're right on the '97 - there were 2 boats. One was the '99 1800 with twin 120 HP for $5500 and one was the 97 you mentioned.