Ok picked up wrong boat.

[DonoBBD]

Ok so I have rented jet boats off and on for the last five years with the guys when we go up to the camp for a week. We pound on these things all the time. So I though I would buy one for my family and I. Found a nice one with a new motor and two year warranty on the motor. Looked at it and it had five seats great I can get the whole family in it. (three boys)

Now I get it home and see that the capacity of the boat is only four people or 650#'s. :banghead::banghead:So we all should not all ride at once. Yes my boys are big kids. We are on the weight limit now.

So my question is when is the first year the Merc M2 came out and what is the smallest craft it came in?

I want to still be nimble like a jet ski but still fit five people nicely.

I am going to keep this little one for now and restore it after two years trade up. Just wondering what I should look for. Seems the M2 is the way to go. Any other thoughts on my situation are welcome.

Cheers DonO.

 

[RFoster130]

You could get the merc motor in the 2000 16.5 ft speedster. It technically is a 5 seater, but that puts one person up in the bow. The same boat can be bought in 98-99 with twin rotax 110 HP motors. The weight limit on the 16.5 ft boats is still only 850 lbs though. For 5 grown adults to ride comfortbaly, you really need a 18 ft boat.

 

[DonoBBD]

You could get the merc motor in the 2000 16.5 ft speedster. It technically is a 5 seater, but that puts one person up in the bow. The same boat can be bought in 98-99 with twin rotax 110 HP motors. The weight limit on the 16.5 ft boats is still only 850 lbs though. For 5 grown adults to ride comfortbaly, you really need a 18 ft boat.

In the year 2000 in the 16.5 foot speedster?

Would the extra 1.5 foot make it handle slower? I am guessing it the 18 foot has a wider beam too.

That speedster would hall A$$.

Thanks for the thoughts. Other tips or thoughts welcome.

Cheers Don.

 

[seadooya]

challenger 1800, bud. 18ft and 2-110's, seats 7. There also is the i think, the x-20 and/or challenger 18ft w/ the merc motor, thats what the x-20 has.

 

[RFoster130]

In the year 2000 in the 16.5 foot speedster?

Would the extra 1.5 foot make it handle slower? I am guessing it the 18 foot has a wider beam too.

That speedster would hall A$$.

Thanks for the thoughts. Other tips or thoughts welcome.

Cheers Don.

My 98 has the twin rotax and it will do 53ish on a good day. I have heard the Merc boats are about the same. the extra 20 HP doesnt really make much difference. If you are lookin for a 16.5 ft boat, the 98-99 speedsters are cheaper. The 18ft challenger with the twin 110's probably is a slight bit slower.

 

[DonoBBD]

Should I go twin or single motor? What are the pros and cons of each?

Thanks so much for the tips so far. :bigear:

Don.

 

[dsw222]

Should I go twin or single motor? What are the pros and cons of each?

Thanks so much for the tips so far. :bigear:

Don.

the twin engines are much cheaper to fix but less reliable. plus if one engine blows up, you can use the other to get back to shore instead of getting towed

the single engine is more reliable but very expensive to fix if something goes wrong

I have an 18 foot challenger 1800 (seats 7 or 1100 lbs) and i absolutely love it

 

[DonoBBD]

the twin engines are much cheaper to fix but less reliable. plus if one engine blows up, you can use the other to get back to shore instead of getting towed

the single engine is more reliable but very expensive to fix if something goes wrong

I have an 18 foot challenger 1800 (seats 7 or 1100 lbs) and i absolutely love it

Twin jet twin motor?

How fast on one motor if one gos down?

 

[dsw222]

Twin jet twin motor?

How fast on one motor if one gos down?

you dont want to go fast if one engine goes down. its meant to be run on both engines.

you would only go fast enough to get back to the dock (and you have to pinch off a water hose so it doesnt flood the other engine)

 

[RFoster130]

2 individual motors with 2 pumps. The twin 110's are fairly reliable. The 787 is one of the best motors built by SeaDoo. If you do manage to blow one up, you can by a new engine with a 1 yr warranty for 850 up to a premium one with a 2 yr warranty for 1300. On the other side is the Merc, you get a single engine and single pump. Blow one up and you are lookin at an expensive fix. New motor is easily upwards of $5000. If you can do your own work, then it doesnt matter much between the 2. If you plan on having a shop do the work, a lot of people report they have a hard time getting anyone to work on it. It is a conventional mercury powerplant hooked to a seadoo jet pump. Most seadoo dealers dont wanna work on it and most mercury shops dont either.

The general consensus here is most people prefer the rotax. The merc lovers will try to tell you how much more reliable the merc motors are, but i think it is all how you maintain and treat them. I have 2 rotax engines that have never been opened up and are 12 yrs old and still run like brand new. The maintenance is fairly easy and it isnt that expensive. That being said, if you can find a good deal on the mercury powered boat and you arent afraid of doing your own work, i think it would be a good boat too.

For me it comes down to cost. The rotax boats area easier to find and usually cheaper. They are cheaper to fix and parts are abundant.

 

[dsw222]

2 individual motors with 2 pumps. The twin 110's are fairly reliable. The 787 is one of the best motors built by SeaDoo. If you do manage to blow one up, you can by a new engine with a 1 yr warranty for 850 up to a premium one with a 2 yr warranty for 1300.

Just to add to this...

I melted a piston on one of my 787's about a month ago, so i decided to get an entire top end kit (i figured since its 13 years old, it could use a fresh top) and rebuild the carbs while i was at it.

Top end kit was 500 dollars and carb kits were about 50 each.

I'm an engineer so I have a technical background, but I never worked on engines before in my life (hell, i don't even change my own oil). But after getting a quote from a watercraft mechanic (1200 for labor ALONE), my buddy and i decided to dive in and work on it.

With the help of many good members of this forum (especially Dr Honda and seadooya), we were able to completely rebuild the top end and rebuild the carbs in about a weekend's worth of work.

This forum is an AWESOME resource

 

[DonoBBD]

You guys are great. I was really wondering about the twin thing but I am now leaning to the twin 110's. I now have a single 110 in this one with a new 2 year warranty motor in it.

Kids are small now 13, 10, and 8 but in a year or two will need a bigger boat. I am leaning heavy to a Challenger 180 with twin 110's right now.

I don't think the speedster has enough room for five comfy.

Cheers Don.

 

[RFoster130]

Yeah i really think a challenger 1800 would fit you much better. The speedster isnt comfy at all for 5 people.

 

[DonoBBD]

What was the first year for the challenger 1800 with a 4tec?

Don.

 

[RFoster130]

In 2005 the Challenger was overhauled and changed names to the Challenger 180. It then came with the 4 stroke. Prior to that is was the 1800 and had the mercury motor from 2000-2004.

 

[Longhorn]

I have the Challenger 1800 with the Merc 240 and we also have 3 kids (mine are all girls LOL) and we are very comfy with 5 in the boat, but at times have had 7 and still seems to be not bad for room. I am fortunate that I have a local Merc dealer that has no issues working on the Merc and truthfully, nothing other than maitenance so far.

 

[DonoBBD]

I have the Challenger 1800 with the Merc 240 and we also have 3 kids (mine are all girls LOL) and we are very comfy with 5 in the boat, but at times have had 7 and still seems to be not bad for room. I am fortunate that I have a local Merc dealer that has no issues working on the Merc and truthfully, nothing other than maitenance so far.

Thanks so much for the info. I have two nieces the same age as my two youngest boys. This looks like the toy for me for sure.

Challenger 1800 or newer 180. Now that I have the wifey into boating she is hooked and free rain with the check book....... Tee he he.

Don.

 

[DonoBBD]

2005 SEA-DOO Speedster 200 : 2005 Sea Doo Speedster 200. Excellent condition. Twin 155 HP 4-TEC engines. New mooring cover in matching blue Sunbrela material, reupholstered bottom cushions and newer jet pump seals. Comes with three white fenders, two 20 foot dock lines and matching black Sea Doo trailer that's in excellent condition. Must sell now, since bought new boat and need the money.

What would this be worth?

Any thoughts what I should offer?

Thanks Don.

 

[RFoster130]

I have seen several 05's go for 14 to 15 thousand. that's on eBay, most sellers are asking for more though. I would check it out and start at 13000.

 

[biffdotorg]

Dono, you seem to have the idea now. Sizing of the boat will come with experience on your own and with others input.

You shouldn't lose too much on the boat you have. There is always demand for the smaller boats especially in the spring.

I am lucky to have a SeaDoo dealer that is not shy of the Mercury plants as well. And as so many have said, it's all about how it was maintained.

As far as handling with the bigger boats, don't worry. My X20 is the same hull as the Challenger 2000 and it is a waverunner/tilt-a-whirl for 8! I should say 7 as they don't suggest anyone sits in the bow above idle speed.

It is a load of fun to see 6 people all grab the O-S$1T bars at 50mph! We actually pulled our first monster sub manuever this past Saturday in a 20ft SeaDoo!! Just enough water to drench the two in the front and put a nice spray up over the tower and into the backseat!!

Have fun with whatever you have or get. They all have their good qualities!

Mark

 

[Longhorn]

2005 SEA-DOO Speedster 200 : 2005 Sea Doo Speedster 200. Excellent condition. Twin 155 HP 4-TEC engines. New mooring cover in matching blue Sunbrela material, reupholstered bottom cushions and newer jet pump seals. Comes with three white fenders, two 20 foot dock lines and matching black Sea Doo trailer that's in excellent condition. Must sell now, since bought new boat and need the money.

What would this be worth?

Any thoughts what I should offer?

Thanks Don.

I looked all over western Canada for mine, and an 03 was about the only thing I could afford LOL

Mine is an 03 Challenger 1800 (mint and very clean) less than 50 hrs and I had to pay 15k for it...Looked at tons and this was the best deal I could find.