Update to my Challenger X

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svtjoe98

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Hello All,

It's been a while since I posted. Previously, I picked up a 2003 Challenger X that was..umm Neglected. It had the 250 Optimax that started with ease.

After taking it to a Mercury Specialist in Fort Lauderdale (The Outboard shop...the ONLY place I found that would work on the SportJet). They confirmed Dr. Honda's diagnoses that the adapter plate was rotted. It would leak even when the garden hose was connected. They had to pull the Powerhead and install the new adapter. They also did all the services and said the engine was healthy with 140 hours.

I went to work on buffing the hull...it took days... 800-1000 grit...then rotary polisher.
I added a loud stereo (2 Rockford punch amps power what you see in the pic- 4/6.5's, 2/8's and 1 12"sub.)
I also had new seat covers installed. I pulled all of the interior out of the boat and sent it to Keith @ Seadooupholstery.com

Kieth did an incredible job. It completely changed the boat. People at all the docks/bars here in South Florida stop and take pictures of it!

I just thought I would update everyone and offer some ideas on stereo/interior. You all were a big help when I was having issues with the adapter plate last year. The hole shot on the 250 is incredible. I had 7 people and gear onboard it absolutely pops out of the water.

Thanks,

Joe
 

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Amazing job! Wow! So what shape was the tower in? Or is that the next step in restoration? I suppose if you don’t plan on using it, you had to cover the holes for the tower mounts?

Nice work! Go enjoy it!
 
Looks amazing! Good job. What are you powering your amps with? I have a deep cycle that is not connected at all to the rest of the starting system. I was too afraid to fry something (I did once too, long story).
By the way, I'm right there in Davie. I ride my 97 Challenger up and down the inter-coastal between Ft Lauderdale and Miami all the time. We should meet up some day after I get back from my Singapore work trip.
 
Looks amazing! Good job. What are you powering your amps with? I have a deep cycle that is not connected at all to the rest of the starting system. I was too afraid to fry something (I did once too, long story).
By the way, I'm right there in Davie. I ride my 97 Challenger up and down the inter-coastal between Ft Lauderdale and Miami all the time. We should meet up some day after I get back from my Singapore work trip.
Hey there,

I don't check this forum enough. Sorry for the delayed response. I boat down to Fort Lauderdale a lot. I'm sure you'll see me at Bokampers this summer.

I have since sold the Challenger X. I found a Speedster 200 and did a very similar theme to what I did with the X. I went a bit bigger on the stereo, but I did the same with a dedicated battery. I installed a dual battery switch and run the boat off the main battery. I have 0 gauge hooked up to the AGM 110AH battery. I can get most of the day out of one charge on the big battery. I can charge the battery off the boat in position 2, but I only do that if I have a long day of loud music. It wont hurt to charge the big battery off the boat..however... the 4tecs only have a 30amp stator/alternator (at 5k rpm I think). My old Mercury Opti 250 had a stock 70-80amp alternator. It would charge the battery quickly.

In my current case, I make sure I plug the AGM into a Ctek battery charger every time I'm done with the boat.

I'll post pics of the new Rockford System and the S200 in the 4tec section this weekend.

Joe
 
Amazing job! Wow! So what shape was the tower in? Or is that the next step in restoration? I suppose if you don’t plan on using it, you had to cover the holes for the tower mounts?

Nice work! Go enjoy it!

Thanks for the compliments guys! That boat turned many heads! Unfortunately, the hull was weak (neglected).. After more fiberglass work, I was told it wasn't gonna last. All that work and I never thought to check the ride area of the hull. Paper thin.. I'm just finishing a S200 now, but it doesn't have that amazing Black Hull / Brown - Orange Interior color combo. I'll be watching these forums more!
 
That’s amazing. I’m here in miami also with a 03 challenger with the mercury v6. In process of restoring it but I’m realllllly digging your style I might do the same lol.
 
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