3 replies to this topic

[philip0812]

Hi, I'm new here so please be patient with me. I am looking a buying a 1997 seadoo challenger 1800 that is in very good shape and performed well on the test drive. My question is how reliable are the twin rotax engines? I have owned a regular boat but this is my first jet boat to own. I know seadoo went to a Merc V6 in about 2000 and now thay have the new rotax engine. I just don't want to buy something that has engine problems all the time. thanks again

[tiggerman]

Hi, I'm new here so please be patient with me. I am looking a buying a 1997 seadoo challenger 1800 that is in very good shape and performed well on the test drive. My question is how reliable are the twin rotax engines? I have owned a regular boat but this is my first jet boat to own. I know seadoo went to a Merc V6 in about 2000 and now thay have the new rotax engine. I just don't want to buy something that has engine problems all the time. thanks again

Welcome to the board!
I think you'll find, by reading some of the past posts, that the Rotax engines are fairly reliable, and the Mercury hasn't been without its share of issues. I am a Rotax nut- and owned a 1997 Speedster with no telling how many hours on the twins. They are like any other recreational vehicle engine: maintenance is and always will be the key to the longevity of them. There are really no issues that plagued the engines- mine never let me down. There are parts that can and will break- just like the Mercs. Parts or replacement engines are, however, many times cheaper than a Merc. If the owner can provide maintenance records, take a look at them. Never go by cosmetic appearance alone when you are thinking about one of these older doo's. If you happen to know a marine mechanic experienced with Seadoo and Rotax, let them have a look. Require a documented compression test if buying from a dealer. That can tell you alot about it's condition. Does it smoke excessively when you start it? Do you have to choke it alot to crank it? Is there oil in the bilge? Do both engines throttle up evenly? Many questions that you can ask-
I just purchased an XP with the 110 in it- While it was in excellent cosmetic condition,and very clean inside, It would not crank. A couple hammer taps and a battery later, It was screaming down the river like a bat out of hades. Be careful and be picky when it comes to purchasing an older doo.

[philip0812]

Hi, I'm new here so please be patient with me.  I am looking a buying a 1997 seadoo challenger 1800 that is in very good shape and performed well on the test drive.  My question is how reliable are the twin rotax engines?  I have owned a regular boat but this is my first jet boat to own.  I know seadoo went to a Merc V6 in about 2000 and now thay have the new rotax engine.  I just don't want to buy something that has engine problems all the time.  thanks again

Welcome to the board!
I think you'll find, by reading some of the past posts, that the Rotax engines are fairly reliable, and the Mercury hasn't been without its share of issues. I am a Rotax nut- and owned a 1997 Speedster with no telling how many hours on the twins. They are like any other recreational vehicle engine: maintenance is and always will be the key to the longevity of them. There are really no issues that plagued the engines- mine never let me down. There are parts that can and will break- just like the Mercs. Parts or replacement engines are, however, many times cheaper than a Merc. If the owner can provide maintenance records, take a look at them. Never go by cosmetic appearance alone when you are thinking about one of these older doo's. If you happen to know a marine mechanic experienced with Seadoo and Rotax, let them have a look. Require a documented compression test if buying from a dealer. That can tell you alot about it's condition. Does it smoke excessively when you start it? Do you have to choke it alot to crank it? Is there oil in the bilge? Do both engines throttle up evenly? Many questions that you can ask-
I just purchased an XP with the 110 in it- While it was in excellent cosmetic condition,and very clean inside, It would not crank. A couple hammer taps and a battery later, It was screaming down the river like a bat out of hades. Be careful and be picky when it comes to purchasing an older doo.

Thanks for the input. I checked everything out and the boat looks good. I purchased it and have already taken it out a few times with my family and had a blast. thanks again.

[tiggerman]

Very nice!