1 reply to this topic

[cgodfrey6]

Hi there. I am new to the forum, and was wondering if anyone has any tips on what to look for when buying a used Sea-doo... currently looking at:

97 Challenger 1800
99 Challenger 1800
98 Speedster

I have never purchased one before so I have no clue on what to look for.

If anyone has any tips it would be much appreciated.
Thanks

[smaaz]

See if you can get the hours on the motor/pumps. The dealer can access this information by pluggin into the computer, we can't....

I have owned a 99 Challenger 180 for a couple of years and have very few complaints. My biggest issues have been the quality of the thread used in sewing the interior. This tends to disinagrate with time. of course the pin head that owned it prior seemed to have forgotten how to put the moring cover on, left it to the sun all summer!

When I bought my boat 2 years ago some of the seams were weak, and it got worse, much worse. I shopped for new interiors, not worth the price. I removed the seats and had them all restitched for $250, what a differance!!.

Check the cables, steering should be free and easy, if you get to test drive it the boat should return to center steer on it's own. If steering is stiff it may not be the cable but the bushings on the steering jets.

Try to by a boat that was used in freshwater only.

Bottom paint is a real issue, avoid it!

Do get ready to spend a good part of your gas budget on the boat! They are quite thirsty all the time.



Hope this helps some.

Steve