13 replies to this topic

[rx1guy]

I have a chance to buy a low hour 2005 challenger 180. Do these boats have enough power to pull skiers etc??We have been using a 120 hp 17 foot i/o for skiing. I understand top speed is about 35 - 38 mph, does this sound correct?? Any other things I should look for??

Thanks in advance

[Kevin Leclair]

I have a chance to buy a low hour 2005 challenger 180. Do these boats have enough power to pull skiers etc??We have been using a 120 hp 17 foot i/o for skiing. I understand top speed is about 35 - 38 mph, does this sound correct?? Any other things I should look for??

Thanks in advance

Check out some of the other posts in this section, we have been discussing the power pretty recently since a couple of us recently bought new Challenger's. We took ours out this weekend, has about 7 hours on it so we are still breaking it in but I opened it up to WOT for about 30 - 40 seconds....we got up to about 42 mph on the SeaDoo Speedo then I cut it back. It felt to me that the boat was just getting warmed up and had more in it, but I didn't want to over-doo it until it is fully broken in. I believe this boat has plenty of power, I believe others would the same about this boat too.

[keviseeb]

Does the boat have the 185 HP or 215 HP engine?

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

[rx1guy]

I went to see the boat. It was the 185 hp version and looked like it was used as an ice breaker!!!! The owner would not go any lower than 18000 CAD. After talking to a dealer I can pick up an 08 SE for 26600CAD out the door. Seems like a no brainer to me!!

[aegisone]

If 215 horses will readily pull skier, and even can get an adult up on a slalom ski.
We have a 2005 and when it runs it is great. Unfortunately, it spends an inordinate amount of time being trailered to the dealer for repairs...
You might want to look at other posts discussing the ICS - a system which the company has apparently removed from new models because it simply doesn't work. It was poorly engineered and unreliable, and we had several occassions where it failed to retract and acted like a scoop with ski and tow ropes being pulled onto the impeller shaft. Eventually we had to have it bolted in place.
The ski locker is effective as a wet well for fish since it does not drain properly, and we had a few persons get burned by the hot water in it.
The exhaust system leaked terribly, spraying water into the engine compartment and causing recurring electrical problems...
The electrical system is still a problem and the boat will be going in to the shop yet again after this weekend, or sooner if it will not run. We thought we bought a Bombardier product (they make airplanes as well as boats, et al.) but somehow got what must be the electrical system from an MG, Triumph or some other Brit make vehicle with a reputation for reliability issues.
Love the boat, but fear we got a lemon.

[Dale180se]

I have a chance to buy a low hour 2005 challenger 180. Do these boats have enough power to pull skiers etc??We have been using a 120 hp 17 foot i/o for skiing. I understand top speed is about 35 - 38 mph, does this sound correct?? Any other things I should look for??

Thanks in advance

I put the 10th hr on the boat, Gas cost $135 CAD 6 hrs boat hours! Lots of power GPS said 46.5mph max ,8080 RPM stock.. smooth waters. Had 2 BRP products had no problems! Touch wood!!! The boat only has three speeds...2500rpm 6000rpm or full throtlle! Made for 5 and a kid...I love it! The bow seating well your going to get soaked!!! Keep it on plane when traveling around large boat wakes!!! Dont ask!! Off to dealer for 10hr check up! $150 to $200?? But a must for a new boat.

[rx1guy]

Well I did it!!! I went and bought a new 08 challenger 180 SE. We have only used for about an hour so far, but it is alot of fun!

[Dale180se]

Well I did it!!! I went and bought a new 08 challenger 180 SE. We have only used for about an hour so far, but it is alot of fun!

Congrads on the new doo...Where in ontario do you boat?? I boat in Georgain Bay areas.. Have fun with the new Doo!

[Kevin Leclair]

Well I did it!!! I went and bought a new 08 challenger 180 SE. We have only used for about an hour so far, but it is alot of fun!

Congrats, let's see some pics when you get a chance! What color did you go with?

[rx1guy]

Congrads on the new doo...Where in ontario do you boat?? I boat in Georgain Bay areas.. Have fun with the new Doo!

Thanks. We are fairly new to the boating thing but like to boat around home (Grand River Conservation Areas that allow boats) and Parry sound area as well.

Congrats, let's see some pics when you get a chance! What color did you go with?

I went with blue. I will post some pics whenever I figure out how to!!??. Looks like maybe I bought it too soon. BRP announced a free gas card on purchases made from today to July 10!!!!  P1110607.JPG   75.23KB   28 downloads  P1110605.JPG   66.84KB   25 downloads

[Kevin Leclair]

Congrats again, I believe you will be very happy with your decision! Very nice looking doo, looks just like ours!

[thorvald]

Alright! Another 08 Blue 180SE :-)

Now you need to join in with all the mods the rest of us are doing/planning! ... lol

Congrats!

[keviseeb]

Kevin, I have seen numerous dealers advertising the $2,000 gas card being available in June. If you have purchsed a boat in June and were promised a gas card, GET IT IN WRITING! The Sea Doo gas card promotion does not start until July 1, 2008 and runs until July 10, 2008. What is in effect now is an unpublished manufacturer to dealer rebate. I would hate to see innocent buyers of sport boats become the victim here, again, if your dealer registers the boat before July 1, 2008, YOU WILL NOT GET THE $2,000 GAS CARD.

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

[jeepster]

My stock 2005 C180 turned out at 43 mph top speed measured by Garmin GPS....forget that stock analog speedometer...i can make it show anything but the real speed...(crappy speedometer).

No problem pulling 1-2 skier....biggest problem is getting it on plane if you fill it up with 8 peoples....!!!
(Lack of power).

BRP.....you got to make that boat more powerful, i'd buy right away a boat well set-up for at least 260-275 HP...!!!
We want the bite out of this good looking hull, also bring that nose up a bit...the boat is drinking too much water at low speed in big waves...!

I have a chance to buy a low hour 2005 challenger 180. Do these boats have enough power to pull skiers etc??We have been using a 120 hp 17 foot i/o for skiing. I understand top speed is about 35 - 38 mph, does this sound correct?? Any other things I should look for??

Thanks in advance