15 replies to this topic

[gotajetboat]

my boat only gets up to about 33mph according to dash . Was told by sales that it would do 50mph!! I miss my HX! Might have to get a 3D to make up the difference!!

[gotajetboat]

any aftermarket parts for speed?

[gotmdx]

my boat only gets up to about 33mph according to dash . Was told by sales that it would do 50mph!! I miss my HX! Might have to get a 3D to make up the difference!!

Mine as follows: 2 persons, full tank.
Silverwood Lake, CA.................47...35mph speed limit
Colorado River Laughlin NV.......52...going upstream! No speed limit there!!!! Whoa!
Lake Grant, CA........................43........maybe because of high altitude?

I don't know if speedometer is accurate. Try using a gps unit to check your actual speed.

[Kevin Leclair]

I am averaging around 46 mph (SeaDoo Speedo) on our lake with about 4 people and gear in the boat. I think I would be able to get around 50 mph if it was just me in the boat and less gear, but it would be hard to tell without actually having a GPS.

I know the new 180 Challenger with the 255 HP is suppose to break the 50 mph barrier, this is coming from BRP. I never heard BRP make this claim about the 215 HP model. Our dealer told us our boat would go around 45 mph and that has been pretty accurate for us.

2009 SEA-DOO 180 CHALLENGER SE Sport Boat

The 180 Challenger SE is lightweight, compact and fun at 18 ft (5.5 m). With new track and swivel Captain and passenger bucket seats, the 180 Challenger SE sport boat comfortably accommodates up to eight passengers, with roominess that rivals many 20 ft (6 m) bowrider / runabouts.

New Power: The 2009 180 Challenger SE includes a new 255 hp supercharged and intercooled Rotax 4-TEC power option. This option delivers a top speed of over 50 mph (80 km/h) with improved acceleration and more towing power. The 180 Challenger SE is also available with a 215 hp supercharged and intercooled Rotax 4-TEC engine.

New Colored Gelcoat Hull: The 180 Challenger SE hull is finished with a new colored gelcoat for added good looks. 2009 color choices are Scarlet Red or Riviera Blue.

New Larger Fuel Tank: For 2009, the cruising capacity of the Sea-Doo 180 Challenger SE increases thanks to a larger, 32 gal (121 l) fuel tank.

Newly Improved Hull: For 2009, hull improvements to the Sea-Doo 180 Challenger SE model enhance handling characteristics, deliver improved turning performance, and an improved ride.

Storage: The 180 Challenger SE is loaded with storage space…under the seats, in the lockable ski locker, aft, and in the large, lockable glove box.

Amenities and Conveniences: The 180 Challenger SE model is fully-loaded with many other features and benefits as standard equipment, including:

• AM/FM/CD satellite-ready* stereo with 4 speakers, driver-side remote and MP3 port
• Bimini top
• Bow filler cushion
• Cockpit & tonneau covers
• Custom-fit, snap-in carpet
• 8 stainless steel cup holders
• 6 stainless steel, pull-up cleats
• 8 grab handles
• Built-in cooler
• Reboarding ladder
• Ski tow eye
• 3 courtesy lights
• Walk-through to swim platform
• Compass
• Hour meter
• Lake water temperature gauge
• Backlit depth sounder

You can try Solas, http://solas.com, for a higher performance impeller...that might help some but I can't make any guarantees.

[Dale180se]

my boat only gets up to about 33mph according to dash . Was told by sales that it would do 50mph!! I miss my HX! Might have to get a 3D to make up the difference!!

You might want to get your digital tach seviced, mine was off. 1 foot chop, 2 guys 1/2 tank. 47mph stock

[gotajetboat]

Thanks for the replies, will see what the GPS says. Hope to see some more speed.

[Xrider]

Im gonna GPS mine next time I take it out. but according to the speedo it was well over 50MPH at 7000rpm or so. I have a feeling that the speedo is a bit off, maybe more than usually.

[Dale180se]

Thanks for the replies, will see what the GPS says. Hope to see some more speed.

It seems that the colder water affects the top speed and RPM. 64F 8120rpm 50mph, compared to 75F 8060rpm 47mph. Wonder what it going to run this weekend? We here are having night lows of 35F. Cant wait!

[keviseeb]

It seems that the colder water affects the top speed and RPM. 64F 8120rpm 50mph, compared to 75F 8060rpm 47mph. Wonder what it going to run this weekend? We here are having night lows of 35F. Cant wait!

Two things boat manufacturers can't seem to find, 1) an accurate speedometer, and 2) an accurate fuel gauge. I can't blame Sea Doo, even the most expensive boats made seem to share the problem. The 20 foot and up models can be adjusted, there isn't anything we can do for the digital dash on the 150 and 180 models other than change the sender which works....sometimes. For an accurate reading a GPS is the only way to go, thats what we use to set the speedometers on every 20 foot and up model.

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

[ZZSDMSMY]

I gps'd mine and was very happy to find that my speedometer was right on. The bad part in finding this was to confirm that I am not getting top speed as I thought. Still putting pressure on my dealer everytime I deal with them. They keep trying to tell me that 7200 rpms is all I should be getting because it is a big boat for the engine. I have tried telling them that others on the forums get right around the 8000rpms that specs say it should get, also with a top speed of about 45mph, usually I'm around 39mph.

ZZSDMSMY

[Dale180se]

I gps'd mine and was very happy to find that my speedometer was right on. The bad part in finding this was to confirm that I am not getting top speed as I thought. Still putting pressure on my dealer everytime I deal with them. They keep trying to tell me that 7200 rpms is all I should be getting because it is a big boat for the engine. I have tried telling them that others on the forums get right around the 8000rpms that specs say it should get, also with a top speed of about 45mph, usually I'm around 39mph.

ZZSDMSMY

I gps,d mine and it was 48.6mph, still have it in trip computer..The gauge said 47mph. Like you said specs say 8000rpm. Take it to a different dealer. Somethings wrong!

[keviseeb]

I gps,d mine and it was 48.6mph, still have it in trip computer..The gauge said 47mph. Like you said specs say 8000rpm. Take it to a different dealer. Somethings wrong!

Dale is correct, you should be getting 8,000 RPM and you definately should be getting more speed assuming there isn't something affecting the hull or water intake. Was the boat like this the first time you took it out? It is not unusual to not achieve full RPM during the first 7 hours because of the break-in program. After that though the engine should reach 8,000 RPM and a speed in the mid to upper 40's.

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

[jeepster]

I can testify, both the SEa-Doo fuel gage and speedometer are simply piece of trash...!!!

My stock Speedo always read speeds of somewhat 25-30 mph.....as i tested the stock boat to give me a top speed of 45 mph as tested full of gas with a Garmin GPS reading.....so here it is 43-45 mph GPS with the family in it on a lake (no stream or current).

[dootndo2]

I used a GPS on mine last year. I was only able to get 37 MPH.

[bamber1967]

I've had mine for two years and have operated it in various altitudes.. it has never got at more than 38 mph! I was told 50 mph as well when I bought it.

[brade07]

If your getting under 40mph with these boats in decent conditions I would definitely take it in. Id say supercharger washers are a good thing to check and yes they can be defective from the factory. Even with my supercharger slipping (recently got titanium washers put in my c180 215hp) I had 8 guys about 180-200 pounds each and still was getting 35mph in 1-2 foot chop/rollers on a 82 degree day, with 3/4 tank of gas.