2 replies to this topic

[robertm]

Anybody have one? Or ridden in one? What do you think of the power?

We are strongly considering moving up to a larger boat after this season and I really like the bigger challenger. I'd much prefer to stick with the two non sc engines though. I like the idea of no sc to deal with, better gas mileage and cheaper gas. It all adds up.

I'm just a bit concerned if it will be powerful enough. Our challenger 180 carries about 9lbs per hp (dry). The bigger boat would be about 11.6lb/hp. Definitely not going to be the rocket the smaller 180 is. I don't care about top end at all. If it will do 35 loaded up I'm content. I'm more concerned about being able to pull a wake board/ tuber with 8 people/gas/coolers/etc on board. And obviously being able to get up on plane with a full load of people and gear.

We'd probably go with the SP model. The local dealer has one on the show room floor and I'm afraid its ruined me ;-)


Thoughts? I've got 6+ months to research/pontificate/change my mind and then change it again. So no hurry

[keviseeb]

Here is some input from both our customers and personal observation. The 230 Challenger works better all around with the 430 HP package. According to one customer who owned a 2007 with the 310 HP package and just picked up his 2009 SP with the 430 HP package the fuel economy at cruise is very nearly identical. The reason is that the 430 powerplant combo is turning just over 1200 RPM less at cruise not to mention the final drive is bigger offering more efficiency of thrust. I know this is contrary to what is published but I tend to believe what I see for myself and also what I hear from trustworthy people who have no agenda. IF you run your boat at 3/4 throttle or above a lot then the SCIC or HO engines will consume more fuel that the NA version. Of course you will be doing it 15 to 20 MPH faster than the NA version! With respect to fuel we recommend mid grade for all engines especially if you are using ethanol blend which most are. You can run any Seadoo engine on 87 regular grade fuel, there will be a loss of top RPM on the HO engines however the engine is not hurt nor does it affect warranty. The same program that runs for the first 7 hours on the SCIC or HO engines which increases fuel flow and retards timing cuts in any time the spark knock sensors detect detonation. The bottom line is for runability and future resale value we recommed the 430 HP package.

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

Anybody have one? Or ridden in one? What do you think of the power?

We are strongly considering moving up to a larger boat after this season and I really like the bigger challenger. I'd much prefer to stick with the two non sc engines though. I like the idea of no sc to deal with, better gas mileage and cheaper gas. It all adds up.

I'm just a bit concerned if it will be powerful enough. Our challenger 180 carries about 9lbs per hp (dry). The bigger boat would be about 11.6lb/hp. Definitely not going to be the rocket the smaller 180 is. I don't care about top end at all. If it will do 35 loaded up I'm content. I'm more concerned about being able to pull a wake board/ tuber with 8 people/gas/coolers/etc on board. And obviously being able to get up on plane with a full load of people and gear.

We'd probably go with the SP model. The local dealer has one on the show room floor and I'm afraid its ruined me ;-)


Thoughts? I've got 6+ months to research/pontificate/change my mind and then change it again. So no hurry

[Jeremiah]

Keviseeb,

Care to elaborate on that first 7 hour thing on the 430hp model? The computer runs the engines different then later? Will mid grade give me more power? Can I just add octane booster?