35 replies to this topic

[john 200]

I recently purchased a speedster 200. I owned a 2001 challenger 1800. I had nothing but problems with my other seadoo boat. The 240 mercury would not start after it was hot, it hopped or porpused all the time, even after installing lenco trim tabs. The 200 has had none of above problems, although only owned for a few months,very happy sofar. The gas mileage seems to be better. The only downfall is the high price. If anybody has any questions glad to try to answer.

[Kevin Leclair]

Congrats of your new Speedster 200, post some pics if you get a chance.

Kevin

[YamahaSux]

I sure would appreciate hearing more about your Speedster 200! How fast is it? How is the steering control? Do you have ample power in tight turns? What did you pay?

I currently own a '99 Speedster with twin Rotax 110's. I like it, but it just does not have enough power in tight turns. I also previously owned a '95 Speedster.

Anyway, I hope you are enjoying your new boat. Please post some more details about the boats performance!!

[john 200]

the 200 will not turn as tight as the 16 footer, but power wise is awesome. my friend has a 1998 speedster, which has the twin 110s.it will take mine out of the hole but top end the 200 will go by at three quarter throttle. the price is very steep, i traded a 2001 challenger 1800 and 13500.00 cash difference. The good thing is I can now out run any yamaha that is out there right now!!

[john 200]

the question that speed freak asked was how fast the 200 goes. So far I have went sixty-one miles a hour with 1 person or up to 3 people. as for the noise level the twins are very quiet, cruising or wide open at7250 rpm's. The wind noise is about normal. alot is to be learned about this boat since I have only run 3 tanks of gas through the boat. If you haven't seen one in person they are very radical ;ooking compared to all other seadoos.

[YamahaSux]

Cool! Keep us posted! I can't wait to see one at one of my local dealers!

[Kevin Leclair]

I can't wait to see one at one of my local dealers!

I had a chance to look at one at the end of this years boating season and I would have to say the boat looked truly amazing!!

john 200 post some pics of your boat for everyone to see if you get a chance.

Kevin

[cAn'T sWim]

I have a feeling the 160 will beat the new 200. I have the 2003 model and I have had it up to 70mph. This was with 2 guys and the lake was perfectly calm with hardly any wind. She sure sucks the gas though!

Is 61mph the fastest for the 200 so far? Even though the twins are there, it jumped up something like 1000lbs or more..??

[Kevin Leclair]

Yeah I agree I believe that the 160 would give the 200 a good run for the money on a calm day, I would really like to know how it would turn out.

Kevin

[cAn'T sWim]

Yeah I agree I believe that the 160 would give the 200 a good run for the money on a calm day, I would really like to know how it would turn out.

Kevin

I know the speedos are only an approx. on water but what's the highest you have seen yours read?

[Kevin Leclair]

~67, on a real calm day.

Kevin

[john 200]

if your speedos are acurate then the 200 wont' run with the 160. The 200 I have has only about 15hrs. on it, The first time in the water would barely run 55. But now I have had it run up to 61. It's funny that my 2001 challenger 1800 with the 240 would only run 56mph when it is advertised to weigh only a couple of hundred pounds more then the 160.

[cAn'T sWim]

if your speedos are acurate then the 200 wont' run with the 160. The 200 I have has only about 15hrs. on it, The first time in the water would barely run 55. But now I have had it run up to 61. It's funny that my 2001 challenger 1800 with the 240 would only run 56mph when it is advertised to weigh only a couple of hundred pounds more then the 160.

Honestly, I had a funny feeling the 200 would not go as fast as the speedster. I was looking at the 200 at the boat show and even though it has the twins, its a pretty big boat and weighs allot more than the 160.

Its not just the HP that counts either...... the speedster has a very good design on the hull which is evident in the amount of time to plane out..... The 160 does this in a matter of seconds.

I have bought quite a few toys in my life and the speedster is the best one so far.

[john 200]

I think we are comparing apples to oranges. I have a family of five.My oldest is eleven years old. I couldn't fit us all in a 160. The 160 could almost fit in the inside of the 200. If you love your 160 and don't need to get a bigger boat there is no reason other then for handling in heavy waves to buy the 200. I have rode in the 160 and it is a rocket out of the hole. Now for comparing the 200 to the challenger 1800 there is no comparison. The 200 is the top of the line family jet boat were a guy still can have performance and fun with the family. Also the 240 160 must be alot faster then the 98 with the twin 110's because my buddies can't outrun my 200.

[cAn'T sWim]

I was only commenting on the speed and HP factor of the 160 vs. 200 not the usage.


I would have traded in my 160 for the 200 if not for those huge bars running down the sides. I think they are there for the ski tower and maybe some other add-ons.
Same thing on the Challenger X but I don't think they are as long.
I would like to check out an X on the water and too bad it didn't come with twins!

I can't imagine what will come out in the next few years! I am sure the "new" Bombadier family will try to make a statement too!!

[john 200]

those bars grow on you after you see how the boat runs and handles the big waves.

[Don]

those bars grow on you after you see how the boat runs and handles the big waves.

Hi guys. Just logged on today after finding your site earlier. I am looking around for a boat this year, and there is a good chance it will be new. I'm still in the '4-8 good choices' selection stage, and am going through reams of paper, literature, websites, as well as the (Ottawa) boat show next weekend.

Skeg damage on some used boats, plus memories as a kid of replacing shear pins on the 2HP outboard got me thinking about Jets, although I am not a speed demon.

I could go with either the Utopia or the new Speedster (with Twin Rotax). I like almost everything on the Speedster in terms of features, layout, and engineering. The only thing I have a concern over (besides the $38K Cdn for the no-frills version) is the fuel consumption. Fuel is a lot more up here than in the states. I am currently paying about 0.50 US per litre (3.78 L per US Gallon so it works out to about $2/gal) for my truck, so it becomes significant over several years of use.

I managed to find some RPM/fuel/speed graphs from boattest.com for the Utopia but nothing for the new (Twin Rotax) Speedster, just the old Speedster. If anyone has a copy of one, I'd appreciate it, and I'll give you my email address. Assuming no-one does, I'd also appreciate any feedback on how many gal of fuel you tend to burn in a day of cruising versus a day of skiing, etc. How does the Speedster handle for a slower, longer cruise? Finally, has anyone wakeboarded behind it yet (tower or not)?

Thanking anyone in advance...
Don

[cAn'T sWim]

This should be interesting........ can't wait to see the gas consumption on the 200 because I know it's not good on the 160!!!

[Don]

This should be interesting........  can't wait to see the gas consumption on the 200 because I know it's not good on the 160!!!

I recieved an email from Bombardier today. Although they do not have graphs (or at least claim they do not exist), they provided me with one figure. At wide open throttle (around 7200-7300 RPM) the Speedster 200 (Twin Rotax) will consume about 41 Litres per hour (about 11 US Gallons)!!!

I have no idea what test conditions were wrt current, wind, temp, and payload, but from other readings, these tests are normally attempted in still water on nice days to minimize these variables. I also suspect from an advertising perspective, they had the boat almost empty in order to keep the values as low as possible. Even so, I am glad they provided me with this info. It would be nice if more manufacturers would provide this kind of data, but on a graphical format to allow some reader calculations on range, fuel, time, speed, etc.

Obviously, even dropping the throttle a bit should help out on the fuel consumption. I suspect I will probably be looking more at the Utopia boats now. Although a bit slower, they should be a lot easier on the fuel.

On the chance I find some more info, I'll certainly post it here, as this site is obviously focused on everything about the Bombardier products.

Don

[cAn'T sWim]

I didn't realize there was liitle or no info on gas consuption. That being said, I plan on putting together some of my own this year and will post it for future reference.

Welcome in Don..... once you get bitten, there is no turning back!! Check into some water tests on the boat(s) your interested in. Some places shy away from that but if they know your serious, it changes things a bit. Tell them you can't make up your mind and would like to go for a spin in different models.

Good Luck!!