21 replies to this topic

[dootndo2]

Last year I tested my 06 Challenger CS (215hp) with a GPS. I was only able to get 37mph. Is this close to what others are seeing? I hear 46-52mph and I don't feel that those numbers are realistic. Generally there are around 2 people in the boat and I very rarely have it filled up completely with fuel. Are there other factors that could be messing with top speed? Or things that I can check/test?

The boat runs really well and so I'm not as concerned, but I want to make sure that something isn't still wrong with it. The dealer says that it is running fine. I have all of the maintenace done at the dealer once at the beginning of the year and once at the end of the summer. The only issues I have had with the boat was a cracked exhaust pipe (the silver one) and that was repaired. I also had the ceramic washers replaced with the BRP Titanium Kit.

dootndo2

[Kevin Leclair]

I would say this biggest thing that could affect you speed are the water conditions if the dealer says everything is running fine. The most we have got out of our 180 Challenger on the SeaDoo speedometer is 42mph. We have never tried it on GPS to see how accurate that was though.

[thorvald]

I would say this biggest thing that could affect you speed are the water conditions if the dealer says everything is running fine. The most we have got out of our 180 Challenger on the SeaDoo speedometer is 42mph. We have never tried it on GPS to see how accurate that was though.

Hmm, my 2008 SE shows 55mph when pushed to the walls and a full tank.

Next time I'll GPS it and see how it really does.

[terrye]

mine also shows 55mph flat out with 2 people on board!

[tomz240]

I'm getting 52 mph in my 2008

[PYLEOTIS]

MINE GETTING 52MPH (THE GPS SHOWS 53MPH)WITH SUPER UNLEADED GASOLINE 2 PERSONS BUT WITH SEA WATER TEMPERATURES AROUND 24-27 CELSIUS AROUND MAY-JUNE .IN AUGUST WITH SEA TEMPERATURE 31-34 CELSIUS THE TOP SPEED IS AROUND 47 MPH.

[Gerrymon]

Join the club! My 2009 Challenger SE has never gone over 32mph on the GPS. The boat speedo, as most are, is worthless. My boat has literally, yes literally been at two different dealers longer than I have had it in my slip. As I type this, it again has been at the dealer for a month where it seems no one can figure out why it doesn't (and never has) go over 32mph. It runs very well otherwise though. Personally, I think the ultra premium gas guzzling supercharger is a joke and/or the computer is not issuing correct directions to it. Either way, it baffles everybody. You may have a lemon like me. No more SeaDoos for me.

[davo]

sorry to hear about your boat. Mine indicates 48mph/78kph in 25*c water, quicker when its wintery(82kph. No GPS readings yet however, on a standard route in my area I can get to the islands in 25 mins horsing around. Most nice boats in my area take 50-60 mins on the same run. On paper 75kph will do the run in about 20-25 mins. The boat speedo so far is within the ball park. 30mph seems strangely slow. Hope you have better luck next time, or get your doo properly sorted.

[kseroski70]

I bought a 2010 180 SE last fall. GPS had it at 43 with regular unleaded and only about 75% throttle. I didn't have the break-in hours on it so I didn't punch it. Water temp (does that actually effect speed ?) was in the mid-70's with light cross winds and multiple squirrels on the shoreline to break the wind.

[ZZSDMSMY]

Hi, been a while for me.

I have a 07 180SE and since day 1, I have had top speed issues. I usually get around 37-38mph gps and/or speedomoter(wich is accurate). AT Lake Powell I did get 41-42mph. My issues have allways been the rpm's. I can get 8100rpm out of the hole, but at 15mph the rpms drop to about 6900rpms. I have had in several times over the years and allways told there is not problem. The personal at my local seadoo dealer changes a lot, so this fall for wintering, the new personal took yet a nother look and claimed some repairs that may help. I have to wait to test this summer. I feel it is the cpu, because right at 15mph those rpms drop.
Anyways just curious what rpm's you all are getting from yours?

Good luck to us all

zzsdmsmy

[fresno69]

i went out today for the first time in my newly aquired 2006 180 and the bottom and mid range power was impressive but i only got 42 mph top end with 3/4 tank of fuel and 2 large adults. i really didn't expect much more top speed, but my 28' boat runs 72 mph so it's kinda slow feeling, but fun!...lol. so your right in there i would say.

[jorous]

2010 180SE done 13 hours and top speed observed to hit 81 Kmh = 50.3 MPH. outside temperature was 29 C and with full tank

[dootndo2]

2010 180SE done 13 hours and top speed observed to hit 81 Kmh = 50.3 MPH. outside temperature was 29 C and with full tank

At the end of the year last year I had a complete supercharger failure. The bearings in the unit failed causing the blades of the supercharger to wobble. This wobbling let the blades to literally destroy the inside of the unit. A new OEM supercharger was installed (full unit). The dealer told me that he was able to get 42-43 MPH on GPS.

I have new problems that I will post here in the next day or so.

dootndo2

[05Challenger]

I have a 2005 Challenger 180 (215) that we have topped out at 52 mph with 3 people (captain, passenger, and one on the bow) on the boat and a full tank of gas. Perfectly calm day in mid-October on a Lake Tarpon and the water literally looked like glass. The 52 was registered with a Garmin handheld but our speedometer had as at like 41. We have had constant issues with out speedometer and therefore I don't even look at it anymore.

Also, for what its worth, air temps were in the low 70s but not sure about water temps.

[dootndo2]

I have a 2005 Challenger 180 (215) that we have topped out at 52 mph with 3 people (captain, passenger, and one on the bow) on the boat and a full tank of gas. Perfectly calm day in mid-October on a Lake Tarpon and the water literally looked like glass. The 52 was registered with a Garmin handheld but our speedometer had as at like 41. We have had constant issues with out speedometer and therefore I don't even look at it anymore.

Also, for what its worth, air temps were in the low 70s but not sure about water temps.

On the analog speedo, there is an adjustment switch with 5 settings. You can adjust them to get the speedo closer to the correct speed. You have to unscrew the panel and get to the back of the speedo to make the changes. I don't know what setting does what because I cannot find a make/model of the speedo and/or its instructions.

dootndo2

[dootndo2]

Hi, been a while for me.

I have a 07 180SE and since day 1, I have had top speed issues. I usually get around 37-38mph gps and/or speedomoter(wich is accurate). AT Lake Powell I did get 41-42mph. My issues have allways been the rpm's. I can get 8100rpm out of the hole, but at 15mph the rpms drop to about 6900rpms. I have had in several times over the years and allways told there is not problem. The personal at my local seadoo dealer changes a lot, so this fall for wintering, the new personal took yet a nother look and claimed some repairs that may help. I have to wait to test this summer. I feel it is the cpu, because right at 15mph those rpms drop.
Anyways just curious what rpm's you all are getting from yours?

Good luck to us all

zzsdmsmy

I would seriously take a look at your supercharger. I am not a mechanic, but I believe that mine blew out/broke the first year we had the boat. We used to get 7100 RPMs with the SCIC. The boat runs fine without the SC, but doesn't feel powerful. I will get it back at the end of the week this week and I'll let you know if I can tell a difference in the power.

dootndo2

[dootndo2]

I bought a 2010 180 SE last fall. GPS had it at 43 with regular unleaded and only about 75% throttle. I didn't have the break-in hours on it so I didn't punch it. Water temp (does that actually effect speed ?) was in the mid-70's with light cross winds and multiple squirrels on the shoreline to break the wind.

Are you sure you are running with 87 octane? It is not recommended to run with less then 91 octane. While the boat has knock sensors, it is really needs the extra octane. Can you confirm?

dootndo2

[dootndo2]

Join the club! My 2009 Challenger SE has never gone over 32mph on the GPS. The boat speedo, as most are, is worthless. My boat has literally, yes literally been at two different dealers longer than I have had it in my slip. As I type this, it again has been at the dealer for a month where it seems no one can figure out why it doesn't (and never has) go over 32mph. It runs very well otherwise though. Personally, I think the ultra premium gas guzzling supercharger is a joke and/or the computer is not issuing correct directions to it. Either way, it baffles everybody. You may have a lemon like me. No more SeaDoos for me.

You may have the same issue that I had. The supercharger cost me about $835.00 plus install. I had the ceramic washers replaced with the BRP Titanium kit and that didn't help. I would suggest having them look specifically at the supercharger. Perhaps your bearings have failed. This is what happened in mine. I asked for the parts, so I will take some photos of the internal destruction that occurred. Stay strong!

dootndo2

[dootndo2]

I would say this biggest thing that could affect you speed are the water conditions if the dealer says everything is running fine. The most we have got out of our 180 Challenger on the SeaDoo speedometer is 42mph. We have never tried it on GPS to see how accurate that was though.

Are you able to provide a screenshot/photo of the supercharger bearings? I am curious what I will be looking for when I get the old parts back. The issue was the bearings had failed overtime causing the supercharger fan (blades) to wobbble in the housing. Eventually, the wobbling got so bad that it destroyed the inside of the housing. I believe that some of the plastic flew into cylinder 1 causing either a cracked piston ring, or a valve seal failure.

What sucks is the only way to determine what is wrong is to tear the whole engine apart. Is there no better way? How hard would it be to do this myself? I wouldn't be able to fix it, but I could pull the heads off it it doesn't require any special tools to do this.

dootndo2

[rickfl]

Hi, my 1998 seadoo twin rotax, unknown miles does 50mph on gauge at 7k rpm on each tach. Based on reports of 40-45 I guess I am doing good. cross fingers.