5 replies to this topic

[thebarlow]

Hello everybody...
I am looking to get into a challenger 1800 next season to go with my Gsi and Gtx both 97's had since new, still looking and running great.
tried to read as many posts as possible before asking. What i would like to know the opinions of your collective knowledge.. I believe that the 1800's began to get the merc. jet drives in 99 but have found conflicting reports. I would like to get away from the rotax not that i have had major probs just like the idea of four stroke in the boat and a single engine to maintain. So anyone know what years have the merc set up and what are your pro and cons on the twins vs the. v6.. i look forward to what im sure will be fun input.
Thx to all who have the time.

[seadoofanatic]

I am not sure what the exact years of the Challenger 1800 have the Merc powered engines, I do however know that the Speedster 160 got the Merc powered engine starting in 2000 and stopped in 2003 when the Speedster 160 was discontinued. It is likely that the Challenger follows inline with these years for the Merc powered engine. Both engine options are strong engines, personally we opted for the Merc engine so we only had to deal with a single engine. Plus the Merc engine was putting out more horsepower than the previous model years powered by the Rotax engine(s).

[thebarlow]

Thanks for the info. I feel the same about the singel engine vs. twin as far as maintinence.. the reason i am curious abuot the year merc first went in is the older the boat the cheaper the boat..I hope. Would not mind spending few more bucks if was the only boat in the garage but dont want to give up anything either..selfish huh. How do or did you like the performance in the speedster as far as engine goes...which version do you have?? m2,210 220 240? all the feed back i can get will really help thanks again
Chris.

[STEPHEN X-20]

We own a 2002 (Challenger) X-20 and the single engine Mercury 240EFI was a big reason why. It runs great and the only issues we have had in the past 2 seasons have been fixed by new spark plugs and fuel filters. If something major does happen, I have Mercury dealers all around me. Since I would need to travel over 2 hours to find the nearest Seadoo shop, this is a huge advantage.

[seadoofanatic]

The Speedster has been great, it has the 240 EFI in it. I don't know much about the other Mercury engines.

[thebarlow]

Good point STEPHEN X-20 "I have Mercury dealers all around me" i am lucky to have doo dealers all around me as well as merc dealers but never thought of being able to take it to a merc dealer that seem to be on every lake. Do you know or has anyone taken a doo to a merc dealer that does not sell seadoo for service. I never thought about the pump itself is it also merc or is that all brp and will merc dealer service or sell parts for anything beynd the motor if i come across something beond me, especialy if out of my area.
i think this is a big big pro i never even considered
thx Chris.