7 replies to this topic

[cincy_cosmo]

Hi, I'm a newbie here, but ....

I'm looking at getting a used Speedster. Sea-doo places the weight capacity at 650lbs. All four members of my family calculate to be just 10 pounds under that.

What should I expect handling wise by fully loading the boat down? Should I just keep looking for a Challenger 180???

Thanks in advance!

[kseroski70]

I would go for the 180 or higher. That weight also will include all your additional gear - pfd's, coolers, safety equipment, etc. So, it is likely you will be over the limit. I have a 2010 180 SE and love it. I boat up at Caesar Creek if your interested in looking at one. And I have seen a couple others there.

[cincy_cosmo]

Thanks Kseroski I think you are right about the weight. My family and I are also considering several alternatives..ie..the 15 foot models may require us taking turns riding. But I think I prefer the 18 foot models.

[RFoster130]

Yeah you would have problems with that much weight. If you dont mind an older boat the 16 ft speedsters like mine can handle 650 lbs.

[bryckhaus]

Yeah you would have problems with that much weight. If you dont mind an older boat the 16 ft speedsters like mine can handle 650 lbs.

That's odd my 98 speedster says 850lbs, persons and gear.

And speaking of space, I wish I has a 18-20 foot boat. Im 6'3 and hit my knees in the front seats. Also I usually don't have more that 3 people.

[LTM501]

If you plan on having more than two people in the boat very often, you should get something bigger than the Speedster. I have a Speedster with the 255hp. Power is not a problem with four adults onboard but anytime I have an adult in the rear facing front seat, the boat is very prone to taking on water over the front when moving slowly. That is irritating as the berber carpet doesn't dry very quickly so I have to vaccum it when I get home. Also, that boat gets very crowded with more than two people if you need to move around. The Speedster is very practical for my wife and I as we trailer 150 miles round-trip every week, it fits in the garage, and will pull me on a slalom ski, but if we even took one more person very often, I would need an 18' boat.

[RFoster130]

That's odd my 98 speedster says 850lbs, persons and gear.

And speaking of space, I wish I has a 18-20 foot boat. Im 6'3 and hit my knees in the front seats. Also I usually don't have more that 3 people.

Mine says the same thing. I'm not saying that the capacity is 650, i am saying it can handle 650 easily. I put 4 people in it all the time including me. I would never put 5 in there. ITs the perfect boat for 3 or 4 people. Its got plenty of power and will do 50 easily.

[RFoster130]

If you plan on having more than two people in the boat very often, you should get something bigger than the Speedster. I have a Speedster with the 255hp. Power is not a problem with four adults onboard but anytime I have an adult in the rear facing front seat, the boat is very prone to taking on water over the front when moving slowly. That is irritating as the berber carpet doesn't dry very quickly so I have to vaccum it when I get home. Also, that boat gets very crowded with more than two people if you need to move around. The Speedster is very practical for my wife and I as we trailer 150 miles round-trip every week, it fits in the garage, and will pull me on a slalom ski, but if we even took one more person very often, I would need an 18' boat.

The 16 ft speedsters have 4 individual forward facing bucket seats. So seating 4 is no problem. It is not like the smaller 15 ft boats. Also, you need to throw the carpet away and buy hydroturf. It will be the best thing you do to that boat. No more stinky wet carpet.