MT180SP

According to the letter they will continue producing skis but are exiting the boat market, so I would think it wont affect too much far as customer support.

Just bought a brand new 180SP myself. Sort of perturbing, considering I researched at great lengths before buying my first brand new boat. Looking at the sport boat selection and website would sure make anyone think BRP sport boats were there to stay. But then again, the economy is in a slump, and strange things happen. If and when the economy takes a turn for the better I would not be surprised one year to suddenly see a line of brand new BRP sport boats sitting in front of a dealer again. May take a couple of years, may be 5 years, but if the opportunity to make money presents itself, of course BRP will climb aboard again!

Still love my Challenger and now I am guaranteed not to have a bunch just like it on the lake for a few years!!!!

Cool thanks Geoff.

I think there is a fine line on how long to run em out of water when it comes to wanting to benefit from expelling most of the water, and going too long and burning up the drive seal and/or exhaust components. Dealer actually said not much longer than a minute, but that 30 seconds should do it. That is what I did this year (first season with it) so we will see.

I am just thrilled at the ease of winterizing this awesome boat. Not only does it outperform ANY of the other 6 sterndrives I have owned over the years, but it is easier to put away for the winter than my lawnmower! Just cant get over it. Winterizng my other boats was such a big deal (and expensive when I paid a shop to do it).

Thanks for the replies! Good information too, Geoff. When you say you ran the boat out of water for a few seconds, was it around 30 or so? Then when you pumped air through later, would you say you got a LOT to come out, or just a residual amount?

I am wondering if the dealer advice is sound. Obviously they sell a lot of these boats, and are telling everyone the same thing, and if there have not been problems then it must be OK. Bottom line though is that I think Geoff hit the nail on the head with the last paragraph about any remaining water not being enough to cause problems in the pretty open system....

I agree with the OP and my boat produces similar results.

That said, I LOVE the boat and the jet drive. I have had sterns for 20 years---this is my first jet. We go on lakes and like to explore a large 50 mile long canyon. Sometimes the depth can get shallow quick, and with a stern, I was always stressed, and even struck an underwater tree once because I didnt trim up enough. Not having something sticking down another 2 plus feet below the boat it so nice. Plus, if you get good at feathering the gate lever, you can hold zero position and turn the thing on a dime if in tight quarters, back it out, spin around on axis, and speed away 5 times faster than even a 300 hp stern I used to have. Try that with a sterndrive!

Plus, I literally winterized my boat in 5 minutes the last time out. Got home and put on trickle charger. DONE. In spring I will take it out of the garage, change the engine oil and filter, and I am ready for the season. Unbelievably easy compared to the 8 hours I spend on the sterndrive: pulling jacket drains and plugs, changing water separator filter, changed lower unit gear oil, fogging cylinders, greasing gimble bearing, etc etc blah blah blah. This boat is way faster, hauls the same amount of people, and at 1000 pounds less, tows like butter. LOVE IT!

So not one of the 72 people that have viewed this winterize their own boat?