capsnumber1

Hello All,

After a lot of research, I'm considering buying a 2004 or 2003 Utopia 185.

I would prefer to buy one from a SEADOO dealer but I have not found an easy way to check availability on used boats at dealers throughout the country. I don't mind having to transport one to North East Wisconsin, where I live.

I found a 2004 Utopia with 10 hours of use down in Florida for sale on consignment. I was thinking of having a local (to the boat) SEADOO dealer inspect it before I make an offer. It looks like new in pictures.

Does anyone have any idea or suggestions on why this would not be a good idea? For instance, should I worry about if boat was used in saltwater? Would the dealer be able to tell if there are corrosion problems due to this?

Thank you,
Marius

Thanks for the suggestions, they make a lot of sense and are much appreciated.

I would still love to find a way to search for a Utopia 185 at Seadoo dealers in the nearby states.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

Marius

Marius,

I made the mistake of buying a boat without test driving it on my first set of jetskis. It is a mistake I will NEVER make again. They ran and sounded great out of water, but as soon as they were put in...a whole different story. Spent a couple thousand taking them to different dealers until they were finally fixed.

Even though having a Doo dealer inspect it is a good idea, I would still be extremely wary of the situation - unless they take it out on a water test as well.

As for searching...there is no real easy way to do it. Most dealers list their inventory...both new and used....on sites like boattrader.com (and other popular sites). I live in VA and the leader in Sea-Doo jet boat sales in the country happens to be a dealer in Richmond VA. I have bought my second pair of jetskis from him, my jetboat from someone who bought it from him, and have all my service done by him. He told me that 90% of his business is Internet driven....he list all his boats on sites such as boatrader.com

Great looking doo, thanks for putting the pictures up!

Thanks! Took it to the dealer today and got the hour reading on it ---only 76 hours!

*Edit - New pictures now online for those interested!

Do you have any pics you can post up?

Per your request pictures are now up. Visit http://capsnumber1.myphotoalbum.com and click on the SeaDoo Challenger Album. The pics are from earlier this year, but it has not changed any from what the pictures show. I can take additional pictures if anyone wants, please let me know what you would like a picture of. Hopefully tomorrow evening I will have an hour reading for anyone who is interested.

I'm considering buying a 2008 Challenger 180, but I've never owned a jet boat. I had an 18' Ebb Tide with 205 HP (4.3 Mercruiser V6) which topped out about 50 mph and could pull me out of the water on a single ski (220 lbs). Without a prop that you can change pitch on, what kind of power does this jet boat have? Anyone over 200 lbs ski with one?

The short answer is yes, it will lift a 200 lb skier....however that depends upon how many are on the boat.

I own a 2005 Challenger 180 with the 215 HP superchaged engine (engine model from 05 to 08 hasn't changed to my knowledge). My boat will lift a skier with 3-4 other people on board but it takes a few seconds to get them up. Basically what I am saying is, it is not the best boat to lift a skier...but it will do it. I am actually in the process of trying to sell mine to upgrade to one with twin 215's (430HP model).

As for the speed....with two 200lb people riding the GPS clocked speed of my boat was approx 52 MPH. However, the more people you add the slower it goes.