Seadoo Challenger 210
Author
Discussion

DBSV8

Original Poster:

5,958 posts

267 months

Monday 1st November 2010
quotequote all
Any owners on here , can give advice on the Seadoo boats
looking at the Challenger 210 , as a day boat for use in Egypt in the red sea , how realible for use in salt water ?

The water around El Gouna is predominatley shallow and very calm , i would have thought ideal conditions for a jet boat

there is a 315 hp version how does this compare to the 430 hp , both with 100 litre tanks what would the expected range be ?

The other issue is finding a dealer in egypt to supply a boat and for servicing ,there seems to be no end of pitfalls trying to import from uk or abroad

any info would be apreciated
http://en-ca.sea-doo.com/showroom/boats/overview/2...

http://www.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=1557...







Edited by DBSV8 on Tuesday 23 November 14:01

Wildwilly

11 posts

257 months

Wednesday 3rd November 2010
quotequote all
Friends of mine have one of these up in North Wales.
It's a very capable boat - nippy and stable through tight tunrs.
We've taken it out in some fairly choppy conditions (choppy being exciting rather than pleasant conditions - not 10 foot swells!) and it's coped really well.
Although it's only used in the sea, it's not left in the water, so it gets a thorough cleaning and flushing through after every use. As a result - it seems to be aging well. I know he's had a couple of minor problems with the dash, but nothing too serious that I'm aware of. I'm also not sure what engine option he has, but it does get through a fair bit of fuel.
The only negative (from a non-owners point of view!) is that it's not great for towing - particularly wakeboards. When the rider edges hard, the boat will slow down noticeably - probably a compromise with jet boats. All in all though - a good boat.

DBSV8

Original Poster:

5,958 posts

267 months

Thursday 4th November 2010
quotequote all
Wildwilly said:
Friends of mine have one of these up in North Wales.
It's a very capable boat - nippy and stable through tight tunrs.
We've taken it out in some fairly choppy conditions (choppy being exciting rather than pleasant conditions - not 10 foot swells!) and it's coped really well.
Although it's only used in the sea, it's not left in the water, so it gets a thorough cleaning and flushing through after every use. As a result - it seems to be aging well. I know he's had a couple of minor problems with the dash, but nothing too serious that I'm aware of. I'm also not sure what engine option he has, but it does get through a fair bit of fuel.
The only negative (from a non-owners point of view!) is that it's not great for towing - particularly wakeboards. When the rider edges hard, the boat will slow down noticeably - probably a compromise with jet boats. All in all though - a good boat.
This might be a stupid question

as the boat will only be used in salt water , can you flush out the engine with the boat still in the water ,

ideally the boat would be stored out of the water , then for two weeks launched and kept at the mooring , it would be almost impossible to remove the boat onto a trailer after every use ,

is this possible

thanks

Sea-Doo

274 posts

234 months

Friday 5th November 2010
quotequote all
If its reliability you after the 310hp (2 x 155hp n/a motors) is the one you want as you'll not have to worry about servicing the superchargers.

However the 310hp will be noticable slower than the 430hp albeit use alot less fuel

These motors are closed loop cooling and use the rideplate as a heat exchanger, only the exhaust system are watercooled by the sea/lake water.

You wont be able to flush the exhaust system whilst in the water as the jet pump will always be pumping water around the system even at idle or neutral.

DBSV8

Original Poster:

5,958 posts

267 months

Sunday 7th November 2010
quotequote all
Sea-Doo said:
If its reliability you after the 310hp (2 x 155hp n/a motors) is the one you want as you'll not have to worry about servicing the superchargers.

However the 310hp will be noticable slower than the 430hp albeit use alot less fuel

These motors are closed loop cooling and use the rideplate as a heat exchanger, only the exhaust system are watercooled by the sea/lake water.

You wont be able to flush the exhaust system whilst in the water as the jet pump will always be pumping water around the system even at idle or neutral.
Thanks , this is what I feared ,

As the boat would be kept in the red sea at the mooring and used for 2 weeks ,then removed by trailer , it would be practicaly impossible to remove it each time after use ......

which only leaves 2 options , lift the rear end of the boat out of the water at the mooring using a chain lift and slings until the exhaust inlet is clear , and flush the system with fresh water , which would be a pain to do each time and not sure of the practicality of this ? are the inlets near the rear of the boat , could they be damaged during a lift ?

Second option , forget a jet boat and go with a stern drive

Sea-Doo

274 posts

234 months

Sunday 7th November 2010
quotequote all
I wouldn't advise lifting the rear of the boat to high as any water in the waterbox could travel back down the j-pipe, into the exhaust manifold and fill the cylinders with water.

Lifting the whole boat would be a much better option.

danyeates

7,248 posts

251 months

Sunday 7th November 2010
quotequote all
Jet units are not designed to be kept in the water really. We service and sell Avon jet RIBs so have experience here. I admit I'm not that familiar with the Seadoos though. Jet units are generally aluminium cast units and pressed stainless steel housing and impellers and they tend to corrode heavily when they stay in the water for long periods. I would be looking for an outboard engined boat. More efficient, more reliable and use a lot less fuel.

danyeates

7,248 posts

251 months

Sunday 7th November 2010
quotequote all
Water intake is about 3/4 of the way back of the hull.

Outboard engine wod be best in my opinion. You can lift the whole thing completely clear of the water. Sterndrives are expensive to service due to having to transfer drive from inside the boat to the drive outside. Newer Yamaha outboards you can flush through whilst in the water as they have an external flushing attachment near the cowling. Not sure about other outboard manufacturers.

Outboards also give the best power to weight ratio and efficiency, in my experience. I have a Yamaha four stroke 150hp on a 6m RIB and it does 47 knots and pulls skiers and wakeboarders with ease.

DBSV8

Original Poster:

5,958 posts

267 months

Monday 8th November 2010
quotequote all
Sea-Doo said:
I wouldn't advise lifting the rear of the boat to high as any water in the waterbox could travel back down the j-pipe, into the exhaust manifold and fill the cylinders with water.

Lifting the whole boat would be a much better option.
yes I'v come to the conclusion Seadoo are just not going to work in Egypt , lack of service dealerships , difficulty in getting the boat out etc ..just too much hassle ,

However I have found two other Bow riders , that give similar performance and have dealer networks in Egypt ,
Stingray boats
http://www.stingrayboats.com/products/models10/mod...

bit larger than the Seadoo at 25' and with Volvo Penta 5.7

bit larger than the Seadoo at 25' and with Volvo Penta 5.7 or they do a 21' which is similar layout to the challenger

Stigray 205

Larson boats escape 234
http://www.larsonboats.com/escape/234/

theres a boatshow in Jan , worth taking a trip out and seeing whats best


Edited by DBSV8 on Monday 8th November 04:47