Need advice, looking at buying a 08 Challenger 180

[adouger]

Hi Guys,

I'm not a jetboater yet, but hope to be soon. I'm going to be looking at an 08 Challenger 180, and I'd like some advice on what questions to ask. I've done some reading on here so I know I need to ask if it is supercharged, and if it has stainless washers if it is. All I know is what the guy has written on the for sale sign (it's on the side of the road not far from my house). The sign says 08 Challenger 180 - only 95 hours, includes snap cover and travel cover, bimini top, Jensen stereo, and all manuals. $15,000 obo.

What else should I ask? Not sure if I'll be able to test drive it or not, but plan on asking. The price looks a little high right? I'm thinking it should be closer to $12k, but I'd like opinions on that too.

Thanks!

 

[Scott E]

If it's supercharged, 215 or 255 hp, unless you see a receipt for the rebuild, just plan on having it done. Check the pump intake, impeller etc for damage. You can start the motor for 30 seconds without the hose connected without damage. Verify the gauges etc work. Best option would be testing it on the water.

Look the trailer over, tires etc.

 

[adouger]

Thanks Scott. I hate to sound like a newb with this, but I am. Will I be able to see the intake and impeller from the bottom of the boat or is there access from the top somewhere? I'm hoping I can test it on the water, but we'll see.

 

[Scott E]

Bottom of the boat for the intake. Take a large piece of cardboard to lay on. Look for missing gelcoat, gouges, etc. The impeller can be seen from the back with the gate up. Take a good bright flashlight. Look at the edges of the impeller for damage.

also it will help to know what to look for to make sure it is superercharged. It is located at the back of the engine. The 255 will have an external inter cooler.

 

[ThatJeepGuy]

08' will be 215hp supercharged, there was no other option. There was SE and non SE. SE has a Bimini, carpet, and a radio remote at the helm. In 2008 the stock supercharger has ceramic clutch washers. Those need to be replaced before any use. It's a ticking time bomb.
The good news... the boat handles amazing! It can literally spin on it's own axis. Around 48mph top speed. The closed loop cooling system means no saltwater in the motor but there will be saltwater in the exhaust.
Also theres only 2 speakers in the cabin area. In 09' seadoo added 2 more to the bow area.
Finally in 08' these boats had an MSRP in the low $20k but dealers were blowing these out much cheaper. New I paid $19k out the door with no trade. $15k is absolutely ridiculous!...

Edit: Don't let people tell you Seadoo stopped putting ceramic washers in their supercharged watercraft in 2007. In 2008 Seadoo jet skis had metal clutch washers but not their boats. I'd be adimit about a sea trail. If the boat doesn't hit 7900-8000 rpm in the sea trail (not on the trailer) then the washers are blown and the motor needs to be totally torn apart.

 

[adouger]

Thanks Jeepguy! That's great information. I won't have any problems with saltwater up here in Wisconsin, but good to know anyway. I've watched some YouTube videos and they look like fun boats! Sounds like this is an SE because it has the bimini, carpet, and radio. I'll definitely make sure those washers are metal before making any type of offer. Also glad to hear you agree about the price being high. NADA has the low retail at $11k and high at $12.5k does that range sound about right?

 

[ThatJeepGuy]

IMO the value is going to come down to condition and how much you really want it. Also how can he verify the hours. They need to hook it up to the BUDs system or CanDoo to see hours since these boats don't show hours on the gauge cluster.

 

[Water4fire]

Without the Supercharger the Boat will not go over 6000-6200 RPM so don't listen to 7900 or so. A good heat soaked motor will only pull around 7700-7800. The boats were a year behind the skis so in a 2008 Seadoo went to Metal washers in PWC line only. The Boat line up was changed in 2009. I don't understand why but the boats were always a year behind. Even the ECU's. If a Boat had a Washer failure I would make sure I take a very good look if it was fixed correctly. SO many people and dealers have no idea how to fix a Seadoo motor with a failed rear bearing or Ceramic washers. It is front and rear oil pumps timing chain and flush the motor. I pull them and split them. It suxs.

 

[ThatJeepGuy]

Without the Supercharger the Boat will not go over 6000-6200 RPM so don't listen to 7900 or so. A good heat soaked motor will only pull around 7700-7800. The boats were a year behind the skis so in a 2008 Seadoo went to Metal washers in PWC line only. The Boat line up was changed in 2009. I don't understand why but the boats were always a year behind. Even the ECU's. If a Boat had a Washer failure I would make sure I take a very good look if it was fixed correctly. SO many people and dealers have no idea how to fix a Seadoo motor with a failed rear bearing or Ceramic washers. It is front and rear oil pumps timing chain and flush the motor. I pull them and split them. It suxs.

A non supercharger boat will still go over 6,000-6,200 rpm. But in 08' the challenger wasn't built with a non supercharged motor. 7,700 or 8,000? ? It's all relative ....

Let's try not the confuse People. Seadoo specific, the only major thing to worry is the supercharger. But at those hours it's probably time for a rebuild.

 

[Water4fire]

Than don't post what is not true. A non SCed boat is built different. Different Cam compression and other stuff. SO yes it will go over 6000, but a SC'ed Boat with a blown SCer will not period. So stop. Lets tell him what to truly look for not your here say.

I will agree at 95hours he should look at a Rebuild of the Supercharger. I don't like Seadoo's new 200hour rebuild B.S. as the kits still have the same old bearings.

 

[ThatJeepGuy]

So what did you decide???

 

[K-doo]

Hi All,
I am new also. I am looking at a 2008 seadoo challenger 180. It is not an se. The seller just had a seadoo place replace the jet pump which was damaged by a piece of cement and gravel. Seadoo place said pump is fixed and they didn't see any other issues and the boat ran good when lake tested. Boat has like 60hrs on it. Are there any other concerns I should have? If they replaced the jet pump can I assume that the wear ring and impeller was replaced with it. The cost of the repair was approx. $1500 as per the seller. Supercharger was replaced 55 boat hrs ago under warranty due to defect.
Boat has hour meter, snap in carpet, bimini top, cock pit and bow snap on covers, full boat cover.
Thanks.

 

[veedubtek]

You can safely assume the wear ring was done, not sure about impeller. I just replaced a pump on a seadoo ski a couple weeks back, and it definitely didn't include impeller, but did have a new wear ring installed.

With supercharger replaced already, give her a good lake test but I'd imagine you shouldn't have too much to worry about. Stand on it out of the hole and make sure it doesn't cavitate, and run it enough to make sure it doesn't trigger any overheat alarms or anything. It's a great boat. Sounds like it should be in the 10/11K neighborhood assuming good condition. Maybe less being end of season for alot of folks.

 

[K-doo]

You can safely assume the wear ring was done, not sure about impeller. I just replaced a pump on a seadoo ski a couple weeks back, and it definitely didn't include impeller, but did have a new wear ring installed.

With supercharger replaced already, give her a good lake test but I'd imagine you shouldn't have too much to worry about. Stand on it out of the hole and make sure it doesn't cavitate, and run it enough to make sure it doesn't trigger any overheat alarms or anything. It's a great boat. Sounds like it should be in the 10/11K neighborhood assuming good condition. Maybe less being end of season for alot of folks.

Thanks,
You hit the price right on the head. Also comes with the trailer and an airhead 2 person tube and a single rider tube, a pair of water skis, vests, bumpers, anchor.