INFO wanted on Speedster boats???

[Water4fire]

Hi everyone. I maybe selling all my ski's to get a boat. WHY? I will have 2 little ones and the wife thinks we might be better off having a boat for the next few years.

Anyway. I am looking for info on the Speedster boats or challenger boats.

99-00 year models and about $6000 to spend.

Is the mercury 240hp better or the twin 110's?

Any info would be great.


" KEEPING THE RXP" but nothing else!!!
Austin

[Shibby1485]

in your price range, and given the years you are looking at, YES the merc would be a better option in those boats over the rotax 2 strokes in our experience at the shop...

some people however feel a bit more comfortable knowing they have two engines in case one shuts down on them when they are out with family... so that may be something to persuade u towards the twins instead?

also, u've got experience with the 800s mechanically speaking, right? would you be able to and feel comfortable workong on the merc?

[Water4fire]

I owned a Exciter 270 boat and I did have to use one engine to get us home once, but that was because I sucked up to much shit in the pump. MY fault.
Yes, I can work on the 800's I have allot of exsperince with them.

On the other hand I have heard the mercury's hold up real well.

Is there a performance gain from one to the other?
I mean two pumps to me would equal faster holeshot?
Is this correct?
Is the 240 merc faster?

.

[Shibby1485]

if u haven't found this site already... go thru it thoroughly... alot of great info and owner feedback.

http://jetboating.net

i'm inclined to think i remember the Merc being faster top speed boat then the twin 110s

i personally would favor the Merc over the twin 2-stroke rotax... Seadoo no longer uses the mercs in any of the boats as of THIS year tho. Their 5 year contract i think it was with merc expired, which i guess was a temporary fix until they developed their 4-tec line of engines which can now be found in every sport boat as of 2006. they were still using the merc 250 optimax in the utopias and the challenger X wakeboat boats, maybe the islandia as well... now they are all pushing like 215, 310, 370, 430 HP with the 4-tecs.

[steach]

Get the Merc! The tourq from the V6 and a 7.5" jet pump is a force and vitualy indestructable.

I had an '01 Speedster. I bought it new in 3/01 and beat the snot out of it (sold 4/05). From day 1, till I sold it, it ran a strong 57.5MPH(gps average), accelerated with XLT12's, out-turned skis at high speed and off the right wake I could double

It's great for tubing/skiing/swimming and zipping around. It is not good in heavy water. If you regularly get 2-4' seas it'll beat the poop out of you (I have x-rays to prove it).

I don't know how many hours but I rode 2-3 times/week from March-October. I consumed approx 38 gallons of injector oil while I had it. One issue that I solved in the driveway (motor-to-pump gasket was updated for a reason ).

[steach]

Pic of engine w/out the exahust collector.

[Water4fire]

Yea, I have narrowed it down to the Merc, because I like it..

Now I need to find one! Kinda cheep..

.

[Pale Rider]

Holy crap, that engine is Vertical??? That looks like an outboard power head!...I didn`t know that!...PR...

[steach]

Holy crap, that engine is Vertical??? That looks like an outboard power head!..

That's exactly what it is, mounted to a GREAT jet pump...beware the wear ring is $425.

[steach]

It was in pretty good shape.