2001 Sea Doo Challenger 1800

Testers Notebook: Challenger 1800 Location: Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada Test load: Safety gear, No water, No waste, Half fuel. Driver only. Test day conditions: Wind westerly at 10-20  knots in gusts, Waves one- to one and-a-half feet, with short chop. Synopsis: Powered by a fuel-injected 240-hp Mercury V-6 pushing a water-jet drive, the Challenger 1800 has the towing power family runabout-buyers want; add the jet's safety and fun factors and you've got a waterfront winner.

By: Mark Rotharmel
     Sea-Doo's Sport Boat line redefines the way jetboats are positioned in the boating market. The Challenger, Sportster and Speedster are true sport boats in their own right, sized for family pleasure boating and responsible operation. The Challenger 1800 isn't a brand new model, but the complete package is. Through a partnership of Bombardier and Mercury Marine, performance-oriented sport boat owners now enjoy Mercury's M2 Jet Drive engines, available in 210-hp or 240-hp.EFI models
     Our test boat was fitted with the latter, a 2.5-L V-6 electronic fuel injected two-stroke engine that turns a four-blade variable-pitch stainless steel impeller up to 6,250 rpm. With variable-rate oil injection fed from an 11.4-L reservoir and Mercury's own dual, through-hull mufflers, performance is sure.
     The Challenger can carry a decent load - up to 1,245 lb. or seven people. While the hull incorporates 20 degrees of deadrise to handle larger waves, the multi-chined bottom is designed to be nimble, to dance a bit and spin if so desired.
     Knowing that the larger 20-foot Challenger 2000 runs over 50 mph, I sensed the 1800 would gain another five mph or so. My guess was close. The boat topped out at 56.5 mph with two people aboard.
     Weight distribution is critical to performance, especially in lighter boats. With a 200-lb. person sitting in the co-pilot's seat, the 1800 ran a full four mph slower than when the passenger sat in the back. Get that centre of gravity right and speed comes naturally. Throttling down, the hull sprints out of the blocks in 2.5 seconds and lays down flat at 20 mph. It hits 30 mph in 2.63 seconds, 40 mph in 5.63 and 50 in 8.40. Few outboard-powered 18-footers can claim numbers like that. Even flat-out at 6,000 rpm, the boat is relatively quiet, indicating 93 dbA on the sound meter. If you didn't know better, you wouldn't think it was jet-powered.
     Lumpy water the day of our test let me challenge its handling in different conditions. The boat is a blast to drive. It reacts quickly, and turning can be performed at any speed. (Naturally you must take care when turning into big waves.)
     Style matches performance. Wrap-around bow cushions envelope you, grabrails are plentiful and armrests are appropriately placed. That said, a clearly visible warning sticker reminds you not to let passengers sit forward above idle speeds.
     The driver's dash is space-age attractive and ergonomically functional. There's a built-in cooler, locking glove compartment with stereo and 12-volt plug. Cockpit seating includes two firmly padded buckets; moving aft there are three seats separated by bolster-style partitions. There's a generously proportioned sunpad over the engine hatch with a deep padded lip to keep you from slipping off. Watersports enthusiasts will appreciate the retractable ski pylon.
     Around the dock, a control steering system automatically provides thrust at low speed. When you crank the steering wheel right around to right or left, the engine accelerates just enough to help make the turn. Advanced safety features include a driver's-side mirror and a control mechanism that won't let you shift unless engine rpm is at dead idle. As well, you can't push the throttle forward when the shift lever is in neutral.
     The Challenger 1800 is a thrill to drive, and a thrill to ride in - a boat to consider if you are in the market for any new 18-foot sportboat. 

Specs:

For the dealer nearest you contact:

Bombardier Recreational Products,
6545 US#1, Grant, Florida, U.S.A.
(321) 722-4000 Fax: (407) 722-4001
www.sea-doo.com