1996-2001 Sea-Doo Challenger Specs and Review [Video]

Sea-Doo manufactured the 14-foot Challenger from 1996 through 2001 as the closest relative of the Speedster and Sportster. They shared the same hull and many other features, but the Challenger was fitted with an extra spotter seat and different engine packages.

In this post, we’ll review this lesser-known Sea-Doo runabout and its factory specifications.

14-foot Sea-Doo Challenger Review

Hull and Capacities

Sea Doo introduced its revolutionary twin-engine Speedster mini jet boat in 1994 followed by the single-engine Sportster in 1995.

These boats shared the same deep-V fiberglass hull and many other features, and they only differed in their engine packages.

In 1996, this family was completed with the more comfortable Challenger.

This model inherited its hull and top deck from its siblings, but was expanded with an extra seat.

Placed on the port side, this aft-facing spotter seat was particularly useful during water sports.

You could also find a small storage unit inside the port console.

The rest of the interior architecture included basic bow seating and a bench seat that was borrowed from the Sportster/Speedster series.

Each of these seats was designed with well-contoured cushions and high-quality upholstery.

The stern was fitted with a fairly narrow swim platform, ski hook, and grab handles. Unfortunately, it lacked a reboarding ladder, and the Yamaha-exclusive pump clean-out ports.

Other standard features included grab handles, cup holders, mooring cleats, eyelets, navigation lights, deck drains, a ski locker, a rear trunk, and ice chest, and a ski tow eye.

The minimalist helm was designed with integrated mirrors, a switch panel, a cup holder, and shift/throttle levers.

Inspired by Sea-Doo PWCs, the small dashboard only had an analog speedometer, tachometer, and fuel gauge.

Engines and Performance

During her short lifespan, the 14-foot Challenger was offered with two different Rotax engine packages, including the single 787 and the twin 717.

Available in ’96 and ’97, the single Rotax 787 was a 2-stroke 782cc, rotary-valve, oil-injected, twin-cylinder engine rated at 110hp.

Due to this power option, the model was often referred to as the single-engine Challenger, Challenger 787, or Challenger 800.

With an adult and a half tank of fuel onboard, she topped out at 45-46 mph on the GPS.

Her best cruising speed was about 30 mph at 6000 RPM while getting slightly over 4 mpg.

By 1998, the single 787 engine was upgraded to a twin Rotax 717 package, which remained unchanged until 2001.

These 2-stroke, 718cc, rotary valve, twin-cylinder marine engines produced a combined 166hp out of the box and offered a top speed of more than 50 mph.

Each year these engines were paired with an axial-flow, single-stage Bombardier Formula Jet propulsion system.

Problems

Vintage 2-stroke Sea-Doos suffered from their high-maintenance 2-stroke engines, and the Challenger was no exception.

Its carbureted, oil-injected Rotax engines were not only fairly thirsty, but they also required a lot of attention and care.

But even with proper maintenance, they could go wrong in many ways and only a little failure in the oil system could cause a serious engine seizure.

Their pumps were also designed with driveshaft carbon ring seals, which were prone to causing water leaks.

Another common complaint against this model was its low comfort level due to the lack of convenience features like floor carpets, a wraparound windshield, and an audio system.

Her very small modified-V hull also offered a poor riding experience on the chop.

Specs Charts

For your convenience, we’ve listed the key specs of the 1996-2001 Sea-Doo Challenger:

Dimensions and Capacities

Overall Length	14’ 6”
Beam	7’ 1”
Overall Length on Trailer	16’ 8”
Overall Height	42”
Overall Height on Trailer	59”
Draft Angle	12”
Dead Rise	20°
Load limit	4 persons or 750 lb.
Main Oil Reservoir	3 gal.
Fuel Capacity	27 gal.

Weight

Dry Weight (1996)	1056 lb.
Dry Weight (1997)	1232 lb.
Dry Weight (1998)	1232 lb.
Dry Weight (1990)	NA
Dry Weight (2000)	1166 lb.
Dry Weight (2001)	1235 lb.

Engine Specs

Years	’96-‘97	’98-‘01
Type	1 x Rotax 787	2 x Rotax 717
Number of Engines	1	2
Engine Stroke	2-stroke	2-stroke
Number of Cylinders	2	2 (each engine)
Displacement	782cc	718cc (each engine)
Performance	110hp	170hp (combined)
Induction Type	Rotary Valves	Rotary Valves
Lubrication	Oil Injection	Oil Injection

These specifications are for informational purposes only. For further information, please refer to the operator’s manual.

Takeaways

Marketed in the late ‘90s, the Sea-Doo Challenger was part of the 14-foot Sea-Doo jet boat series.

She borrowed her hull and most features from the Speedster/Sportster models, but enjoyed a more comfortable seating plan with an aft-facing spotter seat.

This more advanced layout was carried over to the Speedster in 1997.

In ’96 and ’97, the Challenger was available with a single Rotax 787 (110hp) upgraded to twin 717s (170hp) in ’98.

Combined with a small, lightweight body, these engines offered an amazing performance.

Just like its 14-foot brothers, the Challenger was extremely agile and could do various tricks like spins and the thrilling “submarine.”

She offered an outstanding, jet ski-like riding experience, which today’s new boats cannot provide.

This is why these vintage Sea-Doos are still popular among jet boat enthusiasts.

Besides their high maintenance and low reliability, another drawback of these boats is their very limited availability and relatively high price tags.

If they ever appear on the used market, asking prices average between $500 and $10,000.

Besides the 14-foot model, 18-foot Challenger 1800s and 20-foot Challenger 2000s are also sometimes offered for sale.

These variants enjoyed far more spacious decks and larger twin-engine packages.