1998-2004 Sea-Doo Challenger 1800 Specs and Review [Video]

Sea-Doo marketed the award-winning Challenger 1800 from 1998 through 2004 as the more powerful brother of the Sportster 1800. Right after the Millennium, the Challenger series was expanded with the addition of the more spacious 20-footer Challenger 2000.

In this post, we’ll review the 2-stroke Challenger 1800 and its factory specifications.

1998-2004 Challenger 1800 Review

Hull and Capacities

Sea-Doo introduced the Challenger 1800 in 1997, built with a small hull and an asymmetrical deck design.

In 1998, she was heavily redesigned for greater comfort and convenience.

The revamped model was built on a larger modified-V fiberglass hull with a 19.5-degree transom deadrise.

She measured in with an overall length of 17 feet 11 inches and a beam of 7.5 feet.

The Challenger was not only one of the largest and fastest jet boats in the late ‘90s, but it also won the ‘98 IDEA engineering design award.

Despite its relatively large dimensions, she weighed 1,865 pounds dry and about 2,200 pounds fully loaded.

Sitting on a single-axle trailer, the trailering weight ranged between 2,600 and 2,800 pounds.

With some basic gear, the gross weight of the rig could reach or even exceed 3,000 pounds.

Sporty and stylish, the bowrider-style top deck was designed with curved lines and two-tone upholstery.

Instead of a wraparound windshield, it featured two smaller sun visors with storage beneath.

Seatings included a fairly small bow lounger, two swivel bucket seats for the captain and his companion, and an aft bench seat for three.

Each of them featured well-countured cushions with side bolsters for the tightest fit.

They were completed with a small full-beam sun pad above the engine bay.

In addition to standard grab handles, the Challenger featured two huge arches mounted on top of the gunwales.

Besides enhancing the design, they also functioned as grab rails.

Standard features included a single mirror, ski eye, ski pole, integrated beverage holders, navigation lights, mooring cleats, eyelets, ice box, deck drain, and an audio system with marine-grade speakers.

Housing the radio and a 12V socket, the glovebox was covered by a lockable lid.

You could also find some storage units under the sun pad and the bow seatings.

The minimalist helm was fitted with armrests, control levers, and a small dashboard featuring a switch panel, fuel gauge, speedometer, and tachometers.

Fitted with a basic reboarding step, the swim platform offered a moderate amount of space.

In terms of capacities, the boat could carry 40 gallons of gas, some gear, and 7 people, up to 1,150 pounds in total.

While Sea-Doo marketed the Challenger 1800 from 1998 through 2004 with this same hull and top deck architecture, the propulsion system got upgraded many times during those years.

Let’s drill into the details and talk about these power sources and jet pumps in detail.

Engines and Performance

In the 1997-1999 model years, the Challenger 1800 was manufactured with a twin Rotax 782cc engine package, which were replaced by single Mercruiser V6 240hp engine options in 2000.

The former included two 2-stroke, oil-injected, 782cc, twin-cylinder engines that delivered a combined 201hp at 6850 RPM.

These were paired with two Bombardier formula jet pumps with a reverse system and a weedless intake system.

This high-performance powertrain was carried over to 1998-1999 model years without any significant changes.

Thanks to the dual jet pump, they offered an easy operation at a slow speed but were also capable of thrilling tricks when running hard.

Hence, the Challenger 1800 was easy to use and offered a lot of fun for either adrenaline junkies or families.

She not only offered incredible hole-shot acceleration, but also topped out at 48-49 mph at 5200 RPM. Best cruising speed was 24-25 mph at around 3000 RPM.

For the Millennium, Sea-Doo replaced the twin-Rotax engine package with a larger single Mercury.

This 2-stroke, carbureted, reed-valve, 2500cc, V6 marine engine produced 240hp at 6500 RPM.

Engine power was delivered to a mixed-flow, single-stage Mercury Sport Jet pump.

With this new propulsion, the top speed of the boat increased from 48 to 50 mph.

Problems

2-stroke Sea-Doos, especially twin-engine models, suffered from extremely high-maintenance and thirsty engines, and the Sea-Doo Challenger 1800 was no exception.

Twin Rotax engines were especially prone to blowing up due to poor lubrication or other issues.

These engines burned a combined 24-25 gph at wide open throttle, giving a cruising time of 1 hour and 25 minutes with 15 minutes in reserve.

On top of that, they were buried deeply inside the hull, so working on them was physically demanding.

We also have to mention the poor riding experience of the modified-V hull. Since it couldn’t cut through even the smallest chop, owners typically had to deal with bouncy rides.

The top deck also offered less free space and fewer convenience features than other boats in this size range.

Owners really missed a wraparound windshield and floor carpets, but the swim platform of this boat was also extremely small.

Specs Charts

For your convenience, we’ve listed the key specs of the 1998-2004 Sea-Doo Challenger 1800:

Dimensions and Capacities

Overall Length	17’ 11”
Beam	7’ 6”
Overall Height	12”
Dead Rise	19.5 degrees
Dry weight	1865 lb.
Draft*	10.5” – 12”
Load limit	7 passengers or 1245 lb.
Main Oil Reservoir	3 gal.
Fuel Capacity	40 gal.

*Depending on the year

Engine and Pump

Years	‘98-‘99	’00-‘04
Number of Engines	2	1
Type	2 x Rotax 787	1 x Mercury
Engine Stroke	2-stroke	2-stroke
Number of Cylinders	2 each engine	V6
Displacement	782cc (each engine)	2500cc
Performance (combined)	201hp @ 6850 RPM	240hp @ 6500 RPM
Pump	Bombardier Formula	Mercury Marine Sport Jet

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

Takeaways

Sea-Doo introduced its popular Challenger 1800 jet boat in 1997, which was heavily redesigned for 1998.

As the name suggests, she was built on a modified-V fiberglass hull enclosed with a sporty, bowrider-style top deck.

This model was manufactured from 1998 through 2004 with the same architecture.

Unlike the body, the power source was upgraded in 2000 when a single 2-stroke Mercury V6 240hp replaced the original twin Rotax 782cc engine package.

The Challenger 1800 remained in production until late 2004 when it was phased out by its more advanced 4-stroke successor.

Its less powerful variant, the Sportster 1800 was also part of the fleet from 1998 through 2004.

If you are considering buying a used jet boat, you may want to stay away from these aged Sea-Doos.

Even though they offer an unbeatable boating experience, their 2-stroke carbureted engines require a lot of attention and care.

Even with proper maintenance, they tend to be unreliable, noisy, and smoky.

This is why their 4-stroke successors, the Challenger 180 and Challenger 230 are far more popular among used boat buyers.