New for Sea-Doo in 2005, the Challenger 180 is an economy-minded 18-footer designed as a versatile family sportboat. With room for eight people, plenty of storage, two engine options, and an optional wakeboard tower, Sea-Doo expects the Challenger 180 to compete with outboard and stern drive family boats. What Sea-Doo offers that the competitors can’t is the added benefits of a jet boat’s extremely shallow draft, uniquely responsive maneuvering, and inherent safety over propeller-driven boats.

Benefits of Jet Power

In essence, jet power pumps water out the stern to push the boat through the water, rather than pulling a boat through the water by a propeller. Water is drawn from beneath the boat and forced through a pump inside the engine compartment, and then ejected out the back of the boat through a 6-inch diameter nozzle to propel the boat. The nozzle turns for steering, and a “reversing bucket” folds down over the nozzle to direct water straight down for neutral, and toward the bow for reverse. This offers several advantages over conventional propulsion.

First is shallow draft. With rare exceptions, a propeller must be located under the bottom of a boat so it can bite into undisturbed water. Since a jet drive sucks water from below the boat and shoots it out the back, the Challenger 180 can go into water almost as shallow as the hull, about twelve inches. And with no outdrive to raise, beaching the boat is simple.

Improved Maneuverability

Another advantage to Sea-Doo’s jet power is uncanny maneuverability. Because the jet system is always pumping water whenever the engine is running but redirecting the water for neutral or reverse, jet boats of the past were notoriously squirrelly in neutral and reverse. After testing two different Sea-Doo sportboats, I’m pleased to say the company has taken what was once considered a negative and turned it into a huge positive, particularly for beginner boaters. With the engine running and the shift in neutral, the Challenger 180 sits nearly stationary, drifting with the wind like a propeller driven boat would. But even though it is not “in gear”, the boat still steers by simply turning the wheel, hovering in one spot but still in control. To maneuver, just turn the wheel until the bow is pointed in the desired direction, shift into forward, and steer normally. While a twin engine boat with a bow thruster comes close, I have yet to run a conventional-powered recreational boat that has this ability.

A third advantage to jet power, is not having a propeller outside the boat, creating much less chance of injuring a skier or swimmer, although it is always prudent to turn the engine off when a swimmer is alongside. Since a jet boat is always pumping water while running, I find it makes people turn the engine off instinctively – something often ignored on conventionally powered boats.

Power and Performance

To power the jet, Sea-Doo offers two Rotax engine choices, a 3-cylinder 215 horsepower four-stroke engine with supercharger and intercooler, topped out at 56 mph, and cruised quite economically at 28.7 mph, burning just 9.1 gph or 3.15 mpg. The boat planned off in 3.8 seconds and went from 0 to 30 in 7 seconds, with plenty of pulling power for water toys.

Plenty of Features

The layout of the boat should appeal to family boaters. Sea-Doo calls it a 20-foot cockpit in an 18-foot boat, and I must admit, it does have a lot of room for an 18-footer. There is plenty of seating, a large sun pad with the bow filler cushion installed, and adequate storage. The swim deck is nice too, with a telescoping boarding ladder and well placed handrails to make it easy to climb aboard.

The new Challenger 180 has some great features, plus the added safety and maneuverability of Sea-Doo’s jet system, making it a great choice for an all-around family boat.