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2006 Sea Doo Sportboat Sea-Doo Challenger 180CS Photos
2006 Sea Doo Sportboat Sea-Doo Challenger 180CS Test Details
| Category | Jet Boat |
| Length | 17ft 7in / 5.18 m |
| Dealers | Contact Dealers |
| Buyers Guides | Search For Buyers Guides |
| Boats For Sale | Search For For Sale |
2006 Sea Doo Sportboat Sea-Doo Challenger 180CS Description
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Last year, I had the opportunity of testing the Challenger 180 powered by a Rotax 4-TEC 185 hp engine. This year I decided it would be interesting to try the same boat but with the larger power package; the 215 hp supercharged, inter-cooled Rotax engine.
The Challenger 180CS is basically the same boat as the Challenger 180, but with a couple of added features like snap-in carpeting, a stereo remote and a full wrap around windshield for protection from the wind. The Challenger 180CS graphics and colour accents are what Sea-Doo calls Fire Copper. Both the Challenger 180CS and 180 are available in either Steel Blue or the Fire Copper.
The bow area of the boat has seating for two adults with glassed-in, drained storage under each lounge seat and a filler cushion that slides into place to create a sun lounge. As I walk back into the cockpit, the first thing I noticed was the size. The Challenger 180CS with its wide beam, offers a cockpit area comparable to many 20 foot boats. The 8'2" beam is wide compared to most 18 foot boats measuring in the 7 foot range. The layout of the cockpit featured two swivel bucket seats and a bench seat across the back that held three adults. Under the bench seat, there is more storage area, including a removable cooler. In the floor between the bucket seats is a large under-floor ski locker that can also be the storage area for life jackets and gear. The lid is held open by a spring.
In front of the passenger seat is a console with a glove box storage area large enough to hold personal belongings or even a couple of changes of clothing! In the glove box there is the Clarion Marine radio with AM/FM and CD player and a 12v accessory outlet for charging cellular phones or running air pumps for your tube. The helm has an array of instruments including the remote for the stereo, all mounted high near the driver's line of sight. The helm seat adjusted forward and back and swivelled but had no height adjustment. For a smaller person or night driving, it would have been nice to have a bolster seat.
Throughout the bow area as well as the cockpit, there were a number of padded grab handles and molded cup holders for passenger convenience. Behind the rear bench seat are two more storage areas, one on each side of the engine compartment. Over the engine compartment lid there is an easy step-through access to the large integrated swim platform for swimming and boarding.
Taking the boat out for a spin, the difference in acceleration and top speed from the smaller Rotax engine of last year's test boat, was quickly apparent. The 215 hp supercharged, inter-cooled Rotax engine sped along at a top speed of 52mph at 7,800 rpm which was 8mph faster than last year's Challenger 180. The boat accelerated from 0 to 20 miles per hour in 4.87 seconds which was almost 2 seconds quicker than the Challenger 180 with the 185 Rotax engine. As we cruised along at 5,500rpm and 24 mph, the sound meter read 91dbA which is a little louder than I expected but certainly acceptable and at top speed the meter read 94 dbA.
Cruising along the Intercoastal in Florida was nice with the jet drive. We were only drawing 12" of water, allowing us to access the shallow waters of many of the bays as the tide was receding. I have always liked the way this Sea- Doo Sportboat tracks through the water especially in tight turns. The 2006 Challenger with its modified V hull with inverted bell design and bevelled chime did well in a moderate chop, cutting through the waves and deflecting the spray of water away from the boat, keeping us (for the most part) dry.
I definitely enjoyed driving the Challenger 180CS with the bigger Rotax engine, especially the difference in acceleration.
2006 Sea Doo Sportboat Sea-Doo Challenger 180CS Test Specifications
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Test boat engine: 4-TEC 1503, 91 ci / 1,494 cc, 215hp Rotax Supercharged Inter-cooled, 3 cylinder engine.
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