One of the most popular kids' TV shows, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, started in the early '90s as a low-budget program in which normal teenagers transform into kung-fu-kicking mini-super heroes. Parents may have glanced over it, but it grabbed the hearts of small kids, who loved the idea of doing 10 consecutive cartwheels in red spandex tights and delivering round-house kicks to the kissers of wannabe Dr. Evil types.

The jet boat came into being about the same time, with much the same personality traits: an unassuming mini-boat that delivered a teeth-chattering, in-your-face ride the boating world had never seen before. It turned on the same adrenaline switch that 'Power Rangers' tapped into with kids, and for two or three years, boat manufacturers were churning them out like hotcakes.

But once boaters decided they didn't always want to return to the dock with eyes spinning, the jet boat was forced to mature, or go the way of fads like the Pet Rock or Macarena. In the last seven years, jet boats have evolved into sport boats with jet power rather than mini-jets, led by Sea-Doo, Yamaha and Sugar Sand.

Sea-Doo, in fact took one of the most significant steps in rehabbing the jet-boat image. The Islandia, the world's first jet-powered deck boat, launched in '97, proved that jets don't have to be spinning tops. It also set the standard for mainstream runabout designs that other manufacturers have produced.
Still, there's nothing wrong with a bit of fun, and Sea-Doo's Challenger 180 has put the spin back in the deckboat concept with a compact 17-foot-7-inch hull. In profile, the 180 has the rounded Sea-Doo sport-boat hull that looks like a curved sculpture with wind scoops at the rear. But that design also signifies performance and white-knuckle turns. Yet the somewhat square-edged bow and transom add a deck-boat sensibility to the package ' and an increase in cockpit space.

Boating World does a three-hour test of the 180 on the Banana River near Cape Canaveral. The site is near perfect for testing an inland boat like the 180 ' the water is protected, but exposed enough to get whipped up by 25-knot northeast winds blowing through. Plus, it's just cool to be cruising around an area like the Kennedy Space Center, with rocket towers in the background.

There's much to like about the new 180, and a few features that could use some tweaks. Sea-Doo is marketing the boat as an entry-level alternative to sterndrive- or outboard-powered sport boats of the same class, with an emphasis on cockpit space. It claims in some promotional materials that the 180 has more interior space than 'most' 20-footers.

Certainly, the 180's interior space is more ample than any 18-foot hull. And it's bigger than some 20-footers, depending on the interior layout and gunwale width of the particular design (straight bowrider vs. open deck boat will yield very different cockpit configurations). But going head to head against a 20-foot deck boat or even a performance pontoon boat that can legitimately claim a top end of 40 mph would likely leave the Sea-Doo behind in terms of square footage.

Semantics aside, the point is that there's a generous amount of storage space throughout the 180, from stem to stern. There are spaces under the bow seats. The in-floor ski locker (45-inch by 125-inch) is the boat's main cavern, allowing for storage of wakeboards, slalom skis or just gear you want out of the way. Under the rear seat is a built-in cooler, and there are two additional storage spaces (with individual access panels) on either side of the engine. The passenger-side console is a 22-inch deep crevice (though the door is on a flimsy-looking wire that seems like it could be pulled off too easily.)

The 180 comes standard with a supercharged 185-hp Rotax 4-TEC 4-stroke motor ($20,999 with trailer). The test boat has the upgrade 215-hp Rotax ($21,099), which is also supercharged and intercooled with a closed-loop system for corrosion resistance.

For the additional cash, the extra 30 horses go a long way. With two people on board in less-than-flat sea conditions, it reaches a top end of 46 mph (going down-current it tops 46.4 mph and against, 45.6 mph). Acceleration from 0 to 30 mph is achieved in 5.9 seconds. There are faster twin-engine jet boats on the water, but the 180 has enough going for it in every other area to make up for a lack of a blistering top end.
There's the ride, for instance. It converts from family minivan to tilt-a-whirl with the goose of the throttle and turn of the wheel. Taking a page from the early jet boats in regards to the fun factor, it's a slam-bam boat to drive, and there are grabrails throughout so the passengers can scream with delight instead of terror.
But the boat's big enough to take short cruises ' as BW does down a stretch of the Banana River. Going upriver is fine, but the ride's a bit wet on the return.

The 180 lacks full windshields (there's a nifty pop-up deflector to minimize wind) to deflect spray, and the somewhat rounded entry forward tends to pound through head seas rather than slice. But when the boat is in 'plough' mode, stern dug in and bow high, the ride is slow but very dry. (One advantage of the turned-down bow is that you can see over it, even when it's pointed upward.)
Overall, the 180 runs as well as any 18-foot bowrider would in similar conditions, and once it hits calmer waters, it lets loose and does some turns. The console is small and easy to read, and throttles are positioned for finger-tip response.

At anchor, it's a fun boat, too, with a large swim platform at the transom for watersports, an easy step-through to the cockpit, and matching helm and companion seats that swivel. A bench seat across the transom is comfortable for sprawling out, and the bow, which measures 55 inches across, converts to a sunpad. The two bow seats are also far enough apart to put two adults up front without knocking knees, while the third seat up there is OK for a kid when the boat's at rest.

There's a pleasant minimalist feel to the blue stripes on the upholstery ' as opposed to the over-the-top patterns on some jet boats ' and the spray-brushed look of the exterior decal is also youthful-looking and attractive.

A trailer is standard. Ditto with the Clarion radio/CD player with four cockpit speakers, 12-volt plug, push-button inlet clearing system, cockpit courtesy and running lights, and automatic bilge pump. Six stainless-steel cleats ' as opposed to five on most boats this size ' are standard.

The 180's price may seem a bit rich compared to other boats its size, but the real trick is to compare the interior space, top speed and engine size with longer hulls to get a true sense of this boat's value. Anyone who wants an interior for eight built on a compact, performing hull, will want to take a look at the 180. It'll give you the feeling of a few extra feet, without having to invest in a larger tow vehicle.

By Michael Verdon

June 2005

The Verdict: The Sea-Doo Challenger 180 provides a fun-filled ride with a spacious interior that can accommodate a large crowd. The features are oriented more for a family ride than that of other, more powerful jet-boat engine drives. LOA 17'7" Beam 8'2" Weight 2,075 lbs. Fuel 21 gal. Top Speed 46 mph (w/215-hp Rotax 4-TEC 4-stroke engine) 0-30 mph 5.9 seconds Decibels @ Idle 72 dB-A Decibels @ 30 mph 78 dB-A Decibels @ WOT 98 dB-A Base Price $20,999 (w/185-hp Rotax 4-TEC 4-stroke engine) Price As Tested $21,099 (w/215-hp Rotax 4-TEC 4-stroke engine) Hull Warranty Five-year NMMA Certified? Yes Sea-Doo 1111 JA Bombardier Blvd. Palm Bay, FL 32908 (321) 722-4000 www.sea-doo.com www.sea-doo.com