Silver Streak Challenger or Thunderjet luxor 18.5?

[brands51]

I’ve had a Gambier 18.6 for about six years now. It is the same hull design as the Challenger 18.6, albeit with some differences in the cockpit and cabin design. My wife and I feel safe travelling up the coast in all seasons and the boat hasn’t let us down.

The boat has been fantastic and I will probably keep it for another 20 years.

I’m not sure why some people have a bone to pick with the founder of Silver Streak. Is it differences of opinion or personality, I don’t know? I have never, in all my interactions with personnel at SS had an unfriendly or heated conversation. He and his team build really great boats and stand behind them with a great warranty.

Thunderjet probably makes good boats as well. If the OP is debating between welded aluminum floor (SS) and plywood floor (T-Jet?), I don’t see what the debate is about. I would not bother with a plywood floor because it won’t last, and will probably cause corrosion below deck during its (short) lifetime.

Totally agree with everything you said.

Personally think it’s a no doubter purchasing a silver streak over a hewes craft, thunderjet, etc,

Agree silver streak is going to carry better resale value if you do want to sell down the line, as well as if you’re on the island or lower mainland any warranty issues, upgrades etc can be dealt with directly at the factory without to much hassle.

To respond to your question, In my experience dealing with Andy and the team at Silver has been great but Andy’s not afraid to go off on a tangent mid conversation about various topics and he has some pretty funny signs displayed at his shop. Never bothered me but I think this sorta rubs some people the wrong way

 

[kaelc]

When you are one of the biggest employers in town you can say what ever you want. Just like DJT

My buddy never seriously looked at a Silver Streak, not sure where the closest dealer is to Victoria now? I saw the comparable to the TJ he bought and it was an extra 25k with less options, but his only has aluminum floor for the cockpit not for the cabin (inconceivable!)

 

[jackfish]

SS makes a good boat.
Tesla makes a good car. (and an objective failure of a truck)

yes, I'm biased as anyone can see from my avatar image.

If we start weaving through life avoiding anything associated with someone who says something we don't like, not much business is going to be conducted.

 

[InterMechanico]

SS makes a good boat.
Tesla makes a good car. (and an objective failure of a truck)

yes, I'm biased as anyone can see from my avatar image.

If we start weaving through life avoiding anything associated with someone who says something we don't like, not much business is going to be conducted.

Agree! Especially if we continue to rehash some perceived slight from way back in time for years and years, every time a certain manufacturer is brought up in discussion

@jackfish Beauty boat BTW!

 

[CoolC]

Thanks for the debate. I am comparing the luxor to the challenger but not the centre console challenger. Both 18.5 with a pod. Both pretty similar really. I guess my main question is ride. Been in an 18.5 luxor and was pleasently surprised with the ride. Never been in a challenger to compare.

 

[CoolC]

I also don't really care about resale. I am hoping to keep it for 20 plus years at which point all bets are off.

 

[Rayvon]

I don't know if this helps your choice or not,but 2 guys in our boat club have comparable 20 Ft. Silver streak and Hewescraft and the SS rides way better. How a boat rides gets more important with every year that goes by for me.

 

[Whole in the Water]

I can say that the SS rides better with 18 degrees of deadrise vs. 16 in the TC. The SS has a less pointy bow that cuts through the water better. If you are going for long term ownership I would not but a boat with a wood floor - most likely will need to be replaced. My 2 bits.

 

[CoolC]

Yeah, ride is the deciding factor for me, and I half expected the SS to ride better. Just never tried one. There is no wood in a Thunderjet Luxor. Super similar boat, just slightly different dimensions, rise etc.

 

[Pineapple Express]

Yeah, ride is the deciding factor for me, and I half expected the SS to ride better. Just never tried one. There is no wood in a Thunderjet Luxor. Super similar boat, just slightly different dimensions, rise etc.

Has TJ recently added a aluminum deck option? Nothing mentioned on the website. The deck of the whole cockpit is plywood with a vinyl wrap which will definitely need replacement after a few years.

Alberni Power has pics of an inventory boat showing the plywood floor too:

2026 Thunder Jet 185 Luxor Soft Top Navy Blue For Sale | Alberni Power & Marine - RPM Group

2026 Thunder Jet 185 Luxor Soft Top Navy Blue for sale by the leading boat & parts dealer in BC Canada. Connect with our experts today.

www.albernipowermarine.com

 

[sly_karma]

Tesla makes a good car.

Tesla makes great EV drivetrains, batteries, software and charging networks. They're still gaining experience designing and making cars and trucks.

 

[bruce springsteen]

I bought the luxor 185 soft top. Super happy with it. The larger fuel tank makes the crossing to the island worry free and I can do it on about half a tank leaving macdonald over to thetis and back. It is relatively easy to tow with my tacoma. Handles fine in moderate chop but I have never been in a silverstreak. I like the finish of the TJ and the wider beam makes it stable. My decision came down to the beam, fuel tank size, interior finish and price (less than SS). Any 18 ft aluminum boat will get tossed around - just pick the days so you not fighting the water.

 

[kaelc]

Has TJ recently added a aluminum deck option? Nothing mentioned on the website. The deck of the whole cockpit is plywood with a vinyl wrap which will definitely need replacement after a few years.

Alberni Power has pics of an inventory boat showing the plywood floor too:

2026 Thunder Jet 185 Luxor Soft Top Navy Blue For Sale | Alberni Power & Marine - RPM Group

2026 Thunder Jet 185 Luxor Soft Top Navy Blue for sale by the leading boat & parts dealer in BC Canada. Connect with our experts today.

www.albernipowermarine.com

The pro versions have it as an option. My buddies chinnook pro has an aluminum cockpit and seems like wood under the hard top.