Lightweight and Low-cost Seadoo

Greg

Active Member
Mar 27, 2008
1,310
North Jersey
Boat Info
2003 480 Sedan Bridge
Engines
QSM-11's
This is interesting for those that can't hold a lot of weight on the platform.

http://www.boatingmag.com/news/sea-doo-charts-new-territory-revolutionary-spark

Just over 400 pounds and just under $5,000.

That's a lot lighter than my dinghy.

seadoospark2.jpg
 
I think Sea Doo is going to sell everyone they make in short order. So, we will see a resurgence of new Sea Doos in SC. I have owned three Sea Doos over the years and have sworn them off for a number of reasons, the main one being from a reliability standpoint. However, these two models have my interest. The three seater uses the same mold with the 90 HP engine. The additional length/buoyancy is realized by adding a 10" "plastic" module aft of the transom along with a longer seat. The three seater is priced at $7,200 with the braking system (IBS) and rear step.

So, I think these models will be appealing to parents who don't need to go 65 MPH and don't want their kids doing the same. They will also appeal to those who don't wish to spend $15,000 on a new high output, turbo/supercharged model and the lighter weight will appeal to those with bigger boats who like the idea of less weight being carried aft as Greg pointed out.
 
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I always see one problem with substituting a PWC for a dingy in that I don't believe there are any PWC's that are allowed to be operated after dusk. I wonder why they can't add lights to these to make that possible?
 
I'm all over one of those in the spring. Hoping to check them out at the boat show this winter then score one for spring. Seems perfect for what I need it for. I've been drooling over them for a couple weeks now
 
Old thread i know but since picking up the new boat with the hydraulic platform our options certainly have multiplied. Thinking of picking up one of these and keeping our highfield RIB. The thought is to keep the Seadoo on the platform and throw the rib on the bow when we want to bring both. We have a GHS lift which is rated for 600lbs. This would come in well under that weight. Have been checking out the 3UP version on used sites and they care certainly much cheaper than a center console dink.
 
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Dean I can say after our first season with a 3up spark, it’s a blast!!!! I installed the VTS (variable trim system) so you can trim it way up and do wheelies.
I will say at 425 lbs it’s light and acts a little top heavy when your trawling out of a no wake zone. It takes some getting used to. Our crane David has no problem yanking it from the water it’s lighter than our Novurania dinghy by 200 lbs.
The “3” passenger rating is just to make it legal to tow a tube or skier you’d be hard pressed to cruise around with 3 actual persons on it.
Maintenance and winterizing is a breeze oil change and filter was about $30 on Amazon. And a gallon of AF for the intake.
My opinion on used sea doos is not to buy them. For $7900 and a 3 year warranty it’s not worth buying a machine that it’s sole purpose is to beat the crap out of it.
The 90HO 3up has hit 51mph with 1 teenager on it.
With me I’ve reached 48 mph. It has pulled a tube with 3 tens although you feel the weight on the corners cause they almost out weigh the machine.

Any other questions text me.
 

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View attachment 63566 Dean I can say after our first season with a 3up spark, it’s a blast!!!! I installed the VTS (variable trim system) so you can trim it way up and do wheelies.
I will say at 425 lbs it’s light and acts a little top heavy when your trawling out of a no wake zone. It takes some getting used to. Our crane David has no problem yanking it from the water it’s lighter than our Novurania dinghy by 200 lbs.
The “3” passenger rating is just to make it legal to tow a tube or skier you’d be hard pressed to cruise around with 3 actual persons on it.
Maintenance and winterizing is a breeze oil change and filter was about $30 on Amazon. And a gallon of AF for the intake.
My opinion on used sea doos is not to buy them. For $7900 and a 3 year warranty it’s not worth buying a machine that it’s sole purpose is to beat the crap out of it.
The 90HO 3up has hit 51mph with 1 teenager on it.
With me I’ve reached 48 mph. It has pulled a tube with 3 tens although you feel the weight on the corners cause they almost out weigh the machine.

Any other questions text me.
Nice, thanks for the info Joe. Trying to make it fun for the kids to want to come hang with us on the boat. Specially the teenager.
 
We've had a 'ski along with our 3 boats for 25+ years. Lots of fun on real hot days when we either chose to just take the ski or take it along with our boat.

After about 16 years with a SeaDoo, we switched to a Yamaha. Boy, was I happy to do that. Just for maintenance alone it would be worth it, but the Yamis ride better and simply are more fun. My previous 3 hours of winterizing has been reduced to about an hour. Just my opinion of course, so take it for what its worth.

When the Spark first came out my wife looked at it and said "It looks like a Fisher Price toy". Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so if you like it, that's your opinion.

But buyer beware. The reason they are so light is because of the hull construction. They have had a lot of issues with cracking, and the hulls cannot be repaired. Of course, once out of warranty, the repairs cost more than a new ski. So, if light weight is your thing just treat her gently. If the low cost is what's attractive, price out the upgrades needed for a 3-up and a decent engine, and maybe a Yami will be more attractive after all.
 
The reason they are made from a composite is to make them light. It’s not a cruising watercraft it’s for throwing up and over the waves and standing it on its tail you can’t do that with a 600 lb ski your not comparing apples to apples.
As far as “cracking” there’s a video on line of a guy complaining about the hull cracking oh it’s made by Yamaha funny. I’ve never read or seen a real cracked hull.
Winterizing I explained took 1 gal of AF and through the flush out and an oil change. The motor is closed cooled so I don’t know why it took you 3 hours ? It literally couldn’t be any easier.
I also explained the cost with a 3up 90hp H.o. With IBR (reverse, braking) It was $7900 that’s the biggest spark avail.
 
I'm glad you like your ski. It's good that different companies make different models so everybody gets what they want. I was a die hard Doo fan for many years and only switched after riding someone else's Yami. We traded in our last Doo a week later.

We've always had the top-of-the-line model. The GTX required dismantling many parts just to remove the battery, and all the seat brackets had to be relocated just to change the back spark plugs. The position of the oil filter is such that its impossible to remove it without spilling a lot of oil. Oil change sucking is about the same for all skis, but the Yami filter is easy and of course they don't require anti-freeze. I've looked at new models and it looks like they have made some ergonomic improvements, so maybe a 2018 model would take less time.

I only saw 1 spark with a crack. He was at the launch ramp bailing so he could get her back on the trailer. If you read PWC forums (generic ones, not brand specific supported), you will see a lot of comments about cracking. Google Spark hull cracks and there will be a lot of info.

The light weight 3-up wave-jumping Yami list price is $6799. In my area that would also include a trailer, cover, PFDs and safety package. Its probably heavier that a Spark, but they certainly are very popular in my area.

I hope SeaDoo fixed their problem (if there was one). Good luck with yours.
 
Jim, the only advantage with maint, with a spark is the entire top deck comes off so I guess that’s the advantage. I am a huge Yami guy even had yami motorcycles and wish my dinghy had a Yamaha instead of the Honda so I don’t want you to think I’m a hater.
I guess my point was /is it’s a cheap ski meant to do what it was designed to do
I’d rather ride your Yamaha at 50-60 mph than my spark for sure.
And it’s lighter for our crane Davit than a full fiberglass version.
I’ve read that most cracked hulls are puncture wounds and when asked to post pics most don’t even sign back in.
I highly doubt any are from jumping waves most are object strikes.
As long as we’re all having fun in the process that’s all that counts..
 
I have a 2009 Yamaha FX SHO. It lives out doors on a hydro port. It looks a little rough from being tied to docks and getting scratched. Not one time in almost 10 years did it fail to start. This is a very reliable machine that goes 68 mph and corners like its on a rail.
 
We have a sedoo sportster14 ft jet boat and a Yamaha 2008 high output wave runner.

I always say the wave runner is like having a 78 chev truck on the lake. It takes a beating, goues any place I want it and starts every time.
We pull the sea doo behind the boat and put the wave runner on the swim platform.It works well as we are on a lake.

Both are lots of fun. the sea doo boat is great for site seeing and carry gear for day trips and if we have more than four then we take the wave runner along too. The wave runner gets lots of use when on the hook and when the kids get bored of being on the boat.

On our lake the sparks are growing . Everyone I have talked to loves them and I think they are a great entry level ski or if your on a budget. I spent about two hours on one and I would rather be on my Yamaha waver runner.
 
Not sure I'd like to spend 2 hours on our spark....or any spark for that matter 30 mins I'm beat from throwing it around it's a non stop 30 mins core workout!!!
 
Can anyone comment on the IBR system? Me thinks I’d prefer to have it, esp when the wife or friends are riding. And it looks a ton easier than the clunky shift lever on our Seadoo RXP, which I have no issues with, but seemingly everyone else does.
 
You must get the IBR. it is not only your brakes but reverse as well with the IBR you can add the VTS (Variable trim system) where you can trim the nose for a drier ride or to do tricks. You must have IBR FOR VST.
I installed the VTS myself it's plug n play and comes with a new switch cover.
 
I am a SeaDoo Fanboy actually. I do my best to puchase USA Products and in this case North American products (Canadian and Mexico). The Rotax engines are amazing in my view and easily serviced. Now, to be fair, we don't have Sparks but GTI's. The IBR is a great system, it makes the SeaDoo very maneuverable and can be handled so easy around the docks and other boats. I wouldn't consider a SeaDoo without it.

As far as the Spark models... There are tons of these things around us and it seems everyone loves them. I also concur with the statement that those who are cracked have hit something. The thing I like about it is they are replaceable, albeit with significant labor.

Anyway, to each his own, but I would put a Doo against a Yami any day of the week...

Josh
 
Yamaha EX skis I believe use sheet molded compound hulls which if you read a few forums have cracked at the keels
I'm sure it's from excessive pounding or impact with objects.
This would not stop me from purchasing a Yamaha product
I'm not saying Sea Doo has a perfect material figured out but then again either does Yamaha.
 

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