Sea Doo Switch Compact as a dinghy?

Shoyrtt

Shoyrtt

Alamitos to Avalon
SILVER Sponsor
Jul 16, 2020
1,890
Alamitos Bay, CA
Boat Info
1999 450 Express Bridge, 9’ Achilles dinghy w/15hp Suzuki EFI
Engines
Caterpillar 3126TA
Here on the left coast, most if not all of the dinghy docks limit the size of the tender to 14'. Our little Achilles RIB does a great job of getting us to and from the Sea Ray, but it would be nice to have a larger boat, up to the 14' limit to use to explore Catalina and cruise around the harbor. Looking at all of the options out there, I ran across a new offering from Sea Doo. They now produce the 13' Sea Doo Switch Compact which is a Tri Toon hull using a PWC propulsion system. The Sport model comes standard with a nice bimini top and 170 hp engine. The beam is 7’8”so it looks like a little block to me. It's a little funky to say the least. The deck is different in that you can move the seats to various locations with a lock type system and they have other options such as a lounge chair. Price wise for the base is around 20k and the Sport is in the mid 20s. They all come with a trailer. I like it!

SeaDooSwitch1.jpeg
 
Neat little set up. The beam is constant across all three models at 7'8".
 
I'd rather zip around the harbor in a Boston Whaler or a CC dinghy over a plastic pontoon boat! :)
 
That thing looks pretty cool! I have been looking for a suitable boat for my kids to begin to learn on and take out alone are some point. I will put this on the list.
 
Shoyrtt said:
Here on the left coast, most if not all of the dinghy docks limit the size of the tender to 14'. Our little Achilles RIB does a great job of getting us to and from the Sea Ray, but it would be nice to have a larger boat, up to the 14' limit to use to explore Catalina and cruise around the harbor. Looking at all of the options out there, I ran across a new offering from Sea Doo. They now produce the 13' Sea Doo Switch Compact which is a Tri Toon hull using a PWC propulsion system. The Sport model comes standard with a nice bimini top and 170 hp engine. The beam is 7’8”so it looks like a little block to me. It's a little funky to say the least. The deck is different in that you can move the seats to various locations with a lock type system and they have other options such as a lounge chair. Price wise for the base is around 20k and the Sport is in the mid 20s. They all come with a trailer. I like it!

View attachment 137756
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Seen a few of these running around here on the New River. They are funky looking that is for sure.
 
ocgrant said:
Seen a few of these running around here on the New River. They are funky looking that is for sure.
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The color on the bow (blue, yellow or red) doesn't help the funk. It appears they are removable panels that could change the look of the boat. I played around with just just making them white and it might be easier on the eyes?

Funky:
SeaDooSwitch2.jpg

Better?
SeaDooSwitch3.jpg
 
Go white.
 
I couldn't watch that guy's whole video. Holy smoke, he sucks with a camera!

I'll wait for Captain Steve @ Boattest.com to do it right.
 
Thornton69 said:
A friend of mine really likes his dinghys as well. His is a 500 Stryker RIB with 115 and all the electronics. It flies and actually does amazingly well in rougher seas.View attachment 137804
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I belong to 2 FB groups, one for zodiac owners, one for all inflatables. A lot of European members. You should see what they have. Boats like this and go many many miles out in ocean.
4A215717-03DC-4141-86C4-BE0133E82724.jpeg
 
Timeflys said:
Sorry, but that thing is just fugly…imo. It must roll like crazy with what looks like a high c of g.
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I have watched several videos that suggest it actually handles very well. I agree on the funky/fugly looks but I think I can put some lipstick on that pig. Here is the 18’ model with the full enclosure. Not too bad if you get rid of the hideous blue/red/yellow on the bow.
Here is a performance video:
And the lipstick version:
D0B35B9A-C099-4236-AF86-EA8ED5BE1385.jpeg
 
Here is the base 13’ Compact 100hp model without the Bimini.
 
I think this boat is cool. Lots of configurations and simple to own, operate and store in a garage.

BTW, the video of Dunedin Causeway, Honeymoon Island, Sandbar etc. is exactly where we boat now. Great area.
 
I sent a message to the folks at Sea Doo asking about towing the Switch behind my Sea Ray. They responded with what the operator's guide states: "The maximum recommended towing speed is 8 km/h (5 MPH). This will prevent the exhaust system from filling with water, which may lead to water being injected into and filling the engine. Without the engine running, there isn't any exhaust pressure to push the water out the exhaust outlet."

I'm thinking there has to be fix for this and did some more searching. I found this video by Sea Doo that was posted 10 years ago entitled "Proper Tender Boat Towing." It shows a clamp made by BRP/Sea Doo that pinches off the exhaust manifold water outlet hose to prevent water getting into engine. The video claims that the tender can be towed up to 15 mph (13 knots) with the clamp in place. I sent another email to Sea Doo to see if they agree this will work with the Switch.
 
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