Sea-Doo Jet Boats Compared [1993-Today]

Sea-Doo has manufactured many great jet boat series over the years, which were as follows:

• Explorer (‘93-‘97, ’02)
• Speedster (‘94-‘12)
• Sportster (‘95-‘06)
• Challenger (‘96-‘12)
• Islandia (‘00-‘09)
• Utopia (‘01-‘09)
• Wake (‘07-‘12)
• Switch (‘22-today)

If you want to find out more about the specific models and compare their specs by year, this post is for you.

We at BoatReviewGuide have compiled the key specs of these boats under one roof!

Explorer

It’s a lesser-known fact that the first Sea-Doo jet boat ever built was the tiny Explorer.

This RIB was built on a 13-foot hull and featured 2-stroke Rotax engines that delivered 55-85hp depending on the year.

The Canadian manufacturer marketed the Explorer from 1993 through 1997, and the lively RIB made a comeback in 2002 for some reason.

Speedster

Introduced for the 1994 season, the Speedster was the second model in Sea-Doo’s jet boat lineup.

This model created a class of its own, which is often referred to as “PWC-like” mini jet boats. These vessels utilized very small, agile hulls and were powered by jet ski engines and pumps.

It’s safe to say that these vessels were more oversized jet skis than a traditional jet boat. They were fast, extremely agile, and capable of a variety of tricks like spins and the infamous “submarine.”

Over the years the Speedster boat was manufactured with many different hulls and engine packages, just like its single-engine variant, the Sportster.

On top of that, the manufacturer had a very serious identity crisis over these models, since their names kept changing over time.

But let’s start at the beginning!

Revealed in 1994, the first Speedster was built on a 14.5-foot V-hull housing two Rotax 657X engines, which delivered a whopping 160hp.

In 1998, the Speedster was completely revamped. The all-new Speedster 1600 enjoyed a 16.5-foot hull and twin 787 Rotax engines rated at 220hp.

For the 2000 season, Sea-Doo demoted the Speedster to a single-engine model powered by a 2.5L V6 240hp Mercury SportJet engine. The boat utilized this engine until 2005 when the 2-stroke Speedster line was phased out by its 4-stroke successor.

The entirely new 4-stroke Speedster 4-TEC models were exclusively powered by the 4-stoke 1503 Rotax 4-TEC engine.

From 2007 through 2012 Sea-Doo marketed two Speedster models.

Labeled as Speedster 150, the smaller sibling was built on a 15.5-foot hull and was powered by single 1503 Rotax 4-TEC engine options. This unit delivered 155hp in naturally aspirated and 255/260hp in supercharged configuration.

Its larger brother, the Speedster 200 enjoyed a 20-foot hull and twin 1503 Rotax 4-TEC engine packages, rated at 370-510hp depending on the year.

Years of production: 1994-2012

Sportster

The 1995 Sea-Doo Sportster was released as the single-engine variant of the flagship Speedster.

These boats shared the same 14.5-foot hull and many features, but the Sportster housed a single 2-stroke Rotax 657X engine rated at 80hp.

In 1997, it was upgraded to the Rotax 717X rated at 85hp.

Over the years the Sportster model line was expanded with many new models, including the 18-foot Sportster 1800 in 1998 with twin Rotax 717 (170hp) engines.

For the Millennium, Sea-Doo discontinued the 1800 but offered the 14.5-foot Sportster with both single 947 Rotax (130hp), and twin 717 Rotax (170hp) engine packages.

These models remained part of the fleet until 2003 when they were revamped with the more advanced 130hp, 947 Rotax DI engine.

Even though this 2-stroke model remained in production until 2005, Sea-Doo had already introduced its all-new 4-stroke Sportster 4-TEC for the 2003 model year.

Specifically engineered for Rotax 4-TEC engines, its new platform measured 15.5 feet in length.

This model was offered with both single 1503 Rotax 4-TEC NA and SC engines, rated at 155 and 215hp, respectively.

The legendary Sportsters were continued until late 2006 when Sea-Doo discontinued the entire model line.

Years of production: 1995-2006

Challenger

While the Speedsters and Sporters offered an extreme, jet ski-like driving experience, the Challengers were designed with comfort and capacities in mind.

These were Sea-Doo’s first “family” jet boats that could carry up to 8-12 passengers and plenty of gear.

The Challenger model line featured many exciting models, including the 18-foot Challenger 1800, and the 20-foot 2000, as well as its “X” variant.

As a rule of thumb, each of these pre-2005 models was powered by single 2-stroke Mercury SportJet engines, rated at 210, 240, or 250hp depending on the model.

In the 2005 season, Sea-Doo phased out its 2-stroke Challenger line with the entirely new 4-stroke Challenger 180.

This boat was built on an 18-foot hull and could be opted with single supercharged 1503 Rotax 4-TEC engines rated at 185 or 215hp.

Its larger brother, the 23.5-foot Challenger 230 was first available to order in 2007 with either 310hp naturally-aspirated or 430hp supercharged twin engine packages.

The 230 shared its engines with the mid-range 20-footer Challenger 210, which was only manufactured from 2010 through 2012.

Years of production: 1996-2012

Wake

As the name suggests, Sea-Doo designed its Wake jet boat series for watersport enthusiasts.

This breed included the Sea-Doo Wake 210 and Wake 230 jet boats. They were almost identical to the Challenger 210/230, except for a different seating layout and their watersport intended features.

In a nutshell, the extra model-specific features and amenities of the Wake series were as follows:

• Wakeboard tower
• Wakeboard storage rack
• Water ballast bags
• Perfect pass speed control system
• Custom deck layout
• Custom color scheme

Aside from these extras, there was not much difference between the Wake 210/Challenger 210 and the Wake 230/Challenger 230.

Years of production: 2007-2012

Utopia

The popular Utopias were among the most featured Sea-Doo boats ever built. They came standard with wrap-around windshields, swivel seats, deck tables, and more.

This line included two models, the 18.5-foot Utopia 185 and the 19.5-foot Utopia 205, both of which were rated for 8 passengers.

Until the mid-2000s, they could be ordered with single 2-stroke Mercury SportJet engine options. These V6 power mills delivered 200-250hp depending on the model.

In 2006, the 185 was dropped while the 205 was upgraded with a larger hull and a twin, naturally-aspirated, 2x155hp Rotax 4-TEC engine package.

Years of production: 2001-2009

Islandia 220

The spacious Islandia 220 was the only Sea-Doo deck boat ever built.

From 2000 through 2004 it was offered with a single 240 EFI Mercury SportJet, which was upgraded for the 3.0L 250hp Optimax in 2005.

Just like many other Sea-Doo jet boats, the Islandia was also modernized with twin 1503 Rotax 4-TEC engines in the 2006 season.

Its convenient top deck featured many innovative features including a “kiddie pool” with a fountain, a versatile sun deck/rear seat, and a pop-up changing room with a porta potty.

Years of production: 2000-2009

Switch

After more than a 10-year hiatus, Sea-Doo jet boats returned with the introduction of the 2022 Sea-Doo Switch pontoon boats.

As a rule of thumb, each of these innovative pontoons is manufactured with a single 4-stroke Rotax engine rated at 130, 170, or 230hp.

This lineup includes three different model lines, the base Switch is available with 13, 16, and 19-foot hulls, and 130 or 170hp engines.

Marketed for speed junkies, the very lively Sport series offers larger hulls and 170hp NA or 230hp SC engine configurations.

The most luxurious Switch Cruise comes with the most bells and whistles. It can be ordered with either an 18 or 21-foot hull and a 130, 170, or 230hp engine option.

Years of production: 2022-