Sea-Doo Speedster 200

If one is good, two is better. That’s the thinking behind Sea-Doo’s new Speedster 200. Powered by a pair of the company’s 4-Tec power plants that pump out a combined 310 horsepower, this 20-footer delivers the wide-open thrills usually reserved for personal watercraft — and it lets you share those thrills with the whole family.

The 200’s layout mates runabout-style seating with low-profile windshields and gunwales to create a boat that rides dry, safe and comfortable, but doesn’t enclose passengers and driver in a deep fiberglass well. Storage lockers make maximum use of available space, creating a total of 46 cubic feet of enclosed cargo capacity.

When designing the 200, the Sea-Doo team focused on ways to make ownership and operation more simple and enjoyable. This effort shows in details such as the encoded security system that replaces the conventional ignition key, and the inlet clearing system, which cleans weeds and debris from the intake vent with the touch of a button.

Because the Speedster is powered by fuel-efficient, low-emission four-stroke engines, it burns regular gas and can be operated on bodies of water that do not allow two-stroke engines. In addition, the closed-loop cooling system makes it considerably more saltwater friendly, while the wet exhaust reduces noise and fumes. With a draft of just over 12 inches and no protruding lower unit, the Speedster also reduces the fear of encountering shallow water.

Operation is made simpler by the pairing of both engines on a common shift lever, and by a steering system that provides full left-to-right control within a 270-degree wheel movement. This not only allows for excellent high-speed control of the craft, but also simplifies docking and low-speed maneuvering.

With a top speed in the mid 50s, no exposed propellers and a sub-three-second hole shot, the Speedster is skier friendly. In recognition of these abilities, the boat is fitted with a retractable ski pylon that sits just forward the engine box. And given the boat’s fast throttle and steering response, it should be equally pleasing to both skier and driver.

STATS

Length Overall: 19’9″

Beam: 8′

Dry Weight: 2,770 lb.

Seating/Weight Capacity: 7/1,400 lb.

Fuel Capacity: 40 gal.

Max HP: 310

MSRP (test boat): $28,299

TEST DRIVE

Test Engine: Twin Rotax 4-Tec

Test Prop: progressive pitch, stainless steel

Test Load: People (250 lb.); Fuel (40 gal.)

Top Speed: 54.3 MPH @ 7,300 RPM

Time to Plane: 2.8 sec.

Time to 30 MPH: 5.6 sec.

Min. Plane Speed: 20 MPH @ 4,400 RPM

CONTACT

Sea-Doo Sportboats, Melbourne, Florida, 800-882-2900, sea-doo.com

RPM/MPH/SOUND LEVEL

Idle/4.7/68db

2,000/5.1/69db

2,500/6.4/73db

3,000/6.9/74db

3,500/7.4/76db

4,000/9.1/78db

4,500/21.7/82db

5,000/28.5/85db

5,500/34.3/86db

6,000/39.4/87db

6,500/44.5/89db

7,000/49.8/91db

7,300/54.3/92db

NOTABLE FEATURES

• Maneuvering simplified by short-throw steering and single-lever forward/reverse control.

• Innovative intake clearance system simplifies debris removal.

• Closed loop cooling is saltwater friendly.

• Pop-up ski pylon is located forward of transom for straighter pulls.

• Can be equipped with a towing tower.