Being an old fisherman from way back, one of the first things I look for on a boat is rodholders. When I noted their absence on the Sea-Doo Speedster, the man from BRP looked at me with some disdain and one of those crooked grimaces that suggest you're a stubby short of a six-pack.
Then he smiled, told me to stow my hat, brace my feet, hang on very tight, threw the thing into gear and gave me a serious dose of fighter pilot G-forces. I got the message. This was not a fishing boat, just an FGF machine, the last two letters standing for Good Fun. As good as sex? As the very diplomatic young blonde said to us blokes: almost.
SPEED THRILLS
I was one of a number of media types invited recently by Bombardier Recreations Products to preview the 2006 range of jet-powered Sea-Doo sport boats, as they're called, at South Stradbroke Island off Queensland. It was a very different experience to doing a run-of-the-mill boat test, I can tell you.
The company had two of its three new sport performance products for 2006 present: the 20ft Speedster 200 and the 15ft Sportster. Missing was the Speedster Wake which, as its name suggests, is a very specialist wakeboarding machine.
This latter boat, which replaces the Challenger X, is well equipped to compete in the boating industry's fastest growing segment, according to BRP. Premium standard equipment includes remote controlled (272kg) ballast system, PerfectPass Wakeboard Pro Speed Control, wakeboard tower with speakers and board racks, and all of the advantages of jet drive.
The Speedster 200, a high-performance 20ft open bow sports boat, has two power options: a 310hp four-stroke 4TEC twin-engine package or an intercooled 430hp supercharged 4TEC twin-engine package, which certainly gives responsive handling and exhilarating acceleration.
It too can be fitted with an optional wakeboard tower.
The Sea-Doo Sportster also has two power options: an all-yellow 155hp or black 215hp supercharged intercooled Rotax engine. The handling of this compact boat is nothing short of amazing. It has the ability to reverse direction at high speeds in its own length. The hull sticks to the water and simply spins around.
All 2006 Sea-Doos are powered by the Rotax 4-TEC marine engines, which provide up to 30 per cent more power, according to BRP. Sea-Doo claims advantages over traditional outboard-powered runabouts with jet drive systems and offer quicker planing, less bow rise, more precise handling, minimal draft and extra safety because they have no prop.
The engines feature closed-loop cooling, the DSeaBel sound reduction system, a digitally encoded security system and electronic fuel injection.
The Sea-Doo sport boats feature unique hulls especially designed for jet power and the fun uses to which the boats will be put. Internally, they are a bowrider configuration with a central walkway between two consoles, the driver's featuring a neat multi-function digital instrument and a sports wheel. The three lever control system to the right hand features power to both motors as well as forward-reverse lever. It's a simple set-up that, once mastered, can be fun to use.
In front of the passenger is a glovebox as well as a substantial storage compartment forward of the small windshield. The seats are well contoured and padded - and they need to be. Twin alloy guardrails are functional and add to the boats' racy lines. Cupholders, grabrails and padding feature prominently. Behind these seats, almost amidships, is a full-width lounge seat and, behind that, a sunpad on the hatch over the motors. A huge underfloor locker is big enough for boards and skis and other wet gear and there is storage in the bow under the seats and in a bow locker. The boarding platform at the stern is wide and safe.
MORE IN STORE
Other boats in the Sea-Doo range, dubbed sport recreation (as opposed to sport performance) include the Challenger 180 and 180 CS. Both Challenger 180 packages are based on an economical 18ft platform and can handle up to eight passengers.
They feature intercooled 215hp supercharged 4-TEC four-stroke engine packages. Standard features include a Clarion stereo system, closed-loop cooling system, bowfiller cushion and rigid cooler under the rear bench seat. There is also an optional wakeboard tower. The Utopia 205 and 205 SE now have 60 additional horses through the 310hp 4-TEC twin-engine package. They also have a new rear bench seat configuration and redesigned outer gunwale.
The Utopia 205 SE features snap-in carpet, a Clarion stereo system, burlwood steering wheel, cockpit cover, tonneau cover, depthsounder and a custom trailer. The SE model is also available with an optional wakeboard tower.
There's no doubt these boats are good fun… but I wonder where I could fit a rodholder.
Published : Saturday, 1 July 2006
Issue : July 2006