2017 Sea-Doo watercraft reviews, news and overview

2017 SEA-DOO NEW LAUNCH RESOURCE:
2017 Sea-Doo Range Overview: News
2017 Spark Trixx: Watercraft Review

2017 Sea-Doo GTS, GTI, GTI SE: Watercraft Reviews
2017 Sea-Doo GTR 230 and GTR-X 230: Watercraft Reviews
2017 Rotax 1500 HO ACE: New Engine Profile

Back on the beach, where the beats and party are hotting up, our hosts are armed with Super Soakers. We saunter about dripping wet, our feet dusted in fine white Florida sand, dressed in high-vis riding attire ready for the next adrenalin-fuelled moment. There are 12 brand-new pre-production 2017 Sea-Doos amid others at three test stations: one group is doing tricks, another is racing around the 'boo-ees' (buoys), the last one is heading for the open water to open-it-up on Tampa Bay proper, where the average depth doesn't exceed 12 feet. Perfect riding country.

But look left, look right, look at the faces from all round the world, even after more than 20 hours' transit for some of us, and there’s a common expression. It is that of youthful exuberance, with broad smiles and endorphin-driven laughs echoing from one end of the beach to the other. I don’t see anyone not enjoying themselves at the #SeaDooLife Beach Party in Tampa. Even the hashtags are hooking up at this 2017 new model launch.

Salty and exultant, we take a tub and head to nearby Whiskey Joe’s Bar and Grill where just about anything goes. You can ride up to this ‘Muscle Beach’ of the watercraft world, flex your pecks and park your ‘ski’ for 50¢ an hour. Order ‘gator bites, crab cakes and whiskey pepper dippin’ shrimp at the only barefoot tiki bar in Tampa, along with your mai tai, mojito, and margarita. And mah-mahi.

This is a world-famous venue for some of the world’s biggest ride days in a state where watercraft rule ok. The conch fritters at Bahama Breeze on Night Two weren't half bad either, nor the cocktails in this largest estaurine city of Florida, where there appears a sense of celebration 24/7, and the focus is inescapably on the water.

And this is how Sea-doo does its new-model launches — with a huge splash and a big embrace of the watersport’s culture. Its 2017 Tampa beach party didn’t fail to excite. They had the beach booked, branded and owned at the Westin Hotel, where a DJ pumped tunes, as a whole fest of contests went down at the tropical waterfront.

This wasn't a see-ya-later-alligator ride event, but a stage for the latest Sea-Doos to strut their stuff in full view, as indeed will the Millennials seeking recognition that they can pull-off tricks in front of an audience, real or social media. Sea-Doo gets that and is now the biggest marine brand on social media, it announces. You too can #seadoolife and share your fame.

Only now, after investing in new safety initiatives like braking and better handling, then Sparking the market three years ago with its affordable namesake entry-level Spark (costing from $7900 in Australia), and introducing the performance weaponry last year via the new 300hp Rotax 1630 ACE HO engine, it is time for something with a different purpose in mind...

More than 2500 dealers worldwide had just seen it in Orlando and now it was the global media’s turn to experience the new entry-level Spark Trixx, whose raison d’etre is to perform in a different way; the 90hp GTS, GTI and GTI SE affordable fun machines in the Recreation range; and the 230hp Rotax 1500 HO ACE engine in four Sea-Doos from Tow Sports to Luxury and Performance categories.

After two days of riding and getting wet, we have plenty to share. Fun, affordability, and performance form the mantra for Sea-Doo in 2017, as we obligingly hit new heights, plumbed new depths, and let our hair down in the heat-infested swampy Gulf-side state of Florida.

Here are all the links to our articles from the 2017 Sea-Doo launch party in Tampa. Full marks to Sea-Doo for keeping it affordable and
accessible. Cost is down, but fun is up.

2017 Sea-Doo Range Review: News here.
Overview of the new Spark Trixx, GTS and GTi models, high-output engines and sporty GTR-X 230.

2017 Spark Trixx: Watercraft Review.

A trick new package for the affordable Spark adds more fun, excitement and agility.

2017 Sea-Doo GTI: Watercraft Review
The smart buys and affordable flyers in the new three-seater Sea-Doo 'Recreation' range.

2017 Sea-Doo GTR 230 and GTR-X 230: Watercraft Review
A new and affordable musclecraft that does 0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds.

2017 Rotax 1500 HO ACE engine
Four new models in the 2017 line-up receive the new low-maintenance supercharged 230hp Rotax engine.

More at sea-doo.com.