2018 Sea-Doo GTX 230/300 Limited: Watercraft Reviews

The 2018 Sea-Doo launch in Nevada, U.S. didn't disappoint. Sixteen fellow riders and writers straddled the saddles to put the new redefining watercraft through their paces. The proving ground was

OVERVIEW
- A luxury watercraft for the family
According to the stats, there’s a huge community of new watercraft buyers aged in their early 50s. Mid-life crisis comes to mind. But it’s more about having some accessible hands-on fun with the family. I’m that guy and the new 2018 Sea-Doo GTX LTD, with the 300hp 1630 ACE engine, is the ‘ski’ for me.

Admittedly, I’ve always made a bee-line for the GTX Limited models at these exciting press events. Perhaps it has to do with travelling all that way from Australia. I’m looking for the comforts I feel I deserve after skidding down Dallas Airport to meeting the connecting flight. Just. These assuaging skis with extra lumber support answer my needs. I’m that guy. Spoil me. Come on.

But for 2018, after throwing a leg over, I found Sea-Doo’s Luxury line-up hits even more rapturous heights than I expected. It all starts with a new wider deep-vee hull with rock-solid stability, incorporating brilliant new storage solutions, and a clever clip-in accessory system.

There is a trick modular and removable rear seat that lets you create what Sea-Doo calls a living room — read, a large aft deck on which to recline — even an integrated Bluetooth stereo with watertight phone compartment.

You can cut to the chase and read about these trick new features in this all-encompassing story explaining the 5 reasons why we love the new 2018 Sea Doo watercraft.

Sea-Doo backs up these niceties with refined performance from that dynamic 300hp 1630 ACE engine and the nimble 230hp 1500 HO ACE derivative, which stills packs a punch and a decent saving.

With these supercharged engines in the Luxury line-up you can get a GTX Limited 230/300 and a GTX 230. In Australia, the GTX Limited 230 won't be available. So the Limited 300, my favourite model, is the Rolls Royce.

There is a third engine option in the GTX 155, which has the Rotax 1503 NA 4-TEC, in the Luxury line-up. This is Sea-Doo's biggest naturally-aspirated engine and its economy is a big hook for offshore fishing and long-range cruising.

For 2018, all Luxury models have a pile of upgrades including the new ST3 hull, Ergolock Seat, improved iBR braking, VTS trim system, watertight phone compartment, rear boarding step, LinQ accessory attachment points, engine enhancements on supercharged 300 models, and more.

But this year, the new flagship GTX Limited 300 packed something else. In the new Liquid Grey Metallic hull colour with Equestrian brown stitched saddle upholstery, and foam deck matts, this is a truly head-turning upmarket watercraft.

The GTX Limited 300 has that luxury-European-auto look, adding to the appeal for a senior rider and family man such as myself who wants to splash out on comfort and drive a little prestige. Yup, that's me.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- The top-of-the-range luxury Sea-Doo
At the time of writing, Beaches Sea-Doo in Balgowlah, Sydney, had the GTX Limited 300 retailing for $25,399, plus on roads. When you add trailer and rego in NSW, you can be out the door and away for about $27,399. For that, you’re getting the most prestigious luxury Sea-Doo in the range. Imagine it behind a Range Rover with tan upholstery.

That said, there are accessories I’d add to the above package, such as some of the snappy products from the new LinQ snap-in accessory system.

As Sea-Doo pointed out so correctly at the U.S. launch, the 2018 models with the new hull, more storage and accessories, have more scope for adventure. I am an adventure man and I’d be riding my GTX Limited 300 to explore new waterways, find cool backwaters and boltholes and get away.

To this end, I’d seriously consider the optional clip-in 15lt fuel caddy (RRP $310) for extending my range, the 16lt icebox (RRP $484) for summer, and perhaps even the 21lt storage pouch (RRP $310) that snaps atop the fuel tank. While you can’t mount the fuel caddy and icebox together, you can stow the icebox in the huge front storage compartment.

If you’re on a budget and don’t want to splash like me, Mr Over-Accessoriser, fear not. The most affordable supercharged offering in the Luxury line-up is the GTX 230 with the new hull and pared back 230hp Rotax 1500 ACE engine that I wrote chapter-and-verse about last year in this link.

The GTX 230 was priced for $21,799 from Beaches Sea-Doo in Sydney including trailer, on-roads and regos. That’s about $2k more than the GTR 230, which is the number one best-selling ‘ski’ in Australia. At that price, the GTX 230 manages to straddle the bread-and-butter and the Luxury categories. You don’t get the integrated Bluetooth stereo as standard as with the Limited models, though.

But as the GTX 230 is almost $6k cheaper than the GTX Limited 300, it’s a good deal. Dressed in Beach Blue Metallic, the three-seater with the new ST3 hull still gets up and boogies. It looks a little more utilitarian. With a three-up load, it won’t have the hole shot of the 300hp Rotax 1630 ACE engine (story in detail). But I found it a very satisfying ride and drive.

HULL AND ENGINEERING
- The new ST3 hull broadens the watercraft appeal
The headline news for Sea-Doo in 2018 is the new ST3 hull. The wide hull underpins the GTX Limited 300 and GTX 230/155. It’s 1in or 2.5cm wider than the S3 hull it supplants, is more stable with a lower centre of gravity, while featuring a similar sharp entry and vee as the race-inspired and offshore-comfortable two-seater T3 hull on the RXP-X 300.

In short, it’s a stable and predictable platform, with greatly improved rough-water performance and, hence, more of that luxury and comfort I covet. I really spent some time breaking down the attributes of this new Sea-Doo ST3 hull in this story, which includes an exclusive video interview with the designers. Well worth a look.

Measuring 3.45m from bow to stern, and 125cm wide, the ST3 hull is a proper three-seater. It’s actually 8.4cm shorter than the S3 hull, but Sea-Doo counters the increase in drag with improved power-to-weight gained through the new two-piece seat. The result is that the new ST3 hull is more than 39-40kg lighter on some models.

Sea-Doo’s closed-mould CM-Tec thermoformed hull construction also helps keep weight in check. The thermos-film finish topped with a clear coat creates a smooth hull and deck finish inside and out — these Luxury Sea-Doos do have a premium, prestige look and feel.

You get a strong impression of refinement on the water. On the old S3 hull, you sit up high and upright. The new more streamlined ST3 hull has a driver’s seat that’s 1.4in (35mm) lower and a second/third seat that's 3in (75mm) lower than the old slogger. That adds to your confidence, rider profile, and style. It also adds considerable stability with extra crew aboard and teetering new riders. You can even board from the side of the craft.

Weight-wise, the GTX Limited 300 is still a relative heavy hitter in the Sea-Doo line-up. It tips the scales at t 385kg, but that’s less than the old GXL at 412kg. The new hull carries the 300hp beautifully and feels really planted on the water.

The standard storage capacity of 102.5lt is class-leading, while the 60lt of fuel can be boosted by that optional 15lt fuel caddy. Otherwise, the standard 60lt fuel tanks will give about 3.5hrs running in typical mixed use.

It would be remiss of us not to expand on the clever new storage system. Whereas watercraft storage is usually pokey and a pain to access, Sea-Doo has a new, whopping great 102lt forward storage bin that you can access from the comfortable and stable seated helm position.

Depress a couple of clips and the whole bonnet and handlebar assembly lifts as one on a gas strut. The GTX Limited also includes a storage bin organiser, dedicated fire-extinguisher and safety gear storage, and a dry bag. We have a full story on the ingenious storage aboard the 2018 Sea-Doo watercraft right here.

The forward compartment also includes a watertight and accessible phone box compartment. The new BRP Bluetooth premium audio system is standard on the GTX Limited 300 (optional on the GTX 230), letting you enjoy some tunes along the way. Here is our full review of this world's first Bluetooth sound system for watercraft.

Greater luxury and refinement, plush seating and a cool look, more fuel in the optional caddy for extended range. And my gear stowed in the huge forward hold. With the tunes playing on the audio system, and the GoPro clamped, I was set to go…

ON THE WATER
- Australian race-spec 300hp doesn’t hold back
In the US, production watercraft are limited to 70mph or about 112-115km/h. In Australia, we get the race-spec that tops out at 75mph or about 120-122km/h. That is plenty fast enough, especially when you experience the acceleration of the 300. It’s eye-wateringly fast.

But the big gain this year is in the mid-range. By way of comparison using the RXT-X 300, Sea-Doo says mid-range acceleration improves 17 per cent from 30-60mph (48-96km/h) compared with the older and heavier S3-hull models.

To put it another way, the RXT-X 300 takes about 2.5 seconds instead of 3.0 seconds to go from 50km/h cruising to 100km/h and then clear out. It felt much the same way on this GTX Limited 300 with the same hull and engine, just a bit more fruit aboard.

There is oodles of power on tap and, whenever I felt inclined to change position in the pack of riders, I checked over my shoulder, made a slight course change, then dropped down low and gave it some. The hull carves and rips around so well.

While Sport mode was preferred, the Intelligent Throttle Control system also offers a Touring setting with more progressive acceleration, and Eco mode if you want to conserve fuel. There is also an iControl Learning key for newbies. What was more use to me was the Variable Trim System that does let you alter the ride angle.

That said, the ST3 hull has a fine entry and cleaves the waves and water even when trimmed out. It’s a very different beast to the old hull that skipped across the top and was more prone to pounding offshore or on wind-blown bays and estuaries.

I love the new ST3 three-seater hull hull even more than the two-seater RXP-X race machine that was my previous favourite. They both have the same entry and the smooth performance, but now there's a three-seater so you can share that premium ride with friends and family.

Meantime, the iBR Gen 3 braking system has a new bucket or reverse gate that not only creates dramatic deceleration but also improves manoeuvring during that exercise. It really is an intuitive and commanding and the best brake in the watercraft business bar none.

For tech heads, the 1630 ACE engine has a new modified cooling system and new more effective ride plate for 2018.

There is also a new deeper and wider reboarding ladder on the GTX Limited 300 and GTX 230, but thanks to the hull stability you can also easily board from the sides.

The ErgoLock seat has been around for a few years now and it does allow you to lock yourself in tight using your big leg muscles rather than hold on with just your hands and arms.

After running down river, we hit up a waterfront diner called Topock 66 for burgers and fries. Then it was onwards and upwards to the gorge country that took my breath away. Such was the stirring scenery, I returned the following day with my Aussie colleague. We each had this ST3 hull and 300hp 1630 ACE engines. Wow! What a day of riding.

The Colorado River adventure was the stuff of lasting memories and I couldn’t keep off the GTX Limited 300. That, to me, that is the test of a good watercraft. It wasn’t like I was all washed up after riding for the day. It was more like, what’s around the next bend and let’s keep exploring.

While it was a bit of a retrograde step coming back to the GTX 230, there’s still plenty of power for the family rider. It’s just a cruisier experience which, given the landscape and scenery, wasn’t such a bad thing. It was only on the flat-out 10-mile run for home (during the previous day's riding) that the 230 felt slower. We were cruising most of the time any way, so that top end isn't that important.

VERDICT
- The pick of the new 2018 Sea-Doo models
Tellingly, 80 per cent of the watercraft buyers at Beaches Sea-Doo in Sydney are 40-plus family men with an equally excited wife and kids in tow. The GTX Limited 300/230 certainly extend Sea-Doo’s appeal in the sophisticated watercraft market. The GTX 230 in Beach Blue Metallic is a very nice all-rounder. The 155 variant with wide hull will make a great fishing 'ski'.

Whenever you combine great performance and handling with abundant comfort and storage, you have the makings of a great craft. Heck, I’d even pack the pop-up tent and airbed in the hold, go find a camping spot, and make a weekend of it. That's me.

The low-profile riding position, the sharp hull and the 300hp
acceleration combine to create a true luxury sports watercraft in the GTX Limited 300. It’s a
bit like scoring a Porsche Cayenne for a weekend. Luxe wins out. That's me at 50 to a tee. Mid-life crisis? Nah, it's more like an awakening that you're entitled to splash out and have a little fun.

LIKES
>> Stable new hull with low COG
>> Loads of easily accessible storage
>> Powerful Bluetooth stereo
>> Clever snap-in accessory system
>> Premium fit, finish and refined performance

NOT SO MUCH
>> Standard 60lt of fuel for a 300hp
>> The ST3 hull carves a deep path, so it’s a bit wet at times
>> Priced at almost small-boat levels

Specifications: 2018 Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300/GTX 230
Price: Beaches Sea-Doo in Balgowlah, Sydney, had the GTX Limited 300 retailing for $25,399, plus on roads. When you add trailer and rego in NSW, you can be out the door and away for about $27,399. The GTX 230 will cost $21,799 from Beaches Sea-Doo in Sydney including trailer, on-roads and regos.
Length Overall: 3.45m
Beam: 1.25m
Weight (dry): 385kg/365kg
Persons: 3 or 272kg
Storage: 102lt
Engine: 300hp Rotax 1630 ACE/230hp Rotax 1500 HO ACE
More at www.seadoo.com.