Sea-Doo introduces world’s first Bluetooth sound system for watercraft

There’s a new wider and more stable ST3 hull, with a clever LinQ accessory system and new modular seat.… plus this Bluetooth audio system streaming your music library and amping things up.

Having heard the sound firsthand, we wouldn’t order a Sea-Doo without it. You can’t underestimate the effects of music on the water.

It's very cool cruising along with the tunes adding to the vibe. You can also hit the beach and get an hour of engine-free party tune time.

SALTWATER PROOF
Coming standard on the 2018 GTX Limited 230 and 300, and as an option on the Wake Pro 230, GTX 155 and 230, RXT 230 and RXT-X 300, the new fully waterproof Bluetooth audio system has been superbly executed.

The audio system is purpose-designed for saltwater use, with waterproof titanium tweeters amid a 6.5in subwoofer that is "pressure-washer proof."

Of course, the audio system begins with your iPhone or Android, which you hook-up to the "BRP Remote" via Bluetooth. Then you pick your music and stash the phone in the dedicated waterproof and shockproof glovebox, between the supplied sheets of foam, as sung as a bug in a rug.

There is a USB jack for charging your phone in the glovebox. With the engine off, the Sea-Doo will allow one-hour of play time and preserve its battery for starting duties.

Meantime, the quick controller above the left-hand or portside footwell lets you adjust the volume, skip tracks, and toggle back and forth through your album or playlist. Within easy reach of the driving position, it's easily operated when underway.

GREAT SOUND QUALITY
A key aspect of the audio system is the angle of the speakers mounted in the forward ends of the footwells.

The stereophonic sound is directed back to your seated position and that of your crew. There’s no great loss of sound to the sides or to unduly bother other waterway users.

As Sea-Doo says, with a simple swipe of a finger, you can now enjoy the watercraft-industry’s first manufacturer-installed, truly waterproof, Bluetooth audio system. The perfect song is always at hand and ready to amplify the next adventure.

Hey, we found that to be very true.

This writer dialled up his ‘America Cruisin’ playlist and found it almost surreal riding through the lunar-scape of Topock Gorge on the Colorado River as West Coast tracks played out.

Back downstream, music was a boon when idling through the no-wash go-slow zones. On the 300hp, some dude from the U.S. media was blaring ACDC. Yeh boi.

If you’ve ever spent time towing friends behind a boat or watercraft, you’ll know it can become a drag for the driver. But some cool tunes soon change things up and make for far more fun aboard. So make a towing playlist, a cruising playlist, an attitude playlist, a beach chill playlist...

PRICE POINT
Even though my ear isn’t the best at registering higher notes, the sound quality was crisp and grunty. The other big attraction is the price... about half that of competitor’s aftermarket sound systems, we hear.

Sea-Doo was quoting about US$700 for a factory installation and about US$949 for dealer installation. Local pricing will be clearer once 2018 stocks arrive in coming weeks and months.

If music be the food of love, play on. The new premium Bluetooth definitely adds to your experience aboard the 2018 Sea-Doo watercraft. And if heavy metal bands ruled the world we'd all be better off.

More on the new 2018 Sea-Doo ST3 hull in this article.
More on the
new Sea-Doo LinQ accessory system and modular seat on our report.
More on the new 2018 Sea-Doo range overview news in this release.

Full performance reviews and further details of the new 2018 Sea-Doo will follow this article.