Personal watercraft have long been one of the
most aff ordable ways to get into boating, but
in recent years that cost of entry has dropped
dramatically. Credit Sea-Doo’s Spark for getting
the ball rolling. When fi rst introduced, the
Spark ran a mere $4,999 for the base two-seater.
Even today, a three-passenger version with a
more powerful engine still comes in well under
the $7,000 mark. Sea-Doo’s success prompted
Yamaha to enter the “Rec Lite” category in 2017
at a nearly identical price point.
Within the boating market, that’s not a whole
lot of cash. Broken into a monthly payment, it’s
less than some consumer’s monthly coff ee tab—
and far cheaper than most cellphone bills.
But are these highly aff ordable craft trulyboats that can please not only the solo pilot,
but also a couple or small family? And can their
advantageous power-to-weight ratios really
deliver enough power to satisfy the modern
buyer? To fi nd the answers, we pit the two craft
head-to-head.{ COMMON GROUND } While the base
Spark—a two-passenger model with a 60 hp
engine—can still be had for as little as $5,399, a
more apples-to-apples comparison between the
Spark and EX requires the Sea-Doo to check off
a few options.
First and foremost is the upgrade to the Rotax
900 HO ACE engine, a 90 hp, 899cc powerplant
that off ers far more usable power and truly
awakens the craft’s fun factor. It’s also necessary to
choose the three-passenger version, a diff erence
Sea-Doo accomplishes via a hull extension and
longer seat. It’s a relatively seamless addition and
doesn’t look like an afterthought. Because base
Spark models opt for a stylish, almost skeletal
bow design over stowage, it’s also necessary to
add the optional Front Storage Bin Kit, which fi lls
that void with a basic 7-gallon compartment and
lid. Without it, the only storage available is found
in the 0.42-gallon glove box. The upgrades aren’t
just necessary for a fair comparison; they also
make the Spark substantially more fun and far
more usable for the vast majority of watercraft-
enthusiast boaters. The new price tag? $6,734.
In contrast, the base Yamaha EX model (one
of three trim levels off ered) already begins life
as a three-seater, features a 100 hp, 1,049cc
Yamaha TR-1 marine engine, and includes three
permanent stowage compartments—a shallow
bin under the hood, a deep glove box, and a small
tub below the saddle—totaling 7.7 gallons. The
price? A similar $6,799.{ TALE OF THE TAPE}The Yamaha measures
in at 10 feet, 3.2 inches in length, 3 feet, 8.5 inches
in width, and 578 pounds in weight. Fuel capacity
is 13.2 gallons. The Spark is a slightly shorter PHOTOS:^ COURTESY^SEA-DOO92 | BOATINGMAG.COM | JUNE 2019