make it the better-riding craft in rough water. No,
I wouldn’t enjoy a ride on either in really rough
conditions, but the EX is the better candidate if
you boat on more open water, or don’t want to get
left behind should your friends venture off across
the chop.
At this price point, neither model features
reverse. Mechanical reverse is available on the
EX Sport ($7,799), and Yamaha’s electronic
reverse/deceleration RiDE system is included
with the EX Deluxe ($8,799). Sea-Doo makes
its Intelligent Brake & Reverse (iBR) system
available as a $1,000 option that includes front
storage. What does the lack of reverse mean
to the consumer? Docking and other close-
quarters maneuvering is old-school; you idle
toward a dock while setting up your angle of
approach, then pretty much kill the engine
and drift. Need to reverse out of a tight spot?
Better get used to pushing. Although forgoing
reverse works for the truly price-conscious
consumer—and our price-sensitive storyline—
we’d think long and hard about forgoing it in
real life. Reverse simply changes the overall
experience by providing far more control,especially in tight confi nes such as a marina or
launch ramp.{ POWER } In ideal conditions, the Spark
tops out at about 48 mph on average; the EX
edges it just slightly at 49 to 50 mph. That
number pales in comparison to today’s 65 mph
fl agship models, but it’s likely adequate for
the recreationally minded target audience.
On paper, Yamaha might seem to have an
edge in acceleration thanks to its additional
horsepower, but I found the power is off set
by the Spark’s 150-pound weight advantage,
making acceleration a relative toss-up.
One notable diff erence: On the 90 hp Spark,
Sea-Doo off ers the choice of two acceleration
profi les (Touring and Sport), meaning you can
choose a tamer, more fuel-effi cient response
for casual riding or opt for a more aggressive
response when intentions turn toward
performance or freestyle.
Both engines prove extremely fuel-effi cient.
While each manufacturer’s fuel-fl ow equipment
is proprietary, real-world ballparks would be
as little as 4.4 gallons per hour at a 24 mph
cruising speed, 5.4 gph at 35 mph, and as little
as 8 gph at each craft’s respective top speed.
Yamaha’s larger fuel tank gives the EX a decided
advantage in range.{ STYLE}The most subjective category, style is,
as they say, in the eye of the beholder. The Spark
possesses the more eye-catching design of the
two models, mostly for its futuristic lines. The
Spark also comes in a choice of three bold color
combinations: Licorice and Mango ( black and
orange), Vanilla and Blueberry (white and blue), PHOTOS:^ COURTESY^SEA-DOOALTHOUGH FORGOING REVERSE
WORKS FOR THE TRULY PRICE-
CONSCIOUS CONSUMER—AND OUR
PRICE-SENSITIVE STORYLINE—WE’D
THINK LONG AND HARD ABOUT
FORGOING IT IN REAL LIFE.HOW WE TESTED
ENGINE: 899CC ROTAX 900 HO ACE
PUMP/IMPELLER: 145 MM HIGH-
PRESSURE PUMP WITH ALUMINUM
IMPELLER
FUEL LOAD: 7 GAL.
CREW WEIGHT: 155 LB.High Points
XFun factor: Smaller, lighter and
more playful design will please
freestyle-oriented riders.
XChoice of two acceleration pro-
files fine-tune throttle response,
can be used to save fuel.
XThree color choices available.
Low Points
XSmallest passenger and fuel
capacities.
XAt this price point, reverse is not
standard equipment.SEA-DOO
SPARK· LOA: 9'2" · BEAM: 3’10” · DRY
WEIGHT: 421 lb. · DISPLACEMENT:
899cc · FUEL CAPACITY: 7.9 gal.
· MAXIMUM HORSEPOWER: 90
· NUMBER OF RIDERS: 3 · TOP SPEED:
48 mph · STOWAGE CAPACITY:
7.42 gal. (with optional bow storage)
· APPLICATION: RecreationalPrice: $6,734
(with optional Front Storage Bin Kit)94 | BOATINGMAG.COM | JUNE 2019