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The History Of Sea-Doo® PWC

Mar. 19 2021 Buying Guide By S&N MotorSports

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The Sea-Doo personal watercraft of today are built on a rich history of innovation and industry firsts. If you've ever wondered how the modern Sea-Doo PWC came to be, read on. We cover highlights of its history below. 

When you're ready to shop Sea-Doo models for sale, visit S&N MotorSports. Our dealership is located in Port Charlotte, Florida, and we also serve those in Fort Myers.

The Beginning Of A Legend

In 1968, a marine industry first occurred. A water jet-powered and sit-down personal watercraft was mass produced. It's name? The Sea-Doo. This two-seat model ran off of an air-cooled 320cc Rotax® engine and could perform at exceptionally high levels.

The company wanted to make a splash with the model’s debut. The management team, including the Bombardier CEO and President at the time, rode Sea-Doo watercraft over 430 miles from Montreal to New York City. This showcased the PWC impressive performance and endurance potential.

It didn't take long for the first Sea-Doo to capture the attention of customers everywhere. The iconic PWC even became inserted in pop culture. For example, it appeared in a 1970 Fanta soda commercial.

A Push For Innovation

Sea-Doo revolutionized the marine industry with its launch, but the company wasn't content to stop there. The creative minds continued their cutting-edge work and released many advanced features and designs over the following years.

For example:

  • 1988: A new design emerged that sported a V-Hull and a 580cc Rotax® rotary valve engine.
  • 1990: The first three seat model, the Sea-Doo Grand Touring, also offered increased storage, a mechanical reverse system, and the ability to legally pull a skier.
  • 1991: The first high-performance Sea-Doo, the XP model, debuted and came with twin carburetors and a tuned exhaust pipe.
  • 1995: The Sea-Doo HX offered the first suspension seat that could lower the center of gravity during cornering. The XP 785 also emerged and eventually claimed the highest number of watercraft racing wins of all time.
  • 1997: The Sea-Doo XP came with a suspension seat and hyperbolic hull design. It eventually earned the name "Watercraft Of The Century" by Watercraft World Magazine.

A Broader Approach

The early years focused on improving the performance of the Sea-Doo personal watercraft. Then, the priority shifted a bit.

First, the company focused more on the environmental impact of its products. In 1998, a Sea-Doo model emerged with 15% lower emissions and reduced noise pollution, followed by further emissions reduction advances in 2000.

Next, the company worked on inviting more new riders to try out the personal watercraft lifestyle. Improvements to the models focused on making learning to ride easier.

For example:

  • 2000: The Sea-Doo Learning Key electronically controlled acceleration and top speed.
  • 2002: The Four-Stroke technology and Off Powered Assisted Steering.
  • 2009: New technology called iControl introduced the first braking system (iBR®), electronically adjustable throttle system (iTC), and full-rider, self-adjusting suspension system (iS).
  • 2014: The SPARK® model was intentionally built to entice a new generation of riders. Since its debut, it has been credited with helping the watercraft industry grow by 60%.

Of course, the company didn't forget about its advanced riders who sought out adrenaline rushes!

For example:

  • 2004: The Sea-Doo RXP 215 became the first watercraft to offer 200HP.
  • 2012: The new RXP models debuted with the Tight-Turning, T-Shape hull that offered unparalleled agility. Since its debut, its been undefeated at the IJSBA World Finals in the Pro Open and Pro GP classes.
  • 2016: The new Rotax® ACE™ engine offered 300HP as well as 0-60 miles per hour acceleration in under 5 seconds.
  • 2018: More rider comfort features emerged such as plug and play accessories and a Bluetooth® audio sound system.

Today, the Sea-Doo models offer peak performance and cutting-edge features. These modern products build on the advancements of the past so that they can deliver the best experience in the present. If you are ready to shop Sea-Doo products for sale, visit S&N MotorSports. Our dealership is located in Port Charlotte, Florida, and we also serve those in Fort Myers.