Puget Sound (Rough water) Sea-Doo boat??

[aneura]

Greetings,

I am a long-time boater, however new to Sea-Doo (Jet Propulsion) boats. I currently own a 18' runabout (stern-drive) and am narrowing down my options for a new boat. I have been looking the the 230 Challenger SE with real interest, but alas I am new this type of boat.

My question is - How do these boats do in rough-er water? I don't know anyone who owns one, and you need to be 98% through the sales/purchase cycle to test-drive one at the local dealer. The vast majority, probably 75% of the our time, is spent in the Puget Sound which can vary from glass calm to scary. It's not uncommon to have a good chop with 2' waves; for anyone who is local - we are typically between Everett and Whidbey Island.

For reference, I was considering a 22'-24' deep-V, such as a Sea Ray SLX or similar, but we have fallen in love with everything about these Sea-Doo boats...

Any guidance or insight anyone can provide would be GEATLY appreciated.

Thank you!!!

-Eric

 

[Craigmri]

Eric,

I'm really unfamilar with Puget sound but can tell you what Jet boats like and dislike. While I never owned a 230 I have been aboard one(in showroom) and I am impressed by that vessel.

Two things Seadoos dont like.....Wet slip stored in salt water and Sea weed. I'm assuming Puget Sound is salt water so you'll want to remove it after daily use and flush the exhaust manifolds with fresh water. If that area is prone to sea weed or grass your going to clog your intakes. Its what jet boats do. If its only a little grass it'll probably only mulch it up but if its fairly thick or if the grass is very fiberous it will clog.

The 180 I owned had a bow that swooped downward and while it looks very attractive, it just isnt very practical for idling in rough waters. When retrieving wakeboarders on ours we would routinely take water over the bow in rough wake. The 230 has a similar design however the sheer size of that boat may eliminate this problem. Perhaps a 230 owner can chime in on how it is in rough conditions.

My personal opinion after owning three Seadoo jet boats is that they make fantastic river and lake boats in waters with little vegetation. The performance is spectacular.

If I was in a situation where I was boating in salt water exclusively and know I will be caught in rough conditions periodically I would be looking at something more seaworthy like this:

http://www.travelizmo.com/archives/seaswirl-1851-dual-console-fishing-boat-2009.jpg

Just food for thought.

Craig

 

[nightrider71]

I have a 230 Wake that I often end up in rough water in three foot plus or bigger. The boat handels rough water with no problem at all albit not as good as my 24' Whaler, but still as good or better than my previous 22' Sea Ray. If you end up in really rough water or comming into a double up you have to watch when you come off the throttle, if you come off too fast the front end is low and can easily take some water over the bow. I have only done this once and once your know it is going to happen you quickly learn how to aviod it. Hope this helps

 

[seadoomichael]

I've had a 180 for about 9 months (love it). I live in Burlington, Wa and regularly go out in the sound and area lakes. Given the right tidal conditions and weather, I have had no issues taking it out to Cornet Bay (Deception Pass), Bellingham Bay, Swinomish, Guemes and many of the other inland waters. You just have to be smart about picking the right day/conditions and avoiding the kelpy/grassy areas. Yes - the bow is super low on the 180 and a few times on Lake Washington we've had some water over the bow (don't put two adults up front if they don't want to get wet!). But that's it. It's a fantastic boat and a ton of fun. I would think you'd have no issues with the 210 (want it) or 230 - aside from the possibility of clogging your intakes - but I have had no issues with that as of yet.

Michaelb