As representatives from dealers, media and other organizations poured into the conference center at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada for BRP’s annual dealer meeting, many were buzzing with what to expect from Sea-Doo. As the lights dimmed and the music climbed, BRP’s CEO Jose Boisjoli was more than happy to share some of the philosophies and motivations propelling the brand not only into 2020, but beyond.
“There are many talks about recession, but we don’t see it. The three critical indicators we follow are employment rates, the number of new home construction and consumer confidence,” Boisjoli expressed that both nationally and globally, all signs look incredibly positive. When joined on stage by Sea-Doo Watercraft Global Product Manager, James Heintz, both he and Boisjoli were excited to announce that since the Spark’s introduction, over 130,000 units had been sold.
Considering the natural progression of Spark buyers who graduate to a larger Recreation segment vehicle, Sea-Doo saw it time to completely redesign the GTI platform. Borrowing a great deal from the larger ST3 platform, BRP engineered a smaller 3-seater runabout that is more stable thanks to an added inch of width and a lower center of gravity, and more comfortable due an ErgoLock seat.
A longer, flatter rear swim platform incorporates both the screw-capped port for the LinQ Retractable Ski Pylon as well as the LinQ accessory attachments. Other smaller details include a new orange-backlit 4.5-inch dashboard replaces the outgoing analog gauges; a redesigned front storage bin that holds a whopping 40.2-gallons, a 2.3-gallon glove box for smaller items, and a watertight phone box.
That phone box will come in handy if you opt for the optional BRP Premium Audio Package, the same 100-watt audio system available on the ST3 models. But of course, we’re burying the biggest news for the GTI lineup: a new hull material and three engine choices. Riding on Sea-Doo’s new Polytec GEN 2 material, it’s now thicker and lined with an additional fiberglass inner skin.
This drops the GTI’s weight down to 739 pounds from 790 previously, a significant difference. Powering the GTI lineup are the same Rotax 900 ACE producing 90-horsepower (with a top speed of close to 42 mph) and 1630 ACE at 130-horsepower (a top speed of 50 mph), but for 2020, BRP upped the ante with the retuned 1630 ACE knocking out 170-horsepower (with no advertised top speed listed).
The four GTI vehicles offered are the GTI 90 ($8,999), GTI 130, GTI SE 130 ($10,799) and GTI SE 170; all available in either Metallic Beach Blue and Lava Grey, or Ice Metal and Orange Crush coloring. Fuel capacity also remains the same as the previous models at 15.9-gallons. Although unavailable for the everyday consumer, the GTI Pro remains unchanged from last year for the rental market.
The advent of the new 170-ponies 1630 ACE also replaces all runabouts using the previous 3-cylinder; that includes the Wake 155, Fish Pro and GTX. Speaking of the Fish Pro, the industry’s only dedicated fishing PWC remains mainly the same – apart from the slight bump in horsepower that is sure to please – and retains its White and Night Green coloring and $14,999 price tag.
For tow sports, the newly rechristened and redesigned Wake 170 ($12,199) comes in Malibu Blue and Neon Yellow, enjoys all of the benefits of the newly re-engineered GTI platform including added stability, better ergonomics, a more comfortable saddle, new dash, and voluminous storage; but also rides on the new Polytech GEN2 hull material. (Although weight increases from 718 to 747-pounds.)
The Wake 170 is paired in coloring with its larger Wake Pro 230 sibling ($14,899), who also gains the much desired 18.5-gallon fuel tank. BRP’s Premium Sound Package is available for both of these machines for a premium, so make sure to check the box to order the package from the factory, as it’ll cost less than having it installed at the dealer at a later date.
Sea-Doo’s Touring segment sees minor changes; firstly, the entire segment receives the larger 18.5-gallon tank. The previous year’s GTX 155 and 230 – although now with 170HP – ($12,999) retains last year’s Beach Blue Metallic and Lava Gray coloring options; while the more opulent GTX Limited 230 and 300 models (starting at $16,199) are bathed in Liquid Gray Metallic with Beach Blue Metallic highlights and come with BRP’s Premium Audio standard (as well as a king’s ransom of other accessories).
In contrast, big changes were made to Sea-Doo’s Performance segment although zero mention was made during the presentation: gone are the GTR-X 230 and RXT 230; the RXT being a mainstay model for nearly 20 years. The GTR 230 rides on the newly redesigned GTI platform, uses the same second-generation Polytech hull material, enjoys better seating, the digital dashboard and other features built into the new design.
Wrapped in Neon Yellow and Eclipse Black, the new GTR 230 shaves off a few pounds from its previous 807 to 774 pounds, thanks in large part to its Polytech lower half.
Priced at $12,399, it’s the lowest entry in the segment. The RXP-X 300 ($15,399) remains almost entirely untouched save for a repaint in California Green Metallic and Black, or last year’s Eclipse Black and Lava Red livery.
The top-of-the-food chain RXT-X 300 picks up the much anticipated 18.5-gallon fuel cell and also shares the same coloring options as the RXP-X, which is to be expected given its popularity;
California Green Metallic and Black, or the limited edition Eclipse Black and Lava Red. Disappointingly is the lack of a much-needed adjustable sponson similar to what comes standard on the RXP-X.
Surprisingly, Sea-Doo chose to only offer the Spark ($5,499 and up) new set of colors (Blue Raspberry and Pear; Licorice and Mango; or Vanilla and Blueberry) and a bunch of accessories. The Spark Trixx ($7,499) also received a new color package (Chili Pepper and Pear; Jalapeno and Pear) – all of which are available as either 2-up or 3-up seating configurations.
Lastly, a final bit of interest to you cold weather riders, Sea-Doo’s accessory division just added Heated Grips. Featuring five heat settings controlled with an integrated button on the left grip, these little bad boys pair perfectly with the available Wind Deflectors. And while this is a quick overview of the 2020 Sea-Doo lineup, you can expect detailed exclusive reviews of many of these new units in coming weeks and months as The Watercraft Journal starts to rack up plenty of seat time on them!
Thanks for the details. I am not a fan of that Green and my 2017 RXT-X 300 is already RED and runs well. I guess next year!
great article kevin ! <3 thank you for your work.
saw the presentation worst ever.
Nothing about the RXT-X 300 and the GTX Limited 300
And now when you see them, they destoyed the beautiful GTX Limited 300 to a boring ugly silver color with stange blue and the most beautiful one ever RXT-X 300 neon yellow is gone…i am crying
I am so dissapointed, Kawasaki is happy after Yamaha and now Seadoo presentation thats for sure they are
in the game again…
These presentations are always a little cheesy and often kept to a tight script. And beauty is definitely in the eye the beholder as many felt the all Neon Yellow RXT-X was an eyesore.
i watched the Seadoo 2020 presentation and it was just the worst presentation i ever watched.
And nothing about what i was intrested of, the GTX 300 limited and RXT-X300.
The GTX 300 limited was just horrible when i saw it, now boring silver all over and a little blue color.
Now after some time when i got used to the silver and brown 2019 version and now find that one really nice they made it just awful.
The RXT-X 300 most beautiful color ever the neonyellow is now gone but the neongreen was very nice too but i do not understand why they do not have black instead of the grey color allways, was the same on the neonyellow, that would be much nicer, there they can learn by Kawasaki their green and black is really nice.
But thank god they do not follow Yamaha their models are just different colors all over the place and noone looks any good.
The neon vibrant ones Seadoo have are much better looking.
And why did they not have a colordisplay – the one Yamaha has on some models is very nice but to small in size.
I probably end up buying the 2019 GTX Limited or if i can get the neonyellow with deep and watertemperature i am not sure if that is possible on the 2019 ?
I want to have one that i am really happy to look at with a vibrant neon look or the one that i learn to love the GTX 300 limited with silver and brown and lot of bells and whistles, i am not so intrested of the highest speed just being on the ocean is fine with me.
But Kevin you are totally wright i am used to like more colorfull things and not many have the same taste look at all cars most are like 50 shades of grey and silver…
But i get happy when i see neoncolors that was what drove me to Seadoo.
Thank you for a fantastic work with this beautiful site where i can learn a lot
Boring boring boring….your article Kevin is the only thing not boring. Seadoo needs to not only work on their colors but their water sleds need a redesign. Same ol crappy angles. Kawasaki has the sexiest looking ski hands down!!!
I agree. And the Honda F15x looked like a Kawasaki. Honda should get back in the game and change it for the better.
Yes i agree…i wish Honda would come back and even Polaris had a few nice lookin skies. We need more players in the game.
I noticed the new Gti-ish top deck had the BRP sound system. Was there any mention of that being backwards compatible with previous Gti models? I’ve been looking for an audio solution on my ‘18 GTR-X for the last year and this looks promising.
Cheers
No, it will not retroactively fit on previous models or the GTR-X/RXP-X deck.
That’s unfortunate, I was being a bit too hopeful. Thanks for the response and keep the great content coming!
So… boats. Sea doo’s are basically just boats now.
Firstly , Thanks Kevin for your great work ! I really enjoy your incites and reporting , especially the videos that not only inform about the watercraft but feature interesting American waterways/lakes etc, thank you.
Here in New Zealand I feel similar to others who have made comments regarding color development of particular models.
The GTX 300 colour changes really don’t add to the picture , personally I really like the existing blues of the others in this range and love the blue/ black GTR , but SeaDoo have dropped the ball when it comes to the rest of the boat colors .
I know SeaDoo like to Identify the models by colour/year then swap them out.
The new rxt , gti and wake pro colors don’t float my boat and I’m not alone in thinking this .
It looks like they hit them with a Walmart paint brush!!!
It is great to see a larger fuel cell !
I had hoped to see a black seat option on the GTX and possibly graphics packages introduced or upgrading of the gauge cluster and further stereo integration to bring the controls more inboard .
Hey ,over all they are still great units and I’m still buzzing from the last major upgrades.
Just where do the marketing team get their ideas??
Some coffee swilling clown dare devil ? Have they lost their marbles down the toy isle ?
I know BRP design team have been spending its efforts on other vehicles in it’s stable and mostly evolution is slow , it’s just we liked accelerated development and want more !! Any way I’m off down to the dealer to order my 2019 GTX 300 and a fuel caddie . Kevin ,keep up the good work .
Chris
Really enjoyed finding out about the 2020 SeaDoos! Thanks for a great job as always…
The 90 ACE available now in the GTI hull? Can you say underpowered? I certainly hope it is the HO version.
Can the new 18.5 gallon fuel cell be retrofitted to the 2019 Wake Pro 230 or 2019 RXT-X 300?
Certainly! Check out our installation article: https://watercraftjournal.com/gallery-the-great-sea-doo-18-5-gallon-fuel-tank-upgrade/
The 2020 lineup (mostly touring) is just bad the GTX limited brown was ugly and now the silver and grey and blue is way too generic they need to put a lot more blue to make it look good!
And you can’t play music through your phone with the USB port bluetooth only on any of the other models for 2021 only the limited an addition though
I love the California green because the yellow looked like barf.
Now the 2021 are out
Silver is the single-most popular color for luxury cars, so it only makes sense. And YES, the BRP sound system is only operated through Bluetooth as the USB charger is NOT connected to the sound system, just the charging system. And if you don’t like the colors, don’t buy one.