Over the weekend, Yamaha Watercraft USA released a pair of upbeat YouTube videos comparing the all-new Sea-Doo’s Rec Lite Spark watercraft to Yamaha’s decade-plus-year-old VX runabout.
In light of the whimsical tone and lightheartedness in the videos – titled, “Sea-Doo Spark: How Much Does It Really Cost” and “Sea-Doo Spark: How Durable Is It?” – they pose a strong comparison between the new Sea-Doo budget watercraft and their tried and true VX three-seater. In the videos, Yamaha’s host points out the Spark’s polypropylene plastic construction, modular design and pricing structure, and other characteristics that ought send up red flags, according to the clips.
Upon their release on YouTube and immediately thereafter on various social media channels, the court of public opinion took the ball and ran with it. There were plenty who sided with Yamaha’s claims as well as those who voiced concern or displeasure with Sea-Doo’s latest entry, while others challenged the comparison claiming the two models aren’t “apples to apples” and even biting back at Yamaha.
Either way, it’s a bold move for Yamaha. Admittedly, The Watercraft Journal’s review of the Sea-Doo Spark was enthusiastic, but in as much as the lightweight, entry-level craft was used and operated within its limits.
Because of the heated nature of this ongoing debate, we are not taking an official position, but rather would present the two videos and let you make your own decision:
Yamaha has some strong things to say about the Sea-Doo Spark in these videos.
Have you gotten a chance to ride… http://t.co/gMYWhpqwDs
First sign of desperation: bash the competition.
[…] (and recyclable) Polytec material is “plastic.” And whether you’re tuning in to Yamaha’s viral videos, checking out pics of Spark hulls being punctured by the thrust of more powerful runabouts or […]
It is what it is….a inexpensive way to get in the sport of pwc. Would I want one ..no..but it will bring more people into the sport and I’m sure Sea Doo is hoping they move up to something else in their line. You have to commend them for their thinking. Not everyone can afford a new super duper ski.
I own a1996 Seadoo GTS. It has been an awesome machine that has seen more use -touring, towing and fishing- than any 4 other PWCs I know of. I have been looking at the new Sparks and, seeing the Yamaha dude on the verge of tears through Yamahas mud flinging videos has pretty much convinced me to take the plunge and buy one (or maybe two)
As the previous owner of two 95 XP’s and two 95 GTI’s that were brought new and ran untill I sold them two years ago to buy four Sparks. I can tell you that although I loved my old ski’s I love my new Sparks even more.
Why you say. First they are really fun to ride because they are so light and have so much low end get up and go. Second they have 8 gallon gas tanks that you can ride on all day with one fill up. Third we live in Las Vegas and are out on them every weekend from April through November on Lake Mead and we have had not one bit of problems with them. Lastly I got four skis for the price of two Yamahas. If you want a great ski to go out and play on buy a Spark.