What are your thoughts on the Sea-Doo Switch Pontoon Jet Boat?

[Coolbreeze704]

An new concept is often done radically to identify the aspects that favorably deviate from the status quo. We resist change, yet massive leaps are well respected when looking in the rear view mirror. A Yamaha boat was once radical. Now is see them everywhere. My hat is off to Seedoo for releasing a totally new concept in this environment. Jet propulsion and a modular deck are definitely new ideas in the pontoon market. I wonder how long before I spot one on the lake.

Exactly

 

[dperque]

I think one person has mentioned it, but that "swim platform" is the same height as the deck and at least 18" off the water. I guess they did what they could, but I'd hardly call it that. Would like to see the ladder situation since this is marketed as a kid friendly family hauler.

 

[BlkGS]

I think it's an interesting concept. I've spent a good bit of time with Seadoo stuff, and with pontoons, and our jet boats. A couple thoughts.

1) really neat concept. I think it's got a lot of innovative ideas, and could be a big hit.

2) the handlebar steering and throttle was a massive mistake. I get it makes it easier to manufacture and parts bin and all that, but it's gonna turn off a lot of buyers. Pontoon owners don't want to have to ride their boats like a bike and squeeze a throttle all the time. No other pontoons make them do this, and old seadoo boats didn't either.

3) pontoons are big for families, and jet pumps are also great for families. I would push the ever loving crap out of that.

4) the pontoon market is flooded with competitors, I think their pricing is going to be a bit high. 35k gets you a really nice normal pontoon.

5) I like to see BRP getting back into boats, and think this is a really innovative product..... But the utopia boats I feel were better, and I think the length on these is too short.

 

[adrianp89]

Where can you get a really nice Pontoon for 35k? 35k gets you a 21ft sun tracker with 90hp.

 

[BlkGS]

Where can you get a really nice Pontoon for 35k? 35k gets you a 21ft sun tracker with 90hp.

That's what my friends had and it was pretty nice. It was pretty much perfect for a family on the lake

 

[adrianp89]

That's what my friends had and it was pretty nice. It was pretty much perfect for a family on the lake

They are about the cheapest around, but I agree not bad boats at all. I was close to buying one until this came out. The power difference was a big factor.

 

[YamPat]

Gonna sell big, or flop hard. Always a market. Sometimes you just gotta say "fuck it" and take a chance. Lol

My client are a group of 5 dealers and they were sold out within a week

there is a real market for this

 

[BlkGS]

They are about the cheapest around, but I agree not bad boats at all. I was close to buying one until this came out. The power difference was a big factor.

Yeah, you could tube behind their pontoon, but at our lake most of the rentals were like... 75hp, and some older toons less than that. Those were not tubing boats, lol. And even his 90 when loaded down was kinda at capacity.

 

[adrianp89]

@Julian I think a sub forum should be made for these.

 

[BlkGS]

@Julian I think a sub forum should be made for these.

Agreed, I think we are gonna have a lot of new friends soon.

 

[Dbc112]

Has anyone thought about long term storage/docking? Will these require dry docking like all other jet boats/pwc? I’m curious as this would be great but how the heck will I store it say for a week long vacation on the lake? Or salt water vacation? Boat slip rental is fine if u can leave in water…..

 

[adrianp89]

Has anyone thought about long term storage/docking? Will these require dry docking like all other jet boats/pwc? I’m curious as this would be great but how the heck will I store it say for a week long vacation on the lake? Or salt water vacation? Boat slip rental is fine if u can leave in water…..

I don’t have an answer but this will probably my long term solution. As keeping two boats at my house is doable but keeping one in the front yard is kinda trashy IMO

 

[the MfM]

there is a real market for this

Well yeah, it’s a Jetoon.

 

[Dbc112]

I don’t have an answer but this will probably my long term solution. As keeping two boats at my house is doable but keeping one in the front yard is kinda trashy IMO

I am thinking more about the new market here… what jet doc can accommodate this design? Feel like if someone were to use a normal design for a single hull it would lean left or right given the main “jet ski” part of the hull sits lower. Any thoughts? To me this part of th equation will be a challenge as traditional docs won’t work… boat lift not sure, standard jet doc , not sure….

 

[the MfM]

I am thinking more about the new market here… what jet doc can accommodate this design? Feel like if someone were to use a normal design for a single hull it would lean left or right given the main “jet ski” part of the hull sits lower. Any thoughts? To me this part of th equation will be a challenge as traditional docs won’t work… boat lift not sure, standard jet doc , not sure….

Im not seeing the concern.

it looks like the switch uses a standard pontoon boat trailer. So any lift for a pontoon boat should be easily made to work? Maybe need to raise the bunks or lower the center sections to clear the middle hull.

 

[Dbc112]

Nice makes sense, was thinking more around the new boat consumer who may rent a house on the lake for couple weeks etc. guess it’s the same for any jet boat

 

[haknslash]

Videos are starting to come out on these things. I will say they have some interesting design choices on these things especially with the modular design. But this thing looks like one of those toys you buy and try a few times, do all the things it can do and then move on. It just screams cheap and flimsy to me. After watching this video on it in light chop and seeing the console about to destroy itself just further solidified my hunch on these things. Perfect for a rental to beat on but I don’t think I’d want to live with one of these things.

 

[HangOutdoors]

That one is the 12' one, the compact. I don't think it did bad that all for what it is. Would like to see what the 21' one does and how it handles 1-3' seas. That is the make or break for me. On an average day that is what I am jumping through.

Edit: @haknslash Maybe it is intended to do that in the design of it with the console, rather than being rigid. To absorb.

 

[swatski]

A single engine and no clean out port.

This could be fun, a bit different, could work great for a family.
My perhaps the only question would be about local dealer/rotax mechanic support.
Probably not a big issue with the recent proliferation of everything jet ski, but that would be the one thing I would want to know before buying.
My boat mechanic back in MO, amazing as he was, would not work on anything rotax so that was never an option I would consider.

--

 

[HangOutdoors]

I wonder if is is sinkable or will it always float?