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Sea-Doo 230 Wake

If you’ve ever ridden the Batman roller coaster at Six Flags, then you have the feel for the acceleration a 510 Rotax jet-drive horsepower provides to Sea-Doo’s new 230 Wake.

If you’ve ever ridden the Batman roller coaster at Six Flags, then you have the feel for the acceleration a 510 Rotax jet-drive horsepower provides to Sea-Doo’s new 230 Wake. Zero to 30 mph in five seconds slaps you back in the captain’s bucket seat and holds you there like shrink-wrap.

At top speed, the 230 hits speeds greater than 52 mph. Slow down a little before you throw the helm hard to port or starboard. Those reclining on the comfortable bow lounges might just want to strap on their sunglasses at that speed — and especially before you put the Wake in a skier-recovery turn. At reasonable speeds in the 40s, the 230 cut a tight little circle ideal for retrieving downed skiers.

But Sea-Doo’s recreational sleuths know that even with all that power, relaxation on the water is what much of boating is about, so they tricked out the boat with a broad array of comforts. The aft lounge wraps around from stern to portside, ending in an aft-reclining lounge at the portside windshield bulkhead. The Wake’s sun pad is spacious, but what really made the boat livable was the dry storage under it.

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But what’s up with that wakeboard tower and ballast system? Attaching the ski rope higher makes it easier on the rider. And with a ballast tank for creating fun wakes, we think this boat will be ideal for all but the competitive wakeboard rider — assuming he can get the rest of the family over that sunbathing fetish.

Sea-Doo 230 Wake
Sea-Doo 230 Wake Certified Test Results Boating Magazine

Key Note: Concealed jet drives reduce the risk of grounding in shallow waters while giving snappy acceleration and maneuverability.

Standout Features
• Electric roll-down windshield opens the cockpit letting the wind blow through.
• Stark-white gelcoat with cherry-red and jet-black graphics offers dramatic styling accents.
• Stainless-steel cleats, rub rail, ladder and other hardware finish the upscale look.

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Vital Stats
* Length Overall: 23’6″
* Beam: 8’9″
* Dry Weight: 3,775 lb.
* Seating Capacity: 12
* Fuel Capacity: 53 gal.
* Maximum HP: 510
* MSRP (test boat w/ 510 hp): $55,999

Test Drive
* Test Engine: Twin Rotax 255 hp
* Test Prop: Jet drive
* Test Load: People (235 lb.); Fuel (25 gal.)
* Minimum Planing Speed: 21.7 mph @ 4,500 rpm
* Top Speed: 52.2 mph @ 7,500 rpm
* Time to Plane: 3.5 sec.
* Time to 30 MPH: 5.5 sec.

Sea-Doo – Valcourt, Quebec; 888-272–9222sea-doo.com

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