Aquascooter Sea Doo-Spark: Endless Fun

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

Jet ski was yesterday. The new fun maker is the Sea-Doo Spark aqua scooter. It is lighter and, above all, should be much more agile on the water, says someone who should know: Jet Ski World Champion Steve Dauliach.

By Ralf Schütze

“I have more fun with the Spark than with a much more powerful jet ski. Because the Spark is lighter and more manoeuvrable, you really get pleasure in every corner.”Steve Dauliach should know, because the five-time jet ski world champion has 250 HP at 130 km / h under control on the water, if it does about title. But even he knows how to appreciate the new Sea-Doo Spark: With 75 kg less ballast, you can speed through the sea at a speed. Even absolute newcomers will soon get their money's worth after careful first rounds.

Sitting like on a motorcycle

Enjoy inclines, always keep a firm grip on the handlebars and aim at the target. All of this sounds like riding a motorcycle, but in this case it takes place on the water. Sitting on the Sea-Doo Spark is like sitting on a bike, only the wheels are missing and water is not a feared, but an absolutely necessary element. With a maximum of 60 or 80 km / h you can paddle across the waves on the fun device - a speed at which the damp element has long since received the bars that it supposedly should not have. 72 km / h (45 mph according to the US speedometer) was our highest speed off the coast of Dubai on the three-seater Spark 3up with 66 kW / 90 PS strong Rotax three-cylinder.

A little practice and decisive driving tips from the Champ Dauliach were enough to muster the courage to go at such high speed. In the end, however, it took even more overcoming to push the fun-loving Spark ashore one last time and to finish the test drives.

Prices start at 6,000 euros

In front of the imposing skyline of Dubai with the 830 m high Burj Khalifa, the largest skyscraper in the world, you normally only make an impression with yachts from 30 m in length. But the agile fun mobile from Bombardier impressively demonstrates how much fun it is for its pilot at prices starting at 6,000 euros. The Canadian group also has snowmobiles, quads and three-wheel motorcycles in its portfolio, all of which are powered by an Austrian engine from Rotax. In the case of the Spark, a three-cylinder in-line engine with a displacement of 900 cc and 44 kW / 60 PS or 66 kW / 90 PS. The moderate consumption only empties the 30 l tank after three to four hours of wet and happy driving pleasure.

The operation can be learned quickly by any layperson and is partly familiar and partly unusual for motorcyclists: You sit on a bench and accelerate at the right end of the handlebar. However, this is done with a lever because you would unintentionally open a twist grip when jumping over waves. And braking is done with a lever on the left if someone is on board. Then there is also a reverse gear through short-term thrust reversal, in order to be able to steer actively in parking spaces at the port, for example. But even without a brake you can quickly get the Spark under control. You just have to make sure that you always need thrust to change direction. If you drive towards an obstacle, it will initially cost you to overcome it. But after a few attempts you trust the fast-paced water-moped more and more,that can be turned on the spot in an expert hand or even turned donuts.

Mirror-smooth water as an ideal

Mirror-like seas are ideal for getting really fast on the so-called "Aquascooter". In rough seas or even more on the crest of the bow waves of large boats, the Sea-Doo captain gets into involuntary jumping. After a little practice, it quickly becomes apparent how best to lean into curves. Or you notice how you can create waves with tight U-turns, over which you can jump in a controlled manner after a 270 degree bend. Even wheelies are possible if you pull hard enough on the throttle and pull the handlebars up to help.

The Sea-Doo Spark models 2up and 3up will soon make life difficult for much more expensive alternatives. 20 designs are available in five colors, including “Orange Crush” or bright green “Pineapple”. The surface of the Spark has a fashionably matt shimmer, which has to do with the Polytec material used. The “split deck” construction allows quick access to the motor, as the upper part can be easily lifted off after opening 16 screws. This promotes service friendliness and lowers maintenance costs. The two variants with lengths of 2.79 and 3.05 m weigh around 190 kg. The affordable water fun vehicles are available to buy now and will certainly soon be available for rent on many beaches. (SP-X)