If you are looking to buy a jet boat for recreational purposes or otherwise, you may find yourself in a dilemma between choosing either the Sea-Doo Sportster or the Speedster.
The biggest difference between them is that the Speedster has two engines while the Sportster only has one. This allows the speedster to have a much better performance compared to the Sportster at the expense of a heftier price tag.
A Quick Comparison Table
| Specification | Sportster | Speedster |
| Engine | One 4-Stroke Engine | Two 4-Stroke Engines |
| Maximum Engine Speed | 6,800 RPM | 7,300 RPM |
| Overall Length | 15 feet & 4 inches | 19 feet & 9 inches |
| Dry Weight | 1,454 lbs. | 2,770 lbs. |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 gallons | 44 gallons |
| Top Speed | 51 mph | 58 mph |
| Price | Around $14,299 | Around $29,499 |
Key Differences Between Sportster And Speedster
After going through the table above, you should have a general idea of each individual difference between the two boats.
Now let’s go into more detail and break down each difference.
- Engine
Here is where the biggest difference between the Sea-Doo Sportster and the Speedster lies.
If you are searching for power, the Speedster blows the Sportster out of the water.
The Sportster has one engine whereas, the Speedster has two. The extra engine makes the Speedster have higher performance.
Both boats use similar engines. They both use 3-cylinder, 4-stroke, 1503 4-Tec model engines. Both boats have similar engine displacements and horsepower at 1,494 CC and 155 hp, respectively.
But, while the Sportster only uses one of these engines, the Speedster has two. This essentially doubles its performance in comparison to the Sportster.
[su_note]Also Read: Differences Between Hunter 260 And MacGregor 26 Sailboat.[/su_note]
- Max Engine Speed
The Sportster engine has a maximum rotation per minute (RPM) of 7,300. The Speedster also has a similar rpm of 7,300, but since it has two engines, it has double the power of a Sportster.
With the dual engines, the Speedster easily outmatches the Sportster when it comes to performance. The Speedster has a higher top speed than the Sportster.
It also has twice the horsepower of a Sportster, coming in at 310 hp compared to the 155 hp of the Sportster.
- Overall Length
If what you are looking for is a boat big enough to fit many people, then the Speedster would be the right option for you.
The Sea-Doo Sportster has an overall length of 15 feet and 4 inches, or 4.67 meters, from the back to the tip. On the other hand, the Speedster is much longer having an overall length of 19 feet and 9 inches, or 6.02 meters, from the back to the tip.
A bit of the extra area in the Speedster is used to house its extra engine. But most of the extra space is used to seat many more people compared to the Sportster.
A Sea-Doo Sportster has a passenger capacity of 4 people, whereas the Speedster has almost double the capacity, being able to seat 7.
- Dry Weight
If what you want is a relatively lightweight boat, the Sportster is the boat for you. The Sea-Doo Sportster has a dry weight of about 1,457 lbs., or around 660 kg. This makes the boat towable by most family cars allowing for easy transportation.
On the other hand, the Sea-Doo Speedster weighs in at around 2,770 lbs., or around 1,256 kg. That is almost double the weight of the Sportster.
- Fuel Capacity
An important factor when considering which boat to buy is its fuel capacity and its mileage per gallon at cruising speeds.
The Sea-Doo Sportster has a fuel capacity of 23 gallons. Its cruising speed sits at 35 mph or just over 56 kmh.
At continuous cruising speeds, the Sportster can cover around 259, miles or just under 417 kilometers in a full tank.
Meanwhile, the Speedster has a fuel capacity of 44 gallons, almost twice as much as the Sportster’s. Its cruising speed sits at around 29 mph or around 46 kmh.
Despite its much larger fuel tank, the Speedster’s miles per gallon at cruising speeds is nowhere near as good as the Sportster’s. With a full tank, you can expect the Speedster to go around 90 miles.
While this is more than enough for a full day of boating, it’s a fraction of the Speedster’s fuel efficiency.
- Top Speeds
Being jet boats, it is only natural to expect them to be very fast. And in this case, both boats deliver.
The Sea-Doo Sportster can reach top speeds of up to 51 mph or 82 kmh. On the other hand, the Speedster thanks to its dual engine system and extra power can reach speeds of up to 58 mph or 93 kmh.
If speed is an important factor for you, you can’t go wrong with either.
- Price
The price understandably plays a vital role in the final decision-making. Both boats are on the pricier side, but one is far more expensive than the other.
The Sea-Doo Sportster starts at around $14,299. However, it can be cheaper or more expensive depending on the condition and model.
The Speedster starts at just under $30,000. Just like with the engine performance and passenger capacity, the price is double that of the Sportster.
Which Boat Should You Buy?
Now, we come to the ultimate question of a potential buyer. Which boat should I buy, the Sportster or the Speedster? As cliché as it sounds, the answer to that question depends on your preferences.
If you want a bigger boat with more passenger capacity and better performance but a much higher price tag and worse mileage, you should choose the Speedster.
But, if what you want is a lighter, more affordable boat with a lower passenger capacity and lower performance, you should buy the Sportster instead.
Also Read: Comparison of Regal And Sea Ray Boat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
A Sea-Doo Sportster has a top speed of about 51 mph.
A Sea-Doo Speedster can reach speeds of up to 58 mph.
Due to declining sales starting in 2007, Sea-Doo finally made the decision to stop making jet boats in 2012.
The RXP-X 300 is the fastest Sea-Doo boat. It can reach top speeds of up to 70 mph in the right conditions.
Final Thoughts
The Sea-Doo Sportster and Speedster are iconic jet boats that are widely used for recreational purposes. Though the company has ceased production, there are still plenty of boats available for sale.
And if you are one of those people thinking about buying one, we hope this comparison write-up on the Sea-Doo Sportster and Speedster can help you out in making the final decision.
