2022 Sea-Doo SPARK Review

The most inexpensive PWC on the market still offers plenty of fun on the water

What’s the most inexpensive personal watercraft on the market? The answer is the same as it has been for years — the 2022 Sea-Doo SPARK. Yes, the craft has succumbed to price creep just like almost everything else in the world. That oh-so-attractive original sticker of $4,999 is now up to $5,699, but that increase is pretty much on par with the rest of the market.

That leaves the 2022 Sea-Doo SPARK very much the same as the original…a fun, affordable, playful ride for newbies and experienced riders alike that won’t put too much of a hit on your budget but is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

The Secret Sauce

The secret to the SPARK’s success is found in the ingredients list. Sea-Doo started with a then-revolutionary hull and deck material called PolyTec, a polypropylene reinforced with fiberglass mix that proved durable, less expensive to produce, and dropped significant weight vs. conventional fiberglass-based construction. That lighter weight meant Sea-Doo could choose a lower horsepower, less-expensive engine, the 899cc Rotax 900 ACE. Designers also carved out a radical new design for the craft, giving it a skeletal bow that used even less material. The result was something completely different than everything else on the market and an open invitation for an entirely new segment of buyers.

There’s a catch, of course, so let’s address it right up front. The SPARK 2-UP’s engine is 60hp, a figure that can definitely produce a fun ride for a segment of riders but one that will likely fall short of what many riders expect. It’s also not really enough to bring out the craft’s true potential.

So, a caveat. Unless the extra $1,300 is a deal-breaker in terms of budget, my professional advice is that most buyers will benefit from upgrading to the SPARK 3-UP and its Rotax 900 ACE HO. A 90hp alternative that bumps up that top end from about 40-42 mph to about 48 mph, its added power gives the rider the low-end snap to actually whip the boat around into an easy spin, power through a 360 or leap out of the water, all the things you can, and will want to do on a playful machine like the SPARK. (Really want the 2-UP in a 90hp configuration? You’ll have to go for the SPARK TRIXX)

Another advantage to the 90hp engine? You can choose to save some gas and tame the ride in Touring mode at those times you don’t want the added oomph, then easily opt in to Sport mode when cutting loose.

While I’m carelessly blowing the budget, I’d also suggest most buyers also consider the front storage bin ($189). Yes, it fills in that cool gap up front, but the craft still looks pretty cool with the compartment in place, and at least you’ve got a token seven gallons of space to stow a few items.

The Full Burn

While the power-to-weight ratio and style that results from much of the above is the 2022 Sea-Doo SPARK’s primary selling point, there’s more worth mentioning. One again focuses on the 2-UP vs 3-UP dilemma. If you’re buying the SPARK to play on calmer waters and don’t care about speed or that it brings out the craft’s most playful side, the 2-UP may be the boat for you. But if your riding area tends toward choppier conditions, if you want a third passenger or the ability to pull a child on skis or tube, or yes, you want that added power a three-seater will be the better choice. Or, consider stepping up to Recreational class models.

Other interesting SPARK factoids? Hull and deck are sandwiched together around a gasket and secured with bolts (which can be removed along with the entire deck for any serious mechanical work). The engine is also mounted to plates outside the hull which cleverly double as heat exchangers for Sea-Doo’s closed-loop cooling system. PolyTec also produces a cool matte finish. The current crop of colors? Two-tone mixes of Orange Crush and Lava Red or Reef Blue and Manta Green.

You can also upgrade the manual reverse to Sea-Doo’s iBR (Intelligent Brake & Reverse). Or, opt for the aforementioned 90hp 2022 Sea-Doo SPARK TRIXX 2-UP ($7,899), which adds extended handlebar riser, foot chocks and greater trim range to let the craft really get its freestyle on and wheelie.

The Comp Question

While it once defined its own new category, the 2022 Sea-Doo SPARK now has company from Yamaha’s EX ($7,199). The EX is a three-seater, with conventional construction and gloss finish, and has a size advantage both in terms of room on the saddle but also overall length to make it a better ride in rough waters. The SPARK is more playful and stylish. An apples-to-apples comparison requires the 3-seater SPARK with 90hp engine and storage compartment, a combo that comes in at a competitive $7,188.

Parting advice? Make the choice based not on the dollars, but how you plan to use the craft. The EX is likely the better all-around choice but the SPARK is the winner on playfulness, fun factor and style.