2015 Sea-Doo GTX Limited 215 Review

A PWC with all the extras

Sea-Doo’s pitch with its Limited models is that “everything comes standard.” In short, these are premium models, with not only premium features but also premium extras. Forget about heading back to the dealership or local marine supply to outfit your craft with a few extra amenities. The Limited is one-stop shopping. Pay your bill and you’re ready to walk out the door and head straight to the lake. That those amenities skew slightly to the high-end is to be expected of a craft in this position.

But are you the Limited type? The answer likely follows.

Features with Benefits

Even without the Limited extras, the 215 is a pretty formidable – and full-featured – competitor. As a flagship GTX, the Limited 215 delivers the goods when it comes to Sea-Doo’s latest and greatest innovations. And as you might expect, many of the best have an “I” at the start of their name.

Beyond a host of extras, the GTX Limited 215 boasts a powerful engine and impressive manners in rough or calm water.

IBR stands for Intelligent Brake & Reverse, a technology that has, now years down the road, changed the industry. In essence, it uses the reverse bucket to redirect water flow and accomplish all sorts of neat handling feats. Start the boat up at the dock and that bucket deflection prevents almost all movement, keeping the boat stationary. From there it’s a simple matter of squeezing the throttle for forward, or the IBR lever for reverse. Eyes stay on the water, and predictable, controllable handling ensues. Of course, IBR is also used as a brake. Pull that same lever underway at speed and it drops that bucket to deflect water flow and use it for stopping power. You can rapidly slow the craft while maintaining control. All the parts are integrated and communicate electronically, and the onboard computer brain makes sure that nothing happens too abruptly to cause a problem. All the driver really notices is a level of control over their craft far beyond what we accepted just a few short years ago.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2014 Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra LX

Yet another “I” is found in Intelligent Throttle Control. By controlling the power output by software rather than a physical cable, Sea-Doo can deliver a tamer throttle response (dubbed Touring mode), a more brutal acceleration (Sport mode), or tailor the engine response to save fuel (Eco mode), all at the touch of a button. The same technology also makes possible simple-to-operate cruise control, and a no-wake mode, also easily operated via buttons on the handlebars.

As to additional features, expect the standard Sea-Doo subset, with one extra. New for 2015 is a radio-frequency based digital security key with a simpler, ball-and-socket connection. You also get tilt steering to dial in the handlebar angle, a touring-oriented saddle with tiered bolsters for ultimate cruising comfort, and a watertight removable bow storage bin to make it easy to haul your stuff to and from the water.

What More Could You Want?

That’s a lot of standards for sure, but where Sea-Doo really lives up to the “everything standard” promise is found in the items that comprise the boat’s Limited package.

All in all, it’s a mostly useful mix. Actual on-craft features include a high-performance variable trim system, which is toggled via a rocker switch, and also allows the driver to preset two favorite positions. That way you can do a no-look double-tap to drop the bow for acceleration, followed by another to quickly set your preferred bow-up running angle. Also handy when it comes to pulling into the dock, marina, or restaurant are Speed Ties, preloaded dock lines that pull out from and retract into nearly seamless housings fore and aft. Additional gauge functions (depthfinder, time/distance to empty, altitude and water temperature) round things out.

The GTX Limited 215 comes with removable cover, safety kit and more.

The list of features you might likely pick up in the first month of ownership include a custom storage cover, designed to protect your craft for all those hours you’re not on the water, a removable dry storage bag, safety kit (50’ of buoyant heaving line, bailer, whistle, and watertight flashlight), and a glovebox organizer along with an exclusive coloration. For 2015 that’s a rich Anthracite Grey, with just a touch of bright Manta Green on the logos and saddle trim.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2014 Yamaha FX Cruiser HO

Removable dry storage bags mean you can carry your valuables without worrying about them getting wet.

If that’s not enough to set you apart from the crowd, options include adding Ski mode to the speed control features for easier towing, a removable wakeboard rack, and retractable ski pylon along with more instrumentation features like a lap timer, top/average speed, and engine temp. A sandbag anchor, fire extinguisher, and fenders are items that are also handy but not exclusive to your Sea-Doo dealership.

Core Values

Not to be lost in all the Limited hype is the actual craft that lies below the surface, essentially the 215hp version of the GTX.

The craft uses Sea-Doo’s S3 hull, a deep-V, stepped design that handles rough water with total confidence, yet can still crank out hardcore turns should the driver like to get aggressive. It’s big, smooth, and comfortable and worthy of the flagship title, ready to haul your family, thrill a solo rider, or head offshore with equal finesse. It’s also pretty stylish, with Sea-Doo’s classic flair. Perhaps the only downside is that the design limits storage far more than any other comparable craft. The 215 offers a mere 13.7 gallons, meaning anyone looking to seriously tour or overnight better be prepared to improvise.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2014 Sea-Doo GTX Limited iS 260

Interestingly, Sea-Doo limits the basic GTX to the Limited’s 215 hp. To get the brand’s top-of-the-line 260 horses you either need to step up to the suspension model GTX or move on to the similar, but more performance-minded RXT lineup. Still, that 215 hp engine is more than up for the challenges ahead. Boosted by a supercharger and intercooler, in the most-aggressive Sport mode it hits hard off the bottom (more than enough for drag races or towing duties) and tops out near the 65 mph mark with a light load and good conditions.

All together, it’s a recipe that makes for a pretty well-rounded craft…for those that like their one-stop shopping on the high-end.