2023 Sea-Doo GTR 230 Review

Fast…and affordable. It’s a Holy Grail of sorts for many personal watercraft enthusiasts, but as you might expect easier said than done. Sea-Doo accomplishes the feat on the GTR 230 by following a familiar mix-and-match approach. Power is provided by the 230hp version of the Rotax 1630 ACE engine, while its surrounding enclosure is lifted from the recreational GTI lineup. The result is near flagship speed for a little over $13,000…

…and yet a craft still versatile enough to tick off more than its share of boxes the family buyer demands.

Power to Weight

Mix-and-match approaches like this typically benefit thanks in no small part to an advantageous horsepower-to-weight ratio. The Rotax 1630 ACE pumps out roughly 230 horsepower. The GTR 230’s total weight (thanks in part to the PolyTec Gen II hull construction) is 774 pounds. Do the math and you’ll note the weight savings isn’t dramatic compared to the 230hp version of the GTX flagship, but GTR fans will feel the 35-pound advantage. The craft that feels arguably as aggressive and fun as those flagships yet retains a light, spry feel that the big guns sometimes lack.

As to exact numbers, Sea-Doo’s choice to use a supercharged engine may increase a season’s fuel bill to a degree, but the resulting performance feels worth it. Top speed comes tantalizingly close to flagship territory at 64 mph. Acceleration is also strong out of the hole, with a satisfying pull on the forearms the moment you pin the throttle. And no, there’s not a performance penalty in terms of fuel. Sea-Doo is fine with the use of 87 octane in the GTR’s diet.

As to that other notable aspect of performance — handling — the 16-degree deadrise hull is a little looser and more playful as expected, but it somehow also manages to lock in for racer-like performance in the corners. Liberal use of the variable electric trim fine tunes that performance to a rider’s desires. Hint? Drop the bow to tighten up turns, and raise it to feel the freedom.

Despite that shallower deadrise the GTR also displays a surprisingly strong performance in rough water. In fact, we wouldn’t hesitate to take it offshore alongside its GTX brethren.

More Than Minimal

As to the rest of the craft, this is an affordable performer that doesn’t scrimp on the family-friendly amenities. It’s low-slung profile is surprisingly steady at rest as well as at speed. Sea-Doo’s ErgoLock ergonomics scallop the saddle shape for greater comfort while giving the driver a locked-in feel. Storage is an impressive 40 gallons in the conventional-opening bow tub and two additional gallons in a glovebox outfitted with a waterproof phone compartment.

And then there’s that long list of Sea-Doo extras that are now common throughout the line. Intelligent Brake & Reverse (iBR) provides intuitive, hands-on-the-bars control as you toggle between forward, neutral and reverse settings. It also provides the craft with impressive braking power at speed should you need to rapidly slow. The aft deck reveals LinQ pop-up cleats ready to anchor cooler, storage or fuel caddies. Multiple riding modes (Touring, Sport, ECO) are available to tune the performance to rider comfort, performance or low-fuel situations. Theft prevention is made possible by a unique, digitally encoded safety lanyard.

And of course, your music can follow you out onto the water. BRP’s 100-watt Audio-Premium System neatly incorporates speakers at the front of the footwells and adds a simple remote control pad for control.

One-Two Punch

As to the competition, it hasn’t changed. Yamaha’s GP1800R HO ($14,199)caters to the same audience but with greater displacement (1,812cc) and no supercharger. The slightly different take still results in similar acceleration and a 63 mph top speed. Sea-Doo is a little more playful, Yamaha a little more ready for the race course. Kawasaki? The manufacturer doesn’t really have a craft that plays in this arena, as horsepower jump from 160 to 310.

That leaves the battle, at least for the time being, to two familiar foes.