[User98]

Hello everyone and thank you for your responses in advance. My family has been looking at PWC's, and we have noticed that the Sea Doo Spark has gotten great reviews. We would generally use this watercraft in lakes, and in the Connecticut River, and we are looking at the 3up HO model, with the storage option (and possibly the boarding step). We would mainly be using the Spark when we take our boat out, so the biggest factor for us is the Spark's ride quality, stability, and generally how much fun it is. I am a big guy (about 300 lbs), do you think that the 3up Spark would be stable and powerful enough for me (by myself)? Also, is the lack of engine access a big pain? Because the Spark is 300-350 lbs lighter than comparable craft, is it very unstable? Is the IBR system worth it? Lastly, are there any major flaws that anyone has noticed with the Spark?

Thank You

 

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I am 260 and have no problem with the stability on a 2up I bought a 60hp knowing I was going to program it. They have demo rides all over the place you might want to check that out. I bought a hx in 95 before I rode it and didn't really like it. I think the cheap spark is the way to go. If your going to spend all the money the Ibr and 3 up or the 90hp you might just want to look at the next model up on the seadoo list. I have a Rxp and a xpl and I ride my spark when I go out 99 percent of the time. Mainly because of the price of fuel. The Rxp will go throught some gas. Even with out trim and reverse it still rides good. I bought the manual reverse kit for 270 and I have never got around to installing it. That's my opinion.

 

[Wags]

We have a couple of 3 seaters and a 2up ho with IBR. I just ordered another 2 up ho with IBR. I find using the spark as a play toy when we have our deck boat out is an ideal situation. A lot more fun than the full size units.

 

[AUJeep]

Like Jammy suggested, you should definitely do a test ride. I've got a buddy who's a "non athletic" 300lbs or so and he really hated my 2up. Mostly because of re boarding issues in deep water. That being said, there are some guys similar in size who have no issue. I do think you're right on the fence of it not being issue or hating it. It is a heck of a lot of fun, no denying that.

 

[sparkdream]

My Brother-in-law is 350 and has no problem on a 3up. That said, he never fell off so i don't know about reboarding.

 

[AUJeep]

I should add, my buddy did enjoy the actual riding part especially on a spark with a Vtech tune. He said it was pretty incredible how it almost jumped out of the water on takeoff. but being unable to reboard pretty much ruined it for him

 

[dolson]

I love mine on the lakes when I go in the ocean I really get beat up but im not just out on the ocean taking spins from the beach ill do a 4-6 hour destination run. your weight should be fine its just the reboarding and how stable you want it to be. it is stable its just you jump the waves instead of going through them, its all a matter of what you like. my buddy has a Yamaha vxr and he just powers through the waves at 50+ and I cant keep up but he try's to jump waves and the ski just doesn't get much air, I have more fun in that sense. Try out a few skis out if you can.


I have iBR and really like it, its great for neutral alone so your not circling all the time. the reverse is good for when I dock I usually pull in and tie off with the dinghys and have to back out.

 

[funinthesun]

Test ride a must for heavier riders.

Boarding is going to be tricky with the weight you listed. Stability was our number one complaint when going slow. Since the Sparks are so light they tend to lean very bad when boarding or idleing. Please do a test ride before you spend the money. My friend could not get on at all until he boarded from the boat dock.


If he would have had a spill I do not believe he would have been able to get back on without something to stand on. I would invest a few more dollars for a bigger craft.

 

[Aggydaddy]

Had the 3-up Spark 90 h.p. Traded it the 1st day I owned it. I strongly suggest a test ride and, if at all possible, a reboarding test from deep water. I'm 6'3" 240 and have no physical disabilities, yet, I found reboarding the 3-up from deep water almost impossible. The 'knee' step is next to useless for me; it is about arm pit level when reboarding with my hand on the grab handle behind the seat. I agree with the post from funinthesun. I had to move up to the gti se 130 for the same reasons he mentioned. Funny thing, I've looked at a lot of video about reboarding and don't recall ever seeing a deep water reboard. They always show you somebody standing in waist deep water stepping on the boarding step and then stepping on the back of the ski. After my initial ride I described my impressions to the dealer as the Spark feeling "tippy". It almost felt like a tricycle with a loose front wheel. Try before you buy.

 

[seaking]

Power might not be enough for you

Some guys have been quick to do vtec tunes and some have done turbo kit upgrades.

 

[dannyislemons]

I have heard some people say it feels a little unstable on the 2up, then others say it's fine so I suppose it's very opinionated. As for everything else, the only thing I truly dislike about the spark is engine access. As someone who rides salt, it would be worlds easier to lift the seat and expose a lot more, giving it a good rinse. I ride in a bay and it can get very rough which can be tough because it isn't one of these huge PWC's on the market. Overall, extremely fun and I feel you can really play around with it a lot more than a bigger ski. Good luck!

 

[Cormacs]

I'm 250 lbs and find the spark extremely easy to board in deep water. One complaint I had about it is, it's tippy with two 250 lbs people on it. But me by myself I find it extremely stable and re boarding is a breeze. Lots of power even with me on it I get 54 mph.


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[dannyislemons]

I'm 6'3" 240 and have no physical disabilities, yet, I found reboarding the 3-up from deep water almost impossible. The 'knee' step is next to useless for me; it is about arm pit level when reboarding with my hand on the grab handle behind the seat.

That's really interesting. Although lighter, I'm 6'2 and have no issues reboarding

 

[Cormacs]

I do however agree that the re boarding step in deep water doesn't help in the least. All I do is push down on the swim deck, grab the seat handle and pull my self up. Even my uncoordinated 250 lbs wife has no problem getting on hers in deep water.


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[RunItTwice]

I'm about 300# and have 2 spark 3 ups. I am not in great shape, and have poor balance, and I have a blast on these things, and can reboard in deep water using the step.

 

[rv245]

I have heard some people say it feels a little unstable on the 2up, then others say it's fine so I suppose it's very opinionated. As for everything else, the only thing I truly dislike about the spark is engine access. As someone who rides salt, it would be worlds easier to lift the seat and expose a lot more, giving it a good rinse. I ride in a bay and it can get very rough which can be tough because it isn't one of these huge PWC's on the market. Overall, extremely fun and I feel you can really play around with it a lot more than a bigger ski. Good luck!

I have a 3up and my son has a 2 up. His is a little more tipsy than mine. Even though he likes his, he has said many times if he was to do it over again he would of gotten a 3 up. You are right it's all about how each person feels with them.

 

[Bug Stomper]

Deep water you def need to reboard from the rear of the Spark. I'm 190 and I don't have the step which I find useless anyway and just pull myself up until I can get a knee on the back deck. Reboarding from the side is possible for a little kid but for an adult no. The tipsyness of the Spark catches friends by surprise who are used to the larger fiberglass boat PWCs and many go into the drink which is very funny to watch.

Even at 60HP at 42mph on calm water its very fun.

 

[Aggydaddy]

3 Miles 20 minutes

That's how long I lasted on the Spark from putting it in the water at the ramp. I was riding 2 up and found the handling "tippy". Went to cut the small wake of a passing boat and at the top of the wake just rolled us both in the water. With a good life jacket on and the lanyard/key in hand I set about trying to reboard. I'm 6'3 and 240 and had a great deal of trouble getting back up. The reboarding device was about level with my arm pit when holding the grab rail on the back of the seat. I could not get my foot or knee that high to get any help from my legs. You need to have the agility of a Chinese acrobat to use it. I was able to help my wife up from the water and she started the ski and towed me to a nearby dock with a ladder into the water. That's how I got back on board. Called the dealer and had him pick it up as a trade in for a bigger more stable Gti 130 se. That is much more stable and I'm working on reboarding options. RIDE IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT. TRY REBOARDING FROM DEEP WATER.

 

[MTUJeeper]

I've never ridden a spark, but I am around 6'2 and currently 230, but working down to 180 for the summer...I can reboard easy enough onto a mid 90s SPX and then get my friends 11 year old on with me and its not too tippy to ride. I don't think I should have any trouble re-boarding a spark do you? Just sent my loan in a half hour ago.

 

[vo90]

Me and my brother use to go together on our 3UP. That is a total of about 440 lbs and we manage to drive around, slide, jump waves etc. Might not be super stable or easy but it is really funny!

Short answer, you should have no problem driving on your own. It all depends on how stable you want it to be I guess.