The Best Supercharged Jet Skis vs. Sea-Doos vs. WaveRunners [Chart]

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Without further ado, the list of production supercharged Kawasaki Jet Skis, Sea-Doos, and WaveRunners is as follows:

  • Sea-Doo GTR 230
  • Sea-Doo GTX 230
  • Sea-Doo Wake Pro 230
  • Sea-Doo RXP-X 300
  • Sea-Doo RXT-X 300
  • Sea-Doo GTX 300
  • Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300
  • Yamaha FX SVHO
  • Yamaha FX Cruiser SVHO
  • Yamaha FX Limited SVHO
  • Yamaha GP1800R SVHO
  • Kawasaki Ultra 310X
  • Kawasaki Ultra 310LX
  • Kawasaki Ultra 310LX-S

If you want to compare these models head-to-head, this post is for you.

We at JetDrift have compiled all you need to know under one roof!

(You might also like: Jet Ski Supercharger: Do You Need or Not?)

The Best Supercharged Jet Skis Compared

Best Supercharged Sea-Doos

You can find the largest supercharged jet ski fleet in the Sea-Doo lineup.

This is no surprise since the Canadian manufacturer is well-known for its wide range of models designed for various purposes.

Each of these supercharged Sea-Doos is powered by the same 4-stroke, 1630cc, DOHC, Rotax triple engine, which is rated at 230 or 300 HP depending on the model.

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and talk about these high-performance Sea-Doos in detail!

Sea-Doo GTR 230

The GTR 230 is the cheapest supercharged Sea-Doo built on the tiny GTI hull. Compared to the big boys, this ski is smaller, lighter, and features a more nimble attitude.

Sea-Doo Wake Pro 230

The Wake Pro 230 is a GTR 230 modified for wakeboard enthusiasts. It comes with many tow-sport-intended features including a wakeboard pylon, wakeboard rack, LinQ connection system, audio system, and more.

Sea-Doo RXP-X 300

The RXP-X is a race-intended Sea-Doo built on the unique TR-3 hull and comes with the unleashed 300 HP engine configuration.

Thanks to its deep-V hull design and race-intended features, the RXP-X ensures an amazing performance and outstanding riding experience.

The RXP-X 300 is arguably one of the best supercharged Sea-Doos in the marketplace! Sea-Doo just now released the limited edition RXP-X 300 Apex for the 2023 model year.

Sea-Doo GTX 230/300

The Sea-Doo GTX series represents the Touring/Luxury models in Sea-Doo’s lineup.

They are built on the famous ST-3 hull, which provides industry-leading stability and houses an easy-access front storage.

These supercharged models are available with both the 230 and 300 HP engine options, and the flagship GTX 300 Limited comes with the most bells and whistles you would ever need on the water.

Sea-Doo RXT-X 300

The RXT-X 300 is a sportier configuration of GTX 300 models. These skis share the same hull, top deck, and 300 HP engine, but the RXT-X is tuned for performance rather than comfort.

Best Supercharged WaveRunners

Yamaha is also well-known for its high-performance supercharged WaveRunners.

Each of these models shares the same 4-stroke, 1812cc, 4-cylinder, fuel-injected, supercharged SVHO (Super Vortex High Output) Yamaha marine engine rated at 250 HP.

The two main breeds of supercharged WaveRunners are as follows:

Yamaha FX SVHO

The FX SVHO family includes the Touring/Luxury models in Yamaha’s fleet. They share the same body, engine, and pump, but come with different features and color options.

The FX SVHO is the base supercharged FX model, while the Cruiser and the flagship Limited are designed with more luxury features.

Yamaha GP1800R SVHO

The main competitor of the Sea-Doo RXP-X 300 is the Yamaha GP1800R SVHO. This race-ready supercharged WaveRunner borrows its supercharged 250 HP engine from the FX series, but it’s built on the smaller and sportier GP platform.

Best Supercharged Kawasaki Jet Skis

Supercharged Kawasaki jet skis are powered by a 4-stroke, 1498cc, DOHC, fuel-injected, triple engine inherited from the Ninja ZXR motorcycle lineup.

The marine configuration of this engine is boosted with a belt-driven supercharger, which ensures an outstanding performance of 310 HP.

You can find three supercharged jet skis in Kawasaki’s fleet, including the Kawasaki Ultra 310X, LX, and the high-end LX-S.

Each of these models is built on the all-new Kawasaki Ultra platform released for the 2022 model year.

Supercharged Jet Ski Comparison Chart

For your convenience, we’ve compared the key specs of supercharged jet skis into one chart:

ModelEngine ccHP
Sea-Doo GTR 2301630230
Sea-Doo GTX 2301630230
Sea-Doo Wake Pro 2301630230
Sea-Doo RXP-X 3001630300
Sea-Doo RXT-X 3001630300
Sea-Doo GTX 3001630300
Sea-Doo GTX Limited 3001630300
Yamaha FX SVHO1812250
Yamaha FX Cruiser SVHO1812250
Yamaha FX Limited SVHO1812250
Yamaha GP1800R SVHO1812250
Kawasaki Ultra 310X1498310
Kawasaki Ultra 310LX1498310
Kawasaki Ultra 310LX-S1498310

This chart is for informational purposes only! For exact specifications, please refer to the factory manual.

Takeaways – FAQs About Supercharged Jet Skis

As a takeaway, we’ve answered the most common questions about supercharged jet skis.

Which Jet Skis Come Supercharged?

The production of supercharged jet skis by brands are as follows:

Sea-Doo: GTR 230, Wake Pro 230, RXP-X 300, RXT-X 300, GTX 230/300/Limited 300

Yamaha: FX SVHO, FX Cruiser SVHO, FX Limited SVHO, GP1800R SVHO

Kawasaki: Ultra 310X, Ultra 310LX, Ultra 310LX-S

Which Supercharged Jet Ski is the Best?

It’s hard to tell which is the best supercharged jet ski since it comes down to personal preferences.

If you are looking for the best performance available, you can’t go wrong with a Sea-Doo RXP-X or a Yamaha GP1800R SVHO.

In contrast, the Sea-Doo GTX line, Yamaha’s FX series, and the supercharged Kawasaki Ultras offer much more comfort.

Are Supercharged Jet Skis Reliable?

Unfortunately, supercharged jet skis tend to be less reliable than their naturally-aspirated counterparts.

A supercharger puts a lot of strain on the engine, which translates to faster wear and tear and a higher chance of failure.

General wisdom says that if reliability is very important to you, avoid supercharged jet skis!

Do Supercharged Jet Skis Require More Maintenance?

As a rule of thumb, supercharged jet skis always require more maintenance and attention than their non-supercharged brothers.

The supercharger requires periodic maintenance and attention on many models, while the high engine performance eats out the engine and the pump much faster.

In the world of jet skis, the general rule is that the higher the performance, the lower reliability and higher maintenance you can expect.

This is why supercharged jet skis require the most maintenance among all brands.

Which Supercharged Jet Ski is the Most Reliable?

It’s safe to say that the most reliable supercharged jet skis are manufactured by Yamaha.

WaveRunners have built a reputation for reliability, and their supercharged models are no exception.

Also, the supercharger of Yamaha WaveRunners is driven by a set of gears, so it’s separated from the engine’s internals. This means that a supercharged failure would be less likely to cause a major engine failure.

In contrast, the axis of the Sea-Doo supercharger protrudes into the engine block. In the event of a supercharger washer failure, metal debris may find its way into the engine oil. As one may expect, this is not the best for the pistons, cylinders, and other moving parts of the engine.

You can see the differences between Yamaha and Sea-Doo superchargers in this picture:

WaveRunner vs. Sea-Doo Supercharger

WaveRunner vs. Sea-Doo Supercharger

Although Kawasaki’s supercharger is also separated from the engine’s internals, its belt drive offers less durability than the gear drive of Yamaha’s superchargers.

How Much HP do Supercharged Jet Ski’s Have?

Simply put, a supercharged jet ski can generate 230-310 HP depending on the make and model.

To be more precise the available engine HP ratings by brand are as follows:

  • Supercharged Yamaha WaveRunners: 250 HP
  • Supercharged Sea-Doos: 230, 300 HP
  • Supercharged Kawasaki Jet Skis: 310 HP

How Fast Does a Supercharged Jet Ski Go?

The top speed of supercharged jet skis is electronically limited to 67 mph.

Without the speed limiter and with some aftermarket mods they can even hit 80-90 mph, on a closed course, of course!

How Much Fuel Does a Supercharged Jet Ski Use?

The fuel economy of supercharged jet skis is about 20-25 GPH at WOT and about 3-5 GPH at best cruise speed.

You can read more about a jet ski’s fuel economy here.

Examples:

Sea-Doo RXT-X 300: 25 GPH (WOT), 4.4 GPH (Best Cruise)

Sea-Doo RXP-X 300: 22 GPH (WOT), 2.9 GPH (Best Cruise)

Yamaha FX Cruiser SVHO: 21 GPH (WOT), 3.4 GPH (Best Cruise)

Yamaha GP1800R SVHO:  22 GPH (WOT), 3.6 GPH (Best Cruise)

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