What is a Polytec Hull on a Sea-Doo? [Explained]
Polytec is a special material used to manufacture the hull of Sea-Doo PWCs and pontoon boats. This special plastic is a blend of long-strand glass fibers and polypropylene.
If you want to find out more about Polytec and its beneficial properties, you’ve come to the right place.
We at JetDrift have compiled all you need to know into this Polytec hull review!
What is a Polytec Hull?
Jet ski hulls used to be manufactured from regular fiberglass or SMC (Sheet Molding Compound), a mix of polyester resin and chopped glass strands.But everything changed when Sea-Doo revealed its all-new Spark family in late 2013. Unlike competitor models, the hull and top deck of this innovative ski were made of a special material, called Polytec.
What is this material?
In a nutshell, Polytec is made from a special formula of long-strand fiberglass blended with polypropylene.
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and talk in detail about the pros of Polytec hulls!
Polytec vs. Fiberglass and SMC Hulls
The main advantages of Polytec over fiberglass and other standard PWC hull materials are as follows:
- Significantly lighter in weight
- Higher scratch resistance
- Repairs are easy and affordable
- More cost-effective
Compared to regular hull materials, Polytec is significantly lighter, resulting in better power-to-weight ratios. Also, Sea-Doos made of Polytec are easier to tow by a vehicle and handle once on shore.
Although beaching a Sea-Doo is not recommended, it’s a common practice across the entire PWC community. And unfortunately sand, rocks, and shells are prone to scratching the bottom of the shiny paint jobs of regular Sea-Doo hulls.
Docks and trailer bunks can also be harmful to regular PWC paint jobs and gelcoats in many ways. Let’s face it, docking a spotless Sea-Doo is never totally stress-free!
This is where Polytec comes into play.
Thanks to its special attributions, Polytec hulls have a completely matte and sturdy surface, which is much more resistant to these impacts. Therefore, owners of Polytec Sea-Doos no longer have to be afraid of scratches and gouges!
On top of that, these new hulls are not only more cost-effective to manufacture, but they are also easy and more affordable to repair.
Takeaway – FAQs About Polytec
As a takeaway, we’ve answered the most common questions about Polytec hulls!When did Sea-Doo Polytec Come Out?
Sea-Doo introduced its first Polytec hull in late 2013 for the 2014 Sea-Doo Spark series.
The more advanced, second-generation Polytec 2.0 hulls made their debut on the 2020 GTI-based models, including the GTI, GTR, and WAKE series.
What is Polytec Made of?
Polytec is a special mix of polypropylene reinforced with fiberglass.
Compared to regular jet ski hull materials, Polytec is lighter, cheaper to produce, and much more scratch-resistant.
How Durable is Polytec?
Contrary to popular belief, a Polytec hull is pretty durable. As reported by The Watercraft Journal, Polytec hulls are no less durable or dependable than any conventional PWC hull.
It’s not only more resistant against rubbing and scratching, but it can also tolerate wave jumping and smaller bumps fairly well.
Sure, just like their regular counterparts, Polytec hulls can also be damaged in serious collisions with docks, stumps, or rocks.
But let’s face it, no jet ski hull can withstand such things without being damaged!
How to Identify a Polytec Hull?
As a rule of thumb, if a Sea-Doo features a black hull with a matte finish, it’s more than likely that the hull is made of Polytec.
Regarding specific models, you can find Polytec hulls under the GTI, GTR, and Wake series from 2020 onwards, as well as all Sea-Doo Sparks and Sea-Doo Switch pontoon boats regardless of their model year.
Can Polytec be Repaired?
It’s also good to know that Polytec hulls can be repaired cost-effectively.
Since labor costs and prices of OEM Sea-Doo parts have skyrocketed, in many cases replacing a Sea-Doo hull is not worth the effort and money.
How do You Fix a Polytec Hull?
Many reputable companies offer Polytec hull repair services. For example, the Alabama-based Polyvance repairs Sea-Doo Polytec hulls with R18 glass-reinforced polypropylene welding rods and a nitrogen-plastic welder.
Here’s a short video on how the company repairs a two-foot-long crack in a Polytec hull:
How do You Clean Polytec?
According to the manufacturer, best practice for Polytec hull cleaning is to spray it with XPS Sea-Doo Hull Cleaner.
Next, you should wait for 2-4 minutes to allow the cleaner to work then scrub the hull with an appropriate brush. As a final step, rinse the hull with water, and you may want to use a pressure washer if available.
XPS Sea-Doo Hull Cleaner is a PRB-exclusive product, specifically formulated for cleaning Sea-Doo hulls.
Which Sea-Doos Have a Polytec Hull?
The list of production Sea-Doos with Polytec hulls is as follows:
- Sea-Doo Spark series (all models)
- Sea-Doo GTI series (all models)
- Sea-Doo GTR series (all models)
- Sea-Doo Spark Wake series (all models)
- Sea-Do Spark Switch pontoon boats (all models)
But unlike the tiny Sparks, these new platforms are already made of the more advanced Polytec Gen II (a.k.a. Polytec 2.0). Compared to its predecessor, Polytec 2.0 is more resistant and much lighter.
Due to its advanced features and strength, this material is already suitable for manufacturing full-sized Sea-Doo hulls.
To prove this, full-sized Polytec 2.0 hulls are used throughout all GTI-based models, including the supercharged GTR 230, the GTI, and the Wake series from 2020 onwards.
Yes, that’s right, the GTR 230 is the first supercharged Sea-Doo built on a Polytec 2.0 platform.
By 2022, Polytec had found its way to the all-new Sea-Doo Switch pontoon boats as well.
Polytec hulls gained a good reputation for their strength and durability, so this material will likely be expanded across more Sea-Doo models from 2020 onwards in the future!