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Sea-Doo Wake 170 and Wake Pro 230 Comparison Review

Sea-Doo Wake 170 and Wake Pro 230 Comparison Review

The Sea-Doo Wake 170 and Wake Pro 230 are probably the most well-known models in Sea-Doo’s fleet, and with good reason!

As wakeboarding with personal watercraft (PWC) has become increasingly popular, there’s an increasing demand on the market for special PWCs built for watersports.

To benefit the customers and to fill a market gap, Sea-Doo grabbed this opportunity and released two models that are specially designed and equipped for tow sports; the Sea-Doo Wake 170 and the Sea-Doo Wake Pro 230.

In this post, we’ll review and compare these models to make your purchasing decision easier. Before you make your final choice, it’s worth checking out the pros and cons of towing a wakeboarder with a Sea-Doo!

But now, without further ado, let’s start our Sea-Doo Wake 170 and Wake Pro 230 review and comparison!

Sea-Doo Wake 170 Review

Hull and Engine

When it comes to the hull of the Sea-Doo Wake series, the designers didn’t leave it to chance and built the models on the latest GTITM platform. You can find the same hull under the GTR 230 and the GTI series as well.

This new, improved design offers greater stability and easier handling because of its lower center of gravity.The Sea-Doo Wake 170 hull became bigger; it’s 49.2” wide and 130.6” long. You can enjoy the benefits of these enhanced dimensions during reboarding, as you can easily get back on this Sea-Doo even from the side.

The hull is made of Polytec, which is already proven in the Spark series, so this material increasingly appears in more Sea-Doo models. What’s more, the new Sea-Doo Wake series is made of the more robust, second-generation Polytec.

According to the company, Polytec is more scratch-resistant than regular fiberglass, thanks to the unique color-in molding. Thanks to the lightweight Polytec, the Wake 170 arrives with 747 pounds net weight, but with oil and fuel, you can expect around 856 pounds curb weight.

Moving toward the power source, the Sea-Doo Wake 170 is powered by a 4-stroke, 3-cylinder, Rotax ACE 1630cc engine. This unit arrives with a closed-loop cooling system, exclusive in the PWC industry.  As this engine option is not enhanced with a supercharger, it can produce 170 HP, while its fuel capacity is 15.9 gallons (60 l).

2020 Sea-Doo Wake 170 Review

Sea-Doo Wake 170 Top Speed and Performance

When it comes to the Sea-Doo Wake 170’s top speed, according to the video below, this model can easily reach 54 mph. Please note that the top speed of a Sea-Doo can vary depending on several factors like the current curb weight, rider’s weight, weather conditions, and many others.

Even if the hull of the Wake 170 is pretty stable, it turns really well, even with passengers. During tow sports, you can use the unique ski mode that allows you to choose from programmed acceleration and speed, based on the wakeboarder’s skills and needs.

It makes the launching and towing experience much smoother. Beyond the ski mode, you can still select from the regular riding modes (ECO and SPORT).

Sea-Doo Wake Pro 230 Review

Hull and Engine

If we compare the two Wake models, the first and main difference is that they have different hulls. While the Wake 170 arrives with the brand new GTI (Polytec) hull, the Sea-Doo Wake Pro 230 still has the reputable ST3 hull.

This design is proven in several high-performance models like the GTX family, RXT-X 300, and the legendary Fish Pro. According to the manufacturer, it is currently the best offshore hull from Sea-Doo.

It’s really reliable and stable, even if you ride with passengers.  Additionally, the ST3 hulls are still made of fiberglass, which is used for manufacturing many PWC models, even today.

Another super cool feature of the ST3 hull is the direct access front storage, which means you can open it by raising the handlebar assembly.

Unlike competitor models, these Sea-Doos allow access to the front storage directly from the seat. If you’ve ever wanted to reach the front storage on the open water, you probably know how important this invention is.

Unfortunately, only the Wake Pro 230 has this feature, as the Wake 170 arrives on a different, but time-tested (GTI) hull. Comparing the capacities, the Wake 170 offers 40.2, while the Wake Pro 230 offers 25.3 gallons of storage capacity in the front bin.

If you take a look at the Wake series’ performance, you can notice, as their names imply, that the Wake 170 produces 170 HP, while the Wake Pro 230 is powered with a more powerful, 230 HP power source

However, while both of them are 1630cc, 3-cylinder, 4-stroke Rotax engines, the Wake Pro 230 got a supercharger, while the Wake 170 is naturally aspirated.

Just like many other supercharged Sea-Doo models, the Wake Pro 230’s top speed is around 67 mph, depending on weather and weight factors. This higher performance means higher fuel consumption, so that’s why the Wake Pro 230 has a larger fuel tank with a capacity of 18.5 gallons (70 l).

Sadly, the full storage space is smaller than in the Wake 170, which is just 26.1 gallons.

Sea-Doo Wake 170 vs. Wake Pro 230 Comparison Chart

SpecsSea-DooSea-Doo
ModelWake 170Wake Pro 230
MSRP ($)$12 299$15 799
HP170230
Displ.(cc)16301630
SuperchargedNoYes
BrakeYesYes
ReverseYesYes
Riders33
Length (")130,6135,9
Width (")49,249,4
Reboarding stepYesYes
MirrorsYesYes
Storage cap. (Gal)40,326,1
Weight cap. (Lbs)600600
Fuel cap. (Gal)15,918,5
Curb weight (Lbs)855934
Power to curb weight ratio (HP/Lbs)0,230,28

Sea-Doo Wake Accessories and Features

Beyond the new hull design, the main advantage of the Sea-Doo Wake series is that these models are already equipped with many accessories that are necessary for every wakeboarder. (You can find the below-listed features in both models.)

Swim Platform

When it comes to tow sports, one of the most important parts of a Sea-Doo is the swim platform, as you need plenty of space for prepping and reboarding.

The new Wake series’ swim platform was also redesigned, so it’s now flatter and offers more comfort. What’s more, if you remove the rear seat, you can increase the space on the stern.

The Sea-Doo Wake series features a huge swim platform

Reboarding Step

Another key feature that makes getting back on the Sea-Doo smoother is the reboarding step. That’s why both of the Wake models are equipped with this unit as standard.

Wakeboard Racks

If you’ve ever tried to wakeboard with a Sea-Doo, you’ve probably found that one of the biggest challenges is the lack of space. In fact, this is a general issue on any PWC, which is definitely a disadvantage compared to boats.

But Sea-Doo designed a special wakeboard rack which can accommodate wakeboards or wakeskates, so this means you don’t have to bother with these items on the deck anymore. If you’re not planning watersports, you can remove the racks easily at any time.

Glove Box and Watertight Phone Box

Beyond the front storage, you can store your gear in the glove box as well. The Wake 170 has a bigger box with 2.3 gallons, while the Wake Pro 230 offers 0.8 gallons of space.

Both storage boxes contain a special watertight place for your smartphone or camera. Additionally, an integrated USB port can be installed into the phone storage as an option.

Bluetooth Audio System

For these Sea-Doo models, you can choose the optional 100W fully integrated Sea-Doo Audio System. This unique Bluetooth system is completely waterproof and offers external playback controls for a better user experience.

With this remote control, you can easily change volume or even the songs. If you prefer aftermarket speakers, you can find many good models on the market.

LinQ System

The LinQ is a quick-attach system designed by Sea-Doo, which can be found on the rear platform. It allows you to fix accessories on the rear platform easily and securely. There is a wide range of LinQ compatible gear you can choose from, like a cooler, toolbox, fuel caddy or different bags.

Ski Pylon

The Sea-Doo Wake 170 and Wake Pro 230 are equipped with the new LinQ Retractable Ski Pylon.

You can install this pylon or store it based on your needs. As an addition, it’s equipped with spotter grab handles and rope storage as well. The main benefits of this pylon is that it keeps your tow rope in a higher position, which means a better wakeboarding experience, and reduced  risk of sucking the rope into the pump.

It’s good to know that this pylon is recommended just for wakeboarding or wakeskating. If you pull a tube or other inflatables, you have to attach the tow rope to the tow-hook (rear cleat) in any case!

iBR – Brake and Reverse System

Just like many other Sea-Doo models, the Wake series is also equipped with the intelligent Brake and Reverse (iBR) system. If you’d like to learn more about this feature and compare it to Yamaha’s Ride don’t miss our comparison post on this topic.

Conclusion

Sea-Doo Wake 170 and Wake Pro 230 are unique watercraft specially designed for PWC wakeboarding.

The Wake 170 arrives on a smaller GTI (Polytec) platform, which is 130.6” long and 49.2” wide. Thanks to the lightweight Polytec material, this PWC weighs only 747 pounds (net weight).

This model is powered with a 170 HP non-supercharged engine, which is plenty of power to tow a wakeboarder or tuber. Considering its lower retail price and maintenance costs (lower fuel consumption, no supercharger, etc.) this model is boldly recommended for any watersport lovers.

But if you’re looking for something more powerful and want some great adrenalin rushes, you should take a look at the Wake Pro 230.

2020 Sea-Doo Wake Pro 230 top speed: 67 mphThis big brother not only has the bigger ST3 (fiberglass) hull, but it has the supercharged, 230 HP engine version. Thanks to this power source, you can expect outstanding acceleration and around 67 mph top speed.

Beyond the greater dimensions and power, the Wake Pro 230 can offer more for you in many ways. It has the industry-unique, direct-access front storage as well as a bigger 18.5-gallon fuel tank.

Additionally, both models are equipped with many great watersport accessories like the wakeboard rack, ski pylon, reboarding step, and the outstanding LinQ system. The Bluetooth audio system is also available for both models as an option.

2021 Sea-Doo Wake Prices

Are you wondering how much these amazing watercrafts cost? When it comes to the Sea-Doo Wake price tags, the Wake 170 costs as low as $12,299, while you can purchase the Wake Pro 230 for $15,799 (USD, MSPR).

The Sea-Doo Wake models are amazing watercrafts, but before you make your final buying decision, quick market research never hurts.

We, at JetDrift, have collected, under one roof, information on all of the PWC models from the 4 manufacturers (Sea-Doo, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Krash).  Please feel free to browse and compare the new PWC models in our free Model Comparison tool!

This was our short Sea-Doo Wake review; we hope you find it useful.

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