Is Sea-Doo about to reset the high watermark for supercharged power in the personal watercraft class?
There are rumours swirling in the Australian Jet Ski community that Sea-Doo is about to introduce an epic increase in power for supercharged performance flagship models when the 2027 series is unveiled in the US next month.
Sea-Doo corporate would not comment on future product plans – as per industry practice – however Watercraft Zone has learned dealers in Australia have been urged to clear stock of current 325hp models such as the Sea-Doo RXT-X 325, Sea-Doo RXP-X 325 and Sea-Doo GTX Limited 325.
It means performance Jet Ski buyers looking for a bargain can expect to cash-in on massive discounts in the peak of the Australian winter off-season in the coming weeks, as Sea-Doo dealers make way for 2027 inventory due in local showrooms late this year or early next year.
Above: The 325hp horsepower version of Sea-Doo’s supercharged 1630cc three-cylinder Rotax engine introduced in 2024.
Given the 2027 Sea-Doo model series will likely bring price rises, the savings on 2026 runout models will be even more attractive.
Some Sea-Doo dealers are already advertising certain models at up to $4500 off the RRP in the lead-up to the 2026 Sydney Boat Show which opens next week.
However the savings on discounted 2026 Sea-Doo models – versus the likely prices of 2027 models at full RRP – are expected to amount to more than $6000, dealers have estimated.
As a guide, when the 325hp versions of the Sea-Doo RXT-X and Sea-Doo RXP-X were introduced in 2024, prices of those models went up by between $1300 and $3000 compared to the previous 300hp versions.
So a price rise is on the cards for 2027 – especially if there is a significant boost in power.
According to those in the know, Sea-Doo has been secretly working on an increase from 325hp to 350hp – which, if true, would reset the global benchmark for horsepower and performance straight off the showroom floor.
For now it is unclear whether a horsepower boost will apply to just one model – or a few models – and whether the upgrade was done in-house or with the help of an outside supplier.
The Sea-Doo RXP-X 325, Sea-Doo RXT-X 325 and Sea-Doo GTX Limited 325 are already the three fastest and most powerful Jet Skis in the personal watercraft market today.
The latest power surge comes less than four years after Sea-Doo’s most recent supercharged upgrade.
In 2024 Sea-Doo boosted the power of its supercharged flagship models from 300hp to 325hp due to a major overhaul of the 1630cc three-cylinder Rotax engine that took performance to a new level.
This compares to a peak of 310hp for the Kawasaki Ultra Jet Ski (pictured above, with a supercharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder), and an estimated 290hp to 300hp for the Yamaha WaveRunner FX SVHO and GP SVHO (with the current supercharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine).
So, why has Sea-Doo chosen to double down on horsepower and extend its lead when it already holds a clear advantage?
The Sea-Doo power upgrade is believed to be in response to an anticipated update to the supercharged engine in the Yamaha WaveRunner series.
In 2024, Yamaha’s WaveRunner division replaced its non-supercharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine with a new non-supercharged 1.9-litre four cylinder engine (pictured above) in models such as the FX HO, GP HO and VX HO.
Yamaha WaveRunner does not quote horsepower figures, but it is estimated the new non-supercharged 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine has an output of 190hp to 200hp – a strong base for an uprated supercharged variant.
However, a supercharged version of Yamaha WaveRunner’s new 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine is yet to surface.
Above: Is Sea-Doo attempting to swamp the competition with an epic increase in horsepower for 2027?
Nevertheless, it appears Sea-Doo has engineered a new round of horsepower upgrades for its 325hp engine to counter the anticipated arrival of Yamaha’s new supercharged 1.9-litre engine, which is now overdue.
For now, it remains to be seen whether the 2027 Yamaha WaveRunner model series will gain a supercharged version of the new 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine.
And Sea-Doo corporate remains tight-lipped about any changes to its line-up for 2027.
However, performance Jet Ski enthusiasts won’t need to wait long.
The 2027 Sea-Doo line-up and the 2027 Yamaha WaveRunner range are due to be unveiled in the US next month.
Stay tuned to Watercraft Zone for the latest news on Sea-Doo, Yamaha WaveRunner and Kawasaki Jet Ski.
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