By Brady L. Kay

hen it comes to keeping a secret, Sea-Doo might just be the best at it. With four years of development and testing, the number one personal watercraft brand in North America (for 20 straight years) managed to somehow keep quiet that its Sea-Doo Switch pontoon was coming for the 2022 model year.

“A pontoon boat with the heart of a Sea-Doo PWC,” was a line that stuck with me after first hearing the news, but what exactly did that mean? Despite 20 plus years in the pontoon industry and easily testing over 1,000 boats during my career, I hadn’t seen anything like it and I had nothing even to compare it to.

The hype was building with a buzz in the boating industry like nothing I’ve seen in quite some time. Like many of you, I had a lot of questions and I knew I needed to test it out myself.

Bombardier, the parent company of Sea-Doo, held a media event a few days after the official announcement in August to help get the word out. After spending a couple of days on a variety of models ranging from 13 to 21 feet with Rotax jet propulsion systems of 100hp, 170hp and 230hp, I got a good feel for the new line.

Handlebar Steering

I thought the unique, Sea-Doo-inspired handlebar steering system would feel out of place on a pontoon but I was wrong. It feels completely natural like you’re steering a Sea-Doo personal watercraft, you just happen to be on a pontoon. Plus, in the slow mode setting you can set your speed up to 9 miles per hour, which works great for those long no-wake zones and for when you’re trolling. This is different from its cruise control mode, which allows you to set your speed and just enjoy your cruise.

Brakes?

With the iBR (Intelligent Brake & Reverse) system you actually have brakes, a first for me on a pontoon and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I could slow the boat down, even at high speeds. I also love how easy it is to reverse using this system. Talk about complete control. As I pulled into the dock it was extremely easy to handle and it almost felt like the boat had thrusters on it. From seasoned skippers to first-time boaters, the fear of docking is greatly reduced on the Switch.

Entry Yet Modern

Speaking of first-timers, the most amazing part may just be the price. The base 13-foot model with 100hp engine with the included trailer starts at $17,999. Even a fully-loaded Cruise 21 with a 230hp engine with a trailer is still under $37K. Plus the overall package weight on these models—for example, an estimated dry weight of 2,500 pounds for the Sport 21—means more tow vehicles can handle it.

Price-point models aren’t new, but if I’m being honest, entry-level pontoons in this price range typically are known more for function than for looks. However, the Sea-Doo Switch has a “cool kid” vibe with its modern-looking design and versatile layout that you’ll be proud to show off.

Adjust On The Fly

Building on its LinQ cargo attachment system, only the helm is stationary. The rest of the layout can be changed in seconds to accommodate any adventure with easy-on, easy-off LinQ quick attach tiles. There are almost 100 options available, allowing people to add or remove seating, change table locations, and much more. You can add more seating for a day of cruising, and then open up the layout for some evening fishing. To do so, just pull the latch on the seat base, relocate it and then lock it into a different location. It’s extremely easy and allows the pontoon to adapt to your needs instead of the other way around.

Throttle Response

Handling is a question I’ve been getting a lot lately, as potential customers are curious how it really feels. I’ve been on PWCs where you give it a little throttle and you’re off like a rocket. But any fear I had going into the test of accidentally losing Grandma off the back when I hit the throttle were quickly put to rest. Don’t get me wrong: there is plenty of power (especially in the sport mode), but it’s a very controllable power. Getting up on plane is smooth with less jolting than you might anticipate or expect considering the marriage of a PWC and a pontoon. The tri-hull ensures that fun is at the heart of the experience, with stability and agility allowing people to lean into turns and carve through the water. Top speeds vary, but 40-plus miles per hour is easily reachable with the 230hp engine.

Ideal for first-timers or those newer to boating, the Sea-Doo Switch makes a lot of sense, yet it is modern and sporty enough to be attractive to all boaters. Are you ready for a Switch on how you view pontooning?