I have a buddy with a 212SS that we go out on just about every week. It is a very nice boat and I like it a lot, I would be very happy as a Yamaha owner. I like to wakeboard, so I would probably get the 212X which is nearly identical but adds the tower and ballast system. Haven’t driven the new Sea Doo 210 Wake yet, but spent a lot of time climbing around both in person at the dealer. The 430hp 210 Wake is probably only a few mph faster than the 212X if that, so I think the speed/performance between the two is comparable.
Sea Doo 210 Wake features that I really like:
Speed Control - essentially factory installed Perfect Pass
Ski Mode - controls acceleration rate when pulling a boarder/skier
Docking Mode - makes the throttle less sensitive for low speed maneuvering
Spins in reverse - due to reverse bucket design, makes docking maneuvers easier
Single throttle – Drive by wire throttle syncs engine rpms itself
^All of these will make it much easier for my wife to drive, which is a big factor
Large lockable wet storage in swim deck area will fit a wakeboard/vests/rope, can also be filled as extra ballast
Floor storage area locks and will fit skis
Hinged cushions that you don’t have to wrestle to open
Removable cooler behind driver’s seat is easy to get to
Radio control on swim deck is mounted off to the side and out of the way, little chance to accidentally bump it
Factory installed tower speakers/amp
USB input for MP3’s
Tower feels very sturdy, folds cleanly, and matches the lines of the boat nicely
High quality factory wakeboard racks
Transat seats are very comfortable
Trailer height of only 7’3” with tower folded, will fit in my garage
Has a built in heater, great for watersports and for keeping the womenfolk warm on cool days
No speed reduction gearbox since engines only rev to 8,000 rpm
Factory hour meter
Closed loop cooling system, better for salt water
Sea Doo 210 Wake negatives:
Higher maintenance for supercharged engines
Requires 91 octane instead of 87
New model with lesser known reliability
Under-seat storage areas are finished in gel coat but aren’t carpeted, but it’s easy to add carpet if you want it
The 21’ Yamaha appears to have slightly more under-seat area, even though overall the Yamaha’s storage areas are not as useful for large items (like boards or skis)
Sea Doo 210 engine compartment is less accessible then Yamaha for DIY work
The bow seating area of the 210 Wake is smaller than the 212X, it’s probably about 6” shorter. It’s still plenty large to be useful/comfortable for 2 people.
No jet cleanout plugs
Dashboard materials of the 212X seemed slightly nicer then on the 210 Challenger, but I thought the 210 Wake materials and fit/finish were on par with the 212X.
212X drawbacks:
Difficult to maintain boarding speeds of 18-22 mph, I would have to install Perfect Pass, so add $1400 to the price tag
No ski mode to control acceleration even with Perfect Pass, but not a deal breaker
Trickier around the docks due to reverse gate design, even with reversing individual throttles
No real good in-hull storage for boards or skis, especially if you keep the front cushion in the boat
Scupper valve is a real problem that can sink your boat if you don’t upgrade it before it breaks
Seat cushions are not hinged, have to wrestle them in/out and find a place to put them while you get your stuff
No tower speakers or amp, would have to install as aftermarket, so add ~$1500 to the price
Built in floor cooler is not insulated, and requires you get down on hands and knees to get a drink. Not a big deal, but it’s in the way of people walking front to back and it needs lots of ice to keep everything cold.
Factory installed ballast system seems to have problems with leaks that are hard to get to for a fix
None of the storage areas lock
Radio control on swim deck is in a bad spot, and always gets bumped accidentally turning the volume all the way up. This will eventually lead to blown speakers
Nuts for cleats come loose often, a minor problem but they are hard to get to
Wakeboard racks are kind of cheap (you don’t get the ones they show you in the marketing photos), most upgrade to better aftermarket ones – more $$$
Cleanout ports seem to either get stuck, or get blown out if not seated right. They can be nice to have but I think they may be just one more part that can cause trouble.
Trailer height even with the tower folded is 8’2”, which won’t even come close to fitting in my garage without major construction. My HOA says boats have to be in the garage.
Has a speed reduction gearbox since the HO engines spin to 10,000 rpm, just another additional maintenance item that can fail and will probably be expensive if it does
No hour meter from the factory, aftermarket ones seem buggy
Open loop cooling system can get clogged and cause the engines to overheat
Hmm, that was sort of long, but I think that is it. Once again, the Yamaha is a great boat and when the time comes I may still go that route. But Sea Doo has clearly put a lot of thought into the design and features of the new 210 Challenger/Wake models that are very appealing in my opinion.
This is what I am daydreaming about:
A bunch more pictures here:
http://sea-doo.net/units/2010/2010 Sea-Doo 210 WAKE/index.htm
