Why did SeaDoo make the GTI 130?

[IDoSeaDoo]

I'm trying to figure this out: why did SeaDoo decide to equip the GTI with 130hp? It's the same as the 155 in every way but camshaft and ecu. Are there any advantages to it? Better economy? More quiet? Reliable? Is it that much weaker than the 155? How about torque? It doesn't seem that it was any more expensive to build the 130 vs the 155.

 

[LouDoo]

Every manufacturer makes an entry level product, that's Seadoo's. Also de-tuned for rental ski's.

Lou

 

[kicker]

My sister has both 2012 gti's, I had the pleasure of riding them for a long weekend last summer. I am not sure what the price difference is but over the course of the weekend I could not tell the difference between the 155 and 130. There was nothing that I noticed in the options department that was different either. I am sure there is some differences that you should feel but if your not looking for them (as I was not) nothing hit me outright as being a definitive difference performance or otherwise.

 

[IDoSeaDoo]

could it just be a rev-limiter? Somewhere I remember seeing that the "Horesepower RPM" of the 130 is like 7300 while the 155 is 8000.

 

[ski-d00]

no, both are 7300. the scic is 8000 rpm.

 

[ktmarke]

Looking to buy my first ski and very interested to hear from others with experience on both gti 130 and 155. Managed to get a test ride on a 130 and quite liked it, but felt it needed just a touch more "oomph". Unfortunately the 155 wasn't available at the same time to compare.
Here in Australia there seems to be reasonable price difference between 130 and 155 secondhand, so would like advice on whether to get whatever is available, or hang out until I find a 155 at a good price. I'm looking for a 2011+ model.

 

[PeterC4]

Unless you can have two similar drivers compare them on the water side by side, you won't be able to tell the difference. Top speed is likely the difference by about a 2-3 mph. Now take that and compare to a 215 or better and you will really notice a difference. The only time you are going to tell is when a teenaged guy and his girlfriend are passing you in their GTR 215 which I think is a very good buy and plenty fast at 65 mph top speed. North American top speeds on watercraft tend to limited to about 68 mph so unless you mod it, the 215 is good value based on $ to MPH. Now in reality, you will find yourself cruising about 30 mph most of the time.

 

[IDoSeaDoo]

Yea, I'm really leaning on getting something with 215, though the thought of limiting my fuel consumption is attractive. I know that if I have the power, I'll use it, and consequently pay for it. I like to be on the lake, but my jaw drops when I see the gas bill when I go to fill up my boat However, the cruising consumption figures are nearly identical between the 130 and 215 (cruising at 35mph). Maybe it'll be sweet to have it when I need it, at least to get up on plane quicker.
Another factor is that there is more to maintain with those superchargers. They all need the ceramic washer replacement (to metal). From what I read, if you haven't rebuilt your SC, and you have ceramic washers, your whole engine is on borrowed time.

 

[Slywun]

We have a 2011 GTI 130 and 2013 Wake 155. As others have described the top speed difference is minimal. Top speed on the wake is 58 and gets there no problem. It is plenty fast for my family. The GTI maxes out at 55 but the conditions need to be right - typically 53/54 is more common. Fuel consumption is a little better on the Wake - a lot better when cruise/ Eco are used (our 2011 doesn't have either). Most of our cruising is 40-45.

The Wake seems to get to top speed quicker, but we've never timed it specifically.

 

[ktmarke]

Thanks Slywun, that's helpful feedback. I wasn't after a faster top speed than the 130 offered, but if the 155 gets there just a touch quicker, that sounds about perfect to me. I'm not interested in the extra cost to purchase, run or maintain a supercharged ski at this stage.

 

[Grapeescape]

Don't blame you on avoiding the supercharged models. That is all one sees around these parts that are always for sale. Can't see the need, extra expense, fuel etc to go faster. Anything over 50 is more than enough for us. Most of the time water is to rough to reach those 60 plus speeds anyway.

 

[Coastiejoe]

SC'd engines are a blast when it is rough out as they climb the ways very fast. I own both a 255 engine and a 155. Both are fantastic skis.

 

[shucky]

haven't rode the 130, though I do love my 155 just enough speed to be honest, though I have had the chance to ride a couple newer model skies and wasn't really fond to the way they handle in the turning and such, compared to my 155 it'll spin around on a dime. And thanks to joe's recent help I'm back on the water. [MENTION=68929]ktmarke[/MENTION] what part of Adelaide you in? christies beach here and nice to see a fellow aussie in the forum as well.

 

[ktmarke]

Hey Shucky, I'm from northern suburbs around Elizabeth, so when I eventually find a Seadoo, not sure where I'll get it serviced - hear rave reports about Surf n Turf down your way, but that's a big trip from here. Haven't yet heard of a good service guy for Seadoos out the northern side of town.
Which newer model didn't you like - was it a Spark? I had a test ride on that and had mixed feelings about it. Short version is if I can only have one ski, I felt the gti was a better all rounder.

 

[PeterC4]

We have a 2011 GTI 130 and 2013 Wake 155. As others have described the top speed difference is minimal. Top speed on the wake is 58 and gets there no problem. It is plenty fast for my family. The GTI maxes out at 55 but the conditions need to be right - typically 53/54 is more common. Fuel consumption is a little better on the Wake - a lot better when cruise/ Eco are used (our 2011 doesn't have either). Most of our cruising is 40-45.

The Wake seems to get to top speed quicker, but we've never timed it specifically.

Your 130 is as fast as my GTI 155, and your wake 155 is faster. i am assuming you are using GPS to measure. What octane fuel are you using?

 

[Slywun]

Your 130 is as fast as my GTI 155, and your wake 155 is faster. i am assuming you are using GPS to measure. What octane fuel are you using?

GPS on the Doos are the only method we have to track speed. We use 93 octane fairly consistently, and try to get ethanol free, but not all the time.

All of our riding is up and down the intercoastal. I believe the hull on the wake is slightly different- it certainly handles a lot differently than the GTI, but not sure if that impacts speed any.

 

[ReactioN]

Another factor on comparing these speeds is the elevation being operated at. My RXP Riva II here will do 74 on GPS, in the mountains in TN it does 68.