Used 2018 BRP US Inc Sea-Doo GTX 230

The 2018 Sea-Doo GTX 230 features a new hull and deck.

It’s a big year for Sea-Doo’s GTX platform. Both hull and deck are all new, innovations abound.

Here’s a closer look at the middle option in the GTX lineup, the 2018 Sea-Doo GTX 230.

The New News

Hull, deck and power all combine to deliver the thrills, but it’s the GTX’s newfound features that demand your initial attention. Start with bow storage. Recognizing the difficulty of accessing the forward compartment while out on the water (an awkward move that typically started with leaning waaaaay out over the handlebars to open the compartment and then stretching even more to still fall short of any contents within), designers moved the compartment directly in front of the driver. How? By taking the radical approach of having the entire handlebar/info display assembly lift open to reveal a compartment waiting literally at the driver’s fingertips. Yes, it’s smaller, 27 gallons compared to the former 42.8-gallon capacity, yet I hardly noticed the difference. Items are readily accessible right from the saddle; add the accessory organizer to divvy up the space and there’s seemingly a place for everything…and everything in its place.

Worried about the integrity of the steering assembly? When closed, I noticed no play in either the compartment or handlebars.

Completely new storage possibilities follow aft. Look closely at the rear deck area and you’ll note two pop-up cleats recessed into the surface. Pull them up and they act as anchoring points for a new series of accessories, including a Yeti-like, 4.2-gallon cooler, 4-gallon gas caddy, 5.5-gallon dry bag that can piggy back atop the gas caddy, and a retractable ski pylon. Again, I was impressed by how solidly each anchored in place via a simple cam-style latch. I was also reminded how nice it is to shut off the engine, pivot in your seat, and grab a cold drink and snack out of an ice-filled cooler on a hot day, or have the comfort of a reserve gas supply when exploring.

Even the seat of the 2018 Sea-Doo GTX 230 boasts newfound innovation. The latter half is now removable, lessening the weight for solo performance riders or expanding the deck further for those that want to use the space as a casting platform or a spot to hang out when coving with friends. The new hull is exceptionally stable, making both a reality.

Shortcomings? With the new bow storage, the glovebox has now pretty much just become a spot that holds a watertight case for your smartphone.