How do you test-drive a Sea-Doo on dry land? In 1996, dealers at the Club Sea-Doo 7 show in Tarpon Springs, Florida, did just that thanks to virtual reality technology. They were able to cruise around an island and stop at lighthouses, passing various objects in several Sea-Doo models such as the GTI.
Still in production in 2010, the Sea-Doo GTI remains popular over 20 years later as a family recreational vehicle for the water.
Engine and Propulsion
The 1997 Sea-Doo GTI used a 2-cylinder Bombardier-Rotax 717 engine with rotary valve induction and electric starting system that ran on regular unleaded gas. The exhaust system was water cooled and injected. There was one Mikuni BN-40I (diaphragm) carburetor. A Bombardier Formula Pump propelled the GTI through the water with a direct drive transmission. The impeller rotated counterclockwise, as viewed from the rear of the watercraft.
Performance
Sea-Doo estimated the horsepower at 46.8, with a maximum fuel consumption of 8.8 gallons per hour. The 15-gallon fuel tank would provide 1 hour and 21 minutes of cruising at full throttle, with another 20 minutes if you used the reserve fuel tank.
Size
Three people could ride the GTI, one driver and two passengers, with a load limit of 507 pounds. It was 122.8 inches long, 47 inches wide and 37 inches high.
Standard Equipment
Several items came standard with the Sea-Doo GTI, including the safety lanyard, a digitally encoded security system, fuel tank reserve, monitoring beeper, speedometer, analog fuel/oil gauge, storage compartment, glove box, rear grab handle, extinguisher holder and tool kit.
References
- Sea-Doo Shop Manual 1997
- "InformationWeek" magazine; VR: A Corporate Reality; Richard Adhikari; September 23, 1996
- Sea-Doo: 2011 Sea-Doo Watercraft / Sportboats
Writer Bio
Linda Zukauskas began writing in 1989. She is now a freelance writer for nonprofits and municipalities. Zukauskas is also a reporter for "Voices" newspaper. Her work has appeared in various online publications. She graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.
