Sea-Doo 210 Challenger S

Posted: January 1, 2012

Sportboats

By: Alan Jones

This year, Sea-Doo makes the 210 Challenger platform more affordable by offering it in a single-engine version, while still giving you loads of standard features. Because it’s a direct-drive jet with no prop, it can run in 12 inches of water and offer a higher level of safety. The compact 1.5L Rotax engine allowed designers to create as much interior room in this 20-foot, 6-inch boat as in a vessel several feel longer. Most boats of this size have an eight-passenger capacity, but the 210 Challenger S has a capacity of 10 people, and there’s actually a seat for all of them.

Powered by a 255 hp 3-cylinder Rotax 4-TEC engine that has a supercharger with a large intercooler, the Challenger hooked up nicely with minimal bowrise to get on plane in 3.3 seconds. Zero to 30 mph took 6.6 seconds, and top speed was a respectable 43.3 mph. For comparison, we tested the 210 Challenger with twin 215 hp Rotax engines and hit a top speed of 55 mph and reached plane about a second earlier than the single-engine version. Hard turns are a blast, and you’ll be able to wow guests (after telling them to hang on) when you swap ends. A 20-degree deadrise made for a smooth ride in the St. Lawrence Seaway chop near Montreal, where we tested it.

Although the more-expensive twin-engine 210 Challenger SE has a few more bells and whistles at the helm, such as tilt steering and Ski Control, which allows the driver to set the rate of acceleration, the 210 S does have iTC (Intelligent Throttle Control). This gives the driver ECO mode for wringing every last mpg out of it, cruise control for cruising and skiing, and Dock Assist, which gently raises rpm when the wheel is hard over for greater control.

Sea-Doo does a good job of providing accommodations for passengers on the back deck, and though the Challenger S doesn’t have the more elaborate convertible Transat seats found on the SE version, there is a comfortable perch with padded backrests for chillin’ on the back porch when at rest. The S package gives owners a Bimini top, snap-in carpeting and a cockpit table. For watersports, there’s  a removable ski tow and an amidships ski locker.