You’ve got to admit that BRP has come a long way since they released their first jet boats in 1994. Since then, the company has added a wide variety of new products to its line-up, including crafts of all sizes, the more recent of which are much more modern and technologically advanced. But one thing has remained the same: BRP’s trademark jet propulsion system.
In an attempt to capitalize on the current popularity of water sports – especially wake boarding – BRP introduced the 210 Wake in 2010. This model is inspired by the 230 Wake, which came out three years earlier. It has the same characteristics and equipment, but is smaller and therefore more affordable. This addition not only expands BRP’s product line, it also serves to draw in more buyers.
Specialty boat characteristics
The 2012 210 Wake is actually based on the 210 SP. Special equipment has been added specifically for wakeboarding and other tow sports, some of which has only ever been included on specialty boats in the past. And its starting price is just $3,500 higher than that of the 210 SP. Not bad when you consider all the extra equipment you get. We really expected the price to jump more significantly for a Wake version.
The 2012 210 Wake comes with several new features that make all the more interesting. This includes improved ballasts – what BRP calls the Wakeboost System – which, once full of water, allow you to carve a better wake for enhanced jumps and surf. This year, they have also added swivel board racks, a light bar for evening activities, a speaker tower and an optional weedless system.
Simple yet sporty style
In general, the Sea-Doo 210 Wake has a more classic look. There are no signs of the Speedster models’ extroverted character, and that’s probably a good thing. The new line offers a better combination of simplicity and style. While buying a new boat usually comes with a range of colour options, BRP sticks to just one palette per model. The 210 Wake has a black and white two-tone hull emblazoned with red and black graphics. The result is sporty, dynamic and undoubtedly eye-catching – another good thing! A forward-swept arch tower boosts its size while adding to its style. It’s also quite functional as it supports many different accessories, including a Bimini top and ski rope, which is essential for acrobatics. Most importantly, the arch tower folds back easily to reduce height clearance by 12 inches, something you’ll appreciate when it comes time to store the boat.
Modern interior with great lay-out
Featuring an attractive combination of red and white, the interior personifies the model’s youthful and sporty character. There is a large swim platform in back, useful not only for your athletic pursuits, but also for relaxation. To make the rear more group friendly, Transat seats convert into rear-facing lounge chairs, perfect for catching some rays in comfort.
From the swim platform, you can simply cross the sunpad to slide aboard without dirtying the leather and seats. On board, only the driver gets a separate seat, as the rest of the cockpit is outfitted with a wrap-around bench that culminates in a rear-facing observation section. This configuration is particularly handy when you want to keep an eye out back. However, you can’t sit facing forward, which is inconvenient for longer trips. This is where the 210 SP model has an advantage, as it includes two pivoting bucket seats, much like a traditional boat. The front deck can accommodate a few extra passengers (for a total of 10) and is another great place to enjoy the sun.
For added practicality, the BRP 210 Wake includes several storage compartments, including a stowage space integrated in the swim platform and spaces under the seats (plus one for your cooler). A compartment under the deck is useful for stowing larger equipment, while the console also incorporates a sizeable compartment. Despite being smaller overall, the 210 Wake definitely offers sufficient storage to keep the cockpit neat and organized.
Modern cockpit
There’s no question that one of the most attention-grabbing features of this boat is the sporty and modern cockpit. The dashboard is centered around a touchscreen used to control all of the boat’s functions. Simply tap the screen to select different display modes, activate the Ski or Eco modes, access the GPS, get information about the ballasts or control the sound system. The system does take some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, it’s great. The display is clear and easy to read, even in sunny conditions.
On the water
The BRP 210 Wake comes standard with a pair of direct injection (1503 Rotax 4-Tech engines). With 1.5 litres of displacement, each develops 155 horsepower, for a combined total of 310. For added power, you can always opt for supercharged versions of these engines, which offer 215 horsepower each or a total of 430 horsepower.
Start the engines and you’ll immediately notice how quiet they are. Deflectors redirect the water jets, allowing you to stay in place. Yet, the boat does tend to sway from side to side, especially if the steering wheel isn’t centred. You get the sense that you’re not really in neutral. The single Shift & throttle lever controls both engines simultaneously, thereby enhancing the boat’s manoeuvrability. That said, this boat is not all that docile when it comes to moving forward and back – it’s another thing that takes getting used to.
With its jet propulsion system and two engines, the BRP 201 Wake is very responsive. In just a few seconds, the boat quickly gets on plane with less bow rise for improved visibility. The sound the engines make at high revs is exhilarating, offering an F1 quality without being obnoxious. The advantage of this propulsion mode is that it allows you to navigate shallow areas that classic boats would not give you access to. Plus, this boat is also easier to manoeuvre and therefore offers a greater potential for fun on the water. And since there is no rear propeller, it’s safer for watersports.
Shortcomings? Weeds sometimes get caught in the intake grille. Then there’s the fact that jet boats cost more to insure. And finally, when you release the accelerator, the boat becomes a lot harder to steer – an important factor to consider when driving.
That said, the BRP 210 Wake is surprisingly stable in waves and its performances are better than you’d expect. The version we tested had two 155 horsepower engines and obtained a maximum speed of 71.1 km/h (44.2 mph), while its optimum cruising speed was 45.8 km/h (28.5 mph). Its fuel consumption is 32.2 L/h (8.51 gph). The BRP 210 Wake offers made of the same characteristics as classic wake boats, but it’s more pleasant for long trips, especially on rough water.
With a starting price of $48,499 ($53,649 with the supercharged engines), this boat costs considerably more than the first jet boats. However, when you consider all the technology and equipment, you actually get a lot for what you pay. And traditional ski and wake boats cost a lot more in comparison.