2004 Speedster 200      Ted Rankine: You know, the one constant in the marine industry is change, and that is why some manufacturers introduce and discontinue their boat models on an ongoing basis but such is not the case with the Speedster from Bombardier.       Originally in 1994 as a twin-engine sport boat, the Speedster is now celebrating its 10th anniversary in the Bombardier lineup and it is bigger and better than ever before.       When we first tested the Sea-Doo Speedster in 1994, the 14-½ foot sports boat soon became a huge favorite with the cast and crew. And like all good things, the Speedster just keeps on getting better each year. Now more stylish, more power, more features, and ultimately more fun.

     The Speedster has always been the flagship of the Bombardier sport boat fleet, and for it's 10th anniversary, it has grown in features and in size. Measuring in at 20-feet in length it now features a hull with a 20-degree dead rise, but still maintains its very attractive line.
     There is a hydraulic rear hatch that opens with a remote switch to reveal a large storage tray, which can be removed for easy access to the engine compartment below. The twin 3 cylinder 4 tech 4 stroke Rotex engines each develop 155 hp for heart pumping acceleration, and features a closed loop radiator style cooling system for clean, quiet operation.
     Aboard you will find comfortable seating for seven, three on the aft bench, two in the companion and driver buckets and another two on the bow. Forward the seating features: plush padded seats, backrests, large grab handles and built in beverage holders.
     There is even a compartment where you can store the boats cover, life jackets and sporting equipment. The new Speedster offers plenty of storage throughout. Under seat pads, the mid cabin ski locker, and even behind the helm console. More storage is concealed under the hinged sun pad section, a total of 46-feet in all.
     For wake boarding, there is an extra-wide swim platform complete with plenty of grab handles.Tunes are provided by a built in CD stereo just above the companion seat glove box, and the fully loaded performance helm puts everything within easy reach and sports a flip up wind deflector for the captain. Heavy stainless grab rails offer additional security and also adds to the sporty look of the Speedster.
     Cruising out into deeper water gave me the feeling that I was preparing to launch aboard the space shuttle. And when I snapped the throttles down for the whole shot, it felt like I was already at light speed. The Speedster got up on plane in about 3 seconds and wasted no time rocketing to a top speed of 57 mph.     
     The ride was solid, as you would expect from a boat weighing in at 2,800 pounds and with an 8-foot beam. The hull tracks straight and true, just like the boat was on rails with only a 12-inch draft. Putting the Speedster 200 aggressively through its paces is bound to delight even the most experienced performance boaters.
     Folks new to boating will find the Speedster 200 user friendly and easy to operate, while those who are used to operating personal water craft will likely get the same kind of on the water excitement that they are used to from this sport boat's performance.
     This new edition to the Bombardier sport boat lineup is perfect for recreational boaters of all stripes, whether they be sport boat enthusiasts, wake boarders, skiers or just ordinary boaters like me.
     One great feature on the Speedster 200 is the inlet clearance system. With a simple flick of the switch, the grate that guards the intake into the jet pump opens up and any accumulated weeds or debris simply drops away. That is a pretty handy feature if you are operating on a weedy lake.

* taken from a transcript of our Power Profile on PowerBoat TV 2004 Episode 2 - Order a Copy of the Show