Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170 2023 Review

Overview

The 2023 Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170 is a jet ski like no other and marks a number of firsts for the personal watercraft market – notably a windshield, height-and-tilt adjustable handlebars, rails on the bow for extra dock-tie points, and two (rather than one) rear deck platforms to accommodate Sea-Doo’s vast array of attachable accessories such as a dry bag, cooler box, and extra gear.

It is designed to appeal to boaties wanting to switch to something more nimble and to jet ski riders with a sense of adventure.

The Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170 – new for 2023 – is based on the current-generation ST3 Sea-Doo deck and hull launched in late 2017 and was followed two years later by the popular Sea-Doo Fish Pro edition.

However, although the platform for the Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170 is now six years old, it is a new model for 2023 because no one has manufactured a jet ski like this before.

Design and equipment

The headline act is the addition of a factory-fitted windscreen – a first in the history of the jet ski market, as best as we can gather. But there is much more to the Sea-Doo Explorer Pro than this.

Other firsts for the jet ski and personal watercraft market; height-and-tilt adjustable handlebars, rails on the bow for extra dock tie points, and two (rather than one) rear deck extensions to accommodate Sea-Doo’s line of attachable accessories such as a dry bag, cooler box, and extra fuel bladders.

This equipment is in addition to Sea-Doo’s 7.8-inch digital VIP instrument display, factory-fitted 7.0-inch Garmin touchscreen navigation system (the same unit installed on the flagship Sea-Doo Fish Pro Trophy), scuff guards along the edges of the top deck, a rear boarding rail, knee pads on the centre console, and premium audio speakers.

Sea-Doo’s reverse thrust debris removal system – known as IDF – is also standard on this model.

Often overlooked, but worth repeating, is Sea-Doo’s genius easy-access front storage area. The handlebars and top console lift up after releasing two tabs.

This means the Sea-Doo rider can easily access the bow storage without having to lean over the handlebars precariously, as is the case on Yamaha and Kawasaki models.

The only minor downside to this: the bow storage in the Sea-Doo Explorer Pro (and other ST3-based models) is the smallest in the category (96.0 litres versus 124 litres in the new Kawasaki Ultra LX and 130 litres in the nose of the Yamaha FX).

The other limitation is cargo weight. The storage area in the nose of the Sea-Doo Explorer Pro is rated to a maximum capacity of 13.0kg.

Having tested the Sea-Doo and its rivals, we prefer the convenience of the Sea-Doo set-up and make sure we pack light.

Price and running costs

Sea-Doo dealers such as the one that loaned us our test ride, Sydney's Beaches Sea-Doo and Can-Am, have the Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170 priced from $28,054 excluding trailer and registration, making it one of the most expensive non-supercharged jet skis and personal watercraft on sale in Australia today (second only to the Sea-Doo Fish Pro Trophy which costs from $30,054).

Servicing intervals are 12 months or 100 hours (whichever comes first) and Sea-Doo dealers say routine maintenance costs $450 to $550 depending on what’s required beyond oil, filter and spark plug changes.

The standard Sea-Doo warranty is two years (except during special promotions when three-year coverage may be offered), versus three-year coverage for Yamaha WaveRunners and five-year coverage for Kawasaki Jet Ski models. 

Performance

Powering the Explorer Pro 170 is Sea-Doo’s 1630cc, three-cylinder Rotax engine with an output of 170 horsepower that, in our testing, is rated as the most economical watercraft in the full-size three-seater segment.

Compared with its nearest non-supercharged rivals, the Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170 uses about 10 per cent less fuel than the Yamaha FX HO 1.8-litre four-cylinder, and at least 15 per cent less fuel than the Kawasaki Ultra 1.5-litre four-cylinder.

To be clear, though, jet skis are still thirsty. In our testing, the Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170 used petrol at a rate of about 45.0L/100km when ocean riding. With a 70.0-litre fuel tank in the nose, that’s generally enough to cover 150km at cruising speeds of around 30 to 40 knots, though this all depends on rider weight, cargo, vessel speed and how frequently you accelerate from rest.

Up to five 15.0-litre fuel bladders can be stored on the rear deck, to more than double the maximum riding range. But even with the dry bag or optional cooler box fitted, there is still room for two or three extra fuel bladders (depending on the configuration).

Top speed using the GPS-based speedometer and our own equipment is about 49 knots (90km/h) in ideal conditions.

On the water 

As noted in previous boatsales tests of Sea-Doo ST3-based models, the “deep V” bow delivers a drier ride than most jet skis and personal watercraft, in part due to the concave rather than convex design that deflects spray away from the craft.

But to be clear, you will get wet. With or without the windshield (which is primarily designed to deflect cold air in winter rather than minimise water spray).

In calm water such as rivers and lakes – or in mild wind chop – the Sea-Doo bow delivers mostly predictable handling, especially above about 20km/h (11 knots). 

Below this speed it has less accuracy than, say, recent Yamaha FX WaveRunner and Kawasaki Ultra LX models, so you’ll make good use of the reverse trigger and handlebars to negotiate low-speed manoeuvres (such as near a boat ramp or picnic spot).

One trait of the Sea-Doo ST3 bow design (versus the convex shape of Yamaha and Kawasaki bows), is that it can get pushed around in rough chop.

All jet skis are hard work in rough conditions, but the Sea-Doo has a tendency to bow-hunt especially as the fuel load over the nose gets lighter.

Lowering the trim helps combat this to an extent, but once the fuel tank is half empty there’s really no avoiding it.

That said, not everyone rides a jet ski in these conditions. We point this out in case it is pertinent to the type of riding you plan.

The handlebars tilt and height adjustment is helpful for taller riders or anyone who prefers to ride while standing (to save your back).

The hand grips have a handy palm rest pad, but we found this angled our thumbs towards the plastic shroud on the handlebars and left blisters, even when wearing gloves. Be sure to learn to keep your hands further apart, or change the handgrips to something from Sea-Doo’s performance range.

The windshield is so effective at deflecting air that there is a flap that can be opened or closed to adjust the level of airflow. In summer, it can get hot behind the screen (unless you’re standing).

The footwells have ample foot room, and the narrow seat design means your legs aren’t chafing against the engine housing, as is the case with the Yamaha FX WaveRunner which leaves plenty of scarred calf muscles.

Water in the footwells can be a hassle to empty after washing the craft following a day on the water. Invest in a wet vacuum, a suction hose attachment, and/or park the trailer on a steep hill.

Several times during our test we used the Sea-Doo’s unique and industry-first IDF reverse-thrust debris removal system after idling in shallow water. (Sea-Doo craft tend to suck up more muck in knee-deep water than other jet skis we’ve tested, so be sure to be in at least a metre of water where possible).

IDF is easier to use than we expected. Just push the button on the left handlebar and follow the instructions on the dash. The whole process takes less than a minute from start to finish and quickly gets rid of any debris in the intake.

When operating the IDF system, it’s best to leave some room behind you because the craft moves backwards slowly during the process.

As well as the easy-access storage, the overall fuel economy is impressive (for a jet ski, that is). In our testing, it’s the most fuel-efficient full-size, three-seat, sit-down jet ski or personal watercraft.

Verdict

Not everyone will appreciate the many innovations of the 2023 Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170, but for those with a sense of adventure, there is no other jet ski or personal watercraft like it. 

Hardcore jet ski enthusiasts might scratch their heads, and veteran boaties may prefer to stick to the type of craft they know.

But in the same way, the Sea-Doo Fish Pro carved out a new niche in the personal watercraft category, the Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170 is set to do the same.

Specifications
Model: Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170
Length: 3.73m
Beam: 1.25m
Weight: 390kg (dry, est)
Engine: 170hp 1630cc 3-cyl Rotax, non-supercharged
Top speed: 49kt (90km/h)
Fuel: 70.0L
Seating: 3
Warranty: Two years
Service intervals: 12 months or 100 hours, whichever comes first

Priced from: $28,054 (not including trailer or registration) with Garmin 7.0-inch touchscreen with maps and fish finder, bow rails, windshield, height-and-tilt handlebars, IDF debris-removal system, Linq Explorer 100-litre dry bag (not shown in photos), an extended rear platform with accessory attachments, angled gunwale footrests, rear boarding rail, digital ‘VIP’ instrument display, premium audio, easy-access front storage, no-wake mode, cruise control.

Supplied by: Beaches Sea-Doo and Can-Am, Sydney