Blaster vs. SeaDoo Spark (or SuperJet?)

[Mr_Bucket]

I just want to jump some waves on something that's small and reliable. I'm not mechanically inclined, so that limits my Blaster search to the skis that have been meticulously maintained and are in perfect running condition. The few of those that pop up in my area every year disappear quickly, so I'm starting to consider other options.

How would something like a Spark compare to a Blaster in terms of jumping waves? I know people still consider them couches, but at 405 lbs. they're roughly half the weight of everything else on the market and only ~70 lbs. heavier than a Blaster.

The only other option I can think of would be a new SuperJet (if I can even register that in NJ). But I've heard it's not a good idea to take a stock SuperJet out in heavy surf...

 

[Quinc]

The blaster is a lot more fun but will have a higher learning curve then the Spark. The best thing about the stand up is you will never get bored with it. I would try and find some people who ride and offer them gas money or something to take there ski out. Also the blaster/standups are very easy to work on and parts are cheap.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Nothing wrong with taking a stock SJ in the surf. First summer I had my SJ it went to the surf a few times.

 

[Coxxy1019]

Sj or blaster. I've got both and love em.

 

[Gottadog]

My friend bought a spark. Rode it. It sucks. Its not at all small. Slow and gutless. She just cruises so its perfect for her. Sj or b1 for sure.

If a sit down is what you want id go with an x4 787 seadoo. Maybe a Zxi 1100

 

[mx621]

I have two friends with sparks... there just a small couch.. having ridden them a bunch, they are pretty powerfull (90 hp) and I do feel they would jump pretty well.. very stable and hull unhooks pretty easy once u figure it out.. that being said neither of these two can ride my blaster. they ride it about 50ft and fall off and cant reboard.. " this thing isn't even fun" " screw that thing " two totally diff riding experiences... they are 90 hp sparks and my blaster runs dead even with them . 62t motor, riva red pipe, flame arrestors.

 

[CRJ]

I just want to jump some waves on something that's small and reliable. I'm not mechanically inclined, so that limits my Blaster search to the skis that have been meticulously maintained and are in perfect running condition. The few of those that pop up in my area every year disappear quickly, so I'm starting to consider other options.

How would something like a Spark compare to a Blaster in terms of jumping waves? I know people still consider them couches, but at 405 lbs. they're roughly half the weight of everything else on the market and only ~70 lbs. heavier than a Blaster.

The only other option I can think of would be a new SuperJet (if I can even register that in NJ). But I've heard it's not a good idea to take a stock SuperJet out in heavy surf...

dont take a SJ in surf when your new. A spark would be the best all around ski for a newbie. But a superjet is much more versatile and will progress you further.

 

[Vumad]

The Sparks are great.

My friend bought a spark. Rode it. It sucks. Its not at all small. Slow and gutless. She just cruises so its perfect for her. Sj or b1 for sure.

If a sit down is what you want id go with an x4 787 seadoo. Maybe a Zxi 1100

60, 90 or 110? I thought the spark had plenty of umph for $5000

 

[eastcoastjumper]

I rode a spark in 3-4ft clean surf and it was pretty good considering I hate couches. I'm pretty sure it was the 90 hp model. If it had a set of bars on it that were a little taller and closer reach it would be even better both sitting and standing. I think they sell a bunch of stuff worx was working on for it.

 

[Gottadog]

It's a 90. I hated it. It scratches super easy. It looks like a ski made out of Tupperware and I don't find it at all comfortable. Plus I don't like four strokes. Power del is something I wasn't impressed with. Buying a sit down I really would still pull on other options than a Spark. But being that the op wants to buy it and ride it, its still a viable option.

Back to what the op asked. Between a sj, b1 and Spark I'd pick a b1. But I would not suggest learning to ride any ski in the ocean if you have zero seat time. But like anything, a little learning curve means more potential out of the boat as riding time accumulates. I suggest read a whole lot still, and consider buying some tools and learning a few things about how ski's work. It will open you up to other options. I love knowing I can fix something. Read what I'm uncertain and get it done.

Lastly, I honestly think in short time you'll wish you had an sj or b1. I absolutely love my Blaster.

 

[Mr_Bucket]

It's a 90. I hated it. It scratches super easy. It looks like a ski made out of Tupperware and I don't find it at all comfortable. Plus I don't like four strokes. Power del is something I wasn't impressed with. Buying a sit down I really would still pull on other options than a Spark. But being that the op wants to buy it and ride it, its still a viable option.

Back to what the op asked. Between a sj, b1 and Spark I'd pick a b1. But I would not suggest learning to ride any ski in the ocean if you have zero seat time. But like anything, a little learning curve means more potential out of the boat as riding time accumulates. I suggest read a whole lot still, and consider buying some tools and learning a few things about how ski's work. It will open you up to other options. I love knowing I can fix something. Read what I'm uncertain and get it done.

Lastly, I honestly think in short time you'll wish you had an sj or b1. I absolutely love my Blaster.

Yeah, I think you're right about that last part. I'd probably regret buying a Spark and wish I had a blaster or standup after a couple days. Still, I hope they sell a ton of them so Yamaha is forced to make an even smaller sit-down ski. The videos they put out criticizing the Spark were just sad to watch...

 

[Chris Allman]

I have 3 sparks and a carter b shortened rocker blaster, if I had to pick one it would be the spark for a single all purpose ski, you can do a lot more with it, wot river trips, 60 mile+ outings, tubing, wakeboarding, zero wrenching, and big surf riding, I would not take my blaster out in major surf that could smash it to pieces at this point, it would not be safe with my skill level on it and the skis reliability. If you just want to jump 15ft high, throw big whips and play on the waves the spark is ok for that but its not much fun in surf under 4ft. sorry I don't have any big surf pics on the spark, I quit filming after the first few trips out.
It really depends on what you want out of a ski, I can flip other stuff and really want to get flips and barrel rolls on the water but I would be willing to sacrifice the freestyle stuff for the versatility of a good all purpose ski that I can still hammer on in the surf. The bars on the spark will break if you land flat from over 12+ ft I broke 2 sets to date. There are plenty of guys riding blaster far less aggressively than I ride my spark so how do you want to ride & what do you want to do? that's really the question everyone knows there is way more freestyle potential with a blaster but is that your only priority? if so just get a stand up, a (factory) blaster is not the best choice for a freestyle only ski. I have the 60hp 90hp and rode the 105hp spark. The 90hp is a must for surf riding. There is not much difference in the 90hp and the 105hp with factory intake grate and pump. The spark handle bars are to low and set far forward making it hard to keep from perling on big wave faces if it was my only ski I would get aftermarket bars and shave the seat down to get my ass lower especially at the back that's where your ass is when dropping down a big face, also its hard to do seat grabs the grab bar is hanging off the back of the seat about 3ft back. The one good thing about the sparks buoyancy to weight ratio is the fact that it doesn't punch thru the water as much as a blaster, the first time I jumped my blaster I hit bottom and broke the nozzle off

 

[truth609]

I ride a spark in surf. All of my buddies ride blasters and vipers. I.absolutely love the spark and anyone who calls it a "couch" is just being ignorant. Very fun ski to trick and surf ride, breaks loose easy, has a light front end. Worx stem and good bars would completely change the feel of the ski. Good luck!

 

[billglass]

When I bought my Blaster. I was worried it might be too hard to learn to ride after seeing people have difficulties with boarding especially in rough water. 19 years later, I am still glad I went with the Blaster. One thing I didn't see mentioned anywhere in the post is how hard it is for heavy people to board. In my experience, Anyone over 200 needed help from a dock or boat to board and if they fell off, they could never reboard. It is a good thing to know in case you were thinking of having others ride it. I have seen a few people have outright panic attack trying to reboard the Blaster. That being said, If you want something that you can grow your skills go Blaster. I can't speak for the superjet. If you want something to easily tool around on and jump some waves, forget the Blaster. If you want to carve super tight turns at full throttle, sky off waves, learn some tricks, go Blaster. My two cents