The Sea Doo Switch – the most versatile fishing and family boat yet ?

It’s not often a truly new style of boat like the Sea Doo Switch enters the market, and she’s turning heads that’s for sure!  However hype aside, the true test of a good boat is using it in a variety of scenarios to see how she goes.

My testing began when the first Switch, the 21 foot version, landed in Australia some 12 months ago.  Here’s what I have found so far.

Firstly, why would you consider a Pontoon Style Boat? Well, when I first moved to Queensland in 2013 I soon realized you rarely use an enclosed Cabin-it’s just too hot and stuffy!  Up here open breezy boats are the go – but you still need a full canopy and clears for protection from the sun, wind, and those little tropical rainstorms that pass over briefly on an otherwise good day.    Pontoon boats tick this box and are super stable and roomy, but unfortunately Pontoon Boats are not usually made with Fishos in mind.

I have owned a standard Pontoon boat for some 6 years now, we have loved it. However, on top of everything I have fitted on to make her fishable I have also been carefully making a list of things I would do properly when I design a new one. The designers at Sea Doo beat me to it.

For a start, unlike standard Pontoon Boats the Switch is a Pontoon Boat that actually looks cool, and it’s not just me but fam and friends all love the sporty look and feel of the Switch.

The Switch also ticked a stack of other things on our wish list - including brilliant design features and accessories.  Suddenly I have absolutely everything a fisho and boatie could need. 

To make things even better, all the things you need bolt on and off with the flick of their ingenious super strong lever lock systems.  These locks let you place items securely where you need them.  No more esky sliding across the floor in a big wave, you can lock it into the deck, and ditto with many other features and accessories. 

MODULAR FOR TODAYS FAMILIES

The first thing everyone notices is that the seats can be moved and arranged in any configuration you like.  One minute I’m entertaining 2 families on a cruise, picnic or ski session, and the next I have removed 6 front seats and have the worlds biggest casting and fishing deck.  The hard core fishos shake their heads when I get them out – no casting deck comes remotely close to the room and stability on offer.

JET PROPULSION MAKES FISHING & BOATING DIFFERENT AND EASIER!

The Switch is powered by a 230hp BRP Rotax Jet Motor.  It is THE EASIEST ever boat to drive – it can turn 360 degrees on a dime making it BRILLIANT for stopping on marked fish or chasing pelagics that have quickly changed direction. It is also very easy to dock, launch and retrieve…even for newcomers.  Everyone smiles when they find how easy and fun it is to drive.

Open up the throttle and your grin gets bigger – she gets up on the plane quickly and with a top speed of around 70kph.  There’s enough oomph and stability to bring the grandparents to take snaps of both the kids and grandkids on the skis! 

The tri hull design has a beautiful soft quite ride.  Made of Poly Tech Gen 2, which is a special blend of Polypropylene and Fiberglass, the hull is super tough, scratch resistant and easy to maintain…it’s quality stuff that’s been tested on Performance Jet Skis for a long time now.

Like all pontoon boats you simply won’t match the Switch for stability at rest.  The rectangle deck shape also means also won’t match this type of boat for overall deck space – it’s proper “you can have a party on here”… and that’s what happens.  There’s even a movable picnic table that stows away in its own special spot, and the Canopy slides to position the shade where you need it.

The helm is cool too – all the gauges, controls you could hope for with a proper sports boat chair for comfort.  

The IBR or “Intelligent Brake and Reverse” system is another ingenious feature. It is effectively a brake at your fingertips to stop you much quicker than standard boats, and she also goes into reverse smoothly without the need of a gearbox.  This is very handy for maneuvering, which happens a lot when you’re hovering over and dropping into schools of fish marked on the sounder.   I love that this sort of fishing has been made easier by the Switch-it’s ton of fun and being able to drop lures precisely onto the fish makes a HUGE difference in terms of fishing results.

But most importantly, while all boats give you that wonderful “Captain” feeling when you’re at the helm, knowing your guests are actually comfy, safe, dry, and shaded...well that really makes you feel like a king.

FEATURES AND ACCESSORIES:

These will ROCK your world and are too long to list here, but in summary they make EVERYTHING that clips on and off – from soft padded floor tiles, cup holders and rod holders right up to dual canopies that can fully enclose the Switch Deck during rainy weather, storge and camping. 

There is LOADS of dry storage in the hull, and each seat even has its own storage so individuals aboard can store their own personal items securely.  

Fishing is a short- and long-term priority for the Switch Designers and accessories are already coming through – we clipped on the fishing esky and the sounder, and live wells are now available too.  We fitted an electric motor, but factory clip on ones are nearly here from the states.   And get this – the floor tiles on the deck are easily removable/replaceable so we mounted a full on Garmin Live Scope screen and Pole – it’s epic for fishing the shallower estuaries and lakes.

SEA GOING CAPABILITIES

Whilst the shallow draft and open plan deck are perfect for estuary, river and bay fishing , of which we have enjoyed a lot, we also take her out into the open ocean when conditions suit.   It is not made for rough ocean work, so far we’ve been out in a maximum of a 1.3m swell and 15 knot winds, which is not rough, but not calm either.  In these non-testing conditions, it is an eye opener to realize how comfortable at sea she is.

The deck is fully self-draining, we haven’t got any water over the deck in the conditions we’ve tried, but it is a great safety feature.  Underway we usually have 4 anglers up the back and take all the front seats to keep the bow deck high and dry.  This seat configuration also leaves a 10 foot by 8 foot casting deck - brilliant for reef and sports fishing. 

Others have gone out in much rougher seas, but I prefer to chase big bay and river fish when outside is rough – especially given we fitted the live scope sounder for protected water work.

The fishos I take out always remark at how cool and fishable the Switch is.  Even in the ocean we feel very comfortable underway and especially happy at rest given the room and stability – so far we have had a ball catching snapper, cobia and XL Spanish to name a few.  

Back in sheltered waters you can target whatever species you like – the design and accessories make it easy.

TRAILERABLE    

Yes, unlike almost all Ponton Boats she comes with a trailer and is made to be towed – for example the canopies fold down and lock in swiftly for highway work.  So, unlike usual Pontoon boats that stay docked, you can tow this craft with you and fish and camp wherever in Australia that tickles your fancy.

QUALITY AND DURABILTY

I’ve used the actual craft pictured across half a dozen separate weeks in Estuaries, Lakes, Rivers and Offshore.  It’s also been loaned out to people around Australia.  Effectively, dare I say it she’s been treated like a hire boat!

The hull, deck, fittings and components are all made to be extremely strong and durable - they have had no issues.  The Rotax 230 is a well-known motor and is reliable and easy to flush and maintain.  Like a standard Sea Doo PWC all the deck compartments are waterproof, so washing/rinsing is quick n easy.

CONCLUSION

The overall thing I am finding is that I don’t feel as limited as to where I go or who I can take.

Most notably I have noticed it is common for other boats to head home when it rains briefly and everything gets wet, or when they are sick of being crammed up in the sun in standard deck space with less comforts.  Meanwhile we stay out and when those brief tropical rain patches have passed, we often get the place to ourselves.  We stay shaded, dry, comfy and happy.  I can’t understate how good this is on our precious time fishing and with family.

If you’re interested in a boat that is a fishing weapon and can keep the whole family happy this could be for you.  But don’t take my word for it, take one for a test run – the proof is in using them, that’s what I’m already doing right now as we come into summer

See you on the water.

Rob Paxevanos

Host Fishing Australia.