Sea-Doo introduced the all-new Sea-Doo GTX 800 (a.k.a. GTX 787) for the 1996 model year. The ski was built on an a stable 3-seater platform and housed a powerful dual-carb Rotax 787 RAVE engine rated at 110 HP.
If you want to learn all about this amazing 2-stroke PWC, this post is for you.
We at JetDrift have compiled all you need to know into this Sea-Doo GTX 800 review!
1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 Review
Sea-Doo introduced its popular 3-seater 2-stroke GTX line in 1993. Over the years, this family underwent many different generations, including:
- 1993 Sea-Doo GTX 580 (Rotax 587)
- 1994 Sea-Doo GTX 650 (Rotax 657)
- 1995 Sea-Doo GTX 650 (Rotax 657x)
- 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 (Rotax 787)
- 1998-1999 Sea-Doo GTX Limited (Rotax 947)
- 2000-2002 Sea-Doo GTX 951 Millennium (Rotax 947)
- 1998-2001 Sea-Doo GTX RFI (Rotax 787 RFI)
- 2000-2001 Sea-Doo GTX DI (Rotax 947 DI)
- 2002-2003 Sea-Doo GTX DI (Rotax 947 DI)
It’s safe to say that the 1996 Sea-Doo GTX 800 (a.k.a. GTX 787) was the first authentic 3-seater Sea-Doo PWC in history. (Its 3-seater predecessors were built on the small GS-style platform, which was only comfortable for two adults.)
The all-new GTX 800 was considered the most luxurious PWC of its time and with good reason.
It was built on a large, 3-seater platform measuring 122.8 inches in length, 47 inches in width, and 37 inches in height. This fiberglass body was larger than its outdated GS-style predecessor. It also had a more modern, rounded design.
The top deck featured curved lines and housed a large, 2-piece seat and three separate storage compartments. The industry-standard front storage was enhanced with a small glovebox and a watertight storage tray under the passenger seat.
Under the seat, you would also find the proven dual-carb Rotax 787 engine. This 782cc, 2-stroke, in-line twin was rated at 110 HP and came with many advanced features, including:
- DC-CDI Ignition
- Oil injection
- 2 x Mikuni BN-40I carburetors
- Open-loop cooling system
- Electric starter
- RAVE exhaust power valves
Engine power was delivered by a direct drive system to a Bombardier Formula water jet pump. This axial-flow, single-stage pump utilized bronze-alloy stator vanes and produced plenty of thrust.
Thanks to this advanced propulsion system and the powerful Rotax RAVE engine, the top speed of the Sea-Doo GTX 800 was about 53-55 mph in stock condition. What’s more, this ski could even hit 60-62 mph with some aftermarket performance modifications!
Its 15-gallon fuel tank offered a cruising time of 1 hour and 8 minutes, while its oil system utilized a 1.6-gallon oil reservoir.
The GTX 800 was one of the most powerful skis in Sea-Doo’s fleet and claimed to be the “most luxurious PWC” of its time.
Its stable hull and advanced features made the GTX a perfect “tow-PWC”, so it was no surprise that this model instantly became popular among wakeboard riders and tubers.
Standard features of the GTX 800 included:
- Handlebar-mounted start/stop button
- Large front storage
- Glove box
- 15-gallon built-in fuel tank
- 1.6-gallon oil reservoir
- Watertight removable rear storage tray
- Electric start
- Tether cord
- 3-position fuel valve (ON, OFF, RES)
- 3 gauges (speedometer, tachometer, info center)
- Overheating warning device
- Docking eyelets
- Ski tow eye
- Dual mirrors
- Bilge drain plugs
- Sponsons
- Rear grab handle
- Manual reverse
- Large, 2-piece seat with seat strap
- Tool kit
- D.E.S.S. key
The large and easy-to-read dashboard housed three separate gauges. You could find an analog speedometer with a low-oil warning light on the right.
The analog tachometer was installed on the left side and incorporated an engine overheat warning LED.
In the middle, you had the Sea-Doo-exclusive info gauge center. This innovative LCD multifunction gauge had many useful functions, which were as follows:
- Engine hour meter
- Clock/compass
- Fuel level
- Chronometer
- Average speed
- Current speed
- Peak speed
- Distance
- Lake temperature
- Exterior temperature
- Average speed
- Speedometer
- Tachometer
- Low fuel
- Low oil
- Low battery
- Hi-temp
- Trip meter
- VTS
- Maintenance information
Sea-Doo basically marketed the GTX 800 in the same form during the 1996 and 1997 model years.
By 1998, the GTX 800 had been replaced with the more advanced GTX RFI.
Sea-Doo GTX 800 Specs Chart
For your convenience, we’ve compiled the 1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 (GTX 787) specifications into these charts!
1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 Dimensions
| 1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 | Dimensions and Capacities |
|---|---|
| Number of passengers | 3 (refer to load limit) |
| Overall length | 312 cm (122.8 in) |
| Overall width | 119 cm (47 in) |
| Overall height | 94 cm (37 in) |
| Weight | 262 kg (578 lb) |
| Load limit | 230 kg (507 lb) |
| Fuel tank | 56.5 L (15 U.S. gal) |
| Impeller shaft reservoir - Capacity | 90 mL (3 U.S. oz) |
| Impeller shaft reservoir - Oil level height | up to plug |
| Injection oil reservoir | 6 L (1.6 U.S. gal) |
1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 Engine Specs
| 1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 | Engine Specs |
|---|---|
| Engine type | Rotax 787, 2-stroke |
| Induction type | Rotary valve |
| Exhaust system | Water cooled / water injected |
| Exhaust Valve | R.A.V.E. |
| Lubrication - type | Oil injection |
| Lubrication - oil type | BOMBARDIER Formula XP-S synthetic injection oil |
| Number of cylinders | 2 |
| Displacement | 781.6 cm3 (47.7 in3) |
| RPM Limiter Operation @ | 7200 RPM ± 50 |
| Cooling Type | Water cooled, total loss type. Direct flow from propulsion unit |
| Fuel - type | Regular unleaded gasoline |
| Carburetor - type and number | Mikuni BN 40I (Diaphragm type) Quantity :2 |
1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 Propulsion
| 1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 | Propulsion |
|---|---|
| Propulsion system | Bombardier Formula pump with bronze-alloy stator vanes |
| Jet pump type | Axial flow, single-stage |
| Impeller Rotation (seen from rear) | na |
| Transmission | Direct drive |
| Impeller shaft reservoir oil type | SEA-DOO synthetic polyolester oil 75W90 GL5 |
| Pivoting angle of direction (nozzle) | ~ 23° |
| Pivoting angle of variable trim system | na |
| Minimum required water level for jet pump | 90 cm (3 ft) |
1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 Electrical Features
| 1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 | Electrical Features |
|---|---|
| Magneto generator output | 180 W @ 6000 RPM |
| Ignition system type | DC-CDI |
| Spark plug - Make and type | NGK, BR8ES |
| Spark plug - Gap | 0.5-0.6 mm (.020 - .024 in) |
| Starting system | Electric starter |
| Battery | 12 V, 19 A |
| Starting system Fuse | 5 A |
| Charging system Fuse | 2 x 15 A |
| Fuse - VTS system | na |
| Fuse - Holder relay | 5 A |
These charts are for informational purposes only! For exact specifications, please refer to the factory manual.
Sea-Doo GTX Comparison Chart
| Year | Model | Engine | HP | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93 | GTX 580 | Rotax 587 | 60 | 465 |
| 94 | GTX 650 | Rotax 657 | 70 | 484 |
| 95 | GTX 650 | Rotax 657x | 80 | 484 |
| 96-97 | GTX 800 | Rotax 787 | 110 | 578 |
| 98-99 | GTX LTD | Carbed Rotax 947 | 130 | 645 |
| 98-01 | GTX RFI | Rotax 787 RFI | 110 | 642 |
| 00-02 | GTX 951 | Carbed Rotax 947 | 130 | 662 |
| 00-01 | GTX DI | Rotax 947 DI | 130 | 680 |
| 02-03 | GTX DI | Rotax 947 DI | 130 | 715 |
Sea-Doo GTX 800 For Sale
If you are considering purchasing one, you probably want to know where to find a Sea-Doo GTX 800 for sale. As this model vanished from the market in 1997, it’s already a collectible item, so finding one is not an easy task!
We recommend that you start your research on dedicated Sea-Doo forums and Facebook fan groups. Aside from some good deals, you may find some valuable info there about this ski.
Besides these sources, you may also find some used Sea-Doo GTX 800s for sale on Craigslist, PWC Trader, and other dedicated jet ski swap sites.
Takeaway
As a takeaway, we’ve answered the most common questions about the Sea-Doo GTX 800!
What is a Sea-Doo GTX 800?
The 2001 Sea-Doo GTX 800 was a luxury 2-stroke PWC manufactured by Sea-Doo.
What Year did Sea-Doo Make the GTX 800?
Sea-Doo marketed the GTX 800 from 1996 through 1997.
How Many People Could Ride a Sea-Doo GTX 800?
The Sea-Doo GTX 787 was rated for three riders.
What Size was the Sea-Doo GTX 800?
The Sea-Doo GTX 800 was 122.8 inches long, 47 inches wide, and 37 inches high.
How Much Did a 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 Weigh?
The dry weight of the Sea-Doo GTX 800 was 578 pounds.
What Kind of Engine Did the 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 Have?
The power source of the Sea-Doo GTX 800 was a dual-carb Rotax 787 engine (782cc, 2-stroke twin).
How Much Horsepower Did a 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 Have?
The Sea-Doo GTX 800 provided 110 HP.
Did the 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 Have Reverse?
Yes, the Sea-Doo GTX 800 was equipped with manual reverse.
What Size Storage Compartment Did a 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 Have?
The 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 featured three storage compartments (front storage, glovebox, under-seat storage tray).
How Much Weight Could a 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 Hold?
The total weight capacity of the Sea-Doo GTX 800 was 507 pounds.
How Much Fuel Did a 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 Hold?
The 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 utilized a 15-gallon fuel tank.
How Much Fuel Did a 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 Use?
The Sea-Doo GTX 800 fuel consumption was about 11.7 GPH at WOT.
Could the 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 Tow a Skier or a Wakeboarder?
Yes, the Sea-Doo GTX 800 was rated for three riders, so it could legally tow a skier.
How Fast Did a 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 Go?
The top speed of a 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 was 53-55 mph in stock condition.
Was a 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800 a 2-Stroke Ski?
Yes, the Sea-Doo GTX 800 utilized a 2-stroke twin engine.
How Much is a 1996-1997 Sea-Doo 800 Worth?
It’s hard to tell the exact price of a 1996-1997 Sea-Doo GTX 800, as it strongly depends on its year, condition, and location. But as a rule of thumb, the prices typically range from $500 up to $3,000.
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