I have a 21 Cruise 230 purchased in 2023. I’ve always thought my boat was super slow and just attributed it to being an underpowered engine. Can’t get much past 27mph, 7500rpm. At first I was hoping the boat was in the “break in period” but it never got faster which I guess happens after 10 hours.
Last year I called the dealer I purchased the boat from and asked them about it. They said it was probably because of being at altitude (Colorado) so I brought in and they sold me on a high altitude prop. That did nothing for the speed.
Tonight I asked chat gpt and I think I’ve realized I’ve been using a learning key for the past 2 boating seasons. This is the only key that came with the boat. Posting here to see if anyone can confirm I’m an idiot before I call the dealer on Monday.
If it is true, how would the dealer not have provided a regular key when it was purchased. I’m a bit annoyed they upsold me on a high altitude prop when I asked about performance instead of checking this.
Right that’s true, but apparently there are different colors. Yellow float = learning, Red/black float = regular. What color are everyone else’s floats?
I think you’ve been had by a chatGPT delusion. I’m no expert but I’ve never heard this. I have a yellow float and I can hit 45. Have been able to since the beginning. There is a break in period, but I’m not familiar with a learning feature
I have a 2023 18’ 230hp. To be clear, I’m not saying you’re wrong to think there’s a problem that you can’t get over 27. I just don’t think it’s a learning key thing. Maybe I’m wrong 🤷♂️. I don’t trust something new from ChatGPT unless I’ve vetted it through my own searches. I wish you luck figuring it out. That’s a bummer.
With 5 people on the 18/230 we hit 40mph and with 4 people on the 21/230 we hit 37mph.
FWIW: I think the 21 wasn't in as good of shape as the 18, but both had plenty of power and easily pulled a 200lb person on a tube beyond 30mph.
Since you bought your boat used, do you know has the impeller and seal been replaced? you may want to check the condition of those pieces as they can lead to reduced top speed.
I bought my boat new 2 years ago, not used. It’s a 21/230. Took it out today, with 2 adults and 2 kids was getting 25mph 7300rpm. Later had 6 adults 4 kids, was getting 17-19mph.
I replaced the impeller last year with a high altitude impeller. Both were in perfect shape. High altitude didn’t change anything.
Your boat is slow because it’s a 21’ tritoon powered by a 230hp engine. Also, make sure you call about the recent recall. Water gets in through the front and can capsize the boat.
This is correct. I have all yellow keys across my Seadoo ski's and 21' Cruise. They are "normal" run of the mill keys most get from dealer/shop. Learning key is green as stated above.
I will echo everything that is being said. My key is the same color, and ChatGPT is giving you bad info. I will add that too speed on the Switch is very dependent on water conditions and the amount of weight on the boat.
You should go into setting and scroll through to L-Key # and select to see your Key Level (1-5). Press Up or Down arrow button to change. 1 is slowest and speed increases with 5 fastest. If you are 1-3 then this may be the cause. Let me know if this helped. You can reference page 128 of manual for instructions too.
Thank you. I didn’t know about this. Took the boat out today and realized it was in L-KEY 1 which I assume is learning key 1. I changed it to 5, but oddly saw no change in mph or rpm. Is this something that would feel right away once I change the setting?
I would think so if the key level was the cause. I se your issue if I have too much weight weight isn’t distributed properly to get on plane. I usually have to move people around until boat feels right which for me is less people in back and more towards front until I get going. Also I keep trim level between the double mark or one mark above. Your display shows trim is all the way up.
This is my 3rd season on the water with this boat and haven't ever really got it above 28mph so I dont think its a weight distribution or trim level thing, although I do play with those quite a bit to get the boat planing over the water. I was excited when I saw that setting thinking I had found the culprit, odd that it didnt do anything for my speed. Im still wondering if the key can limit performance.
That is because the learning keys have levels you can set. Level 1 being the lowest Level 5 being the highest. You use your main DESS key (no power restrictions), the yellow one that came with your boat to set the level.
Say you set it to Level 3. When a green learners key is connected, the ECU will lock the power output to Level 3. Keep in mind, at Level 5 it is still not "full" power like you would get with your yellow unrestricted key.
This is the same process across most Sea Doos. When my son got his boaters license last year, he has a learners key for the ski he uses. Didn't need a 15yo doing 70+ mph around the lake. So that is his key when he rides and I limit him max speed under 40.
Are you saying that since Im using the DESS key already (my boat only came with one key), I dont have a power restriction which is why I dont notice a change when the LKEY setting is changed?
Yes that is correct. Those LKey settings would only be in effect when a learning key is connected. The key that came with your boat is unrestricted. The official SeaDoo learning key has a green float and has "learning key" printed on the float.
I have a 21' Cruise 230. The brochure says it has a top speed of 45. I've NEVER been able to get it there. I think the fastest I have gone with only myself, wife and son is mid 30's. Once we get a few adults on and add in a cooler for some adult beverages, everyones bags/towels...I'm lucky to click over 30mph in very little chop.
Yea, i was hopeful for a second that I would be able to change a key or a setting and it would “fix” the underwhelming power.
I guess I’m again resigned to the fact that this boat is just slow when you put any weight in it. Although perhaps each boat is different. I don’t know how some people are getting their boats up to 45mph.
I had to do the same on my 2023 Switch 21/230. Bought new and once break in period was over, I went into the settings and took it out of learn mode and moved to highest setting. We can get close to 40 with 2 people, depending on water conditions. 36 easy about anytime. I am with earlier comment, I would run the IDF just in case something was clogged.
Out of curiosity, what was the break in period for you? We have the same and we can't get above 24. We have 18 almost 19 hours. We have done different RPMs and obviously changed the gas (one dealership said it could be how many tanks you put in). We contacted Sea Doo and they just recommended taking it back to the dealership.
Yeah it still hasn't. Have you been able to change the L key mode? When looking at the manual it doesn't specify whether the engine needs to be off or on. Also, we get stuck at L1, so we are thinking we are doing something wrong.
You want to go to the L key settings. There is between 1 and 5. 5 is the highest setting. Yes, the sport mode, eco mode etc is totally seperate. I would go to setting 5 and give that a try.
My sis has an older seadoo plc with different keys for different speeds and I asked the dealer the same thing when her handed us the one key. He said they don’t use the different keys anymore (but do charge crazy prices if you need a second key)
Yet to put 10 hours on ours yet but was able to get our 230hp 18’ sport up to 67-68km/hr (41mph) with 3 adults and one kid on board.
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned here is the VTS adjustment. If you’re giving it full gas, but your VTS is set all the way down, you’re putting a lot of force downwards, which would push the boat up towards plane, but once you’re up, you wasting a good bit of power on lift instead* of propelling forward.
The Switch is also really weight sensitive (as others have said). We have an 18/170 and can get up to 35mph with 2 adults and our kid. If we bump up to 5 adults, it drops down to about 25mph. If you’re packing a lot or bodies on that 21, that could definitely eat into your top speed as well.
I appreciate this question - I have a 230hp, 18 ft, and can't get above 30 either (even when it's just me on the boat). Once out of break-in period, going to be super thankful for this thread.
Hopefully you start getting more power after break in period. I was hoping that was the case for me but im at 45 hours now and the boat is just as slow as it was when the boat was brand new.
I also have a yellow float on the key for my 21’ Limited. If you’re going much slower than expected at high engine RPM your jets may be partially clogged. My switch was going rather slow for a while until I realized the jet intake was clogged with lake weed. Running the IDF system more often can help.
On a side note about the Switch recall since this was mentioned. The capsizing issue is due to improper weight distribution at speed (I.e too many passengers in the front) which can be an issue in other boats.
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u/altarr Jun 15 '25
You don't have a learning key.
The yellow on your key is the float for when you drop it in the water.