The Polaris Pro 1200 has all the fine handling, but slightly less punch, of its more powerful sistership.

The Polaris Pro 1200 has all the fine handling, but slightly less punch, of its more powerful sistership.



No doubt about it, the Polaris 785 Pro is one the most agile and potent watercraft on the market, an out-of-the-box racer with high-performance and a sticker ($9,499 this year) to match. For those who appreciate the 145-horsepower 785 Pro's handling but require less exotic, race-bred power comes the Pro 1200, which sports a 135-horsepower motor and an $8,499 price tag.

Both models have the same hull, deck and, with the exception of model-name stickers, graphics. Both can be raced stock from the factory in their respective 785 and 1200 classes of the International Jet Sports Boat Association competition. Both also are fine choices for aggressive recreational riders who have no interest in racing.

The primary difference beween the two models, naturally, lies in their power plants. Larger triple carburetors, triple-tuned exhaust and a host of other features enable the smaller-displacement 785 cc engine to pump out ten horsepower more than its 1,200 cc counterpart. Also, the Pro 785 is slightly lighter.

What does this mean to you, the recreational rider who happens to love high-performance watercraft? About 1 mph up top. The manufacturer claims a top speed of 61 mph for the Pro 1200 and 62 to 63 mph for the Pro 785. Of course, top speed isn't everything. Savvy buyers will take this into account when considering the $1,000 price difference between the two models.

Highlights of the Pro 1200 include Polaris Speed trim, an electronic trim-control system. The PWC's one-piece saddle boasts cushioning for riders' knees, a plus given the superb handling of the watercraft thanks to aggressive sponsons and exceptional balance. The Pro 1200 leans into corners and holds its line through tight turns, especially when trimmed all the way down. Plush and durable Hydro-Mat matting in the footwells, a much loved standard of the Polaris line, will make maintaining purchase easier in corners, as well as full-throttle straight-line riding in the rough. Even at top speed, Pro 1200 multi-function display can be read, although riders are best advised to keep their eyes straight ahead. In addition to basics such as a digital speedometer and tachometer, the package records and displays peak speed and rpm. It also includes a low-fuel warning signal and readouts for oil and fuel levels.

Total stowage capacity for the Pro 1200 is 6.8 gallons. The largest single stowage area is under the front hood of the watercraft, which is supported by a monostrut arm. Fuel capacity is 8 gallons.

Boat Specifications
Rider capacity:1-2
Horsepower/displacement:135 hp/1165cc
Carburetors:triple 40mm Keihin
Impeller type:Three-blade stainless-steel
Instrumentation:Mulit-function (15) digital display
Stowage capacity:6.8 gallons
Fuel capacity:9.8 gallons
Price:$8,499