The Taylor family from Saint Augustine, Florida did not know what to expect ahead of their test of the Sea-Doo Switch on the Saint Johns River. But they found it to be “kinda perfect” as the pontoon power craft suited both exploring the river surrounds and having fun pulling a tube.
After boarding the craft they were initially unsure of the Switch’s stability and handling, but once under power the confidence inspiring machine put them at ease, and felt more safe and secure than a powerboat. Hitting waves was less stressful and the ride was smoother.
The review showcases the versatility and practicality of the Switch, which when compared to virtually any other watercraft has an incredible amount of space for the compact size of the deck.
Multiple configurations of the deck were a big hit with the Taylor family, the kids loved moving the seats around and quickly came to the conclusion that the lounge spot was the most popular of all. The moveable cooler and the neatly stowed ladder were seen as very functional additions, as was the front opening gate – a feature not found on powerboats.
The simplicity of the Switch enabled the Taylor family to easily turn it into what they found was a great fishing boat, and it is sure to find favour with many an angler. More than anything, it is the ability of this innovative watercraft from Sea-Doo to do all of the above with minimum fuss and maximum fun that puts it in a class all of its own.
Watch the Taylor family adventure with the Sea-Doo Switch on the official Sea-Doo YouTube channel here:
2022 marks the return of the Sea-Doo Boat Shows! This is exciting for Sea-Doo. They will get to show off the all the all-new Fish Pro Trophy and the Fish Pro Scout, both can be customized your way. The new Switch, their first ever pontoon, will be on display. Check out the new BRP Go! app.
The app has an abundance of useful features and more to come. There will be a lot of new gear and accessories on display for you to peruse and ask questions about. Nine shows will happen over the course of a several months, including two in Canada. Five shows will feature corporate displays. Regional shows will be supported by local networks of Sea-Doo dealers.
The shows kick off in January with the Minneapolis Boat Show being the first in the series. The Houston Boat Sport and Travel Show and the New York Boat Show are next on the list and round out January. The Mid-Atlantic Boat Show, New England Boat Show, and the Miami International Boat Show blow up February! The Atlantic City Boat Show closes out the shows in March.
These events will give you the opportunity to compare models, talk to Sea-Doo specialists, and ask any questions you may have. The dealer product specialists can get you on the Sea-Doo that is right for you and help you out with new gear. If nothing else, it will be great to attend the boat shows in person and get up close and personal with the new Sea-Doo products. Go to a show and get a taste of Sea-Doo Life!
They meet on the water at a lake in Wisconsin. Zigler’s ski is outfitted with a few performance parts. It has a RIVA Free Flow Exhaust, Billet RCJS tri-scoop, Rick Roy Handle Pole, and over the pivot steering. He has the steering maxed out and short and tight, making it very responsive.
Sean’s ski is a 2021 Yamaha Super Jet with the RIVA Stage 1 Tune and a reflashed ECU. It has the cold air intake, RIVA Power Filter Kit, Free Flow Exhaust Tube, Solas 1217 Impeller, Kommander Scoop Grate, and the VK Composites Ride Plate.
The basis for this comparison is RIVA’s claim that the Stage 1 Tune gives a 5mph gain over the stock ski. RIVA has shown GPS readings of 63mph during some of their speed tests. During Zigler and Sean’s runs, the best that Sean’s SuperJet reached was a solid 58.9. and Ziglar’s SuperJet reached 54.9.
There were a few contributing factors for Sean’s ski not reaching the 5mph gain. First, the fact that his ski was nose heavy due the ride plate installed. It caused the ski to ride slower. Another factor was that the wind picked up and created some chop on the water when Sean made his run. Check out the clip for all the details.
It is informative and Zigler does well to explain the process and offers to answer any questions and to help you out.
Sea-Doo has come out with their 2021 top 5 list for Christmas gifts. Check it out. The Sea-Doo Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board takes the number one spot this year. The versatile board is 11’6” long and easy to stow when it’s not inflated. The kit includes the board, paddle, wheeled backpack, fins, leash, repair kit, and a hand pump. This is an ideal gift for the waterman or watergirl on your list. It has everything for them to get started with a new hobby.
Second on the list are the XPS cleaning products for the practical gift giver. Sea-Doo offers a full line of products to protect and clean your jet ski. They have hull cleaner, waxes, vinyl protectant, aluminum cleaner, glass cleaner, and waterproofing spray for canvas and fabrics. Grab several of these products to make a nice basket or to stuff a stocking.
The third item on the list is the LinQ Retractable Ski Pylon. The ski pylon is compatible with a lot of the newer Sea-Doo models and is a great add-on for anyone who likes to skurf, wakeboard, or water ski. Grab this for the person who wants to spice up their days on the water with some tow sports.
A good looking Neoprene Riding Jacket comes in fourth on the Sea-Doo Christmas list. This hooded 2 mm jacket looks sharp in grey with orange accents and it fits over your PFD. It will be perfect for cold days on the water for the winter rider.
The Airflow PFD is fifth on the list. The Airflow PFDs are Coast Guard Approved in the USA and Canada. They are made of PVC-free GAIA biofoam, which is 100% eco-friendly. The jackets are lightweight and dry quickly. The Airflow’s come in Men’s and Women’s sizes in several different prints and colorways.
We hope we have helped you out with some ideas for your last-minute Christmas shopping! You can check out all these items on the Sea-Doo website. Merry Christmas!
JP Racing started off as a small custom shop located in Fort Myers, Florida, has been building high-performance watercraft for years, specializing in Sea-Doo watercraft. After building quite the name among performance enthusiasts, JP Racing is now starting to offer their own brand of performance parts.
One of the newer add-ons is the JP Racing Air Intake ($225 USD). Designed to fit your supercharged Sea-Doo and Yamaha SVHO and SHO watercraft, this air intake allows higher air flow rates compared to the restrictive OEM air intake system. This part will add acceleration to your watercraft and will not break the bank.
Now available online at Broward Motorsports Racing for purchase, the JP Air Intake comes with a marine designed filter that is washable and reusable, and a 3-inch direct to 4-inch mounting coupler so that no matter what watercraft you have you will enjoy an easy, no hassle installation. Also the most important thing of all it adds awesome supercharger noises!
Cycle Springs Powersports is looking for hard-working and motivated people to become part of the family. They have full time lot and driver positions available. You must be over 18-years-old with a clean driving record and valid driver’s license. Cycle Springs expects you to look professional and to keep a neat and organized work area. These openings require the ability to stand on your feet for long periods and you must be able to withstand working in all types of weather. Your health needs to be on point, and you must pass a drug test.
Cycle Springs Powersports is a fast-paced environment, and you will be expected to keep up and stay on top of your responsibilities. Some responsibilities include, washing and detailing vehicles for the sales and service departments. Buyers and current customers expect their vehicles to be clean and shiny when they come to pick them up. You will be expected to help on the sales floor if needed, and saying, “That’s not my job” is unacceptable. Cycle Springs also wants someone who with the ability to follow direction and maintain safety standards.
The crew at Cycle Springs does it all, and that is what they are looking for in an applicant. You must be a team player to keep the place running at its current award-winning level. Customer service is of utmost importance and the people who work at Cycle Springs take pride in providing the best service. If you think you can meet these expectations, head over to the Cycle Springs Website, and fill out an application and hit submit. Benefits and other perks will be discussed during the interview. Good luck with getting on with team!
The good people over at Unlimited PWC keep making extremely cool and awesome parts for the Kawasaki JetSkis with a particular concentration on the 300/310 Ultra line. Their newest offering is a billet cruise control switch case ($120 USD) designed to relocate the cruise control button when replacing the throttle lever.
Available in four colors to allow color coordination between the throttle lever and hull, or whatever color combination you so desire. Unlimited PWC offers a large selection of billet machine parts for Kawasaki JetSkis. Whether you are the racer looking for the absolute best and most durable parts in order to help improve your racing craft, or if you are the guy who is only a rec rider but loves having the best and coolest looking parts on the water, Unlimited PWC is for you.
The Maverick GT Jet RIB and Energy Platform Electric Jet Ski is a silent multi-functional monster. It was designed by Nico Sell who is a serial tech entrepreneur. She is also into tow-in surfing, so it was only natural for she and her team to build a PWC that could be used for towing into big wave spots like Mavericks. They wanted it to be stylish as well for use as a tender for yachts, so they created it in such a way that it would fit into its matching RIB hull.
The two-seat Maverick is powered by a 100-kWh battery with a 350-horsepower electric engine. The machine can reach top speeds over 70mph and has a range of 50-100 miles. The Maverick has a carbon fiber body and was designed with a deeper-V than the average ski, giving it an edge in huge waves like Jaws, which is notorious for eating jet skis. The RIB section will come in a bare-bones tow version for hauling surfers and a party version that seats 8. A fishing version is also in the works.
The Maverick battery system is designed to work on land as well. It can be used to power your home during a power outage. The Maverick will premier Friday during Miami’s Art Basel at the Arsenale. It has a list price of $150,000 for the PWC and if you want the whole package, be prepared to drop $500,000. No, we’re not joking.
Slippery has added to their product line and added two new offerings for riding footwear. The Liquid Race Boot has always been a fantastic product from Slippery. As time has gone on they have made many improvements to the boot to make it the best riding boot overall for racing and just about anything else you can think of doing on the water. For an in-depth review Slippery’s Liquid Race Boot check out this link.
Now along with offering their time and rider tested Liquid Race Boot they are offering their Amp Boot and Amp Shoe. The lightweight and durable boots and shoes keep your feet warm and protected from the elements while still offering great support while riding. The Amp Shoe and Boot are essentially a thick neoprene sock with a textured sole, sporting either an ankle cut or a crew cut.
Obviously, these do not offer the same support as a Liquid Race Boot but for someone who enjoys recreational riding and or riding in the colder months like some of us are crazy enough to do. These will provide the warmth and protection without having to wear a full-on racing boot. This is the middle ground we have been wanting from Slippery; something in between barefoot and racing boots. To check out all footwear offerings and for sizing information slipperywetsuits.com
In determining what qualifies as a possible candidate to win The Watercraft Journal’sWatercraft of The Year award, each model must be weighed against a specific and immutable scale of excellence. This process must proceed without imposing any personal bias. Rather, the ranking of each of the finalists must be shown as being unilaterally balanced.
In doing so year-after-year, The Watercraft Journal has earned the respect from its millions of readers and viewers, as well as that from the Original Equipment (OE) manufacturers – even when they might disagree with the resulting outcome. The scale from which we judge from is called the IDEA score, an acronym standing for Innovation, Design, Execution and Affect.
In layman’s terms, we acknowledge a personal watercraft’s achievements in innovation; overall design aesthetic; the final execution of the production vehicle; and finally, the model’s lasting affect on the marketplace and/or industry. Each of the categories are capable of earning a maximum of 10 points each, totaling a combined 40 possible points.
We were particularly cognizant of the many factors that played a role in this year’s finalists. The earliest (and frankly, strongest) candidate quickly dropped out contention as production units were plagued with quality control (QC) problems. These machines suffered from cracking paint; thin or flimsy glove box latches that regularly snapped; and worse yet, outdated or incorrect parts.
Despite being widely hailed as a performance juggernaut, the failings listed above denied the vehicle entry into the final three. To that point, it bears noting just how close these three watercraft came within of earning the highest award. In specific segments, each of the PWC listed below excelled in one category or the other, effectively making each a top leader in their own right.
Lastly and most importantly, no entries were eligible that The Watercraft Journal’s staff didn’t personally review. If we couldn’t get to ride it ourselves, we didn’t feel right judging it. That means that all contenders were pulled from the near two-dozen personal watercraft that have been individually reviewed over the 2021 model year.
2021 Watercraft of The Year 2nd Runner-Up: 2021 Sea-Doo Fish Pro 170 Innovation: 8; Design: 8; Execution: 8; Affect: 10; Total: 34 points
From its inception, the Sea-Doo Fish Pro was simply a good idea. Adding to that the degree of detail which Sea-Doo has poured into making the Fish Pro a true “fully equipped” rig demonstrates the brand’s dedication to PWC fishing. All that being said, many wouldn’t see the differences between the 2021 and its original 2019 introductory model (apart from color). For us, the subtle changes made for 2021 are sufficient evidence to prove that Sea-Doo is intently listening to its customers – far more than you might think.
The 2021 Sea-Doo Fish Pro 170 is a masterclass in satisfying a niche market. [Don’t get us started on the 2022 Fish Pro lineup. You can expect to see at least one Fish Pro here next year. –Ed.] It’s no secret that the ultra-stable, deep-welled ST3 hull-and-deck platform was honed with the Fish Pro in mind; the Fish Pro’s extended rear platform adding an extra 11.5-inches of deck length and a second set of LinQ attachments open up the Sea-Doo tremendously. Angled footwells, a flat bench seat and easy-to-reach center storage all add to the package.
Equipped with standard features like an adjustable Trolling Mode; a Garmin Echomap plus 62cv Fish Finder (with a 6-inch screen and in-hull transducer, offering multi-function navigation, charting and fish-finding system); and a 13.5 gallon cooler featuring a cutting/work surface and a series of configurable slots for rod holders, as well as a tackle storage pocket. While this all sounds indistinguishable from from prior models, 2021 “plussed” the Fish Pro with added rod holders, new angled trolling placements upfront within reach of the driver, and a new LinQ cup holder.
A secondary 5.3-gallon tier atop the Fish Pro cooler separating your bait from your drinks and lunch was a welcome addition. Lastly, and easily the most impactful to the industry as a whole, were the additions of two major innovations: IDF and Sea-Doo’s optional 7.8-Inch Panoramic Bluetooth Color Display. The latter replaced the LCD dashboard with a split screen data center linking one’s smartphone to the dashboard (via Sea-Doo’s new app), presenting live weather updates, GPS tracking, and vehicle vitals in full color, high resolution glory.
Sea-Doo’s IDF (Intelligent Debris Free System) was the brand’s most groundbreaking and problematic addition to 2021. Providing a series of short bursts of reverse thrust, the IDF system intended to push intake grate-clogging grass and debris out with a simple depression of the IDF button. For most, IDF worked fine, and thankfully, BRP engineers diagnosed cause of the few failures and updated the hardware by late June. BRP is so confident with IDF today, that all Switch pontoon boats come standard with the technology.
Priced at $15,599.99 MSRP, the 2021 Sea-Doo Fish Pro 170 broke ground as far as standardized and optional technology, but pressed deeper into a growing portion of the personal watercraft industry that has left consumers asking competing manufacturers for their answer to Sea-Doo’s machine. The updates, upgrades and innovations poured into this sophomore watercraft testify to Sea-Doo’s dedication to this segment of the market and the enthusiasts who are taking this sport further than ever before.
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2021 Watercraft of The Year 1st Runner-Up: 2021 Yamaha SuperJet Innovation: 10; Design: 8; Execution: 9; Affect: 8; Total: 35 points
The 2021 Yamaha SuperJet could easily be ranked as the single-most anticipated entry from Yamaha since the first SuperJet in 1990. As continued pressure from environmentalists and local governments spelled doom for the venerable 2-stroke, standup enthusiasts clamored for a suitable 4-stroke successor. Despite continual rumor and chatter within the industry (primarily from The Watercraft Journal), Yamaha wouldn’t rush the project.
By the time of its arrival, Yamaha’s rival had quite a bit of aftermarket support behind it. Would this SuperJet be a worthy competitor many racers and performance enthusiasts wondered? “That’s not really who we’re going for with this,” former Yamaha Project Development Manager and multi-time IJSBA World Champion Scott Watkins shared back in late 2020. “We designed [the 2021 SuperJet] with the first-time rider in mind. We want to welcome in a whole new generation of standup riders.”
To Watkins’ point, the 2021 SuperJet is pointedly not a direct competitor to the existing 4-stroke standups available today. It’s 375-pound dry weight makes the SuperJet 142-pounds lighter than the other guy’s ski. Equally, its total length of 6-feet, 9-inches makes the SuperJet 8.8-inches shorter too. Powered by Yamaha’s featherweight 1,049cc 3-cylinder TR-1 4-stroke, a lightened flywheel/coupler, and redesigned exhaust manifold and muffler, the 102-horsepower triple delivers plenty of grunt to pop any rider out of the water.
Light, nimble and with plenty of ponies on tap, the 2021 SuperJet can trip the lights at 52mph, maybe a little quicker if its 5-gallon fuel cell is nearly drained and with a lighter rider. Yet, the new SuperJet is all about welcoming new riders and its L-Mode is easily its shining feature in this regard. Bumping the Stop button digitally de-tunes the TR-1 to 85-percent of its power output, making for a smoother acceleration curve and reduced top end, ideal for newbies (and untalented hacks like this author).
It’s sealed 3-piece hood serves as the engine’s air box, ensuring zero water ingestion even when submerged. The twin-strut handlepole is very reminiscent of aftermarket poles and offers 3-levels of adjustment (as do the steering assembly). Quibbles with the tray are minor: no padding above the gunwales makes deep water reboarding a slippery, often painful chore; and the center hand grip in the tray is too shallow to be serviceable. The tray itself is graciously wide enough for those with big feet too.
Although appearing noticeably spartan, the stark white SuperJet is a blank canvas for the racer or more decoratively-minded among you. [As we joked that the 2020 FX SVHO was “Darth Vader” we’ve come to call the SuperJet a “Stormtrooper”. –Ed.] Priced at an astounding $9,499 MSRP, there’s little wonder every single 2021 Yamaha SuperJet sold out in the United States, resulting in long delays for delivery. We hope to see a new crop of standup riders rise from this and give Yamaha all the credit for pushing for it.
2021 Watercraft of The Year: 2021 Sea-Doo RXP-X 300 Innovation: 9; Design: 10; Execution: 9; Affect: 8; Total: 36 points
Admittedly, we’re having more fun with the 2021 Sea-Doo RXP-X 300 than we ever expected to be – and for all of the wrong reasons. For 2021, Sea-Doo chose to improve upon the existing T3-based RXP-X platform rather than discard it completely. The result was the T3R, which made a purported 30 changes to the running surface, particularly surrounding the pump intake and the now infamous “shark gills” running along its midships.
These tweaks increased hookup and eased the otherwise aggressive nature of the deep-bowed musclecraft, allowing it to swoop into wider arcs without the snappiness from before (respectively). And when trimmed up, the RXP-X glides surprisingly true through 1-to-2 foot wind-blown chop. Of course, on the buoy course (where it was originally aimed for), the RXP-X is surprisingly deft when wrangled properly. The unspoken chop, drop and roll into the throttle pattern delivers spine-breaking g-forces in the corner every time.
Leaning all the way into this characteristic, Sea-Doo daringly presented the 2021 RXP-X 300 as a one seater. The Ergolock-R high-backed, adjustable seat firmly plants the pilot forward over the X-series handlebars and deep into the resculped knee coves. Re-angled foot wedges allow for a second point of leverage for your knees as well. Gone are the “palm wedge” hand grips, replaced by sportier moto-style grips. Oh yeah, and Sea-Doo also managed to shave off 67-pounds from the previous generation too (780lbs. vs. 847lbs.).
While we mourn the loss of the adjustable X-steering, an optional telescoping neck is available for a premium ($184.99). Gone too are the adjustable X-sponsons, now sharing the less-than-desirable one-piece blades found on the RXT-X 300. Yet, Sea-Doo snuck in one last surprise, a true polished stainless 3-blade impeller. It is effectively, the most race-ready 4-stroke we’ve seen from Sea-Doo since the 2008 RXP-X 255. And humorously enough, we’ve been using it for long distance cruising…
Once we added the optional rear passenger seat ($419.99), we filled the RXP-X’s 40.6-gallons of storage space (split up between a 37.8-gallon front bin and a sizeable 2.5-gallon glove box), and hit the water with the kids. (In case you were wondering, the RXP-X boasts more cargo room than a RXT-X and GTX Limited. It also shares the same 18.5-gallon fuel cell and 300-horsepower ACE 1630 engine, too.) Add to that the available BRP Premium Sound System and its standard LinQ attachment system, it’s almost begging to be used this way.
Admittedly, the 2021 RXP-X 300 came in with a steep asking price of $15,799 MSRP (and that’s without the speakers and premium Midnight Purple paint), particularly when considering the extra bucks for a passenger seat and adjustable steering neck when compared to its closest competitor. All that being said, the 2021 Sea-Doo RXP-X 300 has surprised and impressed us at every angle. No longer the stripped down, bare-bones hot rod of its youth, the RXP-X has matured into European luxury supercar. And with that, wholly deserves the 2021 Watercraft of The Year Award.
