Not all personal watercraft are equipped equally, and many a runabout have been sold without the convenience of a folding, spring-loaded swim step. Many people think they don’t they necessarily need a folding swimstep until the time comes to try to reboard their PWC from deep water. Suddenly that swimstep looks a lot more attractive, doesn’t it? Thankfully, installing one is typically a very easy addition as most machines are pre-drilled for one from the factory, and now, finding the right one to fit your ski is just as easy thanks to Watercraft Superstore!
Aqua Performance, manufacturers of self-retracting, spring-loaded boarding steps and boat ladders are now available through the PWC industry’s largest parts and accessories provider, Watercraft Superstore. Aqua Performance’s patented self-retracting boarding ladders are designed to retract up automatically. And all of their boarding steps are uniquely designed to meet the application criteria of your specific watercraft. And when they don’t have it, Aqua Performance’s engineers can design a ladder that will meet that application.
Best of all, now that Aqua Performance’s swimsteps are sold through Watercraft Superstore, you have their promise: “We take pride in assuring that our customers are satisfied. If the product proves defective due to material or workmanship, we will repair or replace it. We will warrant this at any time within 12 months from the date it is purchased by a retail customer. This warranty does not cover rubber or plastic parts, all of which wear and call for replacement under normal use.” (This warranty also does not cover repair or replacement required do to accidental damage, misuse, abuse or alteration of the product.)
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a V8-powered personal watercraft, and it certainly won’t be the last, but dang! This has got to be the most unique one we’ve ever seen. Matt Markstaller emailed The Watercraft Journal today, saying, “I thought you and your readers might be interested in my hot rod Wave Venture project. I am an engineer and have built many boats, hot rods, race cars and motorcycles over the years. I’ve ridden PWCs since I was a kid when my dad bought a JS440 in about 1977.”
Mark continues, “I currently commute to work on a Spark. I recently combined two of my interests and built this. I’ve always had an appreciation for engines and they are prominently featured in most of my projects. This is a Venture hull that I modified and installed a Ford DOHC Cobra motor.
“I built an overdrive gearbox to increase the output RPM and transfer power from the engine which necessarily has a higher crank centerline than the pump. I built the carbon fiber cowl, stainless headers, and everything else it took to make it work. It runs about 80 when I run out of RPM, but not power, so it has more potential (350 horsepower).”
Undoubtedly, this insane machine is a definite one-of-a-kind build, and want to thank Mark for letting us know about it. While it’s definitely a cool ski, we’d hate to burn our legs on the open headers.
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest names in jet ski racing must be “Jammin’ Jeff” Jacobs. The multi-time IJSBA World Champion heralded the height of performance PWC racing, and truly established a watermark that racers of all stripes would forever strain to reach. Jeff, keenly aware of the industry shift from 2-strokes to 4-strokes, wisely bowed out of the racing scene and has lived a somewhat quiet life outside of the limelight, appearing only to spectate at the annual World Finals.
Last night, Jacobs’ shared a YouTube clip to his Facebook page of Jacobs piloting his famous PJS (Performance Jet Ski) Kawasaki JS550 around the infamous Body Beach buoy course. The torquey 2-stroke rapped loudly as Jacobs idled out before vising the throttle and letting the ski rip. Within minutes, Jacobs is passing (and lapping) other skis on the course, all the while hooting and whooping as he lays the Kawasaki flat on its rail while snapping a hairpin.
So here we have a special project, another one of Jeff Jacobs World Champion Jetskis – this one was his 1989 Open Mod, It did a whopping 55mph (how things have come on heh), just done a compression test – 240psi – that’s pretty high even for one of Jeff’s boats. We’ve worked out how Jeff kept the boat hooked up so well, probably 2llb of resin poured into the front nose section of the ski – very clever. So as Nick starts to strip and rebuild the engine the hull, hood & pole goes off to the sprayers to have the mother of all makeovers.
The results are still pouring in from this past week’s 37th annual IJSBA World Finals, but there’s a whole lot to celebrate if you’re a fan of Sea-Doo. The industry leader took home a staggering 11 IJSBA world championships, most notably in the 1100 Stock, Limited and Super Stock categories, making these classes (ideal for the Sea-Doo Spark) one of the fastest growing racing categories. Add to that the 8th consecutive win for the RXP-X in the Pro GP class, and Mohammed Burbayea’s second consecutive Pro World Championship on the RXP-X, and Sea-Doo has much to celebrate.
Here’s the original press release: Lake Havasu City, Arizona, USA – The Sea-Doo RXP-X continues to make history with Kuwait’s Mohammed Burbayea claiming the 2018 Pro GP IJSBA world championship. Burbayea showed incredible closed course prowess riding the Sea-Doo RXP-X to the model’s eighth consecutive IJSBA Pro GP championship. Sea-Doo RXP-X riders also collected championships in Pro Superstock and Pro Limited. Waleed Alsharshani of Qatar claimed his first Pro Superstock win joining Denmark’s Marcus Jorgensen who won Pro Limited and Pro Slalom as X-TEAM world champions.
The Sea-Doo X-TEAM contingent from Thailand led the way in the fast growing Sea-Doo SPARK classes at the 37th IJSBA World Finals. Supak Settura earned the Pro/Am 1100 Open world title as teammate Permpon Teerapatpanich claimed the Pro/Am 1100 Stock world championship. Thai riders also included Teerapat Meechai collecting two world championships, in amateur stock and super stock, with Tossawanon Phuearphong joining him with a win in 1100 Limited. Yuki Francois claimed her first championship leading the hotly contested Pro Women’s 1100 class aboard her Sea-Doo SPARK.
The Sea-Doo X-TEAM world championship legacy continues to grow with Sea-Doo leading all manufacturers with 11 World Titles and 47 podium finishes*. The Sea-Doo RXP-X racers added more world championships to the trophy case and the Sea-Doo SPARK is bringing the next generation of watercraft racers to the sport. BRP congratulates the X-TEAM riders from around the world on their championship winning success and says, ‘thank you’ to all of those behind the racers including family, team members, and sponsors. Winning is at the core of the performance Sea-Doo Life.
Pro Runabout GP – Mohammed Burbayea, Kuwait
Pro Runabout Super Stock – Waleed Alsharshani, Qatar
Pro Runabout Limited – Marcus Jorgensen, Denmark
Pro Runabout Slalom – Marcus Jorgensen, Denmark
Pro/Am Runabout 1100 Stock – Permpon Teerapatpanich, Thailand
Pro/Am Runabout 1100 Open – Supak Settura, Thailand
Women’s Runabout 1100 Stock – Yuki Francois, Brussels
Amateur Runabout 1100 Super Stock – Teerapat Meechai, Thailand
Amateur Runabout 1100 Limited – Tossawanon Phuearphong, Thailand
Amateur Runabout 1100 Stock – Teerapat Meechai, Thailand
Novice Runabout Naturally Aspirated Stock – Eduardo Lopez, Paraguay
“This has got to be the first time I’ve seen you riding without a camera in your hand,” joked Tyler Hunt, a Parts Specialist at America’s Motor Sports. A bespectacled, bearded bear of a man, Tyler spearheaded much of America’s Motor Sports’ effort to host a Sea-Doo Day on Old Hickory Lake, TN. Working through the dealers social media channels and of course, in partnership with The Watercraft Journal, the event culled nearly 20 riders for the afternoon ride last Saturday, October 6th.
Typically, I try to steer clear of riding anywhere on the weekends (primarily due to traffic and the general proclivity of boaters to drink while on the water), and Old Hickory Lake has a bad tendency of churning into a broiling whitewash of chop anytime after lunch. Nevertheless, I, joined with my two oldest daughters, boarded our 2018 Sea-Doo RXT-X 300 equipped with a Linq-mounted cooler stocked with water, sports drinks and a few candy bars, and joined the throng.
Departing Sander’s Ferry Park is a breeze. The ramp can easily accommodate six trucks simultaneously, and while the piers might need a good pressure washing (we have a lot of geese), they’re in good shape and the cleats, pylons and other hardware are well maintained. Most gathered around swapping stories, comparing their models one with another, and pawing over the only current ST3-based model present, ours. While we distributed free WCJ decals to the crowd, a handful looked over the machine, it’s BRP Premium Sound System, central storage compartment and rear-mounted cooler.
Although coined as a “Sea-Doo Day,” America’s Motor Sports’ team made a strong effort to make sure everybody (even those aboard Yamahas and other machines) felt included. Today wasn’t about exclusion. All were welcome. The route was simple; a eastward route up the serpentining river from Hendersonville to Awedaddy’s Bar & Grille in Gallatin, Tennessee. Driving out into the channel, the conditions were already less than ideal, but trimming the big RXT-X’s nose skyward softened the rolling chop’s hammering against the ST3 hull. The added weight of two passengers, a packed cooler and full 15.8-gallons of fuel, helped soak up a bit of the chatter as well.
As the surface smoothed, I trimmed the bow back down to neutral, letting the nose bite a tad. This gave us a chance to veer from the caravan and swerve between the many islands dotting the lake’s northern shore stretched with farmland and undisturbed riverfront. The knife-edged RIVA Racing Pro-Series Sponsons slipped silently keeping the 300-horsepower Sea-Doo’s tail firmly planted as I pushed the ski hard into corners enjoying the gleeful screams and cheers from my passengers clinging to my Slippery life vest. This, I mused, is what it’s all about.
Heading the procession was Middle Tennessee PWC Club’s vice-president Odie Teague. Despite piloting a bright green Yamaha FX Cruiser HO, Tyler had designated him the leader for us to follow. Passing the inlet towards Boxwell Reservation, we veered north towards Lock 4 Park and above. Awedaddy’s is perched on the side of hill, a restaurant broken into multiple levels of patios and indoor dining. We sat outside in the shade of the bar’s pavilion with large shop fans blowing a welcomed breeze. There, Tyler and Candace Isom distributed raffle tickets and read off the numbers, dolling out prizes to the winners.
The wind rustling the early-October leaves only spelled for more wind-blown conditions out on the water, so we and a small group of Yamaha riders lead by local Kerry Hibdon finished lunch, paid the tab and loaded up for the ride back. Urged by Kerry to show them “the fun way” back, we sped through coves, around tree-topped islands and alongside cliff faces only stopping twice to regroup and tear off again. While Kerry and crew needed to head back as soon as possible, we still had some extra fuel left in the tank so we broke away to enjoy some unbroken glass up Drake’s Creek.
The detour didn’t last long as when we returned to Sander’s Ferry, the whole gathering were busily loading up and cleaning their skis. It was late-afternoon by the time we had the Sea-Doo RXT-X 300 loaded on the trailer, and many were either ready to head home to put their feet up, or grab dinner, so the group dispersed quickly. Before leaving himself, Tyler told me, “Thank you to everyone who came out to our first ride. It was a blast I hope everyone had just as much fun as we did. Thank you again. We here at America’s Motor Sports look forward to seeing everyone at our spring ride.”
Additionally photography provided by America’s Motor Sports
The single biggest piece of “no duh” news coming from this weekend’s 37th annual IJSBA World Finals – maybe besides Lee Stone flooring the crowd with the world’s first double barrel roll achieved on flat water – was 43-year-old Chris MacClugage dominating the Pro Stock Runabout class, earning him his 24th IJSBA World Championship. Other major wins for Yamaha include Sophie Francis taking the championship in Pro Women’s Runabout, Troy Snyder grabbing the Veteran’s Runabout Limited title, as well as five other top wins for the event.
To celebrate the heroic week, Yamaha issued a announcement; here’s the complete press release: Lake Havasu City, AZ – The top personal watercraft racers in the world went toe-to-toe in Lake Havasu City, AZ this weekend for the 37th running of the IJSBA World Finals, and Yamaha WaveRunner racers dominated the championships winning eight world titles including the coveted Pro Runabout Stock title.
Leading the Yamaha contingent was 24-time World Champion Chris MacClugage who finished third in Moto 1 and first in Moto 2 to win the Pro Runabout Stock world championship aboard a Broward Motorsports Monster Energy Dean’s Team Yamaha GP1800R. Yamaha swept the podium with fellow GP1800R riders Eric Francis finishing second, Aero Aswar finishing third.
“We had a slow start, but in the end the surf came up and I was able to live up to my reputation. When I go to the line and conditions are rough, people expect me to do what I did,” said MacClugage, who has now won the class three years in a row.
Also called the Manufacturers’ Class, these watercraft are very close to the PWC that high-performance enthusiasts can buy from their local watercraft dealer, which proves the GP1800R is the best performance watercraft on the market today.
In Pro Runabout Women’s action, Broward Motorsports Dean’s Team Yamaha GP1800R rider Sophie Francis wins her first professional title.
In Pro Runabout 1100 Superstock racing, Yamaha racer Eric Lagopoulos sank an armada of modified Sea-Doo Sparks to win the championship on a Riva Racing VX WaveRunner.
“The GP1800R remains the boat of choice for professional racers who once again demonstrated its capability on the closed course at this year’s World Finals,” said Bryce Parker, Yamaha Factory Race Manager. “It’s also great to see other models take World Titles including the VX in the 1100 Superstock and the EX made an appearance on the course this year. We are setting the stage for the new FX model to make its debut next year. While most manufacturers hope for one run away race model, we are fortunate to have an entire line represented, paying homage to Yamaha’s legendary race history.”
Congratulations to all the Yamaha WaveRunner racers who competed at the IJSBA World Finals this year, and special thanks to Broward Motorsports, Riva Racing, Dean’s Team, Kommander Industries, and to the families and friends who support personal watercraft racing.
Sea-Doo went all out with its 2019 Search and Rescue units (SAR). According to Sea-Doo, the SAR watercraft includes the specific features you need in order to respond to life threatening situations. The machines are ideal for rescue situations involving surf, whitewater rafting, floods, or use along rocky coasts. They are equipped with Sea-Doo’s Off-Throttle Assisted Steering to give the operator more maneuverability when laying off the throttle. This helps in aiding people in distress and will also assist in maneuverability in out of tight spaces. It also adds an additional steering effect to the steering mechanism.
Sea-Doo designers also had the forethought to set Sport mode as the default setting on the Search and Rescue model because it provides the necessary acceleration in emergency situations. Another great feature is a shallow water kit which is made up of an anti-debris water intake grate, stainless steel wear ring, internal heat exchanger, and shock protected cooling system. The kit drastically improves maneuvering the PWC through shallow waters.
The Sea-Doo SAR are equipped with dual professional grade Hypalon sponsons for increased stability and buoyancy. Running boards ensure safe footing when reboarding on the sponsons. It also an easily deployable reboarding step located at the stern. The step flips up so it’s out of the way when not in use. When required, just flip it down.The hulls are coated with a 2.8 MM Elastomer, which helps minimize shock and abrasion.
The hulls on the SAR machine are 38-percent larger than Sea-Doos’ other watercraft. The larger size adds increased stability. The PWC also includes a heavy duty front bumper The Sea-Doo SAR has room for three on its touring seat and is equipped with attachments behind the seat for an optional rescue sled. Red and green navigation lights come standard with this ride. Lights are located on the front and the rear of the PWC. The rear navigation light is mounted on a carbon fiber pole so it can easily be seen by other vessels during night operations.
The watercraft is outfitted with Sea-Doo’s Rotax 1503 naturally aspirated 4-TEC engine, which has an internal heat exchanger with shock-protected closed-loop cooling system. It also comes with electronic IBR. A Universal Key makes for an unlocked system for quick deployment by any rescue team member. The fuel filter is elevated for easy access and prevents water from entering the gas tank during refuels.
The Interactive Multi-function Digital Information Center is top notch. It reports over 20 important operating functions such as fuel level, which also provides the time and distance until a refuel is necessary. The watercraft is equipped with a plethora of extras to keep you and your passengers safe like an emergency floating lanyard, safety kit, and many more safety features. The Sea-Doo SAR is only available to institutional customers, such as commercial clients, government agencies, and other specialized industries in the business of rescue.
Sea-Doo’s 2015 Search and Rescue model won the Red Dot Award. It is the prize for excellent design quality and it is only awarded to companies that clearly stand out above the rest. The 2019 SAR model may be another contender. It’s a bad ass looking machine and appears to perform as well as it looks.
While we only touched on some of the many unique Search and Rescue features, dig into the Sea-Doo website for more information and some well put together videos featuring the SAR and rescuers in action. The designers of this watercraft really put some time and thought into building it and we’re amped!
In need of an intercooler upgrade for your Yamaha SHO or SVHO ski? How about a nice performance HKS blow off valve to go with it?!
Well you’re in luck because now for a limited time, you can get a free BOV with the purchase of a RIVA Racing Power Cooler when you buy it from GreenHulk.net.
For the SHO platform, this Gen-2 power cooler kit features a new high capacity cooler element that is rated for up to 500 HP with increased heat soak resistance. The HKS blow off valve included for free vents supercharger boost at closed throttle improving the reliability of your supercharger unit.
The SVHO power cooler kit delivers alone an 18 HP increase over the stock unit by delivering, cooler, more efficient air flow. This unit is also rated for up to 500 HP with free included HKS BOV.
All kits come with necessary hardware and detailed instructions for easy installation. Act now because supplies are limited.
You don’t want to miss this offer with up to 22 % off the original pricing. Also be sure to take an additional 10% off at checkout by using discount code “greenhulk”.
Below are links to our power coolers which just went down in price. Please let me know if there is anything else you need.
This isn’t the first time we’ve shared one of Dean Baynon’s videos, and we guarantee it won’t be the last. Dean is an avid jet ski fisherman out of Islamorada, Florida, and has heavily modified both his FX High Output Cruiser and VX Cruiser with some serious fishing and offshore boating equipment, turning his WaveRunners into a pair of small open ocean vessels. Complete with full instrumentation, angler towers, rod holders, a massive tank and a whole lot of stainless steel, his Yamahas are truly impressive.
In his latest video, Dean does a little free diving from his FX a few miles offshore to do a little lobster diving. Although conditions in the morning were a little dicey, according to Dean, the seas calmed and temperatures leveled, giving him a wonderful day out on the water and almost completely undisturbed by other boaters. The water is amazingly clear, the seafloor comes completely into view, and Dean is left to hunt out his meal with relative ease.
We did catch a tuft of seaweed jutting from his intake grate meaning Dean got a little close to shore at one point in the day’s journey, but later footage shows the obstruction to be cleared out (just a little observation). At the end of his free dive, Dean properly measures and releases those catches that don’t meet the proper size regulation, and takes home a total of four lobsters for a meal that night. Considering the cost of going out to eat, or even purchasing a live lobster at the grocery store, the price of fuel is a small exchange for the savings Dean made. It’s just cost effective!
After twenty years of continued Sea-Doo service, Sydney Sea-Doo has closed its doors. Longtime owner and IJSBA World Champion James Masterton recently made the announcement.
Masterton gave thanks to all of his customers, supporters, and employees for the longtime support while the performance-oriented dealership was in operation. Over the years, Masterton and the Sydney Sea-Doo team helped create some awesome Sea-Doo performance products.
Take for example the extensive range of carbon fiber goodies for the RXP-X platform or their recent roll out of billet valve covers and other top end accessories.
Due to so many unique offerings over the years, we are sure this announcement come with a shock to so many supporters and it could take some people a lot of time to absorb this new change. You might even find some evidence of this dismay here.
We are not yet sure if there will be some sort of handover or future offering of their aftermarket accessories division.
However in case you are looking for other accessories for your Sea-Doo, they have recently partnered with RIVA for some Spark performance upgrades so this could be a sign of further things to come as well.
Masteron wrote: Today marks the end of an era. At 5:30pm I will close the doors for the final time at Sydney Sea-Doo. For two decades I have lived and breathed Sea-Doo watercraft.
A profession once thought of as a far away pipe dream has gifted me a lifestyle I never thought possible.
The hours were long and stress levels intense but nothing could stop me as the dream was real. I poured my heart and soul into PWC racing, Sydney Sea-Doo and more importantly the Sea-Doo brand. As I look back at what I achieved I feel proud, Self-made, Self-paid… I entered on my own terms and now I leave on my own terms and I couldn’t feel more satisfied.
To my staff, Dean Jeffries and Kurt Eames your passion and dedication is mind-blowing, I couldn’t have done any of this without you, I will never forget your efforts as long as I live. These days, genuine people are rare and hard to find and you guys truly are ‘two-in-a-million’!
To my family and friends thank you for your loyalty and support. Professional racing and owning a dealership has proved quite the journey and during this time you stuck by me and hung on for the ride and together we kept the ball rolling.
To BRP/SEA-DOO Australia, your products have always been a step above the rest. Thank you for your support, patience and understanding during the best 20 years of my life, you truly are an innovative company atop of the PWC game. To Sam Heyes, David Heyes and David Fragapane, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You guys gave me a start as a 15-year old kid to be a World and National champion in a sport I love and these achievements and memories will last a lifetime.
Chris Withers Melbourne Seadoo and Vano Sydney Powersports words cannot explain how much you mean to me. I can phone you guys at any time, day or night and you answer my call… enough said!
Last but not least, a shout out to the many customers who have passed through the doors at Sydney Sea-Doo over the years, it has been my pleasure to serve you. Thank you for your business and entrusting me with your hard-earned money, rest assured you always had my best. I have met some wonderful people during this endeavour, many of us became really good friends, whilst others (only a small few) I felt like feeding your head up the pump tunnel and into the jet unit (engine running).
Wrapping up, I shall depart on this note, If social media has proved worthy of anything in our industry it’s two things… young bikini-clad models looking for ‘likes’ and to publicly express gratitude for the ones who have personally helped me. For those wishing to chat, my phone number will stay the same, the only difference is if you’re looking for me I will no longer be in the workshop slaving away until all hours of the night, I’ll be living part-two of life’s so-called dream. A sincere ‘thank you’ to you all, the past 20 years has been one hell of a ride, literally!
