Tools are tools, and tools never lose their value. The Watercraft Superstore (WCSS), the industry’s largest watercraft accessory, apparel and component retail store, just announced a smoking deal on possibly one of the most overlooked tools you should always carry in your runabout: a lightweight anchor. If you regularly ride or plan to ride anywhere where you plan to pull up to a shallow sandbar and relax, you’re going to need some way to hitch up your pony, unless you want to see your ski float away with the current.
Right now, WCSS is offering an 8-pound mushroom anchor along with 20-feet of nylon rope, a bright red high-visibility plastic float, and a stainless steel hook all for the paltry sum of $25.95. Whether you’re cruising with your local club, venturing out on your own, or just looking to pull up to some secluded spot and kick back, WCSS’ mushroom anchor is perfect for anchoring in shallow water. Don’t beach your ski or try to tie up to a sunken tree trunk (we’ve seen worse, folks). Do your PWC right and get yourself an anchor.
And if you’re going to do things right, make sure to pick up an anchor bag! WCSS has two choices of sizes that also come in a variety of colors to match your machine. Each bag has sewn-in handles for easy carrying and emptying. It’s just the type of thing you’ll need to keep your front bow storage clean and tidy.
It was September 19, 2006 when South Africans Adriaan Marais and Marinus du Plessis succeeded in completing the longest journey ever recorded on personal watercraft. They rode 10,729 miles in 95 days after leaving the west coast of Alaska and motoring south toward the Panama Canal and faced many hardships along the way. Guinness World Records confirmed the amazing feat on their website.
Marais and Plessis rode their skis ten hours a day averaging a speed of 40 mph. The two faced many challenges including rough seas, frigid waters, engine failures, and the awful feeling of dehydration. None of this stopped them because it was important to finish the task at hand.
A personal Facebook Page provided a fairly simple report of the successful world record achieved by South African’s Marais and Plessis. The two men arrived in Alaska to challenge the Australian world record for the furthest distance traveled on a jet-ski. Unlike the Australian’s, these two men had no support crew or knowledge of navigating the route from Anchorage to Panama. It’s amazing that they made it!
After installing fuel racks on their Yamaha FX Cruisers, they got underway and quickly realized how the Alaskan coast obtained its dangerous reputation. The men camped along the beaches at night where brown bears lurked and a sea lion startled them awake one evening. Another incident occurred when the guys ran aground and wrecked their skis. After repairing them with scrap metal and fiberglass, the anguish continued with the Coast Guard having to rescue them due to a damaged fuel pump that left them at the mercy of the sea.
Central America offered no joy either, except for the fact it would be less likely for them to become hypothermic in the area. The pirate activity, on the other hand, was gnarly! The guys covered distance more quickly with armed pirates chasing them!
Ultimately, Plessis and Marais met some awesome people at every destination and saw many whales, dolphins, and sharks. They were not only stoked about completing the longest ride on personal watercraft, they also enjoyed experiencing nature in this style.
There’s more to attending the annual IJSBA World Finals in Lake Havasu City, Arizona than merely racing (although that’s the major reason why to be there). It is, for all intents and purposes, the single-largest gathering of personal watercraft enthusiasts in the world, and brings out thousands of spectators and hundreds upon hundreds of racers to the Crazy Horse Resort on the shores of the most famous lake in PWC history.
To hammer down yet another reason to go, Sea-Doo is rolling out the red carpet in many more ways than just filling the field with top notch racers: in addition to competitors like Dustin Farthing, Erminio Iantosca, Gyorgy Kasza and Mohammed Burbayea tearing up the buoy course (as well as offering a very cool – and free – autograph signing session), Sea-Doo will also host its sixth annual Ultimate Owners Ride, as well as offer demo rides of the all-new Spark TRIXX, and cool Beach Party Zone for all to enjoy.
Here’s the original release: Valcourt, QC, CANADA– September 12, 2016 – BRP has plans for a full Sea-Doo Life immersion at this year’s IJSBA World Finals with the Sea-Doo Beach Party Zone, Ultimate Sea-Doo Owners Ride VI, and Sea-Doo X-TEAM championship pursuits. The Sea-Doo X-TEAM is looking continue building their performance legacy by adding to their five-year string of Pro Open and Pro GP World Championship titles. The X-TEAM is led by defending Pro World Champions Gyorgy Kasza and Mohammed Burbayea, and joined by 2016 Pro Watercross Tour Pro Open and Pro GP champion Dustin Farthing, all on Sea-Doo RXP-X models.
The IJSBA World Finals is taking place October 3-9, 2016 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona and is renown as the largest watercraft specific event in North America where the best racers from around the globe converge to compete for world racing championships. The event takes place at Crazy Horse Campgrounds and draws 15,000 spectators every year. BRP is the leading supporter of watercraft racing through the Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty racer contingency program and the Sea-Doo X-TEAM Promoter support program.
The Sea-Doo Beach Party Zone will include a showcase of select new 2017 Sea-Doo watercraft, SPARK TRIXX model test rides, X-TEAM autograph sessions, and Sea-Doo owners VIP viewing area. 2016 Sea-Doo World Finals efforts will include:
o #SEADOOLIFE Beach Party Zone – The Sea-Doo Life Beach Party Zone headlines the IJSBA World Finals’ Performance Alley with the new RXP-X 300, GTR-X 230, SPARK TRIXX, GTI SE models and more. Attendees will also have the opportunity to talk to product experts, take home Sea-Doo giveaways and become Instagram famous at the SPARK TRIXX photo booth.
o #SPARKSOMEFUN TRIXX-PERIENCE – The Sea-Doo Events Team will be offering test ride, freestyle session on the new SPARK TRIXX model for a limited time on Friday, October 7th and Saturday, October 8th on the west end of Performance Alley at the World Finals event site. Visit the #SEADOOLIFE Beach Party Zone on-site for information.
o SEA-DOO ULTIMATE OWNERS RIDE VI – The annual Sea-Doo Ultimate Owners Ride VI will join the world’s largest personal watercraft event on Friday, October 7th. Sea-Doo owners can enjoy an action filled Sea-Doo weekend by experiencing one of the most beautiful, one-day, leisure boating experiences in North America. The ride will depart from Site Six Launch ramp in Lake Havasu City at 8:30 AM and include a ride roughly 30-miles up the Colorado River to Pirate Cove Resort for a sponsored Sea-Doo lunch stop and exclusive VIP seating on pro finals day at the Sea-Doo Beach Party in performance alley. Open to Sea-Doo owners only*, participants will get a special owners ride event hat, wristband, meal, and be eligible for Sea-Doo giveaways. For more information visit HERE.
o SEA-DOO X-TEAM AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS – Sea-Doo Fans will have the opportunity to meet the best Sea-Doo watercraft racers in the world and take home a signed X-TEAM racer poster. Select racers will include; Dustin Farthing, James Bushell, Gyorgy Kasza, Mohammed Burbayea, Erminio Iantosca, wounded warrior veteran and paraplegic athlete, Anthony Radetic, and more. Autograph sessions will take place Saturday and Sunday midday at the #SEADOOLIFE Beach Party Zone and Kokomos nightspot during the Saturday night, “Under the Bridge” show.
It’s hard to deny that the 2016 Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300 is the culmination of a long fruition of 8 years of product development, technological achievement and marketplace-based refinement. So much of this machine exists because of other models before it that it’s nearly the successor to a near-decade’s long evolution of product. And while this might sound like we’re gushing, there are some very good reasons to heap some serious praise onto what is effectively the most luxurious performance Sea-Doo that the brand could muster.
In 2008, with the advent of the brand’s Intelligent Suspension (iS) innovation also came its S3 hull. The stepped design pulled from offshore “cigarette” race boats, incorporating three escalating tiers with an elongated V-hull (139.2-inches long). This was done to help break suction for better speed and turning. The deeper keel permits the GTX to glide through low to moderate chop with ease. This same hull graced both the performance 3-seater RXT and luxurious GTX models, be them with suspension or without, and proved itself a respectable contender in both offshore and rough water riding.
With the advent of the Spark and its ACE (Advanced Combustion Efficiency) engine design in 2013 gave way to the subsequent redesign of the 1503 4-Tec 3-cylinder last year, birthing the 2016 GTX Limited 300. Wielding the mightiest powerplant the watercraft maker has ever offered, the 1.6-liter four-stroke ACE 300, a heavily re-engineered version of the outgoing plant, the GTX’s the new 1630.5cc features the same 100mm bore of the 1503, but an increased 69.2mm stroke (over the previous 63.4mm), providing 9-percent more displacement, and subsequently, 15-percent more power.
Redesigned pistons are bigger but 20 grams lighter and feature longer, coated skirts, and ride atop lighter, shorter connecting rods. Key to the ACE redesign is the use of a coated cylinder wall, not a pressed-in steel sleeve. A new plasma coating (applied via a proprietary thermal spraying process) was exclusively developed by Rotax’s team in Gunskirchen, Austria, to replace the heavy steel sleeves, not only cutting engine weight, but improving surface durability and heat transference, all while minimizing friction.
The new ACE engine also touts a redesigned single-camshaft valvetrain configuration: The cylinder head has been redesigned with a new and more efficient combustion chamber quench, larger injectors, and direct-ignition high-intensity coils that produce double the ignition energy as before; providing a hotter, cleaner and more efficient burn. Combined with an additional cooling circuit, a hybrid dry sump oiling system, larger heat extractor, and a new, larger intercooler that is 2.2-times more efficient with over double the cooling capacity, totals up to 33-percent improved engine cooling.
But most dramatic was the complete redesign of the newly minted “maintenance-free” centrifugal supercharger. Producing an impressive 30-percent more boost (18psi) via a more efficient, compact wheel that spins 8-percent faster at 47,000rpm, the new wheel features double the blades of the outgoing design – increased from 16 to 32 – and features a revised drive shaft with 8 steel washers and two composite bearing packs at either end of a near inch-thick shaft.
The result of all of this is a dramatic increase in throttle response over the outgoing GTX Limited 260, providing the luxurious performer halting acceleration and an ever-escalating torque curve that peaks at a United States Coast Guard-mandated 68mph (we reached a best sustained speed – not peak – of 68.4mph at 7,700rpm). Remember, this is a big craft – when dry, the GTX Limited 300 tips the scales at 909-pounds – and with a full 15.9-gallon tank, pushes closer to 1,200-pounds when laden with a rider and a few pounds of cargo.
The GTX Limited is also the recipient of Sea-Doo’s class-leading ergonomics, specifically its Ergolock seat, first introduced to the public on the race-bred RXP-X in 2012. The Ergolock seating begins with a narrow saddle with lateral coves where the rider can grip with their knees, helping reduce fatigue in the hands, arms and shoulders particularly in turns and through chop. Although without the canted foot wedges found on the X-series performance craft, the Ergolock seat is greatly beneficial if only for the seat being pinched at the knees saving one from riding wide in the saddle.
The addition of the Ergolock seat also had another happy benefit: a surprisingly massive glove box. Add to that the GTX’s removable watertight storage bin, and the Limited increases its storage capacity over three times over the previous generation — 42.8 gallons in total. Second and third passengers are not without, as the single-piece seat is stepped in a stadium fashion, with each spot raised above the first. Yet, the push for ergonomic superiority doesn’t end there:
Across the board, all models receive Sea-Doo’s innovative palm rest hand grips. True to their name, a padded blade graces each grip, allowing the palm to rest, and taking tension from the wrist. And as first developed back in 2008, the tilt steering not only allows for four angles of adjustment, but incorporate the engine gauge cluster into the steering mechanism, bringing the dash up and down with the bars for maximum visibility.
Speaking of which, Sea-Doo’s Interactive Multifunction Digital Information Center — a three-gauge cluster — speedometer, a LCD customizable multifunction digital screen, and tachometer — not only communicates to the driver performance and engine conditions, but the GTX’s VTS preset, fuel level and rate of consumption (both immediate and average), hour meter, compass, clock, depth gauge, and F-N-R indicator. Moreover, it also displays the craft’s iTC setting (ie. touring mode, sport mode, ECO mode).
iTC, or Intelligent Throttle Control, provides the GTX Limited 300 with three engine curves (as well as Cruise Control). Beginning in its default Touring mode gives the GTX access to full throttle, but curbs the ACE 300’s potential for hard acceleration, which the Sport mode provides. Throttle response is radically improved and makes for a more thrilling ride, but again, isn’t ideal for two-up cruising. Eco mode reduces the GTX’s top speed and acceleration, minimizing boost and optimizing fuel consumption.
Another carryover from the Spark is the incorporation of the second generation of Sea-Doo’s iBR (Intelligent Brake & Reverse) system. The electronically activated braking and reversing system can help stop forward motion 160 feet sooner than a non-equipped machine, and does so moderately and without jolting the rider forward or over the handlebars. Not only that, but it also allows for slow controlled maneuverability in launching or docking, with the reverse bucket deployed in the neutral position when starting.
In addition to the GTX Limited’s exclusive Jet Black Metallic and Deep Pewter Satin coloring, the 300 comes equipped with a long list of features and accessories, including Sea-Doo’s hugely useful and innovated speed ties fixed to both the fairings and rear swim platform, a glove box organizer and hard-backed case, watercraft cover, a removable dry bag, safety kit, and additional digital gauge functions like the aforementioned depth finder and water temperature.
In all, the complete package comes in at $15,999, the identical price to the brand’s biggest competitor Yamaha and their SVHO-powered FX Cruiser. Yet, when weighing the vast amounts of digital functions, accessories included with and incorporated in the vehicle, the brutish 300-horsepower (never before has a Rotax engine been as close to its advertised horsepower. Tests have consistently produced power within 1-percent of the noted 300, with EPA/CARB tests resulting in a KW-converted 296 horsepower), and other innovations baked into the 2016 Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300, it’s not too hard to see its favorability in the luxury market.
Now with the advent of the new Kawasaki SX-R 4-stroke standup (with the official release scheduled for the World Finals this upcoming October) there’s been a massive resurgence of interest in standups whether for recreation or racing. And as Sea-Doo has absolutely zero interest in building a standup (when Spark sales have singularly accounted for 30-percent growth in new product sales), the only way we’ll see a Sea-Doo powered standup is through aftermarket manufacturers like Sea-Doo Centre.
Unfortunately, building a SDC Trak 903 requires the complete evisceration of a Spark, so you’re not just paying for a new ski, but the sacrificial Spark as well. Nevertheless, interest is high for this ski, and Australia’s Newcastle Jet Ski Centre knows it. And according to OZPWC.com, that’s why they recently announced a demo/ride day for interested parties to test ride Sea-Doo Centre’s normally-aspirated 110hp Sea-Doo Spark-powered standup.
The event is scheduled for this coming weekend (September 17-18) at Lions Park off of Macquarie Road in Eleebana (just south of Newcastle). To give everyone the best opportunity to experience the demo, there are two ride days, one on Saturday from 2-to-5pm and again on Sunday from 9-to-12 noon. Riders are event invited to bring their own ski to compare. Newcastle Jet Ski Centre will also provide BBQ and drinks, so for our Australian (or traveling) readers, make your plans now as the ride day will go on as planned rain, hail or shine.
Jet skis, primarily stand-ups, have a bit of a bad wrap. Unfortunately, decades of reckless riding, breaking boating restrictions, blowing through no wake zones, high-speed beaching, collisions, and just generally bad decision making has resulted a bit of a public relations snafu that has taken the OE manufacturers decades to repair. The damage isn’t entirely fixed though, and with videos like today’s springing up on social media sure doesn’t help.
The who, when and where are unknown nor do they truly matter. What matters is that a foolhardy rider aboard a SuperJet dares to venture not mere too close, but close enough to attempt to graze their hand along the hull of the container ship. Of course, the massive displacement (an estimated 10,800 tons given that it appears to be fully laden) is enough to churn a wake so ferociously that the rider almost immediately loses balance and falls off.
Scrambling frantically to reboard and reignite the Yamaha’s starter, the rider is nearly sucked up into the wake and bounced off of the hull several times. Thankfully, the rider survives the fall and near impact with the cargo ship. They manage to fire up the ski and escape before being sucked into draft of the ship’s props, roiling a fan of sea foam behind it. There’s nothing cool about this video. In fact, it only robs the Darwin Awards of another recipient.
“Cacklefest” is a word most jet skiers might not be all too familiar with. In the realm of hot rodding, a cacklefest is the cacophony of open-header dragsters, uncorked hot rods and custom exhaust systems all reverberating simultaneously at a drag race, car show or meet. While the chorus of two-strokes wringing open their throttles at the starting line is something similar, the discombobulating assault on one’s ears just isn’t the same. Well, that is until we heard Shoreline Yamaha’s insane open-manifold Super High Output (SHO) firing off inside the hull of a highly modified custom standup.
Yes, you read that right, a SHO-powered stand-up. The loons at Queensland, Australia’s Shoreline Yamaha working together with the guys out of Racetech Yamaha in New Germany, South Africa, have put together something truly bonkers. The 1,812cc, supercharged Yamaha powerplant appears to be mainly stock, retaining the factory HKS centrifugal supercharger and intercooler arrangement, as well as the cast exhaust manifold. Only modifications to the final exhaust (exiting out of the rear, left gunnel) and air intake (air box) were needed as this machine is shown shredding a nearby lake.
Observant commenters who viewed the video (below) produced by Liquid Cartel noted that the pump clearly doesn’t appear to be able to handle the stupid quantities of thrust that the ski’s new heart and soul is producing, and would likely need some serious prop re-pitching if not a completely new pump altogether. Also pay attention to how the rider continues to blip the throttle like a 2-stroke when clearly, the Yamaha’s throttle control would much rather prefer a smooth, linear acceleration curve. Nevertheless, this thing is a beast and well worth the couple of minutes. Enjoy:
Hey, look at that! No, not those! These! Jetsport Australia, the largest distributor of WSM Performance PWC parts in the world, has recently announced that it is carrying a full variety of JetSki.XXX performance products, oils, cleaners, waxes and more in its massive catalog of products.
Three major items in particular: Extreme Proof, Extreme Condition and Extreme Gleam are worth mentioning. JetSki.XXX’s Extreme Proof (Viscosity Index Booster & Oil Water Proofer) has a “high viscosity index which improves the lubrication properties of conventional oils, especially when contaminated by water.” And helps reduce wear and power loss due to friction, heat generation and gum varnish build up, as well as preventing the loss of oil via air breathers from frothing if water is ingested and preserves the lubrication and protection of the oil at 95% effectiveness with up to 50% water in oil.
Extreme Condition is designed to keep all the surfaces of your PWC like new by protecting all surfaces from fading and deterioration, and has been specifically designed for use in harsh environments. It also protects, conditions and even enhances decals, racing numbers and stickers’ color and gloss. Finally, Extreme Gleam, JetSki.XXX’s professional-grade jet ski polish has been designed to make your ski shine while protecting it from sun damage. Made from a premium blend of polymers, resins and ultra high melting point waxes for maximum paint protection, Extreme Gleam protects from the harsh effects of salt and sun exposure.
Everything seen here (except for the top picture) can be found at JetSport Australia or can be reached at +61 7 55 313 855 or [email protected]. [And for the love of everything holy, don’t do a Google Images search for “JetSki.XXX”. Jeez, some things you can’t unsee. -Ed]
[Below is a blog post about Mark Gomez’s most recent stunt feature filmed, edited, and published by Liquid Militia Clothing.]
“Mark Gomez hit us up the day before he had plans to do a flippy in a backyard swimming pool. His buddy, John Crabb, who owns Performance Fiberglass (one of Mark’s sponsors) hosted the pool party. Since we live pretty close to Gomez, we were down. This Labor Day Holiday Weekend was one for the books as we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.
“Once we had a chance to check out the pool we were all kind sketched on how small the pool was (15′ X 30′). Keep in mind Marks Ski is about 6-feet long; not much room for error. Mark being the pro that he is was like, ‘I got this,’ so we started rolling the cameras. Without going into to much detail on every single thing just watch the video clip, it’s self-explanatory. Enjoy!”
Gomez wrote to The Watercraft Journal, “I dropped my 1200cc Rickter XFR Freestyle ski into my fiberglass sponsor’s pool to backflip in. I didn’t realize just how small it was until I started riding in it! I am currently on the road to the 5th/6th IFWA Freeride World tour stop in Pacific City, Oregon. I am currently leading the points to defend my world title.”
With temperatures still lingering around the mid-to-high 80s, there’s no excuse why you shouldn’t still be hitting the water every chance you get. Sure, the Labor Day sales have come and gone, but don’t fall for that marketing jargon! You can still scoop up a sweet deal on the 2016 Sea-Doo of your choice at America’s Motor Sports – Middle Tennessee’s most established and largest Sea-Doo dealer! They’ve still got plenty of family budget-friendly GTIs, playful Sparks and supercharged X-series machines at the ready.
Additionally, shopping through America’s Motor Sports (for those of you not in the area) is made all the more easy with their all-new wesbite. Whether you’re looking for the newest models, interested in perusing their pre-owned inventory or wanting to stock up on some essentials through their Parts & Service Department, their all-new website makes shopping easier than ever! And if the time is right to capitalize on a new Sea-Doo watercraft, then America’s Motor Sports offers very simple and stress-free financing. Plus, you can add in all your parts and accessories, a service plan, an insurance and more, all grouped together in one monthly payment.
