Editor’s Note: Always, always, always wear a lifevest. And companies: never advertise your product with people NOT wearing lifevests. Seriously, it’s 2015.
All of us here at The Watercraft Journal are big supporters of towable PWC trailers – particularly the Cargo Wave – as they provide so many benefits to maximizing one’s day on the water, be it hauling out everything under the sun to set up a shore side campsite, plenty of food and toys for the whole family to enjoy a picnic, or all the extra fuel, ropes and the inflatable raft to haul your buddies around at speed. Unfortunately, many have tried to emulate the rock-solid sturdiness of the Cargo Wave and fallen short, so that’s why we’re so curious about this newly announced prototype: The Seahorse Hydro-Trailer.
Launched as an Indiegogo crowdsource campaign, the Hydro Trailer pulls a lot of its design from the watercraft it follows itself. The 65-pound, 5-foot by 3-foot trailer features a sealed, hinged stowage compartment similar to your runabout’s front bin, as well as elastic bungee straps over tacky traction mats to hold down wares on its topside, like a kayak and oars. Likewise, there is a molded rear transom that holds a pair of fuel cans. Although a proper gallon-of-storage measurement is absent, the Hydro-Trailer does boast a storage capacity of 200-pounds (which, admittedly can be eaten up pretty quickly with fuel and a cooler full of drinks and ice).
With a little bit of our inner-engineer coming through, we are curious how the rigid A-arm trailer hinge is mounted to the back of a runabout, as grainy images hint at a hook-and-eye mount needing to be attached to the rearward bondrail. Whether this is a permanent modification or not remains unexplained in either the product description or video, so we’ll have to see if further information is released. Until then, check out the Seahorse Hydro-Trailer in action and see what you think for yourself.
We’re very suspicious of new product coming out these days as so many rumors are swirling about what the future holds. Recently, blogger Vasilis Moraitis has claimed that Yamaha is primed to introduce a new “three-cylinder 1052cc” 4-stroke engine (The Watercraft Journal has ridden the new 2016 WaveRunner models and legally cannot confirm or deny these claims), and in a previous article featuring Pro Ski racer Rob Flores, highlighted Flores’ involvement with what might be the future of Yamaha’s long-in-the-tooth SuperJet.
Flores diplomatically dodged the question whether he was selected to design the future SuperJet hull stating, “I can’t speak for Yamaha. I’m […] developing hulls for my race program and to sell. Now if Yamaha ends up using what I come up with, that [remains] to be seen, but I am not contracted to do hulls strictly for them.”
So, if or when the day comes that Yamaha unveils a whole-new 1-liter engine or new SuperJet model (or a pairing of the two), we are only left with only speculation. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait that long! Through Flores’ RaceSki.com program and partnership with sponsor OptimaRacing.com, the new FR2 hull can be yours. Completely American-made, the new design improves “hookup, cornering and tractability in a variety of water conditions,” according to OptimaRacing’s website.
The release states: “Utilizing 30 years of riding and racing experience including Factory Yamaha and Kawasaki, Rob Flores has designed his new line of hulls to meet the demands of top level racers and recreational riders looking for a vast improvement over stock hull design. Available in both a SuperJet and SX-R top deck style, the RaceSki hull is intended to be both easier to ride and offer improved hookup, cornering and tractability in a variety of water conditions.
“The design integrates a reshaped intake tract and pump tunnel for improved flow and efficiency, reshaped strakes and chine shape for improved overall handling. Ergonomics are improved with a widened tray/footwell area. Complete “rolling chassis” available with a variety of handlepole/steering, traction mat combos and hull fittings (email for more info).”
On July 26th, 80 participants from 17 different states and Ontario, Canada gathered in Knoxville, TN to embark on the annual Tennessee River 600 event to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Over $12,000 was raised for these organizations bringing the event’s total to over $230,000 dollars raised in its 19 year history!
The week long journey traveled from Knoxville, TN through Chattanooga, TN, Guntersville, AL, Florence, AL, Savanah, TN, and finished at Paris Landing State Park in Buchanan, TN, 600 miles from where it began. When not riding their personal watercraft, participants stayed at various hotels along the river enjoying fellowship, comparing stories of the day’s ride, and catching up on each other’s families.
“It’s like a big family reunion, only we do it on the water,” said Event Director Dennis Beckley. “So many friendships have been made over the years doing this event that we literally watch each other’s children grow up. Every year when we get together we get to catch up on how everyone is doing, who got married or had children or grandchildren join their family. Some were just kids when we started this 19 years ago and are now all grown up and raising their own families.”
The riders were subjected to all types of weather over the course of the week. “We ride rain or shine,” said Dennis. “One day it was windy causing choppy water. One day it rained on us. Another day we experienced thunderstorms. We have to find shelter and wait it out when there is lightning in the area, so that can sometimes make for a long day, but that’s all part of the adventure!”
Preparations have already begun for the 2016 ride, the event’s 20th, and to commemorate the anniversary Dennis and his staff are making plans to do the ride in reverse order. “The first year we rode from Paris Landing to Knoxville, but the weather that year prevented us from getting all the way to the end. Since then we have always began the trip in Knoxville, but it’s going to be exciting to start in Paris next year. We’re all looking forward to it!”
Motorized surfboards are not exactly new inventions. In fact, they date back as early as 1935. Even iconic surfboard pioneer Hobart “Hobie” Alter screwed an outboard motor to one of his surfboards. So when we spotted this fun video from the Speed Society Facebook page – the short edit showing an elongated wakeboard or stubby surfboard brapping across a lake, we were both impressed and not terribly surprised. In fact, we’ve introduced you to the Jetsurf before.
This particular Jetsurf board – the Factory – has a thruster fin setup, which we found fascinating since wakeboards are usually flat bottomed. The fins give a rider more hold when riding waves and this board was ridden on flat water and the wakeboarder was able to pull some killer hand drag cutbacks with the three fins helping him hold his edge, just like a surfer riding waves.
Of course, since the Jetsurf board is powered by a tiny 100cc 2-stroke plant developed by MSR Engines, the Factory board was operated via a hand-held throttle/starter combination mounted to the blunt-nosed board. That’s what was used to crank the 2-stroke engine to a maximum 8,000rpm. All in all, it was a crafty set up and looked reasonably easy to ride.
The clip showed the rider cranking the board with the hand held throttle on the dock after dunking it in the water. It’s fast on the take off and appeared to hold a fast pace while being ridden. Even though it looks fun, it’s still not something many might question seeing in the lineup while surfing.
A South Wales Evening Post Article highlighted a father and son who rode jet skis from Wales to Ireland. Ian and Adam Barber chose to do the run in order to raise funds for Cancer Research UK because a friend of theirs suffered from breast cancer. The elder Barber also had another agenda; he really wanted to take a long trip aboard his ski with his son by his side and so he thought a ride in the name of a charity would be the way to take care of his want and at the same time help others.
The Barbers raised thousands of dollars for the Cancer Research UK, which was a decent amount considering they didn’t do much in the way of promoting the trip in case it didn’t happen due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. When the original article was written, all the monies had not been totaled so the exact amount of contributions were unavailable.
The Barbers were accompanied by a support boat crewed by Mick Parker, Richard Parker, and Jayne Parker. The Barbers and Parkers got underway from Fishguard, located in Wales, and reached Irelands’ Kilmore Quay Harbour in 3.5 hours. The crew and riders made it back to Fishguard in a little over three hours. The guys rode a total of 140 miles round trip.
A total of 300 liters (80 gallons) of fuel was purchased for the run and the senior Barber made it clear that none of the funds raised were used for trip expenses.
Sea-Doo’s introduction of its Wake models was a bold move towards a specific market that many didn’t believed would be receptive to a committed watercraft for tow sports. In perfect Sea-Doo fashion, the PWC manufacturer equipped with their Wake units with so much innovation and features that the segment has become one of the brand’s most popular in recent years. Branching further than mere wakeskate and wakeboard riders, the Wake models appeal to families using the craft for whipping towables around their local lake or river.
Based upon Sea-Doo’s GTI platform, the 2015 Sea-Doo Wake 155 is the smaller sibling of the full-sized and supercharged Wake 215. The lighter, naturally-aspirated model is priced just south of $12,000 ($11,849 MSRP), but comes with nearly as many creature comforts as the top-of-the-segment GTI 155 Limited priced at $12,199. Rather, the Wake 155 improves upon the standard 155 Special Edition by adding a stout retractable ski pylon (strong enough to tow another ski – don’t ask how we know), and Launch Control settings unique to the Wake models.
Sea-Doo’s smaller Wake model – the 155 – is a naturally-aspirated Tow Sports unit based upon the brand’s GTI hull.
Above: Between the front and glove box storage, the Wake 155 offers an ample 30-plus gallons of storage which should be plenty for any half day on the water.
The ski pylon is ergonomically designed to retract vertically below the rear handgrip, allowing reboarding using the folding swim step and railing without interference. Likewise, it easily slides upwards to three locking positions, topped with an eye hook, double handgrips, and even a rubber hoop to tether your ski rope. The Wake 155 also comes with a unique removable board rack, allowing for out-of-the-tray storage and dual bungee straps to secure it down. The rack is easily removed/attached with a slide-and-lock locking rail system so you can travel at full speed without concern of losing it.
Yet, it is the Wake’s unique application of Sea-Doo’s proprietary iTC (Intelligent Throttle Control) system that truly differentiates this from the rest of the GTI lineup. Although all iTC-equipped Sea-Doo watercraft come with the option of on-the-fly engine map selection – be it between “Touring”, “Sport” and “Eco” modes – the Wake 155 also allows for a sequence of “Wake Modes”. These pre-programmed tunes manage the 1,494cc Rotax-engine’s throttle response and subsequent acceleration, from mild to aggressive. This way, the driver can better control how the Wake 155 will launch when towing a wakeboarder or towable.
Above left: Unique to all Wake models is the retractable ski pylon. Lockable in three-different positions, the pylon also cleanly slides down just below the rear handrail and is exceptionally durable. Above right: The detachable board rack snaps into place in seco
Both the 155 and supercharged 215 Wake models share the same detachable wakeboard/skate mount. Double bungee chords secure the board while an innovative locking system ensures that the rack will stay secure while at speed.
And the Wake 155 comes with Sea-Doo’s iBR (Intelligent Brake & Reverse) which continues as the industry’s only on-water brake (that is, until Yamaha finally gives in and starts calling RiDE a “brake.” LOL). The Wake 155 does comes with VTS (Variable Trim System), but needs to be adjusted through the “Mode” toggles on the right hand side rather than a simple up-and-down toggle on the left hand side similar to other Performance/Muscle segment models.
America’s Motor Sports – Middle Tennessee’s leading family of Sea-Doo dealerships – provided The Watercraft Journal a brand new 2015 Sea-Doo Wake 155 to rack up some hours on the clock. We expressly conduct our reviews when we have a vehicle in our hands rather than “theoretical reviews” judging it’s performance based upon riding similar craft as other media outlets, which you can tell by our use of unique photography rather than studio imagery.
Above: Sea-Doo’s GTI/Wake 155 dashboard is clean, uncluttered and easy to read at speed.
The Wake 155 shares all the same riding characteristics of the equally-powered 155-horsepower GTI models that ride on the moderate V-hull. With the throttle pinned and little bit of weight shifting, the Wake 155 can easily “wash out” its tail and provide endless hours of horseplay when pushed accordingly. As we’ve gushed previously, Sea-Doo’s iTC and optional engine tunes absolutely establishes itself as an industry leader, and we could think of half a dozen craft that could directly benefit from this technology.
Likewise, Sea-Doo’s redesign of its ball-and-socket RF DESS key/lanyard makes quick ignitions remarkably easier, and is a welcome addition to the brand’s commitment to ease of use and superior function. Storage is more than moderate, with 30.8 gallons worth of stowage split between the front bin and glovebox. The Wake comes in one pound short of 800lbs. (dry), and although being on the brand’s Recreation line, is still pretty big at 132.6-inces long and 48.5-inches wide. In fact, with a Wake 155 and Wake 215 on the trailer, we found the two occasionally rubbed side rails.
Above left: Sea-Doo’s Intelligent Brake & Reverse remains the industry’s only “as advertised” on-water brake. Above right: The Wake 155 is handsome even while sitting still.
The Wake 155 is motivated by Rotax’s 1.5-liter 3-cylinder offering economical use all day on 87 octane, and will struggle to suck its 15.8-gallon fuel tank dry.
While towing, the Wake 155 is definitely targeted towards hauling the kids around on a tube, as an adult on a wakeboard will easily pull the smaller Wake out of line, much like the tail waging the dog. Rather, with a medium-sized raft and a kid or two, the Wake 155 fares fine and elicits an endless supply of squeals and shouts of excitement from behind. Although the Wake comes with larger rearview mirrors, it’s always recommend to operate with a spotter when towing.
We applaud Sea-Doo’s dedication to incorporating all of the various iControl options into the handlebars themselves, as the driver will never have to take his hands from the bars. Likewise, what was once thought a gamble, the Wake models have definitely earned their place among the Sea-Doo lineup.
Jet ski fishing has unequivocally become a major sport in its own right – just outside of the States. While we Yanks are busy rowing our Tupperware canoes around, more high performance anglers are reeling in some big fish using their clean-burning PWC. In Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, jet ski fishing is a major sport and is garnering some major attention from the media and aftermarket. One such innovation is something that to many might look like a joke, but to Jetski Developments, it’s no laughing matter.
Their new Neptune Sliding Bracket mounts directly to the rear transom of any full-sized personal watercraft and allows for the attachment of an outboard motor not only for low range or shallow trolling, but added security if your fishing excursion takes you further than your PWC’s fuel tank can take you. Manufactured in Durban, South Africa Jetski Developments advertising their system as the solution to two major concerns of being out at sea on a jet ski: safety and fuel consumption.
According to Jetski Developments, one such customer is eternally grateful for his Neptune Sliding Bracket saying, “Thank goodness for my Neptune Sliding Bracket, which saved me today. This morning I set off to go fishing traveling 9 km from Umkomaas to Scottburgh. When I got to the fishing grounds I switched off my jet ski motor. When I tried to restart the jet ski, it wouldn’t start, even with the dual battery system. I then decided to head back home with the little outboard motor. It took me approximately 40 minutes to do the distance… To my surprise I got through safely. Had it not been for the Neptune Sliding Bracket it could have been a long wait before somebody came to my rescue.”
You can see the Neptune Sliding Bracket in action below:
The Watercraft Journal: How did you first find out it was possible to ride a PWC from the US to the Bahamas?
Lucas Harris: We didn’t come up with the idea of crossing to Bimini on our own. Rather, our friend Dan was intrigued by the idea after hearing the stories from the previous Jetski Junnkies trips. I think he had also seen the videos put together by the Tampa Sea-Doo Crew. Basically, he tricked Ginger into this, and together they pressured me into it. I begrudgingly agreed, and so we began planning and booking.
WCJ: Who was part of your crew?
LH: We had my fiancé (and soon to be wife), Ginger Benham, myself and our two friends Daniel Waltemate and Tiffany Burgess. We met up with additional Club members Leslie Baute, Vince and Linda Cobelo later that day.
WCJ: What are the essential items you needed to make the trip?
LH: There are only a few real essentials to make the crossing. Obviously, if you have flat water and great luck, you could make it across with any 4-stroke PWC, a GPS unit, and some sunglasses. Being the ever-vigilant worriers that Dan and I are, we knew that there were a ton of other things we’d need to feel safe.
– Gas: Dan and Tiffany had 20 gallons of it in cans on their boat in case any of us used more fuel than planned. This also gave us a buffer in case it took a day to get fuel in Bimini. (The fuel tankers aren’t exactly reliable)
– GPS: We had two Garmin handheld units mounted securely in RAM mounts. One on my WaveRunner, one on the boat. In hindsight, we should have also had magnetic compasses in case of equipment failure.
– Emergency Locators: We had a SPOT tracker that a generous friend loaned us for the trip. This not only allowed our friends and family to follow our trip from the safety of their internet browsers, but also gave us the option to signal the coast guard for assistance in the event of an emergency. I think it would be a wise investment for each PWC rider to be equipped with a personal locator beacon (PLB) secured to their life jackets. 25 miles from land, groups could very easily get separated, and $250 is a small price to pay for peace of mind.
– Radios: Once you get about 5 miles from Florida, your cell phone becomes worthless. If you need to communicate to anyone else in the group, you’re going to need a waterproof radio. We were loaned 2 very nice floating Cobra marine VHF radios, complete with waterproof lapel speaker/microphones. Both of those died on the way over. My recommendation is to bring spares!
– Cash: Cash is king in Bimini. There are places where you can use credit cards, but you’re going to want cash for most purchases. The ferry? Taxis? The best conch salad you’ve ever had? The $150 at customs? Yeah, all cash.
WCJ: What requirements does traveling to the Bahamas have?
LH: To legally visit the Bahamas you’ll need a few things: $150 per vessel for customs, a valid passport, vessel registration, and pens. Yes, ink pens. Good luck finding pens at customs to fill out your paperwork! If you don’t have any of these things, you’re going to have a bad time.
WCJ: What planning steps did your group take?
LH: Our planning wasn’t too difficult. We relied on recommendations from experienced travelers to determine the best place to launch/park our trailers, where to stay, and how to plan for the weather. We booked our rooms well in advance to make sure we could stay where we wanted to. We also spent the night in Miami to make sure we were leaving the ramp as early as possible to avoid any rough water. Knowing that the internet wasn’t entirely reliable in Bimini, we made sure to research all of the sites we wanted to see while we were there, and save them as GPS waypoints before the trip.
WCJ: Who was with your group, what PWC’s and boats, if any?
LH: On the way over to Bimini, our group consisted of 4 people, 2 Yamaha WaveRunners, and a Yamaha jet boat. We were later joined by three friends on a 30-foot Sea Hunt center console. For most of the weekend, the group on the big boat did their own thing during the day, but we did have dinners together, and even did some snorkeling together. They were also nice enough to stay with us for the crossing back to Miami, even though we surely slowed them down.
WCJ: Where did you stay on Bimini? How was the stay?
LH: We stayed at the highly-recommended Bimini Sands Resort, situated on west side of South Bimini. They have some amenities that make them especially suited for PWC travelers, the most important being their floating docks and protected harbor. Their marina is completely walled-off from the ocean, making sure the water is glass-calm day and night. The floating docks keep your watercraft from getting jerked around by the substantial tide. There might be cheaper places to stay, but they have fixed docks on unprotected water. We were able to walk right out of our ground-level condo, and onto the dock. It was really convenient!
WCJ: Best places to eat, how was the food?
LH: On South Bimini, your dining choices are somewhat limited. There’s a restaurant atop the ship’s store at the marina. Bimini Sands also owns a pair of restaurants on the south end of South Bimini, one a casual bar/grill, and the other an upscale sit-down restaurant. I believe they share a kitchen, so we kept it cheap at the bar, Mackey’s Sand Bar! I can’t recommend the cracked conch enough. It’s a conch that’s been butterflied, battered, and fried. It’s sweet, fresh, and comes with a tasty dipping sauce. Their conch fritters are maybe the best I’ve had anywhere.
From Bimini Sands, you can take their free shuttle bus to the ferry dock, and take the $2 ferry over to North Bimini. Once there, grab a cab (all of them seem to be $5 per person, no matter where you’re going). When you ask the cab driver to “Take me to the best conch salad in Bimini!”, he will probably take you to Stuarts’ Conch Stand. Don’t let this funky little waterside shanty fool you, they are serving up gold! You’re going to want two things: a bowl of conch salad, and a rum punch. This may be the best $11 you’ll spend while on the island. We loved it so much, we came back for take-out via the WaveRunners.
If you’re looking from something a little less “shacky”, head a bit further north to the Resorts World casino. They have some excellent looking dishes, ice cold A/C, and the best Wi-Fi we found on the islands!
WCJ: What sights did you see while jet skiing around the island?
LH: As I mentioned, Dan was the driving force of this trip, and as such, he had a list of sites that he wanted to see. I dutifully programmed these into the Garmin handheld units before we left so there would be no issues when we got there. While the land can be interesting, we were really there to see what was in the water. I would recommend a good waterproof camera or go-pro for this. And don’t forget a float or strap to keep your camera attached to you; not everyone is as skilled with a makeshift PWC anchor/claw machine as Dan was.
We visited the wreck of the SS Sapona, the WW1-era concrete ship that’s been off of the coast of Bimini since it ran aground in the ’20s. We snorkeled at Three Sisters Rock, which is a rock outcropping just off the coast near the Resorts World cruise port. Luckily, the water clarity seems to have returned since the port and dredging were completed. Not too far from Three Sisters is Bimini Road, the underwater remains of what many believe is the road to Atlantis. There wasn’t as much wildlife to see there, but it was interesting to see!
WCJ: Did you go to any other locations other than Bimini? If so, where, what did you do and how did it differ from the main Island?
LH: Probably our favorite spot was Honeymoon Harbor. This small beach at the north end of Gun Cay was a rough 5 mile ride from South Bimini, but totally worth it! We brought 5lbs of frozen squid that we purchased at the ship’s store, thawed, and chopped into bite-size pieces. When we showed up, there were maybe a couple stingrays in the area. As soon as we brought out the squid, it turned into a stingray feeding frenzy!
They are accustomed to being fed by humans, and are very eager to see what you’ve brought for them. They will eat out of your hands, climb up your back, and even try to eat your snorkel. At several points, I was unable to stand up because there wasn’t a spot under me where I could see sand between the rays. I just had to float with my mask and snorkel until they moved. Nobody got the sharp end of a singray barb, but there was at least one ankle nibble that left a mark through the afternoon. Overall, I think the experience at Honeymoon Harbor was a highlight of the trip.
WCJ: If you could summarize your experience to a paragraph, what would you say?
LH: Initially, I wasn’t particularly excited about the prospect of taking three watercraft intended for inland use 50 miles off the coast of Florida. For the same price, I could have taken a cruise ship with a lot less hassle! However, the second we arrived and saw that pristine turquoise water, it made the trip completely worthwhile! All of the anger and frustration about the beating we were taking from the sea immediately went away. We went on to have a wonderful weekend. Bimini truly is a unique place, and I think we’re better for having visited there. I can’t wait until we go back!
With the introduction of Sea-Doo’s Spark into the arena of today’s supercharged, pony chasing, adrenalin pumping machines – everyone waited in anticipation. Would the Spark really bring back the nimble fun of the nineties as Sea-Doo claimed?
Jetskishop.com was among the curious, although the Spark didn’t quite fit into the mold of skis usually favored on their tour rides, they couldn’t pass up the opportunity to test one out for themselves. James Tod from Jetskishop.com stated, “At the time it was a new product, so different to what’s currently on offer, that the industry didn’t know where it would fall in the marketplace.”
James Tod and his team at Jetskishop.com set out to expand their own knowledge on the Spark and what better way than to prepare one for the race season. Starting with the basic two up 90HP model, they wanted to focus on three major factors – improved handling, better hook up and of course more power.
The standard handle bars on the Spark proved too narrow for an effective racing posture, so WORX steering was installed, complemented with a set of blaster bars, ensuring a lower, broader stance over the ski for racing. WORX racing components were also the weapon of choice to guarantee better hook up, both out of the hole and throughout the race. Using WORX ride plate, intake grate and stainless pump liner, coupled with a Solas prop the Spark was actually starting to act like a race ski.
Although the power to weight ratio of the Spark is impressive the 90HP just wasn’t going to cut it, so a rear outlet exhaust and re-flash, both by WORX racing saw an extra 20HP boosting the max speeds up to 81kph.
By this stage the Jetskishop.com Spark really felt like it wanted to race, so the team had to make it really look the part. One of Jetskishop.com custom seat trims was prepared, providing extra grip to the seat and custom graphics ensuring that this ski was not to be missed on the water.
After completion, the Spark was taken on the Jetskishop.com Fraser Island Adventure – where its lighter weight proved an asset for beach launches. James Tod from Jetskishop.com stated “Although the Spark was a lot of fun it’s not ideal for longer ocean rides, which is the shops main focus for tour/adventure rides.”
It was finally ready for the Queensland Personal Watercraft Club (QPWC) ‘Tropical Heat Tour’ which hosted the first series for Spark racing here in Queensland. Wade Clucas, who is usually seen sporting the number 216 Sea-Doo RXP-X in Amateur Stock, was thrilled about racing the Jetskishop.com Spark in rounds two and three of the season.
After placing second overall in his first round Wade was hooked on racing the Spark stating, “It’s cheap, easy, simple racing, its quick but not so fast that you’re going to get into any trouble, you literally spend the entire race without releasing the throttle.” Round Three saw Clucas in third place for the day after popping the lanyard mid race, not once but three times but it’s all in good spirit.
After the final checkered flag for ‘Tropical Heat Tour’ was waved the team at Jetskishop.com were back to work, improving on the lessons learned from the first race season of the Spark. Their focus is now on modifying the lanyard, it seems that both the lower positioning of the post and claw style of the connection interferes with the positioning of the rider.
The second issue needing attention is the air intake, after a couple of laps the engine compartment heat soaks and subsequently looses a couple of hundred RPM. Wade is all too keen to get back on the track, “After these two issues are sorted, we will be back on the start line for the next round of racing”.
It was abundantly clear to those at the Tropical Heat Tour that the Sparks bring about a refreshing new band of racers, nothing too serious. Racers who were seen heckling at the start line, would come back after every moto laughing and joking with each other; proving that Sea-Doo has brought nimble fun back to the racing scene at the very least.
The city of St. Cloud, Florida was home to the P1 AquaX tour this past weekend for the fourth round of the race series. Lake Tohopekaliga was a buzz with activity. Due to the increasing popularity of AquaX series, St. Cloud was moved to a regular race site instead of the Finals race site this year.
At the beginning of the day the racers and the race staff were rearing to go and the weather looked pretty good. The first race of the day was the new format of racing that was previously used in Sarasota. It was a staggered start due to the high volume of skis on the water at the same time. This allowed the 300 class to start their race as they normally would. Then there was a 15-to-20 second break before the 250 and 200 class racers started their race.
In the 300 class, the lead was taken by Jason Russo and followed by Blaine Spooner and Eric Francis. It finally looked like the Aswar brothers had their work cut out for them. This trio ran the entire race with Francis and Spooner swapping positions and Russo holding the lead. Then due to mechanical issues, Jason Russo ended his race and the rest of the weekend.
This left the door wide open for Eric Francis to get back on top for the first time this season. Blaine Spooner wasn’t having it and on the final lap of the race and charged hard to overtake Francis for the last 200 feet claiming the first win. The finish was by far one of the closest in the three-year history of the series.
In the 250 class, the usual group of Brian Baldwin, Eric Lagopoulos and Ron Levy battled it out with Brian Baldwin taking the win. Travis Zielasko along with teammate Rob Greenwald battled in the 200 class as they have all season with Zielasko coming away with the win.
While the racers took a break for lunch and prepped for the second race of the day, Mother Nature decided to dampen the event. Florida is known as The Sunshine State but this past month it has been known as “The Rain-Soaked Month.” Since the racers typically get wet while racing, it isn’t an issue but the horn was constantly blaring advising everyone that there was lightning in the area. Central Florida is known as the lightning capital of the world for valid reasons.
Finally, the racers were able to get back out there for race Number Two and get down to business. The Aswar brothers decided to regain their winning ways and got back on top for the second race of the weekend. The real battle was in the 250 class for the second race thanks to Paloma Noceda and Brian Baldwin going at it to end the first day.
Sunday started off with the standup skis and Sport Spec racers going at it. This was the first time that AquaX has allowed the two classes to race at a lake location. It had looked like Kirk Britto was going to come away with the win in the Standup Class easily, but due to mechanicals, Broc Harris took the win with Johnny Smith coming in a close second. In the Sport Spec class, David Gorie was king of the hill and showed that not only does he know how to battle it out in the 250 class but also in the Sport class.
The final race of the day saw Jason Russo, Eric Francis, Erminio Iantosca, and Jeffrey Thorton sit out of the round due to mechanical issues and damage to their skis from Saturday. This left the 300 class in the hands of Aswar brothers and Blaine Spooner.
The Watercraft Journal talked with 250 class racer Ron Levy who said, “[The] third moto, we all missed a buoy, but Baldwin ran out of gas on the back on the last lap putting Paloma in first me in second [in] a photo finish.” Sea-Doo’s Anya Colley finished the podium in third.
The weekend was a total success and all had fun. Now the racers head back home to fix skis, get practice time in and prepare for the next round, which is Cocoa Beach in September.
For all of the results from this past weekend’s AquaX Series in St. Cloud, click the hyperlinks for the 300 class, 250 class and 200 classes. The Ski class and Sport Spec class are also available by clicking the respective hyperlinks.
