Southern Fried Sea-Doo “Spark Some Fun” Demo Tour Comes to Nashville

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May 18, 2015

To the locals – particularly the younger crowd – it’s known as “Nash Vegas.” With its nightlife, honky tonks and bars, there’s no shortage of nocturnal activities and libations to be had. But, when the midnight sun sets and daylight breaks up the night, Nashville sheds it Mr. Hyde shroud, revealing a more proper and unassuming Dr. Jekyll. Traffic flows steadily, business is conducted as per usual and none speak of the previous night’s good ol’ fashioned Southern debauchery. It’s a pretty cool town.

Just a few miles east of the Nashville International Airport is Percy-Priest Lake, yet one of many man-made lakes throughout the Volunteer State. In its southernmost banks is Nashville Shores Resort, a multi-attraction affair with a full-blown waterpark, high-wire zip lines, log cabin-style bungalows, RV campgrounds and even a bank of WaveRunner rentals. But two weeks ago welcomed the combined forces of Sea-Doo’s traveling “Spark Some Fun Tour” (#sparksomefun) Demo Tour and America’s Motor Sports, the middle South’s biggest Sea-Doo dealer.

Above left: Sea-Doo provided a good cross-section of their 2015 lineup for riders to take out and get familiar with. Above right: Riders were provided lifevests and neoprene shorts.

Last year’s incredibly aggressive, multi-team Demo Tour was explicitly minted to provide the then-new 2014 Sea-Doo Spark the greatest possible access to new and returning PWC owners. Getting potential buyers hands-on experience with the latest products is almost infallible in its logic (sure, there’s a few fools who come to thwart a “fool-proof plan”), but for all intents and purposes, the Demo Tours are wildly successful in introducing people to the coolest features and seat-of-the-pants thrill of owning a new Sea-Doo.

A little over a month prior, The Watercraft Journal caught wind of the soon-to-be-arriving Demo Tour to our hometown of Nash Vegas (because we’re young and hip too). Between our initial announcement and the big weekend, local radio and television stations were beckoning to all to come and enjoy the lake from a whole new perspective (and speed). Although the marketing machine was switched to full steam ahead, and Mother Nature had cleared a path for a reasonably clear weekend, temperatures remained cool and those who were still shaking off the wintertime blues hadn’t gotten the memo that Spring was here.

The Sea-Doo Demo Tour teammates were on hand to answer any technical questions regarding the new machines. America’s Motor Sports’ staff were on site to answer pricing and financing inquiries.

When we stopped in Saturday afternoon, the music was thumping from the BlueTooth speakers and a full rack of available lifevests and neoprene shorts were ready for the taking. Likewise, the sandy shoreline was stacked with a prism’s worth of brightly hued Sea-Doos: GTX Limited 260, a Wake 215, a GTI 155 SE, and of course, a 90HP Spark HO 2-up in Orange Creme. The waterpark was undergoing final revisions in preparation for the opening the following weekend, and the RV park was thin compared to previous years, nonetheless, eager watercraft enthusiasts were happily chatting up the Sea-Doo crew, squeezing them for as much info as possible.

Absent were members of Sea-Doo’s performance lineup, particularly the GTR 215, RXP-X 260 or the RXT-X aS 260. Obviously, both safety and liability are major concerns for the tour, so the only supercharged machine to make the cut was the aforementioned GTX Limited 260. With only one Spark at hand, riders had to wait their turn to take a crack at the large hourglass-shaped buoy course. Riders who might still be unfamiliar were also encouraged to try out Sea-Doo’s stellar iBR brake and reverse system.

Last year’s introduction of the revolutionary Spark made the Demo Tour a necessity to get new potential buyers familiar with the small, playful machine. This year, Sea-Doo wanted to present a rainbow of color options.

America’s Motor Sports (AMS), who was instrumental in organizing this weekend’s event, has been Tennessee’s source for the best deals in the Middle South on all BRP products, including Sea-Doo, Can-Am and Spyder, as well as UTVs, SxS’, quads and motorcycles from the biggest names in the motorsports industry. Hundreds of watercraft leave through AMS’ big doors a year and its no wonder why some customers come from one or two states away! In addition to showroom floors filled with brand-new Sea-Doos, AMS also has several pre-owned skis and a professionally-trained service department.

With many of AMS’ team present this weekend, many were able to receive answers to questions regarding pricing, financing and even servicing. Riders (18 years or older) with a valid drivers license were invited to come to the lake to ride. Riders were provided with Sea-Doo lifevests and protective neoprene shorts, but were encouraged to bring their own protective eyewear, footwear, and gloves. The full service treatment left many with big smiles of satisfaction across their faces, and resulted in a few new Sea-Doo owners.

Three Common PWC Handling Errors (and How to Correct them)

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The Watercraft Journal

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May 18, 2015

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Most any person can ride a PWC and have fun on it, but it takes knowledge and skill to ride one correctly. In an article by legendary Jeff Hemmel on PersonalWatercraft.com, he explains how to correctly handle three of the most common riding errors, and we give you the highlights and add some input below:

Porpoising
Porpoising is the up-and-down, leaping and surging effect that can make your ski seem like it’s more of a bucking bronco than a smooth, sleek watercraft. Porpoising tends to occur during hard “start-line” style accelerations on today’s high-powered models, as the sheer power causes the craft to leap out of the water at the hit of the throttle.

Porpoising is a simple issue to correct. The most common mistake that causes porpoising is that the rider’s weight is too far back on the ski, causing too much bow-rise. Most of the time, just moving forward on the ski will make it settle down and stay planted. If you are getting ready to pin the throttle from a dead stop, move your feet farther to the rear of the ski and shift your weight towards the bow. If your watercraft is equipped with trim, set the trim all the way down and begin to trim up once you get the speed up if you are doing a speed run. In a closed course race environment, you may want to leave the trim all the way down the entire race so you have a more aggressive bite through the turns.

Spinning Out
The next handling error is spinning or sliding out. This is a problem that can be quite scary and possibly throw you off, but most of the time, it can be avoided completely by using correct handling techniques. This is an issue that is not near as common as it used to be with older skis, but it still happens from time to time. In the early days of sit-downs, you used to have to actually lean to the outside to avoid breaking loose and sliding uncontrollably. Your instinct tells you to lean into a turn, right? If you are on an older watercraft, you may be in trouble if you follow your instincts. Thankfully, today’s models reward the inside lean, but they can still spin out on occasion.

When you lose control of a PWC, it can be very frightening. With an adjustment to your riding style, though, you can avoid the problem in many cases. Foot placement is an easy solution to this issue. Keep your inside foot(the foot on the inside of the turn) planted firmly towards the front of the footwell, and put your outside foot farther towards the rear of the ski. This will both keep the stern planted in the water as well as give you the leverage needed to power through the turn. Setting the trim all the way down will also help keep more of the hull in the water, which will also keep the ski planted in the water.

Sitting in Rough Water
Even the best rough water hulls on the market can get uncomfortable and bouncy in choppy conditions. Sitting down may seem like the easiest and most comfortable way to ride in this water, when in fact it is not. Standing will allow your legs to act as “shock absorbers” and absorb a lot of the impact. When you are sitting, your spine is absorbing most of the impact, which can really make for an uncomfortable and grueling ride. Standing will also allow you to get a better view of the water ahead.

Kevin Shaw: Sneaking Into The Skyway Ski Show

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Kevin Shaw

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May 15, 2015

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“Hey man, I’m going to be there if you want me to cover it,” Jetski Junkies’ Kev Hemingway offered. Since it’s start in 2011, I hadn’t been invited to the usually cordoned-off Watercraft Superstore Skyway Ski Show, yet I still wanted coverage of the watercraft shootout. Patterned after the now-default Watercraft World Dream Demo shootout, the Skyway Ski Show gathered a group of test riders from various walks of life and ranging in PWC experience, to try out the latest wares from the OE manufacturers.

And sure to his word, Kev delivered. If I recall correctly, he delivered a little too well (and soon), managing to earn a little reprimand from the brass at SBT, Inc. This year though, would be the exact opposite. So much so, that the title of this editorial is a little disingenuous. I didn’t actually “sneak into” but was cordially invited to not only cover but participate in this year’s Watercraft Superstore Skyway Ski Show. In between the initial invite and the schedule date in early March, I was asked if I could step in for Jeff Hemmel who was called away suddenly.

Suddenly, I went from being an invited member of the media to the Head Panelist and Judge. I also was tasked with writing the article for the celebrated Watercraft Superstore “magalog” (a hybrid between a magazine and catalog). With a circulation of over 100,000 copies annually, the WCSS’s magalog nearly matched that of The Watercraft Journal’s readership, so the pairing couldn’t have been more perfect. I drove down a day early to socialize with WCSS’s John Salvatore, and check out the latest goods from the industry’s biggest retailer.

That night, as I mentioned in a previous editorial, was a fantastic meal paired with some very compelling inside industry information. All of the big three were present, Kawasaki, Sea-Doo and Yamaha, which was a first for the Skyway Show. Each of the OE manufacturers brought two of their latest personal watercraft for the panel of six to test ride. Yet, unlike previous years wherein manufacturers provided samples of their most extreme runabouts, this year’s selection was intentionally chosen to represent segments more “core” to the general buying public.

Units were pulled from each brand’s Recreational line, and the entry models for each brand’s Luxury line. For Kawasaki, this meant their ’15 STX-15F and naturally-aspirated Ultra LX; Sea-Doo brought their ’15 GTI SE 155 and GTX 155; and Yamaha their ’15 VX Cruiser and FX High Output Cruiser. No big power, gas-guzzling supercharged skis or over-the-top luxury units were present. All were intentionally selected to meet the biggest demographic of family-friendly budget buyers.

According to the WCSS crew, last year’s Skyway Ski Show was downright cold, which is especially peculiar for St. Petersburg, Florida. Riders bundled up in thick JetPilot wetsuits and jackets, zipping up additional layers just to ward off the cold. This year – thankfully – saw no such problems; the sun was shining bright overhead with mild breezes coming in from the Gulf. By afternoon, many swapped out their JetPilot wetsuits for a pair of Blacktip neoprene shorts and short-sleeved rashguards. I still have the tan lines.

If most big corporate deals are made on golf courses and bar stools, the the same can be said for the PWC industry, but on beaches and lounge chairs. I secured two major advertising programs, introduced Kawasaki’s Jon Rall to Ashley Sponaugle, who now will be piloting a Kawasaki 310X in this July’s Long Beach to Catalina Offshore Championship, locked in Brent Venderley as a contributor to The Watercraft Journal, planned a day with Tim McKercher and the Sea-Doo team, and even cozied up with the Rattis who proposed a content-share program.

Long after the day spent with Mark Gomez, Ashley, Coach Joe Marshall, Adam Snorek, Rachel Vietmeier and of course, Ashley, I was sorting through the pictures as I prepared to turn in the recap for the show. Hemmel had returned and picked up the task of writing the individual reviews of the respective skis, with my recap being the segue into Hemmel’s assessments of each riders’ reports. The images revealed two major revelations: Mark Gomez can motosurf any watercraft, and that I made the stupidest faces when I ride. Ugh.

A few weeks after submitting my report, a box arrived with four copies of the hefty 210-page magalog. To my surprise, I and my goofy-looking mug, was all over the coverage. As much as I hate to admit it, there was a familiar twinge of giddiness seeing myself in print again. Having published over 740 articles since launching The Watercraft Journal in October of 2013, the thrill of seeing my name in a byline has lost its savor a little. I get the thrill of seeing oneself in print, I do. I’ve been there, I get it. I’ve even been on a couple of magazine covers.

So what will next year’s Skyway Ski Show look like? I’m privy to a couple of suggested changes that should make the day go a little smoother, but have no clue what the skis will look like. If Sea-Doo is rolling out the big 300-plus-horsepower machines, I’m sure there’s gonna be a muscle craft shootout segment. I can’t imagine anyone letting that opportunity pass them by. And if that’s the case, hopefully they’ll let me come back.

Go Get Wet,
Kevin

Yamaha Riders Sweep Pro Watercross Pro Runabout Podiums

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Kevin Shaw

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May 14, 2015

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As a harbinger of things to come, Yamaha WaveRunners took the top spots in each of the Pro Runabout classes at Round 1 of the Pro Watercross Tour held in Panama City Beach on May 9-10, echoing the brand’s sweep during last year’s tour. The Pro Runabout Open, Pro Stock, and Pro/Am Normally Aspirated podiums bled with Yamaha Blue (although most of the 2015 FZRs on the field we red).

In Pro Runabout Open, Yamaha FZR WaveRunner racers Abdullah Al-Fadhel and Troy Snyder finished first and second respectively, as Al-Fadhel rode “flawlessly during the two-day event” clenching wins in all three motos, according to Yamaha’s press release.

The drums of war beat on, as Brian Baldwin charged the Pro Stock class on his FZR, going 3-1-1 for the overall win. Baldwin was joined on the podium with Al-Fadhel, who finished third overall.

It was defending national champion Rob Greenwald who held tight to his iron rule over the Pro/Am Normally Aspirated class aboard the newly redesigned Yamaha VXR. Greenwald was untouched all weekend, finishing 1-1-1. Drew Allen of Greenville, SC – also aboard a VXR – tallied some Round 1 points with third place overall finish.

Of course, big congratulations go to Dean’s Team, RIVA Racing, and all the sponsors supporting these talented racers, who battle week-in and week-out to put Yamaha WaveRunners at the top of the food chain. Hang tight for more Pro Watercross Tour action, with Pensacola Beach, FL this next May 16-17.

Boating Magazine Asks: What Makes a Performance PWC?

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The Watercraft Journal

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May 14, 2015

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“The days of 50 mph top speeds and ‘better lean to the outside or you’ll spin out’ handling are long gone in the personal watercraft market.” This is quote from Jeff Hemmel’s article in Boating Magazine proves to be true. Today’s performance watercraft flirt with 70 mph, have 0-to-60 times comparable with modern day sports cars, and turn on a dime with the aggressive lean of a superbike.

We at The Watercraft Journal wanted to give our take on Hemmel’s criteria only as the original story primarily focuses on Sea-Doo’s RXP-X 260. Wanting to be a wee bit more general want to define high performance skis by the following:

Hull design plays a major part in how a ski performs. A flatter hull, like the one used on the Yamaha FZ series, will be aimed more towards flat water speed and planing quickly. A deep-V hull, similar to the Kawasaki Ultra will cut right through the chop, as the exaggerated keel of the Sea-Doo RXP-X permits a narrow running plane.

Sponsons play a key role in giving a craft its handling characteristics. Yamaha and Kawasaki offer fixed sponsons. Currently, Sea-Doo is the only manufacturer to offer adjustable sponsons off the showroom floor. They are offered by aftermarket companies as well for all three manufacturers. Adjustable sponsons tailor a craft’s personality to the rider’s preferences for operation. Lower the trailing edge, or move it toward the stern for aggressive handling. Raising the sponson, or moving it forward, softens the response for a more playful ride.

Trim adjusts the nozzle, pivoting it down to lower the bow and put more of the hull in the water for sharp turns or pivoting it up to get more of the hull out of the water during straight-line, high-speed runs. Today’s PWC have large jet pumps with diameters of 155-to-160mm. These watercraft are making more than enough power to turn these big props. A large pump is essential to make sure you can keep the ski hooked up on takeoff with upwards of 310 horsepower.

The Big Displacement Engines of today’s performance craft are liquid-cooled and feature displacements ranging between 1,494 and 1,812cc’s. Kawasaki and Sea-Doo both use 1.5 liter engines in their flagship models, while Yamaha has the highest displacement of the three manufacturers with a 1.8 liter engine.

And finally, those big motors all benefit from superchargers. These “power adders” pack more air into the combustion chamber. More air (and more fuel) means a larger, more potent explosion. Superchargers are the big key to making as much power as these skis are making. Yamaha and Sea-Doo use direct driven centrifugal superchargers and Kawasaki uses a belt-driven roots supercharger.

Video: Mark Gomez Partners With GoPro To Produce Motosurf Video

By

Mark Gomez

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May 13, 2015

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In late January, I had a unique opportunity to I film a “UGC” (user generated content) piece Motosurf/Freeriding for GoPro. Under the direction of Edward Lacayo and with Brian Town on the edit at GoPro HQ, the quality of the content came out great.

I drove up to Half moon bay the other day to preview this film and meet up with my GoPro friends Eddie Lacayo, Brian Town, and the rest of the creative team at the office. I was blown away by how supportive everyone was and how genuinely stoked they all were about the production.

Like with all good things, if it goes really well, there is always room for growth and more productions down the road. Continued productions I have already been brainstorming and the team likes the ideas. This all being said, this is a huge opportunity to leverage this exposure into some great new opportunities with the right push from the people who support me the best in this email list including you.

Having GoPro posting this video directly on their YouTube feed is unreal cool. This video should hopefully drive positive attention to our sport, my sponsors, and the industry all together.

I have noticed that when these videos do well, GoPro has then made bigger social media pushes that multiply the exposure and outreach of the video. This is why I need everyone’s help to get this out there this week.

Videos: The How And Why The Spark Came To Be

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Ocean Priselac

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May 13, 2015

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It’s incredible to think that the Sea-Doo Spark will be two years old this Fall. First introduced publicly to the media and dealers in September of 2013, the Spark pulls heavily from the spirit of the early Sea-Doos produced from 1988 to 1993, explains Denys LaPointe, Spark’s Executive Vice President of Design and Innovation.

LaPointe is featured in the “Sparking a Dream” video discussing the creation of the Spark. Similar to those early craft, he says the Spark is not too fast but is light and playful, great for the recreational rider. And key to the launch of the Spark was to make an affordable machine that introduces the public to Sea-Doo’s line of watercraft.

LaPointe’s goal in bringing the Spark to life was to create a completely new design while adhering to the acronym, CAFÉ: Clean, Affordable, Fun, Easy. The machine is lightweight because of its Polytec composition; a high impact compound that is superior to basic plastic and can withstand a beating.

It is both fun and family friendly, available with Sea-Doo’s iBR on-water brake, which helps give the novice rider a sense of security. Sea-Doo offered convenience pack that includes a front bin kit for storage and rear step for easy boarding. There are plenty of graphic kits to choose from so the craft can be customized to your liking.

Moreover, the ski may be fitted for two or three passengers and is capable of recreational pulling. A buyer also has a choice of engine tunes from its Rotax 900 ACE 3-cylinder 4-stroke; the first being 60HP, the most fuel-efficient, burning 7.3 liters of fuel per hour or the 90HP option, offering the driver better acceleration, greater top speed, and uses 9 liters of fuel per hour.

LaPointe points out that he wanted to get back to the roots of personal watercraft and that meant bringing back a raw experience, happiness, and a lightweight easy to use machine.

The Spark appeals to a wide demographic with its cool features, yet it remains affordable and easy to maintain. The personal watercraft is a reliable stable boat that is not only easy to ride, but easy to tow. The Sea Doo Spark is being billed as the new watercraft for a new generation.

Gallery: Hidden Trails Pro Watercross Tour – Round 1 Panama City Beach, FL

By

Brent Venderley

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May 12, 2015

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The 2015 Pro Watercross Hidden Trails National Tour’s first round of racing action commenced this weekend in picturesque Panama City Beach, FL. With over 120 entries you could tell this was the racers’ favorite. A who’s who of PWC racers littered the white sand, center stage in front of the Boardwalk Beach Resort. With perfect surroundings and perfect emerald blue surf, closed course racing for 2015 is off to a big beautiful start!

There are a few things developing on the 2015 Pro Watercross Tour we thought deserved mention before we get into the racing action. First, this is the first time in years, anywhere other than Lake Havasu’s World Finals, we have seen any class large enough to have to run qualifying heats. Pro Ski GP riders did it this weekend: two qualifying heats leading to a main in Sunday’s “Pro Show!”

Speaking of the Pro Show, in anticipation of the live television coverage coming later in the season, and because most of these guys were/are Pro Racers, Sport GP is now a feature in the Pro Show for the 2015 Pro Watercross season.

Finally, we are seeing an attempt to move towards a more stock runabout or what some would call a “manufacturer’s class.” Pro Watercross is now offering an Amateur and Pro Box Stock Runabout Class. We are interested to see if it grabs hold in closed course racing like it has in other racing disciplines, and if the old adage “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday” will ring true for the PWC manufacturers.

Amateur Runabout Box Stock racer Jeff Thornton told The Watercraft Journal, “My first national tour stop with the Pro Watercross tour was full of a lot of ups and downs, from my ski having problems, to getting the first couple holeshots on Eric Francis’s Kawasaki. It was a great to experience racing with good competitors to spar with, choppy and challenging conditions and seeing a lot of great talent and racing legends!”

Pro Ski GP Class was one of the best shows of the weekend. Or should we say, watching Chris MacClugage school the field on how to ride a standup was a great show! We witnessed the GOAT flawless, smooth and relaxed all weekend as he rode to all firsts in Pro Ski GP and Pro-Am Ski Stock. The rest of the riders in both classes were left fighting for second! Jimmy Wilson, and Dustin Motzouris of Team Komander, battled increasingly rough water conditions on Sunday to round out the podium in 2nd and 3rd for the weekend in Pro Ski GP.

As noted, MacClugage took all first in Pro-Am Ski Stock motos 1-3, followed by Rob Flores who had the fastest heat time aboard his Factory Yamaha SuperJet and Wilson in third on the podium. We met up with Flores who said, “What a great event Round 1 of the Pro Watercross Tour was… two heats of Pro Ski GP, and lots of Yamaha SuperJets all over the beach!”

In Pro Runabout GP, Saturday’s story was top Sea-Doo rider Erminio Iantosca with major mechanical issues taking him out of Saturday’s Moto 1 early on. Unfortunately, after one blown motor in the race and another blown motor after swapping the first motor out, we didn’t see Iantosca on Sunday.

Abdullah Al-Fadhel made a strong comeback to US closed course racing this weekend and picked up right where he left in 2013! Both Al-Fadhel and his Dean’s Team Yamaha teammate Troy Snyder took the top two podium spots, followed Dylan Osborn in his Pro Class debut in third.

Osborn stated, “Panama City Beach is always a great season opener with the nice blue water and fast skis in the surf. Glad to bring home a podium finish for the first time ever racing in the pro level.” Snyder noted the absence of corporate support, telling WCJ, “Without the presence of Factory Yamaha and their support riders, I feel the presence of runabout racing at the first round of the Pro Watercross Tour wouldn’t have been much… The ski and [Sport classes] had a very impressive turnout.”

Saturday in Pro-Am Runabout Stock Class we saw Al-Fadhel taking another first place finish, and Eric Francis and Brian Baldwin in the second and third positions. After Sunday’s Motos 2 and 3, things got turned upside down in the overall standings when Al-Fadhel came off in Moto 2. The top podium spot was occupied by another Dean’s Team Yamaha rider Brian Baldwin in first, follow by Eric Francis and Al-Fadhel. Baldwin echoed, “It was a great weekend, with challenging conditions and great competition!”

As mentioned earlier, for the first time this weekend in Panama, the Hidden Trails National Tour included Sport GP in the Pro Show. Making his Pro Show debut on top of the podium this weekend was Team Faith’s rider Kelly Smith. We are excited to watch the competition heat up even more in this class throughout the rest of the 2015 season. Next stop is Pensacola Beach, FL. for Round 2 of the Pro Watercross Hidden Trails National Tour this coming weekend.

Clay Barbee, ‘84 World Cup Ski Champion, World Freestyle Champion, competitor in Runabout Stock and NA in 2012-14, now spectator and friend of everyone summed it up best: “Congratulations to everyone, and great seeing the race family. I’m enjoying the weekends and watching all my friends battle it out in Pensacola!”

Full results from Round 1 of the Hidden Trails Pro Watercross National Tour can be found HERE.

Images courtesy of Kristen Eck of MrsRSRacingImages

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Greenhulk.net Launches www.PWC.Life Apparel Line

By

Kevin Shaw

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May 12, 2015

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It’s readily understood that most people wear their hearts quite literally on their sleeves, at least in the form of dressing to meet or emulate a certain interest, lifestyle or fashion. We often joke that you could plop yourself on a bench in any high school in America and easily identify kids who were interested in skateboarding, heavy metal, drama, football, or dang near everything else just by observing how they dress.

So tell us, what does a jet skier look like? That’s right, if you visualized anyone, it was likely back in the old neon-hued t-shirt days of hairsprayed waves, short OP shorts, slip-on checkered Vans sneakers, and wrap-around Oakley sunglasses. Sounds pretty dated, huh? Well, that’s why we’re looking forward to ww.PWC.life. The apparel brand is looking to re-establish the “jet ski look” and is doing so with their first three t-shirt designs.

Created as an appendage of mega-popular PWC performance forum, Greenhulk.net, PWC.life is preparing a massive catalog of apparel and accessories over the coming months and year. We’re pretty excited to see what comes next, but until then, check out Greenhulknet’s own Jerry Gaddis’ announcement here:

Everyone has been asking for shirts for quite some time now and I have finally made it happen. Not only do we have Greenhulk.Net shirts available, but we have many other cool designs. We have PWC related designs as well as designs for Stand Up’s and Flyboard.

These shirts are made from high quality quick dry material and come in white, black, or gray and come in sizes from Small through XXX-Large

Please be sure to check out the PWC Life Apparel store at www.PWC.Life

We offer FREE domestic shipping on all orders and $21.95 flat rate international shipping.

We are extremely excited about this new line of clothing. I hope you enjoy the shirts as much as we enjoy making them for you!

Thank you!
Jerry

Money Talks: 2015 Sea-Doo GTI 130

By

Kevin Shaw

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May 11, 2015

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“Hey, want to know how to make a small fortune by buying a boat?” the old deadpan joke begins. “Start with a big fortune!” While this was probably some sidesplitting stuff back when Coca-Cola still had cocaine in it, there’s the familiar stigma that still rings true: boats (and thereby personal watercraft), are an expensive, superfluous purchase. We’ve even joked that a motorcycle could be justified as a way to cut fuel costs or shave precious minutes commuting. But a PWC? Nope. It’s a toy.

And while people will always want toys, the extravagance of purchasing a new watercraft makes wringing the most value from one’s dollar all that more important. Highlighting what features improve the ride, comfort, use and overall experience are necessary to elevate one brand or unit above the others. Sea-Doo of course, rocked the entry-level price point with the introduction of the Spark late last year. And while the lightweight Rec Lite unit is a fantastic entry point for many (so much so that it earned The Watercraft Journal’s 2014 Watercraft of The Year award), it doesn’t fit every need.

Considering the price of modern watercraft, weighing a vehicle on its value is key to making a quality purchase. Sea-Doo’s GTI 130 is aptly equipped and priced below many competitors’ craft.

We’ve always enjoyed Sea-Doo’s GTI platform and its varied package offerings, from the opulent GTI 155 Limited to the hard-hitting supercharged GTR 215, down to the playful GTI 130 SE and 155 SE. So when Middle Tennessee’s biggest Sea-Doo dealer, America’s Motorsports offered us a chance to let loose on a new 2015 GTI 130, we couldn’t help but take them up on the offer.

The second highest-equipped unit in the Recreational segment for BRP, the GTI 130 enjoys the benefits of sharing good genes with the aforementioned units. Beginning at $9,299, the 130 goes without several additions that the SE (Special Editions) offer, such as VTS (Variable Trim System), folding swim step or a depth reader.

Above left: Storage on the GTI is ample, with 30.8 gallons split between the large bow stowage and the deep glovebox. Above right: The glove box is big enough to fit a couple bottles of water, a bottle of sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses.

Rather, the 130 remains explicitly frills-free, that is for a Sea-Doo. All Recreation-and-up units come standard with Sea-Doo’s iBR (Intelligent Brake & Reverse), iTC (Intelligent Throttle Control), and a GPS-informed speedometer. The GTI also shares the same single-piece saddle, smartly contoured narrow at the knees and broader in the seat. A gentle bolster breaks up the bench into a slight tiered arrangement, elevating the second and third riders for stadium-like seating. For the rearmost rider, a smartly designed handrail rises up to meet their grip without rubbing on legs.

Riding on a 132.6-inch long platform first introduced in 2011, the GTI’s hull is a reliably stable three-seater, managing to be both steady and playful when directed. When engaged in “Sport Mode,” the 1,494cc Rotax 3-cylinder answers the call with sharper throttle response and a lively torque curve that hides its entry-level pricing. The moderate V-hull features a strakeless bottom, freeing up the three-seater for more playful slides and horseplay. But when cruising is the course, the GTI quickly comes to plane and tracks true even through mild lake chop.

Sharing the same platform with the supercharged Sea-Doo GTR 215 and top-of-the-line GTI Limited 155, the 130 enjoys comfortable ergonomics and an enjoyable ride.

While operating under “ECO Mode,” we’re all but certain you’ll run about of daylight before the GTI will empty its 15.9-gallon fuel tank. The GTI’s default “Touring Mode” is also notably conservative, but offers a nice medium between the aforementioned Sport and ECO settings. And don’t worry, this naturally-aspirated machine runs happily on 87 octane “cheap stuff,” so there’s no fear of breaking the bank while filling it up.

A new addition for 2015, is the new RF DESS key that improves upon the outgoing design with a new ball-and-socket mount, allowing for easy and quick starts every time. Even at full throttle, the only sound resonating in your ears will be the whipping of wind and the laughter coming from your passengers because Sea-Doo’s D-Sea-Bel system (decibel, get it?) combines a “series of resonators and vibration-absorbing components” to mute the GTI’s exhaust note, allowing for a quiet, enjoyable ride.

Above left: Two of Sea-Doo’s most praised features include the use of digital “fly-by-wire” electronic throttle control, iTC, and iBR. Above right: iBR, Intelligent Brake & Reverse allows riders to come to a halt in half the distance of non-brake equipped watercraft.

As is with all of Sea-Doo’s 2015 lineup, most dramatic changes to Sea-Doo’s Recreation series were the addition of very polarizing color schemes. Available in either Manta Green or Maldives Blue, the GTI 130 is splashed with some vibrant hues sure to catch your eye. The blue is broken up with a black hood and Manta Green highlights, and we actually found the Maldives Blue very pleasant in person and find it a fun departure from the typical primary colors found on so many other machines.

We expressed concern whether sales of the Spark were “cannibalizing” those of the GTI, to which America’s Motorsports Chris Watts assured that, “while the Spark is a great seller and gets people in the door, many find that they want a more stable craft with more storage. We almost always get these people on a GTI. They love it.” And sure enough, the GTI lineup remains some of Sea-Doo’s most popular watercraft for those same reasons.

Special thanks to America’s Motorsports for use of the 2015 Sea-Doo GTI 130.

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