Sea-Doo has redesigned their different lines of life jackets and incorporated different categories based on the wearer’s needs. For example, someone who likes to race down the waterway, will want a life jacket that maximizes air flow while a fisherman would reach for a PFD with pockets for stashing tackle. Sea-Doo has broken down lifejackets into useful categories to make it easy to shop for one geared toward your riding style.
Sea-Doo’s Airflow Life Jackets are designed with comfort in mind. They use a Unique Airflow System to keep the jacket away from your skin, so you can stay cool and dry. Extra lumbar padding adds support and alleviates lower back pressure. The Freedom line of life jackets have an athletic fit and are built with all-around performance in mind.
The Explorer Life Jackets are extremely durable and made for the rider who likes to keep his essential gear within reach. This is the kitchen sink of jackets from Sea-Doo. It has numerous pocket and places to mount your camera and radio.
If you’re in the market for a nice line of life jackets for the family, the Motion Life Jackets are worth checking out. These are great for people with growing kids because they have adjustable sizing. These PFD’s have large arm holes to add more comfort, so you can move without restriction.
If you have a lot of summer visitors who like to get on the water, the Navigator Life Jacket is a great choice for you. The jackets are unisex, making them easy to share. They are affordable as well, so you won’t break the bank for those occasional visitors and still keep safety in mind with these USCG approved vests. Sea-Doo has another category featuring Youth Life Jackets.
There are several different styles to choose from, including the Kids’ Sandsea PFD made for little kids who like to go for boat rides. It is not for use on PWC. Sea-Doo’s line of youth jackets are designed with freedom and the environment in mind. The ecoprene material is rubber free, flexible, lightweight, and quick to dry. Head to the Sea-Doo website to learn more about the newly designed lifejackets. All jackets are USCG approved.
An electric jetboard from Radinn can greatly improve your van life. Just add water and a Radinn X-Sport and you’re good to go. The X-Sport is the most versatile and durable board in the Radinn line up, making it the perfect board to accompany you on your journey.
The X-Sport is ready for adventure and built to withstand almost anything you can throw at it. You could probably hit some debris on this thing and keep on riding without even so much as a ding. It’s that stable and that tough. The board is made using Radinn’s ultra-resistant hull technology.
This is the material that windsurf boards and extreme kayaks are made of. The X-Sport can easily take on rough conditions thanks to an extra thick fiberglass job and ASA polymer layer. The board is easy to ride and is responsive enough for pulling tricks and getting a little loose while riding.
What makes this board especially good for van life is the fact that it is tough and great for taking on new spots you discover during your travels. You may encounter a lot of growth along an old trail when heading down to the water. Have no fear; the X-Sport isn’t going to shatter if you accidentally bang it on something.
When you do hit the water, the board’s quad fin setup is going to allow you to let loose and draw out big carving turns. So, the next time you’re heading out in your van for a cross country tour, throw a Radinn X-Sport in its boardbag and hit the road! You’ll be glad you did!
Whether you’re pinned in the shallows or casually cruising with a group of friends, impeller damage can quickly put a damper on your day. Dulled, blunted, bent or torn blades can wreak havoc on your watercraft’s jet pump if left unchecked and that can quickly add up to a very costly and likely unrideable season. Thankfully, Impros – the most experienced, trusted name in impeller performance – can whip your wasted impeller back into shape in no time!
In this incredible before-and-after set if images published in a recent Facebook post, Impros shows off its stills and restoring stock, race-ready and completely customized impellers. Here’s what they had to say:
“Think your impeller isn’t repairable? Call us first! […] We have a reputation of taking what might look like a goner back to brand spankin’ new! Just send us an email with pictures from multiple angles and we will give you a quote and turn-around time! Do you have a “goner” that we can turn back to gold?! Send it!”
And if these pictures aren’t enough to encourage you to get your impeller restored, we’ve got one better: all readers of The Watercraft Journal can enjoy 10-percent off of any purchase at Impros when using the exclusive coupon code WCJ10 at the point of check out! Shave off some cash and get your PWC running right all in the same breath! It’s that easy!
A little over 4 years ago, The Watercraft Journal introduced the PWC community to its “Long Hauler” Auxiliary Fuel System Kit, designed to work with all modern 4-stroke runabouts – except for any post-2011 Sea-Doos. Considering that Sea-Doo accounts for over 50-percent of all new units sold year-to-year, you’d think we’d make every effort to accommodate these owners…but doing so is far more complicated than many would think.
This article is going to explained how our system works without any cutting or drilling, and how easily it can be installed and removed; as well as why updates to Sea-Doo’s fuel system from the factory in 2012 made using our kit neigh impossible without major modifications or unsafe fuel plumbing – especially for the layman enthusiast to perform. Lastly, we’re going to offer easy and readily available solutions for bringing plenty of fuel for long rides.
Self-Siphoning Tanks & “The Long Hauler” Auxiliary Fuel System Kit
Siphon-style fuel systems are well over 100-years old. Describing the process as simply as possible, when the engine draws gasoline from the factory-supplied fuel cell, it creates negative pressure (or vacuum). Typically, this vacuum draws in air through a breather tube vented outside, equalizing the pressure in the fuel cell. A siphon-style fuel system (like WCJ’s Long Hauler Kit) replaces that vent tube with a fuel line plumbed into a second vented fuel tank.
This means that as the engine pulls gasoline from the factory fuel cell, the vacuum created will draw the gasoline from the auxiliary (backup) tank before finally pulling in air vented through the second tank – and all without interrupting the normal mechanical operation of the vehicle. And because the auxiliary fuel is pulled in by vacuum, the line experiences zero pressure, ensuring very, very low chances of fuel leakage.
Moreover, as long as the nipple connecting the fuel cell to the vent tube is accessible, swapping out the tube for a second fuel line can take a matter of seconds. Both fuel cells from Yamaha and Kawasaki are well within reach (once removing the access panel in the front storage bin). In recent years, Yamaha reconfigured its tank ventilation to improve air flow during fuel fill-ups, but the traditional vent tube begins a little higher up at a T-fitting.
For those running a 2004-through-2011 Honda Aquatrax 4-stroke, and pre-2021 Yamaha WaveRunner 4-stroke or any Kawasaki JetSki 4-stroke, the process is as simple as described: locate the nipple in the tank that connects to a vent tube, disconnect the tube and replace with a fuel line running to an auxiliary fuel tank. Because the line isn’t pressurized, a simple plastic ziptie or hose clamp can be used to secure the fuel line to the plastic nipple.
https://youtu.be/Irym6RRM8kA
So How Come it Won’t Work for Sea-Doo?
Prior to 2012, Sea-Doo 4-stroke watercraft operated in very much the same way as the other brands, ventilating their fuel cells through a dedicated tube to the outside atmosphere – making use of these kits possible. Unfortunately, Sea-Doo made a sweeping change for 2012, opting to ventilate their fuel tanks through a vented gas cap. The vented gas cap simplified the fuel system (reducing the number of parts) by making the filler neck both the fuel ingress line and vent tube.
A solution we considered was to source (or develop) a solid, non-vented cap with a port or nipple (similar to those found on older dirt bikes and ATVs) where the auxiliary fuel line could be plumbed. This proved problematic as trying to route the fuel line to the rear would either need to hang loosely in the footwell (which was unacceptable) or be pinched off by many of the “splash guards” Sea-Doo has in place to keep fuel from spilling during fill-ups.
A second consideration was to install our own vent line by again, replacing the vented cap with a solid cap; but this time replace the filler neck with our own customized hose with a bung for a vent line. While this would work and allow a fuel line to be routed safely through the engine compartment, accessing the fuel tank (specifically in the popular ST3 platform) is particularly difficult without significant disassembly – making a quick removal of the system all but impossible.
In all, each solution that we explored either needed expensive additional parts or required permanent alterations to the watercraft that we simply didn’t feel comfortable asking everyday Sea-Doo owners to perform. (When asked, most couldn’t even locate their fuel tank nonetheless be expected to modify it. – Ed.) While not offering an application of our Auxiliary Fuel System Kit costs us considerable sales, we weren’t comfortable offering an inferior or unsafe product.
What Are My Options for Long Distance Rides?
Thankfully, both Sea-Doo itself and the aftermarket provide very accessible solutions. While none offer a self-feeding auxiliary fuel system that will supplement your Sea-Doo’s fuel supply, bringing several gallons of added fuel has never been easier. Certainly, the introduction of the LinQ system in 2018 made bringing a small quantity of added gasoline a breeze. BRP’s stackable 4-gallon fuel caddy allowed the adventurer to tote another 4-gallons without tools or an added rack.
With the addition of the Fish Pro Rear Deck Extension, a second pair of LinQ mounts meant two caddies could accompany you but at the cost of permanently modifying your Sea-Doo. This addition became an immediate sensation for “long haulers” until Sea-Doo rolled out its LinQ Multi Cargo Rack, allowing (when properly arranged with additional LinQ mounts) three of Sea-Doo’s 5-gallon Fuel Caddies. With 15-gallons of fuel aboard, any Sea-Doo equipped with the LinQ Multi Cargo Rack touts more fuel capacity than those using our own Long Hauler kit.
This All Sounds Great! What Are the Downsides?
Packing a lot of added fuel can radically open up your range of exploration, which is a great thing…right? Only if you plan appropriately. Packing an extra 70-to-100 pounds of fuel can impact your PWC’s fuel consumption. Likewise, you’ll want to verify that you’ll either have enough fuel to reach your destination and return safely, or find a fuel station that is open and has the minimum octane required by your manufacturer. A lower grade fuel might get you home, but your engine’s computer will compensate for the low octane rating by increasing the amount of fuel used.
Lastly, toting all of that extra weight over the transom of a PWC will radically alter the pitch (or trim) of your ski as well as how it operates through chop. This can produce a pendulum effect and cause extreme jolts and jostles strong enough to break loose whatever hardware you’re using to secure your fuel. We’ve seen no small number of very expensive gas cans and powder coated racks lost to the sea due to cheap mounting hardware, loose straps or inferior build quality. As a final note: always re-check your equipment throughout your ride.
Sea-Doo has several great promotions going on right now. You can grab a deal on select models of 2022/23 Sea-Doo PWC and select models of the Sea-Doo Switch Pontoon Boats. Sea-Doo is offering $500 off $4,000 worth of accessories when you purchase a 2023 Switch. It will be easy to hit the $4,000 mark. Add a Bundle and you’re there!
You can also choose from a list of accessories and build it your way. There are 20 offers to choose from so there will be something for everyone. If you’re looking to get a deal on a Sea-Doo PWC, check out these great offers. The 2023 GTX touring models and select 2023 Sea-Doo Sparks are on offer with financing as low as 5.99% for 36 months.
Sea-Doo is offering the same 5.99% financing for 36 months on the Explorer Pro, Wake Pro, GTI Models, FishPro’s, and the big and bad Performance models, including the RXP-X Apex 300.are on offer with financing as low as 5.99% for 36 months. If you’re okay with last year’s models of Sea-Doo watercraft, you can score an even better deal. Get 2-year coverage and financing as low as 2.99% for 36 months and 2 free PFDs.
All offers are based on credit approval and your credit worthiness. Check out the Sea-Doo website for all the fine print and watercraft on offer. These exclusive offers end May 31st so hurry into your local Sea-Doo to take advantage of this low financing.
RIVA Motorsports and Marine of the Keys is offering great deals on their clearance inventory. Get yourself an awesome Manager’s Special on a new or used Yamaha WaveRunner or Sea-Doo PWC. Score a new 2022 Sea-Doo RXP-X 300 with iBR and Bluetooth Audio-Premium System for as little as 20% down with a payment of $358 a month.
If you don’t need that much ski, a new 2022 Spark Trixx 2-Up can be yours for $191 a month with a 20% down payment. If you’ve been thinking about getting into fishing from a PWC, this may be the time to pull the trigger. RIVA Motorsports and Marine has new 2022 Sea-Doo Fish Pro Sport 170’s in stock; 20% at $324 a month for 60 months will put you on one of these jet skis. For the rider who prefers a Yamaha WaveRunner, they have a few of these listed under the Manger’s Special.
A new 2022 FX SVHO with Audio is available for 20% down and $349 a month for 60 months. This one comes with the 7” Connext Infotainment System, which provides you with complete audio connectivity through your smartphone. The 2022 Yamaha Superjet is also up for grabs under the Manager’s Special deal. Get one for $242 a month with 20% down for 60 months and have a blast!
All offers are based on approved credit. Check out the site for even more offers on PWC, boats, UTV’s, and more! RIVA Motorsports and Marine has a large amount of inventory that they are ready to move!
Let me start by saying that I’m not a fiberglass guy and this is just how I did the repair. I don’t own a repair shop or claim to be a professional. We good? Cool. OK, so have you ever had an incident where your ski has had a bit of an owie? Well if you have a Kawasaki, modern Yamaha SuperJet or any other watercraft with gel coat this article will show you how to fix it.
The ski I am working on is my own 2023 Yamaha SuperJet which had some gel coat shaved off from making contact with the trailer bunk bracket. The damage was on the bottom, near one of the chine’s on the hull – not what you’d call an easy spot. So let me say, if you can fix a spot like this, you can certainly fix any flat part of your hull.
To make this repair you will need a gel coat or fairing compound. I personally use the Evercoat brand. You can get it at most marine supply stores and even some hardware stores. If you use a neutral gel coat you are also going to need a pigment for the gel coat to blend in the repair.
You will also need sandpaper, acetone, painters tape or masking tape,g loves, something to mix the gel coat (or filler), a respirator and some rags (or no-lint paper towels). If you are using non-thickened gel coat you will also need a silica powder, which will thicken the gel coat so you can use it as a filler, which you can also get at most marine supply stores.
The first step is to wipe the damaged area with acetone to remove any grease or contaminants. It has to be squeaky clean or the new gel coat will not bond properly. Next, use the painters tape to mask off the surrounding area that you don’t want to get gel coat on.
If you are using a filler like Evercoat’s Formula 27 or a pre-thickened gel coat paste, all you have to do is mix the product and hardener (and add pigment if it’s a neutral gel coat) in the ratio that it says on the back of the can, which in my case was 12 drops of hardener per ounce of gel coat. If you are using a non-thickened gel coat then you will have to put on your respirator and add some silica until the gel coat gets to a mayonnaise-like consistency.
Once you have the gel coat and hardener mixed together, use a putty knife to force the gel coat or filler into the repair area. Be thorough about pressing it in or you run the risk of having an air pocket. I used my fingers (with nitrile gloves) to shape the gel coat. If you are using regular gel coat you have to cover it with a piece of Mylar or wax paper (look what it says on the back of the can to know what to cover the repair area while curing).
Curing time depends mostly on ambient temperature. The colder it is, the longer it will take. In my case, in a 65-degree temperature controlled garage the gel coat took around 2 hours. Once cured, it is time to sand and make that gel coat smooth. If you are doing this repair on a part of the ski that is flat, use a sanding block.
Unfortunately, I put the gel coat on a little too thick. I just used 80 grit sandpaper because I also forgot to put the pigment in the gel coat so I had to put a coat of white paint over the repair. In most cases, you should just be able to start with 120 grit, then 400 grit and finish with 600 grit. If you paint over the repair area, apply two to three thin coats instead of one thick coat. If you try to do one thick coat it will run and you will end up with a big mess.
After the paint is dry, wet sand with 1000 grit and then buff with some rubbing compound. If you use a gel coat thickened with Silica powder or if it’s on the underside you can skip the painting step entirely. Just apply a coat of your favorite wax and you are done. Save yourself $500-plus dollars by doing this yourself once you understand the process of it it is super easy.
The Watercraft Journal provides novice and veteran riders alike with a multitude of resources to help them navigate the difficult and often confusing process of selecting and purchasing a new personal watercraft. In this article we cover the fundamental steps each buyer should take when researching, selecting, and ultimately purchasing a new PWC from a dealership.
Self-Evaluation
Riders must ask themselves four core questions: Where am I going to ride, how am I going to ride, what is my experience level, and what is my budget? This should be the first step prospective buyers take when finally making the decision to purchase a new PWC.
1. Where am I going to Ride?
Are you planning to ride on a small private freshwater lake or in the Atlantic Ocean? Where you plan to ride will heavily influence both the type and brand of PWC you consider.
The Kawasaki Ultra 310, for example provides a proven platform for offshore conditions, the Yamaha GP1800 SVHO offers exceptional closed-course handling, and the Sea-Doo ST3 platform delivers a stable platform for fishing and cruising inland waters.
2. How am I going to Ride
Are you planning to ride one-up or will you be bringing your wife and child with you on your new ski? Do you want a sit-down runabout or a sporty stand-up? Do you want to go fast, or are you OK with cruising around at 35mph?
Will you be zipping around a fresh-water buoy course or cruising from Miami to Bimini? These considerations are all critical in ensuring you chose a ski that perfectly suits your needs.
3. What is my experience level
Have you owned a PWC or boat before, or is this your foray into the world of life on the water? Do you know the key differences between supercharged and naturally aspirated skis? Often time, first-time buyers will bite off more than they can chew with a PWC purchase.
The Kawasaki Ultra 310, for example, requires a variety of special maintenance- will you be doing this work yourself, or will you be relying on your dealer or mechanic to do it for you? Can you handle a 300-horsepower supercharged RXPX or would you be more comfortable on a naturally aspirated Sea-Doo GTI 130 SE?
4. What can I afford?
Conduct a realistic evaluation of your finances that include both your willingness and ability to obtain financing, either at a dealership or local bank/credit union.
Decide whether or not you can afford a base-model Sea-Doo spark on a galvanized trailer or a Yamaha FX SVHO Limited on a torsion-axle aluminum trailer, for example. Be prepared to look at models within your budget.
Information Gathering
1. What brand do I want to buy?
After conducting a self-evaluation, it’s time narrow down your search for a new PWC. You’ve watched The Watercraft Journal YouTube channel, and read through the hundreds of articles covering major offerings from all three major brands. Understand the pros and cons of each brand and the key differences between them.
All three brands offer different and often contrasting design features and characteristics that might perfectly suit one buyer while deterring another. Start with each brand’s website to explore key features and benefits on the latest models.
2. Social Media
Social media is often rife with falsified, biased, or incorrect information, so tread lightly when weeding through this type of material. Are you looking at a real-life owner review, or content from a paid brand ambassador?
Are you reading about complaints on a public forum where anyone can post, or are you reading about critical safety issues reported to the US Coast Guard?
Social media will give you a glimpse into both the good and bad of each brand and model, while also giving you an idea of what major issues or concerns others have brought up in the past.
3. Put your hands on different PWCs at a dealership or boat show
Check with local dealers to see if they have the models you are interested in on the showroom floor. Sit on each ski, knock on the hulls, take a look at the engine, open every compartment and make a detailed in-person assessment of the fit-and-finish of the models that interest you. Is it comfortable? Do you like the layout of the controls? Does the front storage fit your helmet with a top-mounted GoPro that you insist on wearing?
If your dealer doesn’t have any stock, try visiting a local boat show. Boat shows are a great way to experience many skis at the same time, with little pressure from salespeople. PWC clubs, rental outfits, test-drive events, and visits to the local sandbar are other ways you can get your hands on a PWC in-person before placing an order.
Ordering with Exactness
1. Be an informed buyer; “Be a Karen”
An informed and educated buyer will know exactly what they are planning to buy when they walk into that dealership. Buyers should know the product better than the salesman, and should be well informed about which accessories are included with each ski, and which must be purchased as add-ons.
2. Do NOT order online
You are not placing an order for a pair of socks from Amazon so don’t treat your PWC purchase this way! You always want to deal directly with a person- ideally someone who is positioned to negotiate with you and answer any questions you might have about the dealership, product, or additional add-ons like extended warranties or service plans.
3. Compromise is key
You have decided on a Yamaha FX SVHO Cruiser, but the dealer has told you it will be 6-12 months before your ski will arrive. They have a FX SVHO Limited on the lot right now, ready to go but it’s the wrong color and exceeds your budget. Often times, buyers are forced to compromise- settling for something other than what they initially wanted. This is the hard reality that you must accept sometimes if you want to walk out of that dealership with a shiny new ski.
Full Inspection
1. Don’t take delivery just yet
You’ve wheeled-and-dealed and now are ready to sign on the dotted line but wait! Before entering that dreaded finance office, make sure you have ample time to give your new ski an entire one-over from stem to stern.
Open every compartment, check each latch, get underneath the ski and check for scratches, cracks, or other damage. Check the engine compartment for signs of leaking fluids or broken parts. If anything looks awry, voice your concern immediately.
2. Right of Refusal
If the ski has a major defect or issue do not take it home! If your inspection reveals a major issue with the ski, get your dealer to correct the issue BEFORE you complete your purchase.
Failure to act on a major issue at time of purchase may mean you are stuck paying for a ski that now requires warranty work- meaning you could be waiting weeks or even months for parts. Cosmetic issues may never look right, even after dealers attempt to repair them under warranty.
If you have any reservations about the condition of your new ski, make these concerns known before completing the purchase. If you fail to thoroughly inspect your new ski and discover an issue only once you get it home, it will be much more difficult and frustrating to address than if you would have made this discovery before taking delivery.
Congratulations! You have competed your self-evaluation, done your research, selected the make and model you want, negotiated a deal within your budget, completed a full inspection, and are now ready to take your new PWC home! Just as if you purchased a new car or truck, make a call to your insurance agent of choice, and secure a PWC policy on that new watercraft.
Remember that factory warranties do not cover damage as the result of theft, collision, or negligence. And don’t forget to stay up-to-date with the latest PWC news and trends with The Watercraft Journal!
Yamaha WaveRunners and Discover Boating have some great tips on offer about how to be a cleaner boater and PWC rider. We all want to protect our waterways so they’re not only clean the next time we want to take a ride but also available to us. Waterways are often taken away from jet skiers due the actions of a few who don’t respect the rules and laws. Below are some ways we can all be better stewards of those nice places we like to ride and enjoy.
Always refuel on land to ensure you don’t spill fuel or oil in the water. Try to avoid the shallows so as not to suck up plants, sand, or trash into your pump. If you are riding in shallow water, maintain an idle speed so as not to disturb wildlife. Moreover, if there are swimmers nearshore, avoid riding near them and whatever you do, don’t harass the wildlife in or out of the water. Keep a careful eye out for manatees when in Florida. They are slow and often fall prey to injuries by careless boaters.
Always follow No Wake Zone signage. When you pull your watercraft out of the water, make sure to give it a good wash so you don’t carry any non-native species of plants or animals to your next destination. When you are docking, try to avoid areas where birds or other animals are hanging out on shore. Do your best to find an open area when beaching your ski for lunch or taking a break. Be mindful of the fragile ecosystems along the shore.
Following these simple rules will keep the waterways open to all of us while doing our part to keep it clean.
Whether you ride for fun or a professional racer, Unlimited PWC has life jackets for all your needs. The top of the line is the Rush Eclat Neo Vest part of the Unlimited Rush series of products designed by professional watercraft riders. The jacket is USCG certified and made of water repellent neoprene to help keep you comfortable. It also has a lumbar pad to support your lower back. The jacket comes with a whistle and has a D-ring for attaching a kill switch. The vest comes in black, white, and yellow and has a price of $152.
The Neo Life Jacket and Rush Neo Life Jacket’s rate up there with the Rush Eclat Vest when it comes to high-end products. The Rush Neo Life Jacket is another design in collaboration with professional riders.
Nylon S/E Life Jacket, which is a side entry vest, making it easier to put on and take off. It also certified by the USCG and comes with an inside pocket for stowing your license or other small item.
Unlimited PWC has a nice line of nylon life jackets for those who like to spend a long time on the water doing other marine activities like boating, fishing, and wakeboarding.
The vests are USCG certified and come with a whistle. They are made for movement, so you don’t feel confined and can move freely. The Comfort Nylon Vest comes in yellow, black, pink, or white. It is priced at $100.
The Comfort Nylon Jacket is similar in style and a little cheaper at $89. Bringing up the rear is the Nylon Life Jacket, which has a loose fit so you can really move around. It is priced to move at $80. Check out the life jackets at the Unlimited PWC website. He always has cool stuff in stock!
The 
Self-Siphoning Tanks & “The Long Hauler” Auxiliary Fuel System Kit
The