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.
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.
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.
