Monthly Archives: September 2012

BRP LEVERAGES 25 YEARS OF MODERN SEA-DOO DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION IN THE MOST COMPLETE WATERCRAFT LINE IN HISTORY FOR 2013

24 Monday Sep 2012

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BRP celebrates 25 years of modern Sea-Doo watercraft with the launch of the most complete line-up in 2013 featuring new, trend-setting color options with exclusive technologies, like the only on-water brake – Intelligent Brake and Reverse system (iBR). BRP’s Sea-Doo 2013 watercraft line-up offers an extensive range of models that set industry benchmarks in each segment and meet and exceed every consumer desire in performance, commodity, rider comfort and peace of mind.

BRP celebrates 25 years of fun on the water and industry firsts in watercraft. 

The modern Sea-Doo watercraft was launched in 1988 featuring the industry’s first v-hull and rotary valve engine. BRP introduced the three-seater watercraft segment with the introduction of the 1990 Sea-Doo GT and launched musclecraft with the 1991 Sea-Doo XP model. The innovation continued with the first production suspension seat on the 1995 Sea-Doo HX. The 1998 Sea-Doo GTX RFI was built specifically for environmental considerations, featuring Rotax fuel injection and D-Sea-Bel sound reduction.

BRP’s industry leadership continued into the next century with the first four-stroke watercraft, the 2002 Sea-Doo GTX 4-TEC. A year later, the first production supercharged watercraft was launched by Sea-Doo. BRP reinvented what a watercraft is in 2009 with the introduction of the Sea-Doo GTX iS and RXT iS, the first watercraft featuring iControl technologies. The ground-breaking technology included the first and only on-water braking system. Then in 2012, BRP revolutionized the high-performance watercraft with the highly praised Sea-Doo RXP-X with new Ergolock system and T3 hull. It redefined nimble with sharp, precise cornering for the ultimate handling.

Over the past 25 years, Sea-Doo has maintained position as the world’s favourite brand of watercraft. BRP continues to manufacture industry-leading fun with advanced technologies designed to provide greater control and peace of mind for drivers and passengers.

BRP’s 2013 Sea-Doo watercraft line-up includes a model for every type of rider. 

From novice to expert, riders will enjoy Sea-Doo’s technologically advanced line-up of features and rider-centric designs. BRP remains the only manufacturer to offer the industry’s unique Intelligent Brake & Reverse (iBR) system in every watercraft category. This technology allows greater control for riders by positioning the brake and reverse lever directly on the watercraft Page 2

handlebar. iBR also makes the Sea-Doo brand the only watercraft who starts automatically in neutral. This provides easy access and the ability for riders to keep their hands on the handlebars throughout the ride. Sea-Doo’s exclusive iBR technology offers riders more peace of mind with a braking system that allows riders to stop up to 100 feet sooner than any competitor’s PWC1.

BRP’s Sea-Doo RXP-X 260 celebrates an award-winning year leading the Musclecraft family. 

The Sea-Doo RXP-X 260 redefined the musclecraft category by winning several prestigious awards including, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Innovation Award and the Red Dot Design Award, and was named “PWC of the Year” by Watercraft Superstore. The RXP-X 260 has an ominous visual appeal from the flowing facet design, ram air intakes, large side grills, distinctive Ergolock system and T3 hull. The Ergolock system includes angled footwell wedges and a gradually narrowing seat designed to connect the rider to the watercraft. This reduces upper body fatigue, allowing the rider to ride faster and longer. BRP’s Ergolock system compliments the tight turning, T3 hull (T-shaped hull) that features an innovative high and low speed, dual surface design. The T-hull shape works in concert with a unique combination of soft and hard chines, plus adjustable sponsons with winglets and trim tabs, that allow the watercraft to lean into corners, better maintaining entry and exit speed while turning.

With precise superior handling across all models and designs, the entire Sea-Doo musclecraft family provides the technology needed to give you the winning edge — as standard equipment.

BRP’s Sea-Doo GTX family sets the luxury performance standard and expands color offerings in 2013. 

With exclusive luxury packages, the GTX family is the standard by which all other watercraft are measured. For 2013, the GTX Limited iS 260 is available in a new classic Anthracite Grey colorization. The GTX family combines the most advanced technologies available, luxury-minded features, sophisticated modern styling and unparalleled comfort in various conditions. The 2013 GTX models are intended for those who simply want to make the most out of their time on the water. Every GTX is equipped with BRP’s exclusive iControl technologies featuring the award winning iBR and Intelligent Throttle Control (iTC) systems with ECO Mode.

BRP continues to offer the only tow specific watercraft models. 

The 2013 Sea-Doo WAKE 155 and WAKE Pro 215 models are the watercraft of choice of the best wake athletes in the world. The Sea-Doo WAKE models are the official watercraft of the NIKE wakeskate team and are the only watercraft specifically designed for tow sports. Both Sea-Doo WAKE models are equipped with the iTC system featuring a GPS speed based Ski mode, removable board rack and retractable tow pylon with observer handles. Ski mode is BRP’s exclusive, programmable, power delivery system. It allows the driver to choose between five ramp up settings and select target speeds (now based solely on the onboard GPS) to give the rider in tow a perfect pull every time. Both 2013 WAKE watercraft models stand out on any waterway either underway or resting between sets.

The Sea-Doo Recreational watercraft family offers the industry’s best value. 

The award-winning Sea-Doo GTI models return, offering all-around boating enthusiasts the most technologically advanced, value-minded, recreational segment models in the industry. The Page 3

GTI SE, GTI and GTS models undergo a color update with the addition of the fresh Lucky Green option. The Sea-Doo GTI 130 was named PWC of the Year by PWCToday.com and the GTI SE 130 won the NMMA Innovation Award. Both models offer a wealth of premium features including iBR, iTC and advanced rider ergonomics to provide maximum comfort. The GTI Limited 155 takes the value-minded package to a premium level with special features to go along with its playful, yet stable and predictable GTI hull. For the ultimate value seeker, the Sea-Doo GTS model returns, offering simplicity with modern design in the industry’s lowest priced, sit-down watercraft package.

BRP’s Sea-Doo 2013 watercraft line-up offers an extensive range of models that set industry benchmarks in each segment and meet and exceed every consumer desire in performance, commodity, rider comfort, and safety. The 2013 Sea-Doo watercraft will be available at Sea-Doo dealerships this late fall.

 

25 YEARS OF THE MODERN SEA-DOO > 2003 > THE FIRST 185HP SUPERCHARGED FOUR STROKE WATERCRAFT ENGINE AND VANS TRIPLE CROWN EDITION IN 2003

15 Saturday Sep 2012

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Lift the engine cover on the 2003 Sea-Doo GTX 4-TEC Limited Supercharged or GTX SC watercraft and you would see red. Because red was the color of the watercraft industry’s first supercharger. A supercharger boosts the power of an engine by substantially increasing the air-fuel mixture injected into the combustion chambers. By force-feeding more air into the combustion chambers, the 4-TEC Supercharged engine produced an astounding 185 horsepower. Unlike turbochargers, which only kick in after exhaust gases reach a pre-set level, the 4-TEC supercharger was always on.  So throttle response is immediate, without any of the dreaded “turbo lag.”

2003 sea-Doo GTX 4-TEC Limited

The 2003 Sea·Doo GTX 4-TEC Limited Supercharged and GTX Supercharged gave the phrase “Pumped Up” an all-new meaning.  The supercharged 4-TEC marine engine offered consumers the most horsepower ever available in a watercraft. The Sea-Doo brand team leveraged their relationships with Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte and Bombardier’s sponsorship of the Indianapolis Speedway by launching these 2003 Sea-Doo watercraft with unheard of horsepower in conjunction with the Brickyard 400 NASCAR race. Media were invited to the race then the following morning Stewart and Labonte rode the watercraft to a dock on an Indianapolis lake to greet the media.

 

 

2003 Sea-Doo GTX Vans Triple Crown Edition watercraft

The Sea-Doo brand was heavily involved in launching the sport of wakeboarding in the early ‘90s and was doing it again in the early 2000s with the sport of wakeskating. Wakeskating was more technical than wakeboarding and didn’t require big wakes and focused on rail riding but also meant riders fell more. That change in tow vehicle needs led the way to the first tow specific watercraft in the industry, the 2003 Sea-Doo GTX 4-TEC, Vans Triple Crown Edition. Van’s was leading the promotion of action sports in 2003 and a partnership was formed in addition to the Cassette wakeskate team riding exclusively behind Sea-Doo watercraft.

Wakeskate legends and Cassette team riders Thomas Horrell, Aaron Reed, and Danny Hampson all rode behind Sea-Doo watercraft exclusively and led the charge in watercraft becoming the preferred tow vehicles for their fledgling sport.  The fact that Sea-Doo watercraft could turn around quickly and the new 4-TEC engines minimized exhaust made Sea-Doo watercraft the ideal tow vehicle for these athletes to hone their sport. The Vans Triple Crown edition featured a retractable tow pylon with observer grab handles and the 4-TEC engine allowed the driver to hold a constant speed compared to competitive models that struggled at the 18-25 mph ideal tow speeds.

With one year in the field, 2003 Sea-Doo 4-TEC powered watercraft were leading the charge to overturn legislative restrictions put in place based on previous watercraft technology. The new cleaner, quieter 4-TEC engines and Sea-Doo O.P.A.S. (off powered assisted steering) changed how legislators and the public viewed personal watercraft and led the way in shifting perception of watercraft from socially acceptable to socially desirable.

 

25 YEARS OF THE MODERN SEA-DOO – THE NEW ERA IN WATERCRAFT: THE 2002 SEA-DOO GTX 4-TEC

14 Friday Sep 2012

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Bombardier Recreational Products took the most popular watercraft platform of all time and made it better. The 2002 GTX 4-TEC was be the first four-stroke engine powered Sea-Doo watercraft and featured the new innovative and responsible Sea-Doo O.P.A.S. (Off Power Assisted Steering) system.  These and other technological and design advances set the stage for the new era in watercraft.

The bar was set again with the 2002 Sea-Doo GTX 4-TEC watercraft. Powered by the 155 horsepower, 1494cc three-cylinder Rotax 4-TEC engine, the 2002 Sea-Doo GTX 4-TEC changed everything the world knew about watercraft. Power, more environmentally-friendly, and innovation reached new levels with the engine.  The 4-TEC was the most powerful mass-produced engine ever in a Sea-Doo watercraft and exceeded all 2006 EPA environmental standards.

The 2002 GTX 4-TEC offered watercraft enthusiasts a new feeling with an engine that literally purred and provided better acceleration than any luxury performance three‑passenger Sea-Doo watercraft before it.  The low-end torque of the new 1500 4-TEC 155 hp engine powered through an all new 10-vane water jet pump, and straight-line tracking of the redesigned hull made the 2002 GTX 4-TEC a great watercraft for towing wakeboarders, skiers and tubes.  Totally unique to watercraft, the Rotax four-stroke engine emitted a rich, low‑frequency purr at speed and offered ultra smooth operation.  Also integrated into the GTX 4-TEC hull was a revolutionary cooling system.  This engineering feat included a closed‑loop cooling system that used the rideplate as a heat exchanger for the engine coolant in the same fashion as an automobile radiator.  The 2002 GTX design was also offered with the exclusive OrbitalDirect Injection technology watercraft engine.

Committed to responsible boating, Bombardier led with its GTX 4-TEC and GTX DI watercraft and its newest innovation for 2002: the Sea-Doo O.P.A.S system.  This system provided added maneuverability by assisting the steering of the watercraft in off‑throttle and off-power situations.  The system could easily be seen on each side of the hull on equipped models in the form of spring-loaded rudders.

The deck was another work of art from the award-winning Sea-Doo design team.  It featured precisely tailored lines and overall elegant proportions that flowed gracefully from bow to stern while the flared shear line effectively reducing spray.  The hull design offered operators a drier ride with musclecraft-type precision handling.  On the bow, the distinct ridged “gills” were engineered to redirect spray away from the operator, thus offering a clear line of vision and increased comfort.

The 2002 Sea-Doo GTX 4-TEC was one of the most impactful models in the history of Sea-Doo watercraft truly carrying the brand into a new era of technology and potential. The shift from two-stroke power to four-stroke power in personal watercraft had begun.

 

2012 Sea-Doo Ultimate Owners Ride II at the IJSBA World Finals

14 Friday Sep 2012

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Sea-Doo watercraft and boat owners are invited to join the Sea-Doo Special Events Team on a group ride from Lake Havasu City to Pirates Cove Resort in Topock, CA.  This ride is $10 to enter for owners of modern Sea-Doo watercraft and boats.

BRP’s Sea-Doo Ultimate Owners Ride II takes place in conjunction with the largest single personal watercraft event in the world the IJSBA World Finals. The Sea-Doo Ultimate Owners Ride is in it’s second year and will be a fun-filled, 45-mile+ guided group ride on Lake Havasu and the Colorado River. This is the opportunity to experience one of the best one-day rides in all of North America and do it with enthusiasts who share the same passion as you. Join the Sea-Doo Event Team for a fun day of riding next to some of the new 2013 Sea-Doo model watercraft and enjoy a special edition Sea-Doo World Finals event t-shirt, lunch at Pirates Cove Resort in Topock, California, and chance to win BRP gear and prizes.

If you are interested in participating in the ride, you can fill out our registration form on Facebook and download the registration form below and return it to us by FRIDAY, SEPT. 28, 2012. You can email the form to us at info@watertopunlimited.com, fax the form to us at 321-674-9260 or bring your completed forms to registration on Thursday, Oct. 4 at Mudshark’s Brewery in Lake Havasu City.

Owners Ride II Information

Registration form

We look forward to riding with you!

BRP RETURNS TO DOMINATE THE IJSBA WORLD FINALS WITH DEFENDING WORLD CHAMPIONS AND A WEEK FULL OF SEA-DOO RELATED ACTIVITIES

11 Tuesday Sep 2012

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World Champion James Bushell

BRP will have the largest manufacturer presence in recent history at the 2012 IJSBA World Finals in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., this October 1-7.   The Sea-Doo X-TEAM will return to defend numerous World Championships with dozens of world-class watercraft racers competing on the new Sea-Doo RXP-X.  The BRP events teams will on-hand orchestrating numerous Sea-Doo related activities and will be joined by the Can-Am off road team with 2013 Commander side-by-side vehicle demos.

The annual watercraft World Championship races will include a plethora of Sea-Doo related activities including the Sea-Doo X-TEAM Feast, the Sea-Doo Ultimate Owners Ride II, On-site Sea-Doo X-TEAM showroom showcasing many of the new 2013 models, and the Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty Invitational competition.

The IJSBA World Finals is the largest watercraft specific event in North America where the best racers from around the globe converge to compete for World Championships. The event takes place at Crazy Horse Campgrounds in Lake Havasu City, AZ and draws 10,000-15,000 spectators every year. BRP has been a long-time supporter of watercraft racing and the IJSBA World Finals and leads the watercraft industry in race specific support through the Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty racer contingency program and the Sea-Doo X-TEAM Promoter support program.

With the dominating success of the Sea-Doo RXP-X watercraft, BRP comes to this year’s event with a full schedule of activities and racer support initiatives.  Sea-Doo race fans and general enthusiasts alike will be treated to an entertaining experience. Some of the 2012 Sea-Doo World Finals efforts will include:

  • Sea-Doo Podium Showroom – Enter the world of the Sea-Doo X-TEAM at the Sea-Doo Podium Showroom located at the West end of “Performance Alley.” The Sea-Doo X-TEAM Showroom will display select models of the new 2013 Sea-Doo watercraft line-up headlined by the X-Series models.Ultimate 

  • Sea-Doo Owners Ride II, Colorado River – The Sea-Doo Special Events team will be conducting one of the most beautiful, one-day leisure boating rides in North America, exclusively for Sea-Doo watercraft and boat owners (2002 or newer required). The ride will depart from Site Six Launch ramp and travel up the Colorado River to Pirates Cove Resort for a sponsored lunch stop in Topock and back again for a 4-5 hour, round-trip ride on Friday, October 5.  Open to Sea-Doo owners, participants will get a special World Finals event t-shirt, lunch and be eligible for Sea-Doo giveaways. For more information, visit Facebook.com/seadoo and click on the “Owners Ride” App.
  • Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty X Lap Invitational – Select Sea-Doo racers (noted below) who have faired well during the 2012 season are being invited to compete in a special high-stakes competition aboard the new benchmark of watercraft racing, the Sea-Doo RXP-X. The timed event will pit the best Sea-Doo racers of the year against one another to see who can run the single fastest lap of the weekend with the winner taking home $1000.

2012 Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty X LAP Challenge Invitees include:

Qualifying will take place on Friday afternoon following races at World finals track, the top three qualifiers will go to the Sunday final between Motos 1 & 2 for the trophy and $1000 prize.

  • Sea-Doo Racer X-TEAM Appreciation Feast and LiquidSpeedRadio.com– BRP extends their hospitality by hosting Sea-Doo race teams on Tuesday night, October 2 at Mudsharks Grill in Lake Havasu City with a appreciation dinner for racers, friends and family. LiquidSpeedRadio.com will also be broadcasting the Sea-Doo X-TEAM hour LIVE from the event. All Sea-Doo racers are invited and can bring up to three guests to offset some of the costs of their efforts. The X-TEAM Feast will take place from 7-10 and the new RXP-X will make its Havasu debut at the event. > Proof of Sea-Doo ownership (registration or title) AND official IJSBA event wristband is required for entry. For more information, email info@look-marketing.com.
  • CAN-AM Commander Experience – The Can-Am Commander side-by-side vehicle demo tour visits Lake Havasu allowing off-road enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the next generation of side-by-side vehicles on Wednesday, October 3 through October 6 from 10-3:30 at the Crazy Horse Campgrounds off-road track.

Visit www.facebook.com/seadoo for the most up-to-date information regarding BRP’s 2012 IJSBA World Finals activities.

For a look at the new Sea-Doo watercraft and iControl technology, visit  www.sea-doo.com

 

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF THE MODERN SEA-DOO > 1998 SEA-DOO GTX RFI, FIRST CLEANER TECHNOLOGY WATERCRAFT

10 Monday Sep 2012

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By the late 1990’s the personal watercraft industry was nearing ‘maturity’ in the marketing product lifecycle and Bombardier spearheaded the responsibility of responsibly leading the sport into the next era with new, cleaner technology. 1998 marked not only a monumental model year for the Sea-Doo brand but for the entire industry.  The drive for the industry to be more environmentally responsible equaled that of becoming more socially acceptable.  The goal of the Sea-Doo brand team in 1998 was to not only to meet these objectives but also surpass them and ensure Sea-Doo watercraft would elevate the sports status to becoming socially ‘desirable’.

1998 Sea-Doo RFI watercraft

The 1998 Sea-Doo GTX RFI watercraft would be the first production watercraft equipped with cleaner technology including fuel injection and sound suppression. The RFI (Rotax Fuel Injection) system would reduce emissions by up to 30% and increase fuel economy by up to 15% and the D-SEA-BEL sound reduction system would substantially reduce sound emissions. The model would lay the groundwork for all cleaner watercraft technologies to follow.

The RFI system was a semi-direct fuel injection system that supplied fuel at a much more precise, metered rate than standard carburetors. The D-SEA-BEL sound reduction system utilized a series of baffles acoustical foam and Hemholtz resonators to cancel the frequencies irritating to the human ear.   The Sea-Doo GTX RFI would help lead the charge in educating governing bodies around the world on the proactive efforts the industry was taking to address any and all concerns.

1998 Sea-Doo XP Limited watercraft

Performance was also at the forefront of the 1998 Sea-Doo watercraft line with the launch of three ‘Limited’ models with the Sea-Doo XP Limited, GSX Limited, and GTX Limited, all equipped with the new 160 hp Rotax 1000 series twin cylinder engine.  These Limited models distinguished themselves as a “step above” the rest with unmatched power and performance. The 1998 Sea-Doo line will hold an important place in the history of personal watercraft

 

 

25 YEARS OF THE MODERN SEA-DOO > 1995, the First Suspension Seat and the “Slant” Engine

07 Friday Sep 2012

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1995 Sea-Doo HX

The Sea-Doo brand was embracing the watercraft industry leadership position in 1995 and product development was progressing at an astounding pace. Two new Rotax marine engine platforms were introduced in 1995, the 717 twin-cylinder and the 787 RAVE (Rotax adjusting variable exhaust) engine.  The 717 engine was nestled into the new Sea-Doo XP hull code named the X4 hull that spawned from learnings from the companies race teams. This hull’s design included a nose section dropped down and extended the transom with interchangeable trim tabs for greater surface area touching the water for better handling than the previous version hull.

The headliner of the 1995 line was the new Sea-Doo HX watercraft. The Sea-Doo HX featured a very aggressively designed hull with extreme keel angles and ultra narrow running surface for slicing through chop and a pronounced inward angled gunnel chines to allow the machine to lean into turns similar to a motorcycle with the industry’s first production suspension seat that compressed with the g-forces of a turn to lower the rider’s center of gravity and absorb shock in straight line chop.  The Sea-Doo HX was inspired by the dolphin and the design characteristics can be seen in the shape of the HX. The 1995 Sea-Doo HX was the first watercraft to win the prestigious NMMA IMTEC award (now the NMMA Innovation Award).

Sea-Doo Limited edition XP785

Bombardier also released a monumental watercraft called the Sea-Doo XP 785, a limited edition performance model featuring the new 787 “slant” engine featuring the RAVE system perfected in Ski-Doo snowmobiles to change exhaust timing to maximize low end torque and top end RPM. This would be a historical model introduction that would go on to be the winningest racing runabout watercraft model of all time.

Watercraft racing would be close to its all-time peak in popularity and the biggest names in the sport were now competing in the Pro Runabout class with the Sea-Doo X-TEAM led by the sport’s most popular rider, ‘the flyin fish’ Chris Fischetti.  The Sea-Doo brand was also growing its involvement with the Pro Wakeboard tour as wakeboarding was quickly overtaking traditional skiing as the most popular tow sport. Enthusiasts began to realize they could be pulled by the Sea-Doo GT model watercraft making wakeboarding easier, less expensive, and more accessible to more people.

Innovation in the three-seater category continued to grow that segment with the Sea-Doo GTX receiving a power upgrade in 1995 with the addition of the 657 Rotax engine and first ever touring seat option for a plusher ride.  Personal watercraft was the hottest recreational product in the industry and the Sea-Doo dealer network could not get enough product to fill demand.

Bombardier also became very proactive in the areas of social responsibility and boater education with the “Boat Smart From the Start” campaign. To gain public attention boating safety and responsible watercraft operation the Sea-Doo brand was partnered with the world’s most popular TV show of the time, and a show that’s theme was water safety, Baywatch. Many of the actors made public appearances at boating events promoting safe boating practices as well as lending their time for Public Service Announcements for proper watercraft use and wearing Personal Floatation Devices (PFD).

25 YEARS OF THE MODERN SEA-DOO > 1994 – Sea-Doo Goes Racing

06 Thursday Sep 2012

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1994 Sea-Doo XP watercraft

In 1994 personal watercraft were all the rage and the industry was growing at an unprecedented rate among recreational products.  The Sea-Doo brand continued to strengthen its new found leadership position with product innovation and aggressive marketing of this relatively new sport.  Performance was at the forefront of product innovation while the cottagers and all around watersports enthusiasts found a new found freedom and the brands new tagline “Everybody’s Doing It!” held true.

Watercraft racing was a prime time sport on ESPN and the personalities were becoming household names as many of the stars began migrating to the runabout class as factory sponsorship and support was now in play. The first Sea-Doo factory support team riders were introduced at the Sea-Doo factory in Valcourt, QC with a dozen of the world’s top riders competing on Sea-Doo XP models. Sea-Doo riders would dominate the IJSBA National Tour that year with a major handling component being developed, the curved sponson. The curved sponson gave these higher performance watercraft better stability at speed and helped cornering ability by digging into the water. Sponsons would make their way on nearly every watercraft that followed.  1992 National Champion Bo Dupriest claiming the hotly contested Pro Runabout National title again in 1994 with a hull/sponson combination elements that would be carried over to future production models.

1994 Sea-Doo GTX watercraft

The 1994 Sea-Doo GTX received upgrades including the addition of the 657 cc Rotax rotary valve engine with tuned pipe and brass insert in the water jet pump, introduced in the XP the year prior.  The growing popularity of the three-seater for towing led to a standard mirror being added for observing skiers.

Development of future product was intense in Valcourt and the Grant, Florida test facility with benchmark models in development as the marketing efforts reached the general population with a mass TV and radio campaign and a dealer network that now spanned North America.

25 YEARS OF THE MODERN SEA-DOO – 1993, TAKING THE LEAD IN MANY MANNERS

05 Wednesday Sep 2012

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1993 Sea-Doo XP watercraft

The Sea-Doo brand was solidified as the design leader of the personal watercraft industry in 1993 with the launch of the second-generation Sea-Doo XP model. The 1993 Sea-Doo XP was truly the next generation high performance watercraft with modern visual design utilizing smooth, flowing lines and integrated vents, handles and seating on an entirely new top deck and hull. The 1993 XP also upped the performance ante among two-seaters with a marine use specific 657cc Rotax rotary valve engine with twin Mikuni carburetors and a tuned pipe producing 65 horsepower.  The power was put to the water with a new brass insert jet pump, capable of efficiently processing the higher horsepower and utilized the first electronic trim system.

1993 saw runabout racing take a strong hold at IJSBA and APBA watercraft races and the Pro class races were now broadcast on ESPN’s Hot Summer Nights coverage of summer sports. Watercraft racing was one of the original extreme sports and the Sea-Doo XP was at the forefront of this movement as the manufacturers began to see the “what wins on Sunday sells on Monday” phenomenon take affect and factory support of racers began.

Also collecting airtime during ESPN’s programming was the Sea-Doo GTX on the Pro Wakeboard Tour where half of the competition was conducted behind the new Sea-Doo GTX three-seater platforms. Pro wakeboard legends such as Scott Byerly, Darin Shapiro, Gator Legert, Russell Gay, Shaun Murray and others took this fledgling sport to prime time behind Bombardier’s support.

This year also was monumental for the industry as the Sea-Doo brand became the new market share leader, surpassing the Kawasaki watercraft brand.

1993 Sea-Doo watercraft line included; Sea-Doo XP, Sea-Doo SPX, Sea-Doo SPi, Sea-Doo SP, Sea-Doo GTX and Sea-Doo GTS, and the unique Sea-Doo Explorer a Direct Drive jet propelled RIB (rigid inflatable boat).

25 YEARS OF THE MODERN SEA-DOO > Defining Luxury Performance Watercraft = GTX

04 Tuesday Sep 2012

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1992 Sea-Doo GTX, the first luxury performance watercraft

Bombardier lead the way in defining specific watercraft for specific users. 1992 was the year the ‘luxury performance’ watercraft customer was defined and a model was specifically designed for those looking for a more refined on-water experience through a more refined watercraft. The Sea-Doo GTX (Grand Touring with Extras) was born and again a new segment of the industry was introduced.  With the GTX people experienced the maximum in engine and Direct Drive Jet Propulsion performance with the engine package introduced in the 1991 XP nestled in the shell of the GT three-seater package with – relative of the times – plush seating and high-end graphics and colorization.

With the launch of the GTX model the Sea-Doo three-seater line was complimented with a more value minded three-seater model, the Sea-Doo GTS.  It was added to the line-up for the all around watersports family.

To promote the fact that the new Sea-Doo GT watercraft were more than capable of doubling as watercraft superstars and viable tow vehicles, Bombardier sponsored the budding Pro Wakeboard Tour. Anheuser-Busch, parents of Budweiser, sponsored ESPN’s “Hot Summer Nights” programming that brought lifestyle sports to the mainstream during prime time Tuesday night summer programming. Part of this programming was the Pro WaterSki Tour and new Pro Wakeboard and Kneeboard Tour where half of the scored pulls were done behind the new Sea-Doo GTX. This marketing effort was done to promote the ability of the Sea-Doo three-seater watercraft in being more than capable of towing these new ‘extreme’ sports and characteristic of being easier and more economical than traditional inboard boats while towing.

Performance was further pushed following the introduction of the Sea-Doo XP.  As the performance runabout continued to gain popularity the 1992 Sea-Doo XP was upgraded with V.T.S. (a manual Variable Trim system) in addition to the rear grab handle and twin carb and tuned pipe performance package. 1992 also marked the first IJSBA National racing Championship for runabouts in which Palm Bay, Florida racer Bo Dupriest claimed the first ever title aboard a Sea-Doo watercraft.