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The Ultimate Sea-Doo Weekend – 2013 Sea-Doo Ultimate Owners Ride III

11 Wednesday Sep 2013

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Lake Havasu City, Arizona is the self-proclaimed personal watercraft capital of the world, and during one week in October that is undoubtedly a fact. For the past 32 years, the beautiful blue waters of Lake Havasu have been home to the IJSBA World Finals, the PWC racing and freestyle world championships.  Race fans and watercraft enthusiasts from all over the world congregate in the small Arizona town to see the best PWC riders do what they do best, but also to enjoy the incredible landscapes and riding.

Lake Havasu and the World Finals is a destination and the Colorado River provides some of the best PWC riding areas in North America. BRP will be conducting the third annual Ultimate Sea-Doo Owners Ride, on Saturday, October 12, in conjunction with the 2013 IJSBA World Finals. This will be an organized group ride from Site Six on the Lake Havasu Island, under the historic London Bridge and up the Colorado River, passing through picturesque Topock Gorge and arriving at our lunch destination, Pirates Cove Marina. The ride is open to all Sea-Doo product owners and includes some special opportunities.

2013 Ultimate Sea-Doo Owners Ride III participants will join others who share the same passion and interests and will also be provided lunch at Pirates Cove, be given an event t-shirt and have the opportunity to win Sea-Doo prizes. The extra bonus is all participants will be privileged to a VIP test ride of the all-new 2014 Sea-Doo watercraft at Pirates Cove.

The 2014 Sea-Doo Test Ride will be open to the public at Pirates Cove, on Saturday, October 12 only, so reserve your time slot today. To register to participate in the 2013 Sea-Doo Owners Ride III or to reserve your test ride, visit www.seadoodemo.com.

This year, treat yourself to the Ultimate Sea-Doo weekend by participating in a memorable Sea-Doo owners ride and watching the Sea-Doo X-TEAM racers chase racing glory at the World Finals.

THEY SAID WHAT? Video review of the Long Beach Sea-Doo Test Ride Tour

12 Friday Jul 2013

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THEY SAID WHAT???
Check out what the guests of the Sea-Doo Test Ride Tour of Long Beach, Calif., had to say as to why they love Sea-Doo watercraft.

Video by AllAmericanVideo.

The Sea-Doo Test Ride Tour is winding down with stops left the weekend of July 19-21 and 26-29, 2013.  For more information on the Test Ride Tour and to reserve your ideal timeframe visit www.seadoodemo.com.

 

 

BRP TO VISIT 23 US BOATING DESTINATIONS WITH THE 2013 SEA-DOO ‘I BRAKE FOR…’ TEST RIDE TOUR

23 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by in Where to Ride

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BRP will be offering consumers the opportunity to test ride new 2013 Sea-Doo watercraft, equipped with iBR, the world’s only on-water brake system at Test Ride events across the United States this spring and summer. The 2013 Sea-Doo Test Ride Tour will be visiting 23 popular family boating destinations offering consumers the chance to experience the Sea-Doo lifestyle and learn about latest technological watercraft advances from BRP.

The Sea-Doo Test Ride Tour provides current and potential watercraft riders the opportunity to try before they buy. The Sea-Doo events team will assist consumers in finding the right Sea-Doo product to fill their watersports/boating life. Guests are offered an on-water experience aboard a variety of Sea-Doo watercraft models, the only watercraft with a brake.  Sea-Doo is the number one watercraft brand in the North America and world-wide and BRP’s initiative is the biggest manufacturer supported on-water demo effort in the marine industry and is looking to introduce the Sea-Doo lifestyle to over 3000 people during the 23 three-day weekend events.

The Sea-Doo Test Ride events will be FREE to the boating public* and are managed by the Sea-Doo events team – comprised of industry and product experts – and partnering, authorized Sea-Doo watercraft dealers. Each Sea-Doo Tour STOP is designed for both experienced and first time boating families to experience the Sea-Doo lifestyle in a casual, fun filled atmosphere. Attendees will also have the opportunity to win a new Sea-Doo GTI Limited 155 model and Sea-Doo MOVE I trailer in the Sea-Doo ‘I BRAKE FOR…’ sweepstakes.  Anyone can enter by visiting www.sea-doo.com or directly at www.ibrake4.com starting April 10th and simply sharing the special moments and destinations that you brake for.

Event participants will be able to experience multiple award-winning models to best find the right Sea-Doo watercraft to fill their watersports/boating desires. They will be able to experience the handling of the high-performance Sea-Doo RXP-X platform, the performance of various 4-TEC engine packages, the comfort of the smoothest ride possible on a PWC with various suspension equipped models with S3 hull, the simple fun or the GTI platform, and the braking capabilities of the iBR (Intelligent Brake & Reverse) system. Guests will also learn about and experience the durability and reliability of the Rotax 4-TEC marine engine while testing the various power packages available.

Experiencing BRP’s Sea-Doo iBR system gives riders more control and a new perspective of the heightened level of fun to be had aboard Sea-Doo watercraft. We encourage everyone to visit www.seadoodemo.com starting March 25 for detailed event information and to lock in a specific time slot on the day of your choice.

2013 Sea-Doo Test Ride Tour schedule

April 6

Orlando, Fla.: Lake Underhill Park – East of Downtown

April 12-14

Tampa, Fla.: Hogan’s Beach Grille – Courtney Campbell Parkway

April 19-21

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.: Markham Park – PWC Lake

April 26-28

Bonita Springs, Fla.: Big Hickory Marina and Restaurant

Phoenix, Ariz.: Lake Pleasant – Pleasant Harbor Marina

May 3-5 

Colorado River, Ariz./Calif.: Pirates Cove Resort – Needles, CA

Charleston, S.C.: California Dreaming Restaurant

May 10-12

Lake Lanier, Ga.: Laurel Park Launch Ramp – Gainesville, GA

Long Beach, Calif.: Long Beach Marine Stadium

May 17-19  

Lake Cumberland, Ky.: State Dock Marina

Sacramento, Calif.: Granite Bay Launch Ramp – Folsom Lake

May 31-June 2

Atlanta, Ga.: Dallas Landing Park, Lake Allatoona – Acworth, GA

Houston, Texas: South Shore Harbor Marina – Clear Lake, TX

June 7- 9   

Charlotte, N.C.: Stutt’s Marina – Lake Norman

Dallas, Texas: Sneaky Pete’s Restaurant – Lake Lewisville

June 14-16

Norfolk, Va.: Willoughby Launch Ramp

June 21-23 

Annapolis, Md.: Hemingways Restaurant – Bay Bridge Marina Yacht Club

Lake of the Ozarks, Mo.: Dog Days Grill

June 28-30 

New Jersey: Captain Carlsen Park/Woodbridge Municpal Ramp

Minneapolis, Minn.: East Medicine Lake Park

July 11-13

Delevan, Wis.: Lake Lawn Resort – Lake Delevan, WI

July 19-21 

Traverse City, Mich.:  Torch River Marine – Torch Lake

Gilford, N.H.: Ellacoya State Park

Visit www.seadoodemo.com or www.facebook.com/seadoo for the most up-to-date information regarding the Sea-Doo Test Ride Tour events and everything Sea-Doo!

2012 WORLD FINALS – The Epicenter of the Personal Watercraft World

05 Friday Oct 2012

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The only buoy that matters

Every year the best and fastest personal watercraft riders in the world converge in the middle of the Arizona desert in the oasis named Lake Havasu City, Arizona. This man made lake is part of the Colorado River and has been home to to the IJSBA (International Jet Sports Boating Association) World Finals for 31 years and in 2012 BRP’s Sea-Doo X-TEAM comes in with high expectations after a stellar 2011 event. Last October UK’s James Bushell shocked the racing world by dominating the PRO runabout classes in a manner never before seen on the new T3 hull. With a full year of the new RXP-X in the field, the starting lines at this years event are plastered with the black and yellow of Sea-Doo RXP-X models.

MACC Racing’s Chris MacClugage.

 

The premier class – and the biggest of the weekend – is the Pro Stock class where Chris MacClugage is the favorite after switching to Sea-Doo for the first time in his 20+ year storied career but will be chased by other X-TEAM riders  Troy Snyder, Erminio Iantosca, Cody Hawkins, James Bushell (racing three classes) and a host of International riders. Pro Stock runs Today (Friday, Oct 5) and we will supply results right here.

You can watch the racing live on the Hot Products Webcast at www.ijsba.com

 

 

 

 

THE SEA-DOO CHALLENGER BOAT FAMILY DELIVERS MAXIMUM COMFORT AND VALUE

09 Saturday Jun 2012

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Sea-Doo 210 Challenger S

 

BRP’s 2012 Sea-Doo Challenger boats family offers ultimate boating value and fun with three full-featured platforms featuring Direct Drive Jet Propulsion. Sea-Doo Challenger models offer more cockpit space, more standard features, more advanced technologies and premium fit and finish. New for 2012 is BRP’s optional weedless system on select 210 and 230 Challenger models and the full integration of the award-winning intelligent Throttle Control (iTC) across the entire Challenger line.

 

 

2012 Sea-Doo Challenger Boat Models

  • 180 Challenger – Enhanced with iTC
  • 180 Challenger SE (Special Edition) – Enhanced with iTC
  • 210 Challenger – NEW
  • 210 Challenger S – NEW
  • 210 Challenger SE
  • 230 Challenger
  • 230 Challenger SE

 2012 Sea-Doo 180 Challenger – ENHANCED WITH iTC

BRP’s 2012 Sea-Doo 180 Challenger offers families advanced technologies in a complete all-around package, making the most of the boating lifestyle while respecting their recreational budget. New for 2012 on the 180 Challenger is the integration of BRP’s award winning iTC (intelligent Throttle Control) system that allows the captain to customize the power delivery electronically and be informed of nearly all engine operations through the easy to see, dashboard mounted Infocenter. The new iTC modes include ECO Mode, Cruise Control, and Docking Mode that provides smooth power delivery in loading/unloading and docking situations.

The 180 Challenger receives its power from the ROTAX 4-TEC 1.5l supercharged marine engine and efficient, Direct Drive Jet Propulsion system. The Sea-Doo Direct Drive Jet Propulsion system provides ultra responsive steering, flatter turning and minimal bow rise. Sea-Doo boats also offer greater shallow water capabilities and added safety for swimmers as they have no exposed propellers, rudders or fins compared to stern drive boats. The 180 Challenger comes in three striking color choices: Riviera Blue and Scarlet Red in the standard models and a third color, Black in the SE model. It is easy to drive, easy to maintain and comes standard with custom matching trailer making it the ideal, first time boat or add-to-fleet option for the seasoned boater.

The 180 Challenger SE package adds; bow and cockpit covers, bimini top, stainless steel pull-up cleats, ski eye, cup holders and rub rails, snap-in cockpit carpet, depth finder, two additional speakers and forward swept, folding tower option and availability to upgrade to the ROTAX 4-TEC 1.5l supercharged high output engine.

NEW 2012 Sea-Doo 210 Challenger and 210 Challenger S

BRP’s NEW 2012 Sea-Doo 210 Challenger and 210 Challenger S make full-sized recreational boating fun more accessible to families two ROTAX 4-TEC marine engine packages featuring the award winning iTC system. The 210 Challenger model provides the space needed to live it up in a size that doesn’t go overboard. The new 210 Challenger and 210 Challenger S models’ single engine option gives boating families more power package choices to fit their boating needs and budgets. The new single engine package offers comparable performance to most similar sized stern drive offerings while the twin-engine 210 Challenger S model push it into the upper echelon of recreational boating performance. Both models benefit from direct drive jet propulsion while offering substantially more living space than its competitors with seating for 10†.

Both 2012 Challenger and Challenger S models are available in two color options, Riviera Blue and Scarlet Red. Both models feature iTC, satellite‑ready AM/FM radios with USB and auxiliary input, removable cooler, premium helm, anchor locker, ski pylon (on non tower configurations), large swim platform storage and tandem axle trailer. The 210 Challenger S package adds a three-position cockpit table, snap-in carpet, bimini top and clear bi-fold bow door.

The 210 Challenger SE package take this family runabout to a premium level by adding a third color option of black, double transat seat design, bow and cockpit covers, stainless steel pull-up cleats, rub-rails and cup holders, bow ladder, ski mode, depth finder, transom mounted LCD stereo system remote, two additional speakers and optional forward swept folding tower, and choice between ROTAX 4-TEC twin 1.5l injected of supercharged engine package. BRP’s new weedless system option is available for both the twin-engine 210 Challenger S and SE models.

2012 Sea-Doo 230 Challenger

BRP’s 2012 Sea-Doo 230 Challenger provides more horsepower, more room for passengers and long list of the features desired by boaters, standard and at a better value.  Cockpit and storage space are a premium on any boat and the Sea‑Doo 230 Challenger model over delivers in every category with comfortable seating for 12 and well thought out storage design to stow nearly everything you could need for a fun filled day on the water. The helm console design on the 230 Challenger ensures the captain can easily see information regarding the boats functions, making all controls easy to access while at the dock and under way. 

The Sea-Doo 230 Challenger is available in Scarlet Red, Riviera Blue and a third color, Black in the SE model. Three power options offer flexibility among boating families to find the right Sea-Doo 230 Challenger model to fit their boating needs. Each 230 Challenger is equipped with the standard benefits that come with Direct Drive Jet Propulsion providing unparalleled close quarter/docking maneuverability.  Additionally, the 230 Challenger rivals it’s nearest comparable stern drive boat in fuel economy and with clear performance advantages with less maintenance. For 2012 BRP offers the new weedless system for all Sea-Doo 230 Challenger models.

The 230 Challenger SE package adds; adjustable height drivers seat, bow and cockpit covers, bimini top, stainless steel pull-up cleats rub-rails and cup holders, snap-in carpet, cockpit table with two mount locations, see-thru cockpit door, depth finder, two additional speakers and optional forward swept wakeboard tower and choice of a ROTAX 4-TEC twin 1.5l injected, supercharged or a supercharged high output marine engine packages.

THEY SAID WHAT? CONSUMERS TEST RIDE ALL BRAND WATERCRAFT AND PICK SEA-DOO

18 Friday May 2012

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The Sea-Doo LIFE Test Ride Tour is criss-crossig the United States to share the Sea-Doo life with as many boaters as possible and to let them experience iControl, the exclusive technologies on Sea-Doo watercraft and boats that priced the driver more control than ever before.

The Sea-Doo event teams began in Florida and have since begun their pilgrimage north as the water warms up.  The Riva Marine Demo Day took place in South Florida in Pompano Beach and treated prospective watercraft customers to try every brand of personal watercraft back-to-back allowing them to determine which brand and model best fit their boating needs.

See what a few people had to say about their experience.

BRP OFFERS BOATERS OPPORTUNITY TO TRY THE ONLY WATERCRAFT BRAKING TECHNOLOGY AND 210 SEA-DOO BOATS WITH 2012 SEA-DOO LIFE TEST RIDE TOUR

21 Wednesday Mar 2012

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BRP will be visiting 28 popular family boating meccas across the United States this spring and summer offering consumers the chance to experience the boating lifestyle and latest technologically advanced Sea-Doo watercraft and boats through the Sea-Doo Life Test Ride Tour.

The Sea-Doo LIFE Test Ride Tour will visit popular boating venues across the US to promote the boating “life.” These festive events are intended to provide both current and potential boaters a structured opportunity to experience the new Sea-Doo watercraft and boat designs and iControl technology first hand. Attendees are offered an on-water experience aboard a variety of Sea-Doo PWC, the only watercraft with a brake and Sea-Doo 210 platform boats*.  BRP’s initiative is the biggest direct, manufacturer supported boating demo effort in the marine industry and is targeting to expose the Sea-Doo Life to over 4,000 people during the 28 three-day weekend events.

The Sea-Doo Life events will be FREE to the boating public* and are managed by the Sea-Doo events team – comprised of industry and product experts – and partnering, authorized Sea-Doo watercraft and boat dealers. Each Sea-Doo iControl Tour STOP is designed for both experienced and first time boating families to experience the Sea-Doo LIFE in a casual, fun filled atmosphere with fun to be had on land as well as on-water.

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X-TEAM TUESDAY PROFILE: Chris MacClugage – Professional Sea-Doo Watercraft Racer

15 Wednesday Feb 2012

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SEA-DOO X-TEAM TUESDAY – February 14, 2012

Chris MacClugage aboard his Monster Energy/MACC Racing Sea-Doo RXP-X 260

BIO
NAME:       Chris MacClugage
SPORT:     PWC Racing
AGE:          37 years old
PORT:       Lake Havasu City, Arizona
FAMILY:    Married (Rachel) Son (Mac 2-months)

Chris MacClugage is the man. He has raced it all. He has won it all, 15 Championships in fact. In the world of personal watercraft racing, he has done it all…almost.

MacClugage is arguably (but not much argument) the best PWC racer of all time. He began his racing career in Naples, Florida at the ripe age of 1X earning him the early nick-name “The Kid” from older competitors. Since those days of the late ’80s he has raced every year since and in every Pro class (Ski, Sport, and Runabout), and won major championships in all of them. MacClugage has raced all over the world and won, known for his hard charging, never take the easy route, high-flying, WOT style he embodies high-performance on the water.

MacClugage has done stunt work viewed by …maybe…billions of television viewers too. He was featured in a show called Stunt Junkies where he jumped a stand-up PWC over three big house boats near the London Bridge in his new hometown of Lake Havasu City, Arizona and yes, he did clear them all.  MacClugage has also appeared in many commercials over the years with his most resent as the PWC flipping Yo Gabba Gabba sock monkey  in the Kia Sorrento Superbowl commercial.

Chris MacClugage has done a lot in his modest 3X years but there is still something he hasn’t done. . .

MacClugage has raced for the second and third largest PWC manufacturers multiple times and was paid handsomely to do so. He has worked with the best mechanics and PWC minds in the business and is one of those special athletes who can take a sub par machine and ride it to the podium on sheer will. Success has followed him off of the track as he has always been smart with his money and never took it for granted.

Chris and Rachel MacClugage

He is living comfortably with his wife Rachel another Pro World Championship racer in her own right and their new born son Mac.  His years of learning many aspects of the PWC business also helped him spawn MACC Racing, a high-performance PWC shop that builds aftermarket performance parts for enthusiasts all over the world. The MACC RACING tag line is “Faster than Factory” and that brings him to where he is in his life today.

So what hasn’t Chris MacClugage done? He hasn’t taken the easy route, until now. For the first time in his life MacClugage will compete on Sea-Doo watercraft. MacClugage has gotten to a point in his life where the competitive fires burns strong but he just want’s to win and after taking a test ride on the new Sea-Doo RXP-X 260 last August he knew it was a PWC that suited his style, WOT all the way around the track. Then following James Bushells’ double World Championship winning domination on the new RXP-X’s T3 hull MacClugage knew what he DID NOT want to be racing against.

Welcome to the Sea-Doo Life, Chris. This is his first interview flying under the Sea-Doo X-TEAM flag.

ONBOARD: Chris, where did you grow up and how was your competitive spirit developed?

CMACC: I grew up in Naples , Fl. and started riding PWC at age 11.  My competitive spirit basically came from when I got my first taste of victory at my first race,in Marco Island Florida. That race was in 1987.

ONBOARD: Chris, How were you introduced to watersports?

CMACC: My father introduced me to pwc, through another current X-TEAM rider, Erminio Iantosca. Our families hung out a lot and often had BBQs together on Sundays, at my house in Naples. We were fortunate to be able to live on the water. We water skied and knee boarded, all the time. Erminio’s father brought over a pwc to ride. I rode it and never looked back. My dad ended up buying this one for me. Later that summer we went and watched our first pwc race in Ft Myers Beach. The next year I raced that race!!!!

ONBOARD: Since you began competing what are some of your accolades?

MC: I have be able to do so many thing because of that first ride on a pwc. I have traveled to so many countries and met so many people. I have flown in presidential helicopters in the Philippines, met mayors of different towns. I have been in commercials, movies, TV programs(Baywatch). I met my wife at a race in Portugal. The sport has given me so much more than just multiple titles!!!!

ONBOARD: Chris you are arguably the most accomplished PWC racer of all time, racing on every brand at the highest level…except Sea-Doo. What is it after 25 years that drove you approach BRP about racing aboard Sea-Doo in 2012?

MC: What drove me to Sea Doo, was a change for the better. Sea-Doo is the #1 manufacturer of PWC and I wanted to be associated with a company like that. Its a great relationship for me as well as MACC Racing. Sea Doo is something totally new for me and its refreshing to work with such professionals.

Chris and little Mac

ONBOARD: Chris, you have some accomplishments on PWC away from the race course, can you tell us about those?

MC: My accomplishments away from the track….I have riden 5o ft waves in Hawaii. I have been in multiple commercials, the most recent one was a Kia sock monkey commercial. And of course the birth of my son with Rachel.

ONBOARD: Your accomplishments on the racecourse have opened some doors other high profile events and projects. How did these come about and what are some of the projects you have been a part of?

MC: Commercials, TV shows… and through my sponsor Monster Energy, I was able to participate in the Baja 1000. Monster has also invited me to several of their events , which featured a lot of high profile athletes and celebrities.

ONBOARD: Chris, Where is your favorite PWC race site and why?

MC: My favorite race site would be Oceanside, California. The reason being is that the waves are always great there and I love riding in waves. I also like to race in Japan, not the race site in particular. I just love the food!!!!

ONBOARD: What is it about PWC racing that keeps you coming back?

MC: The competition is what keeps me going! Its also become a way of life and my job. But, its a job I love to do.

ONBOARD: Chris, you have ridden all over the world where is your favorite non-racing, riding location? Where is the one place you have not ridden but always wanted to??

MC: My favorite place to ride would be anywhere that has some tasty waves. I love the ocean and love to ride pwc in it. Australia, Hawaii, Mexico, California, Florida, and the Caribbean are all places I enjoy riding.

ONBOARD: What is or has been YOUR favorite part of being part of the Sea-Doo X-TEAM.

MC: That I am now teammates with Troy Snyder! I’m also happy to a part of something that is very organized and ran professionally. The main reason is knowing that I am riding the new RXP-X that can get me out front, from the start of the race. Now that I have my son Mac and my wife Rachel, getting the hole shot will keep me safer.

ONBOARD: Chris, what are you racing right now and what are looking forward to and who is supporting your 2012 efforts?

MC: I have had great support through out my years and this year is no different. In 2012 I will racing a Sea-Doo RXP-X 260 in closed course races and an Sea-Doo RXT-X in offshore races. I will be promoting and will be supported by; Monster Energy, MACC RACING, BRP/Sea-Doo, RIVA Racing, BRP XPS, HydroTurf, Alpina Watches, JE Pistons, Liquid Militia, and Ryno Power.


BRP thanks Chris MacClugage for his time and dedication to the sport and pursuit of PWC racing glory aboard Sea-Doo for the first time in his storied career. You can follow Chris on his Facebook page.

DOCTOR DOO: Don’t Get “Steered” Wrong Sea-Doo Boaters

08 Wednesday Feb 2012

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Detect, inspect, and adjust to ensure you are running in-line.

It has been a frequent question since 1994 when, then Bombardier, introduced their first Sea-Doo a
boat, the Speedster. The twin engined, twin direct drive water jet propelled machine was a new type of fun, and the family could come along too! Along with the new machine came some new mechanical layouts that differ from the standard PWC.

 

Most often PPG hears “Why won’t my boat go straight?” or “it really pulls to the left!” or to the right….

 

Well, it’s usually one or two things, sometimes as many as three elements that need to be addressed.

 

A simple Straight Edge can be used to determine is the steering nozzles are aligned or not aligned.

We’re showing a simple way, using a calibrated straight edge, to assure that the steering nozzles themselves are aligned. The steering nozzles, well, they steer, they are what ultimately what steers the boat by pushing the transom to one side or the other.

1. – This should be the first aspect to be inspected. Using the straight edge it should have contact in four places at the steering nozzles. If not, align by adjusting the connecting rod between the two nozzles, or have a certified Sea-Doo dealer do this for you. Once your nozzles are aligned, ensure your nozzles and steering wheel are straight. If they are not there are two adjustment points for the actual steering cable; one at the steering nozzle end and one at the steering wheel end. Before adjusting these points be sure to consult a official BRP/Sea-Doo Shop Manual or better yet, have a BRP certified technician do the adjustment.

 

2. – Propulsion system inspection, It is very difficult for most operators to *never* have a small stone, shell, or even a piece of floating hardwood (stick or twig) to not get processed through the rapidly spinning impellers due to the strong suction of the pumps intakes themselves (refer to our last Dr. Doo article).

A slight ding in an impeller can be the reason for the boat to start pulling one way or the other, even though they are at the same RPM’s and the throttles are perfectly synchronized.

3. – Synchronizing Throttles: synchronizing of RPM via the throttles, if you have twin throttles, is key.

Some shops say this can be done accurately without being in the water with said unit….it can’t. The reason is that the two individual pumps have to have INDENTICAL pump loads for this to work. Now when the impellers and impeller wear-rings are in new condition it is much more feasible for all things to be equal within the pump assemblies.

Once the alignment is complete, considering that the jet pumps and the impellers are in good matching shape, it is time to synchronize the throttles. This is best left to a certified Sea-Doo technician also. Patience and training make the whole process much easier, and it doesn’t cost a lot for it to be done correctly.

So when the local BRP dealer is telling you these things have to be *right*, for it to steer correctly, and keep the throttles aligned, they are telling it to you…straight.

Hopefully this has helped shed some light on what can be an aggravating issue.

No matter where your boating takes you, Florida, California, Minnesota, New York, Texas, Ontario, where ever, Long may you run, Dr. Doo

Glen Perry of Perry Performance Group provides this installment of Doctor Doo and is a fitting author as he has earned his PHD in Doo care as a 35+ year veteran of the powersports industry with the last 20 specializing in Sea-Doo product. Perry is also the creator of the popular Sea-Doo forum sea-doo.net

DOCTOR DOO – HOW TO KEEP YOUR SYSTEM CLEAN – DON’T SUCK!

18 Wednesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Doctor Doo

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Doctor Doo is here to help cure what ails you!

A problem we hear from time to time with Sea-Doo watercraft and boat owners is the congestion of debris in the direct drive water jet propulsion system but this is something that can be minimized with some understanding of what is going on underneath your vessel.

Lets first look at what a Direct Drive Water Jet Propulsion system consists of.

A Direct Drive Water Jet Propulsion system starts at the intake, this is a tunnel or track that enters the bottom of the hull to feed the encased impeller. Now hold this vision for just a few sentences… In front of the intake inside the vessels engine compartment rest the engine, mounted directly onto the bottom of the hull with the in-line drive shaft angled straight back (towards the transom) traveling through the hull and connected to the front, center of the impeller. No transmission here, it is a “direct-drive” system.

Okay back to the water flow. The impeller is a bladed or veined component that when turned transfers water from front to back, this is what creates the water propulsion. But there is more to it than that, behind the impeller blade are directional veins angled the opposite as the impeller blades to straighten the twirling water flow to force it straight back to use that energy as efficiently as possible to create maximum forward thrust. Behind the jet pump is the Venturi. The venturi is shaped similar to a cone, with the inlet being much larger in opening diameter than the smaller, tighter exiting outlet. This compresses the water and provides greater thrust when forced out. Imagine holding a garden hose with water running freely out of the end. now squeeze your thumb over the end and wow, it shoots a stream of water a lot harder, faster and further, this is what the venturi does.

Now to provide steering (and trim on some models) there is a pivoting nozzle on the rear of the venturi, this redirects the water flow from side to side to push the transom to side to side to change direction – or up and down to change/trim planning angles.

Okay so that is direct-drive water jet propulsion 101, this video offers a visual look at everything we just described.

This system draws water up into the water jet pump and pushes it out the back to propel the vessel. The pump is creating suction to draw that water into the system and anything else that might be in its negative pressure proximity. This could include sand, trash bags, sticks, Sunglasses, rope, but designed to efficiently process water and it does this very well. To help ensure only water enters the system an intake grate is mounted over the inlet. This is usually comprised of three hydrodynamically designed “bars” that run from the front of the opening to the back and are nearly flush with the bottom of the hull. The intake grate ensures large objects do not enter the propulsion system.

The intake grate is designed for hydrodynamic performance and the greater the covering, fencing or screening of the intake substantially impedes water flow and ultimately performance suffers. There is a balance but with this small objects can be drawn into the intake system. Here is where education can save you headaches.

First you should always follow your owners manual and operate your vessel in 3-feet (1m) of water depth or more but if you do find yourself in shallower water and your Sea-Doo vessel’s propulsion seems “funny” get to a safe location (one with out current and clear of potentially dangerous objects) and turn off the engine(s). The worse thing you can do is try to power through it. Why? Okay, imagine you’re vacuuming the interior of your car. You accidently run the hose nozzle over a rouge gas pump receipt and it is sucked to the end of the hose impeded airflow. Bumping up the vacuum power to max only holds the paper to the hose tighter. Shut the vacuum off and watch the paper fall off the vacuum hose un aided.

A common mistake of Sea-Doo owners that get into vegetation and it begins entering the jet pump system is powering up and hoping it will be processed. What this can do is pull the debris into the system deeper increasing the odds it will get stuck. Another common mistake is thinking by putting the vessel in reverse and powering up it will blow out the debris that way.

Remember a few paragraphs up when we discussed “direct drive”? This system works off of redirection of waterflow. In reverse the water coming out of the venture is redirected forward, similar to technology of jet airplanes when they slow down after landing.  The intake is still drawing in water in the same direction even when in reverse.  Both of these actions can also cause the exhaust to overheat as the cooling water flow is hindered. The best course of action is to turn off the engines and more times than not the debris will simply fall away.

In 2012 BRP takes this thinking a step further with the addition of the weedless system. This new system works with the iTC (intelligent Throttle Control) system and offers a button located on the dashboard of select Sea-Doo boat models and when activated (engine must be turned off) hinges the intake grate downward to utilize gravity in the aid of debris simply falling away.

That was a long way of simply saying, to keep your propulsion system clean, simply suck less!

 

 

This installment of Doctor Doo was supplied by Willy Carmine a former member of the BRP/Sea-Doo R&D team and current President of Route 1 Motorsports an authorized BRP Sea-Doo and Can-Am dealer in Grant, Florida where his customers boat in the Indian River, the 120 mile long lagoon that averages 4.5 feet (1.4m) in depth, so he knows a thing or two about shallow water boating.