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BRP History of NMMA Innovation Awards

11 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in Sea-Doo Lifestyle, Technologies

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Celebrated for continued innovation and value, BRP Sea-Doo dominates the industry in National Marine Manufacturer Association (NMMA) Awards by winning five awards in the past four years.  This legacy of awards has fostered BRP’s leadership in developing the next generation of personal watercraft.

This week marks the biggest show in the marine industry, the Miami International Boat Show, the largest of its kind in the world. One of the show highlights is the NMMA Innovation Awards that acknowledge manufacturers who bring to market new and innovative products that advance the boating industry and honor them for integrating new concepts that provide practicality to the consumer in a cost effective manner. Winners are selected by a panel of judges consisting of members of Boating Writers International and the awards are announced each year at the show on South Beach.

BRP Sea-Doo has led the PWC, Jet Boats and Pontoon category as well as an award in the Water Sports and Equipment category.

2012 RXP-X 260:  NMMA Innovation Award in the PWC, Jet Boats, and Pontoon Boat category

“BRP’s Sea-Doo Ergolock seat, angled footwells, and T3 hull combine to create a PWC with incredible turning ability and maximum comfort designed to build confidence in its rider. It made me an instant expert,” said NMMA Innovation Award judge Alan Jones.

The Sea-Doo RXP-X 260 watercraft redefined the musclecraft segment with an ominous visual appeal from its flowing facet design, ram air intakes, large side grills and distinctive new Ergolock system and tight-turning T3 hull. BRP’s Ergolock system includes angled footwell wedges and a gradually narrowing seat design to help better connect the rider to the watercraft. It reduces upper body fatigue by allowing the rider to ride faster, for longer periods of time. BRP’s Ergolock system complements the tight turning aspect of the T3 hull that features an innovative dual surface design that responds differently at high or low speeds. The new T3 hull shape combines soft and hard chines and adjustable sponsons with winglets and trim tabs that allow the watercraft to lean into corners, better maintaining entry and exit speeds after turns.

2011 Sea-Doo GTI SE:  NMMA Innovation Award – PWC, Jet Boat, Pontoon Boat Category

“The 2011 Sea-Doo GTI 130 PWC is a comprehensive package of features for the value-minded rider,” NMMA Innovation Award Judge Robert Buller noted. “With its new ergonomically designed deck, the efficient ECO mode, throttle control and braking system, this is a smart package for under $9,000*.”

In 2011, BRP’s Sea-Doo GTI SE 130 watercraft was completely redesigned with an intense focus on improving rider ergonomics and comfort while integrating the exclusive iBR system. BRP’s iBR provides riders with a level of control never before experienced on the water with simplified maneuverability and the peace of mind knowing that riders can stop when wanted. The Sea-Doo GTI SE 130 model is also equipped with intelligent Throttle Control (iTC) that allows the rider to electronically control how power is delivered through various modes including ECO mode†.

2010 BRP was first company to win two Innovation Awards in one year

  • 2010 Sea-Doo RXT-X 260: NMMA Award in the PWC, Jet Boats and Pontoon category
  • 2010 Sea-Doo Advanced TEC iCatch PWC trailer: NMMA Award in the Water Sports and Equipment category

 “Winning two NMMA Innovation awards in the same year is a tribute to BRP’s commitment to innovation and to moving the marine industry forward,” said Yves Leduc, vice president – general manager, North America division after accepting the awards.

BRP’s 2010 Sea-Doo RXT-X 260 watercraft has many of the innovative iControl technologies including BRP’s exclusive iBR (intelligent Brake & Reverse) system. BRP’s iBR provides riders with a level of control never experienced on the water with simplified maneuverability and the peace of mind knowing that riders can stop when wanted. With upgraded, race-inspired steering, with A.E.S. (Adjustable Ergonomic Steering) and customizable power delivery with an electronically adjustable ignition system, the Sea-Doo RXT-X 260 offers enthusiasts the most advanced high-performance PWC in the industry.

BRP’s Advanced TEC iCatch PWC trailer also impressed the panel of judges. The NMMA noted that 95% of registered boats in the United States are towed to the water and NMMA Innovation Award judge Alan Jones said: “The BRP Advanced TEC iCatch PWC trailer makes launching and retrieving faster, easier and safer.”

BRP’s Advanced TEC iCatch PWC trailer simplifies the launch and load process. The torsion axle design of the trailer lowers the cradle point of the PWC providing better highway handling and ability to launch and load the PWC in shallower water.  The wrap around walk pad allows riders to mount and dismount the PWC clear of slippery launch ramps and further simplifying the launch/load procedure is the iCatch release lever, located on the walk pad that can be pulled while seated aboard the PWC. The roller bunk design centers the PWC when loading and the iCatch system automatically hooks the bow securing the PWC on the trailer.

2009 Sea-Doo GTX Limited iS: NMMA Award in the PWC, Jet Boats and Pontoon category

According to the NMMA, BRP’s new Sea-Doo GTX Limited iS watercraft’s “active suspension and first on-water braking system puts it in a class of its own. Judge Alan Jones, after riding it through a three-foot chop says, ‘It’s good enough to make an average rider like me, feel like a pro and it allowed me to get out of bed the next day without a backache.'”

BRP’s Sea-Doo GTX Limited iS watercraft was the most advanced recreational vessel launched in decades, featuring many new technologies that dramatically improve the on-water experience for the operator. In addition to the first on-water braking system and full rider suspension, the Sea-Doo GTX Limited iS features the S3 hull, the first high-performance stepped hull design in the industry.

BRP Sea-Doo maintains its legacy of innovation, high performance and design by continuing to manufacture these models with additional technology and design elements each year.  Stop by the Sea-Doo booth at the Miami International Boat Show to view the 2013 models.

* check with your local dealer for current model pricing.

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

07 Friday Sep 2012

Posted by in Behind the scenes

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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).