New 2016 Sea-Doo watercraft: Exclusive Reviews

Sea-Doo has released its 2016 range of personal water craft (PWCs) featuring the all-new 300hp Rotax 1630 ACE, the most powerful stock engine ever in a Sea-Doo, and a real pocket dynamo when you straddle the scientifically designed Ergolock saddle, press the trigger and go. We flew to Nashville, Tennessee, to file this exclusive report and review of the new 2016 models.

OVERVIEW
A Sea-Doo designed for every bent and every budget
With Rec Light, Recreational, Tow Sports, Luxury, and Performance categories, Sea-Doo provides a watercraft for everyone. You can start off with the industry-leading entry-level Spark and end with the latest 300hp 2016 performance models.

Along with a revisit of the Spark, here are the key new 2016 models we drove during the 2016 Sea-Doo Next Level press event in Nashville, Tennessee. We have committed to adding our verdict after our ride and testing. None of the platforms or hulls are new, mind you, but the new 300hp ‘stroked’ engine, Ergo seat, Palm Rest Grips, greater storage and more all adds up to a new experience.

Testing involved heading 20km up the Cumberland River to a lock, rising about 20 metres skywards as the gates closed and the water was pumped in, as we held a mooring line lashed around a bollard, then venturing onto Old Hickory Lake as the gates re-opened. The lake was ours for the best part of a weekend of riding the new 2016 Sea-Doos.

THE ENTRY-LEVEL SPARK
More kit for the 2016 Spark that’s already transformed the PWC market
From the 2016 Rec Light range, the Sea-Doo Spark comes in 60hp and 90hp variants in two and three seater models. There are now three new “delicious colours”: Blueberry, Key Lime, and Chili Pepper, joining the Pineapple and Vanilla colorations, and six new graphic kits expanding on the dozens of graphic kit options available.

The 2016 Spark models equipped with the iBR system will also come with the Convenience Package Plus that includes the Front Storage Bin Kit that flows with the contours of the design; the Sea-Doo Step for easier reboarding; and the Digitally Encoded Security System ‘key’ that allows for greater security from theft and unauthorised use.

Our Verdict: Still the most affordable fun machine in the market. Tested on Pittwater over three days about a year ago, and again in bouncy conditions on Old Hickory Lake, Nashville, during this 2016 BRP Media Launch, the transformative Spark is a game changer. The watertoy remains the most affordable and fuel-efficient PWC in the industry. It's light, agile, zippy and accessible. It helps that the two seater costs from under $8000 driveaway.

2016 Sea-Doo Spark 2up/3up
Length: 2.79m/3.05m
Width: 118cm
Weight (dry): 184kg/191kg
Passenger capacity: 2 (159kg/3 (205kg)
Storage: 29.6lt inc. optional front bin kit
Fuel: 30lt
Engine: 900ACE (60hp) and 900 HO ACE (90hp), iBR brake option on 900HO

THE RECREATIONAL RANGE
The most popular Sea-Doos with keen pricing and plenty of features
Using the GTi platform and the Rotax 1503 engine in 130hp and 155hp variants, with an upgraded GTi LTD model if you want more kit and comforts, the 2016 Recreational family offers the most bang for your buck.

The GTi platform provides a safe balance of stability with a bit of performance and plenty of bundled gear including the iBR brake, VTS Variable Trim System, touring seat and Eco mode.

Our Verdict: There were no 2016 models form the rec’ range to test, and no real changes for 2016. That said, the Recreational range is the most popular for Sea-Doo based largely on accessibility and keen pricing, a good spread of tech and features, and proven platforms.

2016 Sea-Doo GTS-130
Length: 3.37m
Width: 1.23m
Weight (dry): 355kg
Passenger capacity: 3 (272kg)
Storage: 116lt
Fuel: 60lt
Engine: Rotax 1503 4-TEC (130hp)

THE SPORT LINE-UP
One of the coolest new tow watercraft for 2016
On Old Hickory Lake, Nashville, we drove the Wake 155 that uses the recreational GTi platform in the recreational range, but with the addition of Ski Mode, a programmable towing technology that lets you preset the ramp and speed to suit your rider out the back. Once set in the memory you get single push-button custom towing.

The Wake 155 also comes with a three-position retractable Ski Pylon, removable wakeboard rack, fold-down boarding step, VTS trim system, and cool looks especially with the pair of Nashville local girls hamming it up for the pics.

Our Verdict: Although feeling rather tame after the new 300hp models, the Wake 155 we drove is a cool-looking machine with the promise of a lot of towing fun. Wake skating is big behind these craft in the USA and bound to become a hit Down Under (should waterways authorities allow it). This is a great ‘ski’ with hot looks for the 2016 summer ahead.

2016 Sea-Doo Wake 155
Length: 3.37m
Width: 1.23m
Weight: 363kg
Passenger capacity: 3 (272kg)
Storage: 116lt
Fuel: 60lt
Engine: Rotax 1503 NA 4-TEC (155hp)

THE LUXURY LINEUP
The limo in the line-up offers comfort and speed like a Bentley
From the base luxe GTX 155, the Luxury line-up includes the Limited models in 225, 260 and now 300hp sizes. The GTX 300 Limited we drove up the mighty Cumberland River in Nashville was certainly designed for comfort.

This is a big three-seater akin to a Bentley, with supercharged boost, plush seating, all the mods, heaps of storage (a whopping 162 litres) and plenty of trim and kit.

With a rider capacity of 272kg, the GTX 300 is a chariot. It’s fast but it sits down in the water thanks to its veed hull and feels almost heavier that the stated 412kg dry weight.

The hull runs freely without trim and best in the wash and wake and waves with a touch of in-trim to keep the vee slicing. Top speed was about 115km (71mph). Handling is great. You could ride this baby with your buddies or family all day.

Our Verdict: A very agreeable fast-touring machine with a refined, classy feel and lots of load-toting torque. The thinking-man’s Sea-Doo and a five-star cruising craft that just got even faster.

2016 Sea-Doo GTX-300 Limited
Length: 3.53m
Width: 1.22m
Weight: 412kg
Passenger capacity: 3 (272kg)
Storage: 162lt
Fuel: 60lt
Engine: Rotax 1630 ACE (300hp)

THE PERFORMANCE FAMILY
Here you find the real beneficiaries of the new 300hp Rotax 1630 ACE
From the entry-level GTR 215, the Performance family zooms away with the RXT-X and RXP-X models in 260hp models and now 300hp guise. Mid-river we jumped from the GTX 300 to the RXT-X 300 in race red.

The RXT-X 300 is a performance Sea-Doo but touring-orientated with a nice predictable flattish hull that's actually the same platform as the GXT 300. It’s also got three-seater capacity, so you can show-off your riding skills with family and friends on the back.

The RXT-X’s passenger capacity is 272kg using that 415kg S3 platform that’s been in the business for more than seven years. Storage is 162lt.

Our Verdict: A nice touring and performance Sea-Doo that’s proven to be a winning formula and now gains even sportier performance.

The RXP-X 300, on the other hand, is true race-bred weapon with a T3 hull for sharp turning and a lot of vee for cutting the wake. It won out for rough-water ride and performance by a long shot and is the real beneficiary of the new 300hp Rotax for those who aren’t to get physical and drive.

With a passenger capacity of 272kg again but a two-seater, the off-the-shelf RXP-X 300 has class-leading power-to-weight ratio. The unit tips the scales at just 386kg (dry). It’s the ultimate performer in the Performance range.

Our Verdict: The RXP-X 300 was the Sea-Doo aboard which we spent most of our ride time in Nashville. It’s going to hook plenty of riders looking for even snappier acceleration out of the bends and better buoy-turning race performance. The hull turns on the proverbial rails and this new 300hp upgrade is just the ultimate rider’s ride.

2016 Sea-Doo RXT-X 300

Sea-Doo RXP-X  300

FINAL WORD
The science of fun
As I write this story at 40,000 feet, the ride-gear is still wet in the bag in the cargo hold, but the sensory experience tailored by BRP, those Scientists of Fun, has since proven to be long lasting. This isn’t something you can always say about watercraft.

Generating 100hp per pot — quite some engineering feat — the new 300hp three-cylinder Rotax 1630 ACE engine, based on a restroked version of the 1503 engine, creates the most powerful Sea-Doos ever.

The new 2016 Sea-Doos are exhilarating and refined, delivering power with control. The next level has arrived.

STOP PRESS: BRP Australia says the first 2016 stock is expected to arrive in December 2015. It’s creating a pre-order tool on its website where you can place a deposit to secure access to the initial shipment of a limited number of craft. Given our summers are polar opposites, Australia will receive the first shipment of the production-made 2016 Sea-Doos in the world (we tested all prototypes). Check the website for details at http://www.brp.com/en-au/vehicles/sea-doo-watercraft. Retail prices. Price as tested landed in Australia 12/12/2015: RXT-X $23,499. Price as tested landed in Australia 12/12/2015: RXP-X $21,799.