Captain's Report

Captain's Report by Christopher Hughes--

Starting with the hull, Sea-Doo has created what they believe is a hull that will provide better cornering and tracking in all riding situations. Responding to customer feedback they have focused on enhanced lean-in and how it cuts the water. In all our years of testing Sea-Doo PWCs these have traditionally been elements where Sea-Doo excels, but only testing this new hull will tell us if they have taken things up a notch.BRP tells us the T3 hull gets its name from, tight turning T hull, as the hull embodies a literal T-shape when viewed from the transom. The t-shape offers two running surfaces, a wide surface for low speed stability and a narrower surface in the middle that aids in rough water tracking and ability to lean into the turns. Also, from bow to stern there are subtle shapes and features each address a desired outcome with regard to handling. On the stern you see trim tabs. Yes, I said trim tabs. Extending past the transom they extend the running surface and act the limit bow rise and keep the RXP-X more parallel to the water's surface and they are removable so the aftermarket can offer a variety of designs for riders to customize their ride.

Huge Design Innovations

For those of us who log many hours on a PWC each year this next feature will get you thinking. In our opinion, the seat design is near-perfect, for aggressive riding. Notice how narrow the seat is where the forward part of your inner leg and knee need to grip the machine. From an ergonomic point of view, this aligns more naturally with the human body. From the center of the seat out to the sides there is a sloping angle, while the forward section rises and curves back out in the forward section. This design will allow you to use your legs and knees more effectively to “lock in” instead of your arms doing most of the work.

Handlebar Adjustments

Unlike a simple tilt handlebar, the RXP-X has three different adjustment points from the height and angle to the angle of the controls. In the above images we are looking back from the front of the machine where you can clearly see the molded handgrips, iBR (Intelligent Brake and Reverse system) control lever, and the adjustment points, and the x-factor styling Sea-Doo continues to pioneer.

Analog and Digital Readouts

The all new multifunction digital display provides information on 31 functions, including the indicator at the top-center which is your supercharger boost. To the left is the preset trim indicator and to right the fuel level. Other function reporting includes Compass, Clock, Fuel consumption meter, Time/Distance to empty, Touring / Sport mode, ECO mode, VTS preset, Top/average speed/RPM, Lap timer, F-N-R indicator, Low fuel level, Low oil level, Low oil pressure, Low voltage, Overheat, Engine temperature, Hi voltage, Check engine, Sensor check, Battery protection, Key (wrong key), L-Key / R-Key, Maintenance info, and Error codes.

Under the Water

Starting with the ride plate, there is more here than meets the eye. The plate is not only important for the performance of the ride; it also serves as the heat exchanger for the closed loop cooling system. Just forward of the ride plate is the jet pump water intake and intake grate. The mid-grate supports are angled to help pull more water in. Above the ride plate is the Jet pump nozzle. The jet pump itself is aluminum, axial flow, single stage, and has a large hub with 10-vane stator. The impellor is four-bladed, stainless steel and is connected via direct drive to the 1503 XHO Rotax 4-TEC supercharged intercooled four-stroke engine.Above the jet pump nozzle is the brake gate for the iBR system. iBR is an innovation that allows the driver to stop by actuating the iBR lever without taking hands off the handlebar. Our tests of this system on other Sea-Doo models have shown it works as advertised and significantly reduces the distance needed to stop. Other benefits of the BRP’s iControl system include the tight quarter functions of the iBR system including; the ability to start in neutral for added control and the ability to shift from forward to neutral to reverse via the hand lever without ever letting go of the handlebar or having to look down for controls.

The Adjustable Sponson

Adding yet another innovation the team at Sea-Doo has design an adjustable sponson with new winglet feature. Now after-market sponsons have been available for years, but almost all of them are fixed. Having a factory installed and designed adjustable sponson offers many advantages. Now you have the ability to set up your PWC based on your specific riding styles and needs. By simply loosening the five retaining bolts, you can lower the sponson to the fully extended position or conversely, the fully retracted position, and any angular combination in between. The new winglet feature aids in high banking turns with an added surface to aid in tight turning.

By The Numbers

The RXP-X 260 has a length overall of 130.6” and a beam of 48.3” and weighs in at 812 dry. Designed for 2 riders it is powered by the 1503 XHO Rotax 4-TEC (1,494 cc) supercharged engine with an external intercooler. This is a big bore/short stroke four-stroke engine with four valves per cylinder with multi-port fuel injections. Feeding this engine is 15.9 gallon fuel tank. Although Sea-Doo recommends 91 octane gasoline; the engine has been tuned to run on 87 octane as well. As a direct drive unit, it is connected to the aluminum, axial flow, single stage, large hub ten-vane stator jet pump unit with a stainless steel impellor. In order to bring along enough gear for your day on the water, the RXP-X has almost 31 gallons of total storage.

More Features

Additional features include the Digitally Encoded Security which is a theft deterrent and will give you piece of mind when you leave your machine at the beach or marina. Another feature is the O.T.A.S or off throttle assisted steering. This provides you with additional steering control when you are not on the power maneuvering around the docks. Located on the handlebar is also your VTS of Variable Trim System which allows you to make adjustments to the angle of the jet-pump nozzle. Known for always pushing the envelope of design and technology, they have loaded the RXP-X 260 with everything but the kitchen sink. The only thing left now if for our full on test.

Standard and Optional Features