Behind the scenes information from Sea-Doo photo shoots and special events.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF THE MODERN SEA-DOO, A VIDEO HISTORY

Posted on October 29, 2012

by Sea-Doo

In 1988 two young men brought to market a product they knew in their hearts would create an entirely new product segment that would change the recreational products industry forever. These two men were the sons of two men who attempted to do the same thing 20-years prior, but proved to be ahead of their time. In 1988 it was the right time for Pierre Beaudoin (who is now CEO of Bombardier Inc. and son of Bombardier and BRP chairmen of the board, Laurant Beaudoin) and Denys LaPointe (who is now Vice President of BRP product design and innovation and son of Sam LaPointe) to launch the modern Sea-Doo watercraft.

Pierre Beaudoin with the first modern Sea-
Doo watercraft coming off of the Valcourt, Quebec production line.

The 1988 Sea-Doo 5801 model changed what a watercraft was and could do. It was the first two-passenger watercraft with a V-Hull (thus the V-Shape of the logo between the ‘A’ and the ‘D’) rotary-valve engine producing a class leading 55 hp, and capable of cutting through chop and physically capable of pulling a skier (legally, you must now utilize a three-seaters to tow). The 1988 Sea-Doo gave birth to an industry with huge potential and gave Ski-Doo snowmobile dealers a product to market when it wasn’t snowing.

A lot has changed over the past 25 years for the modern Sea-Doo watercraft with technological advances outpacing nearly every other motorized product in the world.  As a result of these advances and focus on on-water performance, fun, and safety, well over 1.2 million people have bought and enjoyed Sea-Doo watercraft with their families and friends.  BRP has been the market share leader in the watercraft industry for 19 of those 26 years and this stems from the passion Bombardier and now BRP puts into every product. Jose Boisjoli (the current President and CEO of BRP) leads the company with the mantra, “product is king” and no where has that proven more true than with the modern Sea-Doo watercraft.

We take a look back over some of the milestone Sea-Doo watercraft models, innovations, awards, accomplishments and fun over the past 25 years. The Sea-Doo brand story is one of historical magnitude in the power sports and marine industries as very few brands have dominating an industry the way the Sea-Doo brand has led the personal watercraft industry.

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

Posted on September 10, 2012

by OnBoard Editor

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

 

 

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

Posted on September 7, 2012

by OnBoard Editor

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).

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

Posted on September 6, 2012

by OnBoard Editor

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.

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

Posted on September 5, 2012

by OnBoard Editor

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).

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

Posted on September 4, 2012

by OnBoard Editor

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.

 

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25 YEARS OF THE MODERN SEA-DOO – 1991 AND THE BIRTH OF THE MUSCLECRAFT

Posted on September 3, 2012

by OnBoard Editor

Up to 1991, watercraft were general purpose ‘get around on the water’ vehicles. Riders would ride around in a relatively defined area and in some case this led to riding around a “bouy-course” which leads to going around the buoy-course faster than the other guy and this led to looking for more performance.  If they wanted a little more performance they had to look to the aftermarket as production models were very, well, ‘vanilla’ performance wise yet there was a wealth of aftermarket products available to up the performance or give that customized look. Performance out of the box had not been a consideration, until 1991.

The 1991 Sea-Doo XP changed the game. This model changed the perceptions of what was possible straight from the ‘factory’ when Bombardier launched the XP with the first production twin carb (carburetors) system, tuned exhaust pipe, and screaming neon graphics. The XP (extra performance) was the new ‘must have’ vehicle for performance enthusiasts and quickly become the watercraft of choice for the fledgling runabout (sit-down models) closed course racing.

The 1991 Sea-Doo XP was the first high-performance specific production model and gave birth to the term, “Musclecraft”.

 

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25 YEARS OF THE MODERN SEA-DOO – 1990 INTRODUCTION OF THE THREE-SEATER GT

Posted on September 2, 2012

by OnBoard Editor

1990 marked a monumental year in the personal watercraft industry.  Bombardier would invent a new segment in the fledgling industry with the introduction of the Sea-Doo GT (grand touring), the first ever three seater-watercraft. The GT wasn’t alone as the 1990 Sea-Doo watercraft line included three new models and added in a touch of color. The Sea-Do0 SP was introduced as the base model and the SPi was a step up (the “i” stood for stainless steal impeller, that was a substantial performance gain over the standard aluminum cast impeller) and of course the GT model.

The Sea-Doo GT received its share of criticism as industry insiders argued if people really wanted to ride three-up on a watercraft. What the GT did offer was a legal platform to pull skiers with that opened an entirely new usage of watercraft with room for a driver, observer and skier. The longer platform with a, relativly, oversized storage bin in the bow made ‘touring’ a reality on watercraft. The 1990 Sea-Doo GT also included reverse, substantially assisting in docking situations.  Little did anyone predict that eventually three-seaters would eventually make up roughly 90% of the market. The 1990 Sea-Doo GT was a monumental watercraft in the history of the industry.

 

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25 YEARS OF THE MODERN SEA-DOO: THE 25 DAY COUNTDOWN TO 2013

Posted on August 31, 2012

by OnBoard Editor

In 1988 two young men brought to market a product they knew in their hearts would create an entirely new product segment that would change the recreational products industry forever. These two men were the sons of two men who attempted to do the same thing 20-years prior, but proved to be ahead of their time. In 1988 it was the right time for Pierre Beaudoin (who is now CEO of Bombardier Inc and son of Bombardier and BRP chairmen of the board, Laurant Beaudoin) and Denys LaPointe (who is now Vice President of BRP product design and innovation and son of Sam LaPointe) to launch the modern Sea-Doo watercraft.

Pierre Beaudoin with the first modern Sea-
Doo watercraft coming off of the Valcourt, Quebec production line.

The 1988 Sea-Doo 5801 model changed what a watercraft was and could do. It was the first two-passenger watercraft with a V-Hull (thus the V-Shape of the logo between the ‘A’ and the ‘D’) rotary-valve engine producing a class leading 55 hp, and capable of cutting through chop and physically capable of pulling a skier (legally, you must now utilize a three-seaters to tow). The 1988 Sea-Doo gave birth to an industry with huge potential and gave Ski-Doo snowmobile dealers a product to market when it wasn’t snowing.

A lot has changed over the past 25 years for the modern Sea-Doo watercraft with technological advances outpacing nearly every other motorized product in the world.  As a result of these advances and focus on on-water performance, fun, and safety, well over 1.2 million people have bought and enjoyed Sea-Doo watercraft with their families and friends.  BRP has been the market share leader in the watercraft industry for 19 of those 26 years and this stems from the passion Bombardier and now BRP puts into every product. Jose Boisjoli (the current President and CEO of BRP) leads the company with the mantra, “product is king” and no where has that proven more true than with the modern Sea-Doo watercraft.

Over the next 25 days BRP will celebrate the past 25 years of the modern Sea-Doo on the Sea-Doo Facebook fan page highlighting each model year leading to the launch of the 2013 line of Sea-Doo on September 24, 2012.

 

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BEHIND THE SCENES – 2012 Sea-Doo Brand Photo Shoot

Posted on September 30, 2011

by OnBoard Editor

Every year the Sea-Doo Marketing team and agencies produce a photo shoot for the next years model line up of Sea-Doo watercraft, boats, riding gear, clothing and accessories. World class photographers, videographers and film makers are collected to capture the “Sea-Doo Life”. For specific shots the best talent in the world is brought in to ensure they get “the shot”. In 2012 this including 4X World PWC racing champion James Bushell from the UK to show how the new RXP-X carves buoys tighter than anything before it. Nike 6.0 wakeskate team rider Nick Taylor put in a long morning and afternoon session for the cameras to showcase the fun to be had behind a Sea-Doo WAKE 155 and WAKE PRO 215 watercraft. Both of these talented water breathers are true one take wonders and save the production team a tremendous amount of time and money, by efficiently hitting their marks giving the audience – you – what they want to see.

But did you wonder what happens behind the scenes? Here is a brief look at what is going on behind the lens during the Sea-Doo Photo Shoot.

 

 

 

Advertising Agency – Cramer-Krasselt

Photographer – Jim Gallop Photography

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