Just Doo It

Last Friday while on California’s San Pedro Bay, I witnessed a rare sight—executive editor Doug McWhirter having fun. That is not to imply that the seasoned editorial veteran is not often one of the better-humored and more jovial members of our staff; it is just to note what an alarmingly stark contrast it was to see him tearing across the water at 50 mph instead of being chained to his desk editing the next issue of Robb Report.

We were trying out the two newest models from Sea-Doo, and both Doug and I were certainly enjoying the thrill that the powerful personal watercrafts (or PWCs) provided. Doug hopped aboard the $16,499 GTX Limited iS 255, offering me the sportier $14,999 RXT iS 255. After we switched watercraft, Doug referred to the RXT as “a rocket,” utilizing an adjective or two for emphasis. Indeed, the RXT reaches 50 mph in less than 3 seconds. That’s faster than a Ferrari F430. It reaches a top speed of about 65 mph, which I put to the test. It passed with flying colors.

The GTX model provides more control and stability than the RXT, however, both are equipped with Sea-Doo’s patented iS (Intelligent Suspension) technology. The upper portion of the PWC’s chassis flexes into the lower portion in order to absorb the shock of rough water. Both the GTX and RXT models are also equipped with Sea-Doo’s braking system, which entails backwards thrusting to decrease stop time and to make for much simpler docking. The suspension and braking functionalities were certainly appreciated by Doug, who was a tad less adventurous than I. I spent most of my time on the water chasing a massive barge in order to catch a bit of air off of its equally massive wake. The only thought going though my head as my PWC and I flew through the air was, “I love my job.” Judging from the smile on Doug’s face as he sped across the water, work was the farthest thing from his mind. (800.882.2900, www.sea-doo.com)