Courtesy Sea-Doo
We’ll cut right to the chase: Sea-Doo’s RXP-X 325 features the most powerful engine ever seen in a production personal watercraft. The 325 hp beast pushes a race-ready hull to 60 mph as quick as 3.4 seconds and, in the right conditions, tops out at speeds as high as 70 mph. Those are the kinds of numbers buyers usually have to turn to the performance aftermarket to find. That this speed comes in a production machine—with a warranty—is sure to be music to the ears of hardcore PWC performance enthusiasts.
The engine in question is based on the existing Rotax 1630 ACE but features a multitude of tweaks and improvements. Buzz-worthy standouts include a faster-spinning, more-efficient supercharger that produces higher boost pressure; a less-restrictive air intake system; a beefed-up lower crankcase and pistons that reduce heat and friction; an increase in engine rpm; and an upgraded fuel system and engine management. Add in the RXP-X’s race-ready T3-R hull with its aggressive sponson design, and the end result is a craft that will outrun and out-corner almost any other PWC currently on the water.
Courtesy Sea-Doo
Thankfully, Sea-Doo has given equal thought to the rider who finds all that power and agility at their disposal. Sea-Doo’s ErgoLock-R cockpit features a sculpted, hourglass-shaped saddle with deep knee pockets forward. It allows riders to grasp the saddle with their legs and, in the process, they can transfer much of the upper-body strain delivered in high-speed turns to the stronger lower body. A movable backrest shifts position to tuck up against any-size rider in the seat. Add in canted footwell wedges for leverage, a tacky seat surface, and handlebars positioned low and sleek, and the rider naturally assumes a locked-in, racerlike posture.
Courtesy Sea-Doo
Courtesy Sea-Doo
For 2024, several modifications flow down from the limited-edition Apex model that Sea-Doo introduced in 2023. A carbon-fiber hood looks cool and sheds a little weight, but the hydraulic steering damper offers up the best bang for the buck. The three-position, user-adjustable damper stiffens steering response to reduce unwanted feedback through the handlebars, a mod that pays off in rough water. It tames the beast while still letting this most powerful PWC display its true potential.
Courtesy Sea-Doo
High Points
- Launch Control automates the trim angle during acceleration while retaining the manual- override option.
- Tech package includes 100-watt sound system and a 7.8-inch color display compatible with BRP GO apps.
Boating Magazine
How We Tested
- Engine: Rotax Marine 1630 ACE
- Drive/Prop: Jet drive/161 mm high-pressure jet pump with stainless-steel impeller
- Gear Ratio: 1.00:1 Fuel Load: 15 gal.
Pricing and Specs
Price: | $19,199 |
LOA: | 10’10.6″ |
Beam: | 4’1.2″ |
Draft (max): | 11″ |
Dry Weight: | 778 lb. |
Seat/Weight Capacity: | 2/400 lb. |
Fuel Capacity: | 18.5 gal. |