Rough-Water Runners

"Invitation Only" read the sign at the gate. While we auditioned the entire cast of 1997 two-passenger runabouts, only the best rough-water performers were selected to compete in this head-to-head showdown. If you"re tired of banging over boat wakes, wiping water from bloodshot eyes, stuffing the bow in a following sea and having passengers ejected into frothy swells, the Sea-Doo XP, Kawasaki 750 ZXi and Yamaha WaveRunner GP 760 reviewed here should be tops on your list. Obviously, no PWC is going to cruise like the QE II, but these are about as good as it gets in a 10-foot boat. Ride quality in choppy water ranked highest in the selection process, but ergonomics for single and dual passengers, stability, ease of operation and the overall fun factor were also considered.

How We Tested

In the hands of beginner, novice and advanced riders, each watercraft was put through a rigorous battery of tests with single and tandem passengers. The proving grounds stretched from the choppy Florida Bay to five miles out in the Atlantic Ocean, where nasty sea conditions reached proportions few will ever tackle on a watercraft. Every few minutes, test riders jumped into the water and climbed aboard a different craft to evaluate under similar conditions. (I wouldn't dare tell them then, but a 2,000-pound Great White shark was caught off the Keys a few days before the test.) A four-buoy slalom course was set up in a remote area to help characterize handling and several drag races were organized to determine the fastest in calm, choppy and rough seas. In the end, each craft took top honors in several categories, with one emerging as the landslide favorite among beginner and novice riders. Here now are the opinions of our fearless crew.

Sea-Doo XP: Best in Choppy Conditions

The all-new XP, the fastest and most unconventional runabout of the trio, captured the hearts of veterans but failed to rouse those with less skill. The XP's high center of gravity, shock absorber suspension and unique hull design provide a lean-into-the-turn driving experience that's about as motorcycle-like as it gets. Rolling into a turn shoulder first at high speed yields a truly exhilarating sensation even for those of us who ride often, but the XP will slide out if handled incorrectly. This troubled some of our less experienced riders. Nowhere was this better reflected than on the slalom course, where the advanced group screamed along straightaways, ricocheted around turn buoys, and crossed the finish line in record time. Novice and intermediate riders, however, posted the poorest times on the XP because they either spun out or just didn't feel comfortable enough to charge fast and bank hard.

While handling brought mixed opinions, the test staff unanimously voted the XP as softest-riding in a mild chop. Sea-Doo's innovative shock absorber (mounted beneath the seat) works marvelously, allowing riders to relax in bumpy conditions without standing or enduring a butt thumping. The shock absorber is effective in seas up to one foot, but in higher swells it's more comfortable to stand, as is necessary on the others. The XP's deep-V hull reenters the water softly, even in the roughest conditions, but it's difficult to appreciate when the low bow is smashing every wave peak into a million water pellets.

In designing an exotic machine with advanced handling, Sea-Doo was forced to sacrifice much of the versatility others offer. stowage is limited to a small compartment in the bow and a shallow tray above the engine. Ergonomics of the tall, saddle-type seat, positioned 19 inches above the footwells, are exquisite for a solo rider, but the craft becomes a bit tipsy with two passengers aboard, and is the most difficult to mount in deep water.

At the helm are the basic features you'd expect from a high-performance runabout, including adjustable propulsion trim, mirrors, speedometer, fuel gauge and a magnetically-keyed ignition system.

Bombardier's race-proven 782cc, 110 horsepower engine, strategically positioned midship for optimum weight distribution, can jettison the 525-pound two-seater to near 60mph. While the Sea-Doo is the fastest by four to five mph, keep in mind, the Yamaha and Kawasaki are available in three-cylinder versions with even more firepower. Several test riders made a good point that the extra speed may not be used in choppy or rough conditions anyway.

If you're looking for a fun-to-ride, challenging personal watercraft to mess around on or envision more than one watercraft in your future, the XP is irresistible, even with its high ($7,499) price. On the other hand, if day trips with a partner are on your agenda, there are better choices ahead.

Kawasaki ZXi: Best Ocean Runner

When it comes to running fast in high swells or jumping waves in the surf, nothing beats the Kawasaki 750 ZXi. Equipped with a 22.5-degree deep-V hull and high bow, this sleek two-seater launches like a rocket, flies like a bird and splashes down with a gentle, assuring swish. The first ocean segment of the test brought immediate and enthusiastic approval. "Without a doubt, the softest reentry in rough water," Hits the water square and just keeps greyhounding ahead in a straight line," and "felt safer going faster on the Kawasaki" were a few of the many approbations.

Kudos were also given for the double row of anti-spray strips that effectively kept water out of the riders' eyes in all but the windiest head-on sea conditions.

As our theatre of operations moved from the ocean to milder conditions, the ZXi gradually gave up its edge. In the short, choppy Florida Bay, the hull bounced softly, but with riders now seated, they were quick to notice the board-flat seat that imposed a workout on the arms to keep from sliding back. "You couldn't relax as much on it," explains test rider Donna Ang. "After getting off the other ones, you really miss the back support."

On the calm, secluded slalom course, wide turning radiuses and occasional spinouts kept it from being competitive. The rounded underbelly edges responsible for the ZXi's exemplary oceangoing softness work against the craft on the slalom course, where sharper strakes, chines and sponsons would translate into tighter corners. Sharp turns aren't everything though: several of us really liked the way the ZXi leans heavily into turns (more than the GP but less than the XP), and the spinout problem can be controlled. I think you'll find that once you have enough seat time on this slippery performer, you'll only spin out when it's time to thrill the kids or shake up your mother-in-law.

Under the seat lurks a 750cc, 8 horsepower 2-cylinder Kawasaki engine that's whisper-quiet and potent enough to push the deep-V ski upwards of 53mph. In flat-out drag races on calm water, it made a respectable showing, running neck and neck with the lighter, more powerful GP 760.

Although the narrowest of the trio by a couple of inches, the Kawasaki offers more stability and a better ride with dual passengers than the Sea-Doo, but falls far short of the Yamaha in these categories. Boarding is simplified by a step-down area in the stern, which makes it easier to get that first knee aboard in deep water. Other conveniences include a removable stowage bin in the bow, handy glove box at the helm, electric propulsion trim, magnetically-keyed ignition system and gauges for monitoring speed, running angle and fuel level. As in all Kawasaki Jet Skis, the ZXi throttle has an adjustable limit, allowing new users to get their feet wet without having access to full power and maximum velocity.

Given this feature, the Kawasaki may well be the logical choice for concerned parents and cautious consumers, but its fan club will also comprise a wilder bunch who view rough swells as launching ramps B not annoying hurdles. For true rough-water use, you can't go wrong with the Kawasaki; nothing runs drier, flies better or lands softer (parachute not included).

Yamaha WaveRunner GP 760: Best Overall

The WaveRunner may not offer a ride as soft as the JET SKI 750 ZXi in the ocean or eliminate the bumps in a mild chop like the shock-absorbing seat does on the Sea-Doo XP, but it strikes such a happy medium in all conditions and is so utterly easy to handle that it received unabated applause well into the pina colada party following the test.

At 112.6 inches long by 44.1 inches wide, the GP is the largest and most luxuriously-equipped. A sumptuous, two-level, saddle-type seat holds driver and passenger firmly in place, provides soothing back support for both and goes a long way toward absorbing impacts in light, choppy seas.

The GP's medium-height seat, 17 inches above the footwells, results in less fatiguing sitting-to-standing transitions than the ZXi's short, 15-inch high seat. However, it's not top-heavy when fully loaded with passengers, which is an inherent problem with the tall, 19-inch high XP seat. In the largest swells, the GP launches and lands level and predictably, but its shallow, 20-degree hull reenters the water with slightly more impact harshness than the other, deeper-V contenders. Despite this, it towered above the XP in opinion polls, thanks to a horseshoe-shaped recess under the bow that emitted only an infinitesimal amount of spray.

Turning toward the slalom course, the GP stole the hearts of our wide-eyed co-ed group with a series of rapid passes. Advanced riders scorched the course in an average time of 57.9 seconds, just 7.5 seconds shy of the more-powerful XP. But the real story comes to light in the stunning performances exhibited by our novice and intermediate riders who rounded the buoys in an average time of 60.2 seconds. It absolutely will not spin out and behaves so predictably that rookies look and feel like veterans at the helm. With two riders aboard, the GP shines even brighter. The seat is a good six inches longer than the competition's, and owners should have little reservations about taking Grandma or Junior for a thrill ride, as it's also far more stable. Even a portly pair wouldn't likely tip this big yellow rock, and they should feel comfy and secure underway.

In the stern is a 7-inch boarding platform covered in foam rubber soft enough to excite Mr. Whipple, and something we didn't think possible on a two-passenger craft: a built-in, case-carrying cooler. Throughout the three-day test, staff huddled at the GP to enjoy the benefits of this feature. "They should all have coolers, because people use these things in the sun," test rider Steve Ang said while savoring a cold bottle of spring water. The GP also has more cargo space in the traditional bow location, a glove box at the helm, handgrip-activated trim and adjustable sponsons, permitting even harder turns if desired. The dash panel sports an electronic information center displaying speed, fuel/oil level, rpm, time, distance traveled and more.

A digital ignition code is necessary to fire up the thunderous 754cc, 90--horsepower twin, whose distinctive roar can be picked out of the lineup. "Sounds like a Cigarette boat," noted Casey, while Ang summed it up as "the sound of power". Like their quality line of outboard motors, Yamaha watercraft engines have earned a reputation for reliability and are protected by multiple visual and loud audible alerts.

With a top speed around 54 mph, the GP 760 may not be quite as fast or as challenging as the XP, but its followers couldn't be less interested. "It has more than enough power for me," was practically the universal response.

People are attracted to the WaveRunner GP 760 because it does many things well rather than just a few things exceptionally-well. Perhaps this is best reflected in Ang's comments on his favorite craft for fun. "Fun to me is something I can just get on and ride without worrying about tipping or spinning out, and that's the Yamaha," he explained. "With the cooler, comfortable seat for two and dry ride, it's a great boat for a fun day on the water."

Honorable Mention: Tigershark Daytona 770

Our first sea trial of the Daytona 770 prototype early this year earned it an invitation to the rough-water test, but a production unit would not be available in time. Nevertheless, it proved to be an ardent performer during our brief engagement, and deserves a closer look when considering dry-riding runabouts for less-than-calm conditions.

The multi-angle deadrise hull cuts wave tops efficiently and throws minimal spray in all but a quartering head sea. The 1997 iteration includes a taller, more voluminous deck that's especially beneficial for jumping waves and running fast in heavy swells. At more than 25 inches tall, the handlebar position gives the rider better leverage for pulling the nose up on takeoffs and bracing for landings.

A 768cc, 90 horsepower Suzuki twin pushes the Daytona to a maximum speed in the mid-50's. Features include a bow stowage locker that can swallow a surprising amount of gear, a deck lid-sealed compartment at the helm, analog gauges and electric propulsion trim.

How They Stacked Up

Slalom Course Times (seconds)