Sea-Doo RXP-X APEX 300 Review

Manufacturers have long dubbed certain models as “Limiteds” but the name usually denotes the craft comes with a package of manufacturer-curated extras. Sea-Doo’s RXP-X APEX 300 is truly a Limited Edition. It features exclusive extras that you’ll only find on this one-off 2023 model… and it’s only available for a limited time. Orders need to be placed by November 30, 2022 in order to have one built. After that, the opportunity to own one is gone.

Think that sounds like your kind of personal watercraft? Here’s what you can expect for the craft’s $20,999 price tag.

The Tried And True

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re already familiar with the RXP-X 300, one of, if not the most aggressive turning PWC on the market. Credit Sea-Doo’s T3-R hull for much of that performance. Named for it’s “tight-turning, T-shape,” the bottom surface features a sharp keel and soft outer chines, a combination that lets the hull run on a reduced surface at speed, track precisely and intuitively roll into turns at some of the steepest angles seen in the personal watercraft market. Shark-like “gills” molded into the chines midway along the length are designed to break up surface tension to limit the craft’s former abrupt bite and allow the boat to carve predictably all the way through those corners. Exclusive X-Sponsons add to the control and keep the stern hooked up in the hairiest of hairpin corners.

While an inside lean is beneficial on such a hard-cornering craft, it can be brutal on those without an abundance of upper-body strength. Sea-Doo’s ErgoLock-R cockpit wisely transfers much of that strain to those stronger lower-body muscles by combining an hourglass-shaped saddle with pronounced knee pockets and inwardly canted footwell chocks. A bolstered seat back can be repositioned fore and aft to further lock the rider in where they feel most comfortable while providing strong back support. A low-rise handlebar design encourages a race-like stance to further get the most out of the craft’s performance.

As to the engine it’s the most powerful offering Sea-Doo’s got, a Rotax 1630 ACE outfitted with a supercharger and intercooler to produce roughly 300 horsepower. Add a lightweight top deck, a center of gravity that makes the craft feel like it turns directly beneath the rider, top-loader intake grate and polished impeller and the end result is a nimble, agile craft that will thrill performance-minded recreational riders and satisfy the hardcore race crowd.

The Extras

It’s an impressive starting point but this is a true “limited edition” package so the extras are in full effect.

Obvious are the aesthetics. What is best called a “British” Racing Green gives the boat a rich, performance feel as opposed to the bright pop typical of performance craft. The hood and mirrors are fabricated from carbon fiber, both for looks and weight savings. There’s also exclusive takes on seating details, footwell carpets, color-coordinated handgrips, badging and the custom storage cover. Saddle surface is tacky, not slick, for improved grip. A passenger saddle is also standard should you want to quickly convert the craft from solo speedster to two-up thrill ride.

Launch Control automates the trim process in an attempt to provide near perfect acceleration. Controlled via the left handlebar control pad, it adjusts the variable trim on the fly to find an ideal jet angle and limit excessive bowrise and porpoising. I found the system to be surprisingly close to, and sometimes better than my experienced hand on the trim control. Those who think they can do better can always rely on manual input.

Standard features still include a near 40-gallon front storage compartment, glovebox with waterproof cellphone holder, recessed LinQ accessory cleats on the aft platform and standard LCD display and Bluetooth audio system. The former integrates with the BRP GO app to allow route planning, realtime friend tracking and allow riders to find local points of interest. You can also download detailed nautical charts from Navionics.

The Big-Ticket Addition

The major improvement, however, is a new hydraulically steering damper, seen in the images above. Like similar dampers on motorcycles and snowmobiles, it’s designed to improve steering feel by reducing the feedback that travels from hull to handlebars, feedback that on the RXP-X delivers a fair amount of vibration but also results in almost constant handlebar input that can cause fatigue. Dampening the steering literally smooths things out, eliminating that twitchy feel at the handlebars while still retaining the craft’s responsiveness.

The damper, controlled via a manual twist dial at the base of the handlebars, has three settings. The loosest is similar to the stock RXP-X setup. The middle setting introduces a moderate amount of dampening, the full twist the highest amount of correction, allowing riders to choose what suits them best or what is best for the current conditions.

It definitely works. I found it made the craft less tiring to ride but also added more predictability to the handling no matter what the water conditions.

Tick-Tock

Obviously, there are other performance craft on the market. Yamaha’s GP1800R SVHO ($16,499) is the closest competitor in terms of size, power and perhaps most important in this category, handling. The GP’s also got an impressive resume on the race course. Of course, there’s also the original RXP-X 300 at the same price as the Yamaha.

The APEX, however, isn’t just about high-performance. It’s about exclusivity. The core RXP-X features remain and that will be enough for many performance riders. But for that customer who wants what few others have, the APEX is that notch above, that showpiece few others will have.

Assuming, of course, interest buyers get that order in—come December 1, membership to this exclusive club is closed for good.