2009 Sea-Doo RXT iS 255 Review

Suspension and braking on a sporty craft

Yellow means ‘go’ at Sea-Doo, so it should be clear that the new bumble bee-colored RXT iS 255 has sporting intentions. This three-passenger model offers all of the iControl features found on the GTX Limited iS 255, with a few tweaks to make it more appealing to aggressive riders: a stiffer suspension spring, and a reshaped seat.

I think riders who like to pin the throttle in any water condition will get the most benefit from the innovative iS (Intelligent Suspension) system on the RXT iS, which suspends the entire rider and passenger area – seat, footwells, handlebars and bow stowage – above the rest of the boat. This upper cockpit is supported by a pair of pivoting, cast aluminum arms that connect it to the hull. The forward arm, which is located entirely within the craft, is supported by a coil spring and a gas-charged shock absorber that allows six inches of total travel. Spring pre-load is adjusted by an electro-hydraulic motor. In its manual mode, the rider can adjust the pre-load with a toggle on the handlebar to one of nine settings, from softest to stiffest. In auto mode the system monitors its travel, and if it bottoms out it automatically adds pre-load to maintain about four inches of compression travel. The system is constantly self-monitoring and is adaptive to conditions and the weight of rider and passenger.

Despite being almost identical to the GTX Limited iS, the Sea-Doo RXT iS looks more sporty in its yellow and black livery.

The iS system does not turn the RXT iS into a magic carpet ride. You’ve only got four inches of compression to work with, after all. But it does do a good job of taking the sharp ‘edge’ off of riding in rough water. Experienced riders will notice less shock is transmitted to the handlebars, for example, upon impact with a wave face. Ride through the chop at a brisk pace, and you can look down at the footwell and see the upper deck moving through its travel, soaking up some of the energy that would otherwise be passed on to your arms and legs. A stiffer spring rate gives the RXT iS a little more range at the upper end of the scale than you’ll get with the GTX iS.

Power is provided by the same supercharged/intercooled 1.5-liter Rotax triple that debuted last year on the RXT-X and RXP-X, rated at 255 hp. Like all Sea-Doo models, this engine has closed cooling, a bonus for salt-water riders. I think the 18.6-gallon fuel tank is barely adequate for an engine this powerful, in a boat this heavy. The RXT iS weighs a significant 144 pounds more than the RXT-X, and at 11 feet seven inches, the RXT iS is nine inches longer than the RXT-X. The hull is made of a new close-mold fiberglass material that Sea-Doo says reduces the weight of the boat by 50 pounds. So I guess it could be even heavier. The added weight and length means that the RXT iS simply does not have the razor-sharp reflexes of the RXT-X, and its deep-vee hull (with 22 degrees of deadrise) does not feel as stable at low speeds as the RXT-X or other Sea-Doo GTX models. And there’s worse news – the top speed of the RXT iS is electronically controlled to 65 mph with the aide of the on-board GPS.

Despite its sporting pretensions, the RXT iS offs good passenger accommodations, and the suspension system will be especially appreciated by the back-seat rider.

If you like to go fast, however, you might eventually appreciate the iBR (Intelligent Brake and Reverse) system. Controlled by a lever on the left handlebar, iBR engages the reverse bucket to help slow the RXT iS to a stop in 30 to 50 percent of the distance a standard craft would take in the same circumstance. Squeeze the lever and the bucket drops while the engine is throttled up to about 3500 rpm – enough reverse thrust to slow the boat without tossing the rider over the nose. Hard braking does send a wave of water over the bow and into the chest of the rider, but that beats hitting the seawall. You can also modulate the lever to get less-than-maximum brake effect, and not get wet.

These two views of the RXT iS show the suspension fully lowered (left) and raised to its operating position (right). When the engine is turned off, the suspension lowers to improve stability at rest.

At idle speeds, the brake lever also actives reverse. When the RXT iS is started, the iControl computer places the bucket in a perfect “neutral” position that results in no thrust. The boat just sits there, which is great. It’s no longer necessary to have open water available before pushing the start button. Blip the throttle and you get forward thrust. Pull on the brake lever, and you get reverse. Let go and you are back to neutral. All without looking down or taking your hands off the bars. The throttle is drive-by-wire that incorporates a no-wake zone speed control and a cruise control that can be set to any speed. The RXT iS also has the same electronic VTS trim system as the RXT-X, which can be pre-set to “up” and “down” positions.

With it’s powerful engine and large hull, the RXT iS could use a larger fuel tank.

There are plenty of other bells and whistles on this boat. The instrument display moves up and down with the adjustable handlebars, so the gauges are always in view. The seat is hinged and supported by a gas strut, so is does not need to be lifted off of the boat for routine engine maintenance. Under the seat is a hatch that does need to be removed to reach the engine, however. That seat is a little harder and higher than the scooped-out touring seat found on the GTX iS model, but still offers good accommodations for a passenger. There a shallow wet stowage compartment below the boarding platform, and the new glove box will hold a couple of water bottles. The RXT iS does not come with the handy glove box organizer that’s standard on the GTX iS, nor does it have the slick retractable mooring lines found on the GTX iS, although both can be purchased as options.

The new instrument display moves with the handlebars as the are moved through their range of adjustment from down (left) to up (right).

Priced at $14,999, the RXT iS costs $1,300 more than the RXT-X, and it’s slower and not as sporty. But it’s also not as nervous on long, straight runs. And if you ride a lot in rough water, the suspension system might be worth the added cost. I think there’s really more value for most riders in the slick reverse system and drive-by-wire features. Maybe next Sea-Doo will give us a three-seater with iBR and all the other iControl gizmos, but without the suspension. Let’s hope they keep it yellow.

Related Reading:
2009 Sea-Doo GTX Limited iS 255 Review