The 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X Apex RS 300 is all but sold out in Australia – with just 85 examples from the global allocation destined for Down Under – even though it is the most expensive Jet Ski or personal watercraft ever to be offered locally.
Previewed by Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo earlier this year ahead of the 2022 Miami F1 Grand Prix, the 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X Apex RS 300 costs $34,254 in Australia, excluding trailer and registration.
Almost all of the 85 examples heading to Australia have already been allocated to dealers ahead of production in the coming months and showroom arrivals by early next year.
Some Sea-Doo dealers in Australia canvassed by Watercraft Zone say they have already sold their entire allocation of the 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X Apex RS 300, while other outlets say they only have a handful of examples without names on them.
Sea-Doo dealers canvassed by Watercraft Zone advise customers to call around to secure a ski – or put their name on a waiting list in case a 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X Apex RS 300 becomes available due to a cancelled order.
Watercraft Zone understands Sea-Doo will build the RXP-X Apex RS 300 editions in a single batch in the coming months, with no plans to extend the model run at this stage.
While Daniel Ricciardo previewed the 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X Apex RS 300 earlier this year, it was not clear at the time if it was a one-off special for the F1 ace, or a pointer to an updated model.
As it turns out, the craft in the video was indeed the 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X Apex RS 300, though at the time Sea-Doo made sure the public only got a glimpse of it.
Although Daniel Ricciardo appeared in the original promotional video, his name is not on the ski, presumably as such an endorsement would come at an extra cost.
The official name for the new high watermark for performance Jet Skis is the 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X Apex RS 300 – even though Australian fans might end up calling it the Daniel Ricciardo edition.
As reported earlier, the 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X Apex RS 300 is technically the same as the RXP-X RS 300 on which it is based, but comes with carbon fibre accents on the nose, unique seat trim, and a steering damper system that enables the rider to choose between light, medium, or heavy resistance.
The first shipments of the 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X Apex RS 300 are due in Australia late this year or early next year, pending any production and shipping delays that have impacted the personal watercraft industry (and the automotive sector) for the past two years.
Sea-Doo dealers canvassed by Watercraft Zone said while the price may seem high, “buyers haven’t blinked” given that, for now, the 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X Apex RS 300 is a one-off special.
Due to the engineering investment required for the changes, it’s possible some or all of the 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X Apex RS 300 upgrades could appear on future versions of the RXP-X as the model ages.
For the time being, however, the Sea-Doo RXP-X RS 300 is still in its honeymoon phase, about to enter its third year of a nine-year product cycle.
MORE: 2023 Sea-Doo prices and model changes
MORE: Jet Ski waiting times, what to do if you’re stuck in a queue
MORE: Sea-Doo issues global apology for delivery delays
MORE: Yamaha Australia apologises for extended delivery delays
MORE: Our earlier coverage on Jet Ski stock shortages in Australia
MORE: Follow us on Facebook