The 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X300 Apex edition – showcased by Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo earlier this year – has already started arriving in US showrooms just months after it was unveiled.
The first shipments of the fastest and most expensive Jet Ski or personal watercraft to be sold in Australia – priced from $34,254 not including trailer and registration – are due in local showrooms by the end of this year pending any unforeseen delays.
Sea-Doo dealers in Australia canvassed by Watercraft Zone say almost all of their allocations of the 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X300 Apex edition already have customer names on them.
Above: Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo and the 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X300 Apex edition.
Sea-Doo is yet to announce how many Apex editions will be produced in total for all markets.
However, Watercraft Zone has been told Sea-Doo plans to build the Apex edition in batches before the year is out.
As previously reported, the 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X Apex 300 is technically the same as the RXP-X 300 on which it is based.
However, it comes with carbon fibre accents, unique seat trim, and a steering damper system that enables the rider to choose between light, medium, or heavy resistance.
The first US customer known to have taken delivery is Missouri rider Marc Roberts who posted his good fortune on a Sea-Doo Facebook forum.
Mr Roberts told Watercraft Zone he landed at the head of the queue after ordering the Apex edition sight unseen after taking a phone call from his local powersports dealer moments after the craft was unveiled during Sea-Doo’s annual product preview in August 2022.
“My dealings with Reno’s Powersports of Kansas City, Missouri, started back in 2015 when I left the Kawasaki Ultra 310 platform and moved to the Seadoo RXP platform,” Mr Roberts told Watercraft Zone.
“At that time (the owner of) Reno’s Powersports was at the show when Sea-Doo unveiled the new T3 platform and 1630cc motor in 2016. He purchased one for me on the spot.
“So every year the dealership is quick to give me a call when something unique is unveiled. He sent me a few photos of the Apex edition and I ordered it right away.”
Mr Roberts said he was told he was one of only six customers to get their order placed before the Sea-Doo cyber attack in August.
“I think this is the only reason I have received one from the first batch made,” Mr Roberts told Watercraft Zone, who noted a handful of dealers in the US may have initially only received one Apex edition each.
Anticipating the customer’s excitement, the Sea-Doo dealer ripped open the packaging as soon as the Apex edition was unloaded from the truck, and sent him these images which Mr Roberts has since shared on social media.
Mr Roberts says he is a fan of the green-and-black carbon-fibre colour scheme.
As is the case with many Sea-Doo models equipped with the ‘VIP’ twin-screen digital display, the craft was freighted to the dealer ahead of the fitment of the dash.
Sending digital displays by airfreight to dealerships – after watercraft have already been delivered to showrooms – is one of the ways Sea-Doo has been able to better meet surging customer demand amid semiconductor shortages that have plagued various industries over the past two years.
Be sure to check back with Watercraft Zone for the latest on the 2023 showroom arrivals of Sea-Doo, Yamaha and Kawasaki Jet Skis.
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
MORE: Follow us on YouTube