Snake

Just put our 2010 Wake Pro 215 in the water, and flipped it right away making a slow turn with 3 people on it. Also, it keeps tipping back and forth (like a motorcycle) even in a straight line, if you turn the handlebars even slightly. They made a big deal in the brochure about the new "S3" hull they put on it for 2010, but it looks like a bad idea, and now no ones wants to ride it. I think it was a big mistake to get this model, and it's really scary for the passengers when it keeps tipping left and right as you are riding. Others on our lake who have Sea Doos without this S3 hull report no such problems, and I have ridden their machines myself with no tippiness.

Has anyone else had this problem with such an unsafe ride on the new Wake Pro 215?

dvanpham

I don't own this model and have not ridden one, but it obviously doesn't make sense for them to build it like this on purpose. It seems to me that the stabilizers aren't doing the job. Is it at all possible that the stabilizers are missing? They are found on both sides of the hull near the back.

Snake

Thanks, DVANPHAM - I have sent a message to the dealer, and there are water inlet grills at the back that I suppose also function as lifting strakes and maybe help stabilize as well, but our tip over happened while turning at quite a slow speed so I'm not sure that would have helped. It is more likely a problem with a higher Center of gravity on the new S3 hull. They say in the brochure that the hull is 20% lighter, and my friend's 2009 RXT 215 does sit lower in the water than mine. On the other hand, here is what the brochure says about the new S3 Hull:

"Stepped, stable, and strong, the S3 Hull takes a page from high-performance boats. The step is behind the intake, allowing the hull bottom to be ventilated. It also decreases pressure at the transom as the watercraft crosses over the chop, allowing the bow to stay up at a positive angle rather than be pushed down into the next wave. This results in reduced drag and a smoother, faster ride.

The S3 hull features a narrow chine, minimizing lateral wave impact and roll for better stability. Increased length and a deep-V design help streamline your passage. And ribbed construction renders it extremely solid. It also features both upper-deck and under-the-hull splash deflectors.

And to top it all off, the material that makes up the S3 Hull reduces its overall weight by 50 pounds (22.7 kg) - making it 20% lighter than competitive hulls."

So, the way Sea Doo advertises it, you would think the new S3 hull would be MORE stable, but on the other hand most of the comments above refer to stability at higher speeds, and stability over waves and chop. (We were going quite slow when we tipped over.) As well, someone told me later that Sea Doos are "incredibly tippy", so now I am really confused about how to deal with this.

Perhaps one solution would be to add ballast, and indeed the 2009 models had an option for removeable rear ballast tanks to help give you a better wake. Does anyone on the forum have them, and have you found that they also increase stability? Note that you cannot get them for the 2010's (yet?) but I am thinking that they may become available later in the model year?

I'd very much appreciate any comments forum members would care to share, because I am at a complete loss about what to do, and not at all happy about this big surprise on my brand new Sea Doo!

RXT-X 260 king

hm, that is an unusual problem, i have the rxt-x with the same hull and i have no problems with stability. i had 3 grown people on it in choppy water and we were fine.

also are your passengers leaning and moving around alot on the back? because that makes a big difference. it is simular to a motorcycle so you need to tell them to sit still and not move around or lean to one side.

Outlaw

I have to agree it is a passenger thing either not sitting correctly or too heavy i.e. overloaded, I own the 2009 RXT-IS 255 with a very high center of gravity with the heavy suspension and if there were going to be a tippy ski it would be this one. I am 6' 1" and weigh 225 lbs and don't have a problem with tipping, however having said that I own a 2006 RXT and it is more stable at idle both with and with out passengers. It is a little bit of a trade off. It is like trying to compare a 24 degree deadrise boat hull to a semi vee-hull. You are going to have better stabilty with a semi-vee hull at an idle but the deep-vee hull will give you better performance and ride at faster speeds. Thats the best way I can explain it. Sorry can't have it both ways.

grover432

I'll be able to provide a first hand impression next week when I take delivery of my 2010 RXT X. My last Sea Doo was a 2004 GTX 4TEC SC. I found it pretty stable at idle, but with 2 - 15 year old boys on the back I had to be a bit careful. I store my Sea Doo on a floating dock. We launch by the 2 passengers getting on and I push the Sea Doo off the dock backwards as I hop on. On a couple of occasions, if the passengers weren't sitting centered, the Sea Doo would roll over. I can imagine it will be worse with the new S3 hull, so I'll have to be more careful.

I too expect that part of your "problem" has to do with weight distribution of passengers at idle.

Snake

Well, that's just great. Now I have to worry about the stupid thing tipping over as I drive it off the dock! I just bought a new EZ Dock "EZ Port MAX" so I could store the Sea Doo out of the water, and I was thinking of putting it beside my existing floating dock, so I could get on it more easily. However, if Gover423's experiences are indicative, my passengers may very well smack their heads on the dock as the Sea Doo tips over while it is being launched! I should have bought a Yamaha or something that is safer - what a mistake!

(P.S. The key doesn't work worth a damn either - sometimes I have to put it on and pull it off several times before it finally starts, and from what I have heard I am not the only one. Once when I let the kids off to swim I couldn't get going again and was almost smashed up against the rocks by the waves as I drifted in while frantically trying to restart the Sea Doo. Nice quality control.)

grover432

Snake,

I hope with a bit of practice at the dock we'll be able to overcome the less stable design. I might consider launching off the dock without passengers and then bringing the Sea Doo alongside the floating dock for the others to board. I think reversing into the water is a bit tricky anyway. I guess I'll see when I start riding. From what I've read, most people are praising the improved rough water performance and handling. I guess there is a trade off - hopefully not too much for the recreational riders like us.

As for the DESS post, I think yours is the only complaint I have read so far - which is a good thing. Have you talked to the dealer about it? Sea Doo has been making the system for almost 10 years now so I'd be surprised if it is a widespread design problem as opposed to a defective part. Of course just because I'd be surprised, doesn't mean it isn't so!

Let us know what the dealer says about the DESS.

grover

Outlaw

Good morning Snake,

Don't throw in the towel yet. About your key, I had the same problem with my 09 RXT-IS. It is a simple fix, just get a new key programed from your dealer @ no charge, tell him there was a TSB about this and the fix is a different key. Must of had some bad keys. Mine works fine now. When I take passengers on my RXT-IS it can be tricky at idle, I find that making sure myself and passengers are centered when riding and don't lean over until the ski planes off then fun begins at planing speeds. The S3 hull is designed to handle chop by slicing through it rather then punding thru it and on glass it has so much bite when cornering it can throw you off if you don't move to counter balance it. There is a nite and day difference between the S3 hull and my 2006 RXT hull. Basically at the end of the day your back will thank for the S3 hull. It also can get loose if you apply to much power when turning because of the stepped hull. While gaining a performance tp end speed due the bubbling effect of a stepped hull but the friction reducing effect also means less backend grip which can make it slide out when overpowered while turning. I know this because I own a 29' performance boat with twin 454 Mags and a stepped hull,same effect. Just rember the greater the deadrise, and a narrower beam will make a craft more "tippy". I think once you become more familar with your ski you will know its quirks and enjoy it a lot more. My answer is when things get to crowded buy another ski,lol. Good Luck stay in touch and remember Sea Doo rules!!!

grover432

Hi Outlaw,

I wonder whether the X is as tippy as the iS at slow speeds. My understanding is the suspension creates a higher center of gravity (relative to the X) and makes it even tippier. I guess I'll get a chance to experience it first hand in a week or so - just picking mine up on Saturday - but rain and cool weather predicted for the weekend will keep me off the water for one more week.

grover