We tested the RXT-X260 last year when it was first launched and we loved it. We loved it so much that we awarded it the JS&PW PW of the Year Award. Some months after it’s launch Thumper, one of our staunch forum members, was offered a test, but the worst happened. He was stricken with a sudden attack of Manflu. Was he going to miss this opportunity? Read on…

It is early spring and so far, after a hard, dark and very cold winter, I have managed to avoid the dreaded Swine Flu/Manflu (because apparently they’re the same) that’s crossed the country quicker than an RXT-X running 300lbs of boost. However, this morning I was awoken by a cough, a blocked nose, a thick head, and pains in my arms and legs.  “Manflu” I concluded, you know the sort, when you can’t get out of bed, and need your partner to mop your brow and make you a brew. It lasts three days but you stretch it out for a week to get out of doing chores around the house. Then, when you can milk it no longer, you hobble to work, like the martyr that you are.

Obviously, at some point during the Manflu crisis one must visit the chemist. On entering the chemist you are immediately hit with an attack of the nerves.

The last time you went into a chemist was when you were a cheeky young scamp, and you wanted a pack of three, and the girl behind the counter knew your sister, embarrassment leading into embarrassment, you know the drill. Anyway... a chemist is not a chemist anymore it’s a veritable emporium of perfume, toiletries, and blood pressure monitors.

I turned to the shelf that carried the flu remedies and got hit with more products than you can shake a stick at. There were flu remedies for heavy flu, winter flu, sore throat flu, flu for old people, flu for young people; they even had Tami Flu for the Swine Flu, but nothing for “Manflu”. Outrageous I thought, every bloke gets Manflu from time to time, why no specific product for it?

“Excuse me doctor”, I said, “I can’t find anything for Manflu”. “I’m not a doctor, and there isn’t a specific product for Manflu’, he exclaimed. I replied incredulously: “Aren’t the medical industry missing a profit line here?” The pharmacist then went on to explain to me, that there is no such thing as Manflu. I was gobsmacked to say the least.

‘Right Sir you need this’, and gave me a packet of some generic, chemically mixed concoction, that he guaranteed would have me feeling right as nine pence by tomorrow morning. Which was a good thing because the reason for this panic was due to me having a date with the new Sea Doo RXT-X260? And I wasn’t going to miss that for the world.

Now this ski is not your normal muscle craft, most of which are fast, but this has room for three, and the ability to tow not only wakeboarders, but also has enough torque to pilot a nuclear sub into its berth in Portsmouth Harbour.

So what I wanted to know was this; can this craft be mind chillingly fast, and still be able to attract the whole family for a day of fun on the lake, a bit like an S-line Audi A6. It can get all the kids and shopping in, but when you’re on your own, you can hit the throttle and tear it up like James Bushell, being chased by an F16 fighter with tone. Have we finally found a man ski?

On approaching this beast, you get the distinct impression it’s looking you up and down, to see if you’re capable of riding it. It has presence, huge presence. In its black and red livery, it looks like no other Sea Doo before it. The colour scheme and trim looks as if it belongs in an uber-modern garage. It looks like the ski you would have designed when you where 12, knowing only too well, it was the stuff of dreams. Well this isn’t a dream.  It’s sitting there, on a lake, in the early morning mist. Silence is all around, and this Sea Doo is staring back, menacingly, as if to say; Fancy ya chances, do ya?

I get the drysuit, and trusty Gecko, and climb aboard. Immediately you are assaulted by an array of alien gadgetry, to even the most seasoned of riders it is confusing. AES, VTS, i-control, X collaboration seat. Well that’s what the book calls ‘em. In reality, you have a fully adjustable handlebar system, a variable trim, and BRP’s latest attempt at a cruise seat, without making it look like you’re on a Harley Davidson out for a Sunday stroll. It looks magnificent. It needs to be good, if the stats are anything to go by. I’m going to need a seat that can hold me in if I nail the throttle.

Right then, ready.............. Oh My God. Remember that runny nose I had, the aching bones and the headache? Gone... all gone, in the blink of an eye, or should I say the squeeze of a throttle.

Now I have ridden some fast boats in my time, and even some very tricky race boats. But this craft is phenomenal. The power, and torque as you holeshot, is like one of those scenes in Wiley Coyote, as he struggles to hold onto the Acme rocket. I swear my legs were dangling behind me being whipped about by the wind.
It’s a total dream to ride. You expect to fight it through the corners, because of its power. However, the sponsons are so well positioned you get plenty of notice before they dig in and send you round the buoy, pointing the nose exactly where you want it to go.

Having an extra long hull, in comparison to a two-seater, there’s less of a feeling of being thrown round, and more of a feeling of gliding round instead. You don’t have to hold on for dear life, when you nail it on the back straight. Remember the X seat? Well that lets you sink back into it, taking away the fatigue in your arms, giving you more grip and stamina, ready to take on the next turn. And this craft goes round buoys. Oh, yes! It’s a big three-seater watercraft that actually goes around buoys as well as any race boat out there. Don’t believe me? Take in a round of the British Championships this summer. You’ll see this ski, in stock form, doing the business, and leaving the competition in its wake.

How many kids do you have? Do you want them all to wakeboard at the same time in formation doing a display? Well this craft can handle it - with ease. If you’re going to get out with the family I recommend you buy the biggest ringo you can afford, as this Sea Doo will pull it whilst eating its sandwiches and filing it is nails, on tick over. Do you get the idea?

Contrary to popular belief, more skis are sold to families these days. That means 35+ with 2.4 children (I never did understand what I would do with .4 of a child).
BRP are always at the cutting edge of technology. As we have seen with their new GTXis, and its suspension system, and brake technology. But what we have with the RXT-X260, is a muscle craft that, on paper, has only been given a few extra horses over the model it’s replaced but in reality it’s a completely new ski. It’s frighteningly fast, it goes round the buoys and handles like a two-seater, it’s stable, and can tow toys effortlessly. It is an ideal family ski, and at the same time, a boy’s beast. A true all round craft that delivers everything.

That doesn’t happen every day. This is a Manski all right.