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" (Published in the June 1997 issue) More: Visit our personal watercraft buying guide I recently had a chance to ride two trendsetting 1997 personal watercraft. Sea-Doo&amp;#039;s redesigned XP is a high-tech, high-performance production racer that anyone can buy, while Kawasaki&amp;#039;s 1100 STX is the biggest, coolest 3-seater on the market. They are very different, but each is world-class and at the forefront of thrust-propelled excitement.  Sea-Doo XP The XP name has been around for years, but the 1997 version is totally different from previous Sea-Doo racers. Start with the all-new hull, which is designed with a unique hourglass shape. The concept is similar to that of the hourglass snow skis that have revolutionized downhill skiing. During straight-line running, the narrow semi-V reduces drag for higher speeds and better acceleration, while the flared bow and stern dig in under exuberant cornering for pinpoint control.   It works. Sea-Doo&amp;#039;s XP has wish-quick steering, yet still maintains exemplary straight-line tracking. At 107 in. long and 44 in. wide, the XP is slightly larger all-around than other 2-seater watercraft, and at 525 pounds, it weighs a little more, too.   No matter. The XP is shoved along by a 782cc 2-cycle Rotax twin rated at 110 hp. Among other clever ideas, the Rotax incorporates digital ignition, digital antitheft system, variable exhaust timing and a counterrotating balance shaft. Thanks to a low 6:1 compression ratio, the twin 40mm Mikuni carburetors can even flow unleaded regular gas.   To lower the center of gravity for more responsive handling, the Rotax engine is canted 30?. To resist corrosion, the jet-pump components are all-composite bronze or stainless steel. An electric variable trim system angles the nozzle to keep the bow down while climbing on plane, then trims up the bow for faster speeds. I reached a top speed of 57 mph during my test run, and I&amp;#039;m a 200-pound 6-footer. A lighter rider gets less wind resistance and should easily top 60 mph.   It&amp;#039;s the XP&amp;#039;s styling that will grab all the attention, though. Most prominent is the eye-searing Safety Yellow paint job. Look closer and you&amp;#039;ll spot a suspended dual seat that pivots forward of the helmsman&amp;#039;s knees and rides on a spring/shock unit hidden beneath the seat. The instrument nacelle, handlebars and rearview mirrors are neatly integrated into a bulging 2-tone bit of bodywork, allowing the rest of the topsides to be commendably sleek and narrow. For a high-performance production racer, the XP is amazingly comfortable, as comfortable as any 2-seat sport PWC. It requires a bit more attention to ride than a fat tourer, but it is nowhere near as darty as most all-out race craft. At $7499, it&amp;#039;s not the cheapest watercraft on the market, but for a special, limited-production racer, it&amp;#039;s very reasonably priced. And like all Sea-Doo products, the XP is lovingly built, exuding quality.  Kawasaki 1100 STX Kawasaki thinks of the 3-seat 1100 STX as a luxury tourer. But I saw 52 mph on its digital speedometer and kept up with a professional rider on a sport 2-seater through a dazzling series of twists and turns. It&amp;#039;s true that the STX is remarkably roomy and stable, but it also takes off like a race boat when you pull the throttle all the way to the grip.   This is not a petite machine. At 122 in. long and 41.4 in. wide, the 1100 STX is as large as any PWC. It also weighs 595 pounds. There&amp;#039;s a reason for that. In addition to the added length, Kawasaki designers pushed the helmsman&amp;#039;s seat farther forward than usual, leaving more than enough room for three on the cushy, 2-tone seat. Other 3-seaters are often too cramped for three large adults.   The styling is as zippy as the acceleration, thanks to 2-tone paint and upholstery. More important are all the functional features incorporated into this striking design. There&amp;#039;s a large rear deck, for example, that is perfect for loading and unloading a waterskier. A reboarding step makes it even easier. And, in addition to the convenient tow loop, there&amp;#039;s a larger, wraparound passenger grab handle.   You can store your things in three different compartments\u2013including a huge bin under the front cowl. The footwells are large and the mirrors are faired-in.   Befitting its top-drawer status, the STX even has an elaborate digital instrument panel that includes a clock, speedometer, hour meter, trip meter, fuel and oil gauges and an array of warning lights.   The STX&amp;#039;s stellar performance comes from two sources\u2013the hull and the engine. Its brand-new low-friction hull design coasts farther than any PWC I&amp;#039;ve ever ridden. I kept bumping into the dock because I chopped the throttle at the usual distance and then coasted\u2013and coasted and coasted. Except for prominent longitudinal strakes and antispray chines, the new deep-V hull doesn&amp;#039;t look especially advanced, but it sure does work.   So does the 1071cc 120-hp 2-stroke 3-cylinder engine. This is the same engine that&amp;#039;s in the sporty 1100 ZXi, and it&amp;#039;s an extremely powerful unit with triple 39mm carburetors, digital ignition, a rev limiter and even an automatic ignition adjustment for cooler running in hot weather. A 5.8:1 compression ratio allows the use of regular gas. An automatic bilge pump is standard. Shifting into Reverse is much smoother than on many other PWCs, and of course, virtually all of the driveline components are corrosion-proof.   A lot of PWC riders are getting into long-distance touring. With them in mind, Kawasaki even offers a whole group of accessories for the 1100 STX, including a stern pack that sits on the rear boarding platform, saddlebags and a small handlebar bag. Count the standard hull compartments, and there&amp;#039;s more than enough storage room for a couple to go camping on the beach for the weekend. Try the Colorado River.   At $7599, we think the 1100 STX is one of the best all-around personal watercraft buys on the 1997 market. It&amp;#039;s quick, good-looking, easy to ride and capable of carrying three passengers, towing a skier or touring long distances for as long as you can pull the throttle open. Other machines may excel in one or two of these areas, but only the big STX is capable of such a wide variety of recreation.   These two new machines, the Sea-Doo XP and Kawasaki 1100 STX, represent two of the fastest-growing segments of the PWC market. It&amp;#039;s easy to see why\u2013both are practical, well-built and, best of all, fun to ride. 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