Anyone can take this test (update)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13: A&P Marine is hoping to really move its customers on Saturday.

The company is offering test rides on two of its jet ski models at Ferry Reach in a bid to give people a firsthand feel of what it’s like to be out on the water.

Owner Michael Araujo said anyone who goes on a test ride would also be in the draw for an iPhone.

He said the reason his company decided to offer the test rides as a way to “promote the new models that we have. We’re going to have the three-seater FX SHO and the other one that we’re pretty excited about is the VXS 1800. That one doesn’t have the supercharge because it’s a lighter hull, but it performs really, really well without the supercharge.”

Mr Araujo said Yamaha executives sparked the idea for the test drive as a great way to attract new possible customers during the recession.

“We’re finding that skis aren’t selling as much as they have in the past. It used to be that we couldn’t keep them in stock, but now they’re not going out the door as quickly as they used to.

“One of the skis we’re showing is a very affordable ski. It’s $13,950 and we want to show people that just because it’s affordable and less expensive than the rest, that it doesn’t lack in performance or handling.”

He said by people taking it for a test ride they can see for themselves that it measures up.

Mr Araujo said people often associated the biggest with being the best and that’s not necessarily the case.

He said during Saturday’s event, A&P Marine will have a dock set up and everyone who signs up for s test ride will be kitted out with the proper safety vests and other equipment.

“We’re going to have a little course you can go through. You can through the buoys and come back — it will be the length of Ferry Reach down through Grotto Bay and come back.”

Mr Araujo said he was looking as many people as possible take advantage of this unique opportunity.

“We’re hoping there are going to be 100s of people, but we don’t know how many will show up. Obviously, we can only do a certain amount of people within that time frame.”

He said they will be staggering the time for the test rides so two people are starting with each other.

“Just to make sure they don’t get in each other’s way. We may get some people who have never been on a ski before.

“If this goes well, I’ll consider doing this every year.