Expectations for Yamaha’s 2025 model year of WaveRunners were high, particularly in anticipation of Yamaha’s response to Sea-Doo’s ground-thumping salvo in the form of 2024’s industry-leading 325-horsepower engine redesign. BRP’s leading performance watercraft have been much of the topic of conversation on and off of the showroom floor, and hopes of a revamped SVHO (Super Vortex High Output) four-cylinder 4-stroke based on the new 1.9-liter were palpable.
With already a seemingly unbeatable one-two punch of the GP SVHO and FX SVHO platforms, an updated SVHO with greater displacement, superior top end flow and ignition quench seemed like a shoo-in. Right? Well, that’s what we at The Watercraft Journal thought too – even despite reliable intel hinting otherwise. Yamaha wasn’t going to take Sea-Doo’s 325-horsepower right hook square in the jaw, was it? No way, many WaveRunner loyalists defended. Just wait and see…
…and then the news came in like a deflating balloon flatulating across the room: No, the SVHO will stay as-is for now. Moreover, the FX and GP received updated Connext infotainment centers and revamped speaker systems. Lastly, the EX line is gone. Well, sorta. Instead, a fully redesigned Rec Lite series – branded Jet Blaster – fills the entry-level void. Lighter and far more nimble, the new Jet Blaster line of six 2 and 3-up WaveRunners were certain to raise some eyebrows.
Let’s start from the top down: the FX series of full-sized 3-seaters get new colorways that may look familiar as many are carryovers from last year’s VX and GP models – apart from the FX Cruiser SVHO, which brings back the much-beloved “Darth Vader” livery and a very retro gold-and-gloss black FX Cruiser HO. Models include the the FX High Output 1.9L ($16,399), FX Cruiser High Output ($17,699), FX SVHO 1.8L ($19,999), FX Cruiser SVHO 1.8L ($20,599) and FX Limited SVHO 1.8L ($21,199).
But what’s new on the FX’s besides colors and increased prices? Yamaha dramatically improved the FX’s dashboard to a taller, more square design (nearly identical in size and shape to the Kawasaki Ultra). This new dash features faster screen scrolling, three optional background colors and layouts, and quicker phone connectivity, enabling the rider to access music, and read and respond to text messages while on the water. The new interface promises “cutting-edge technology and convenience at your fingertips.”
Paired to the new larger infotainment dashboard and standard equipment on all FX models (except the FX HO), as well as the VX Limited HO and VX Limited models, are Yamaha’s redesigned audio speakers and digital microphone. The new speakers feature 6.5-inch waterproof cone woofer, a 1.25-inch Tetoron dome tweeter, and a 4.5-inch passive radiator, each 40W can “blast tunes at high volumes without distortion, ideal for any outdoor activity.” The microphone is for dictating texts and accessing Siri on Apple devices.
Of course, these can be ordered on the FX HO, VX Cruiser HO, VX Cruiser, VX Deluxe, GP SVHO, and GP HO models as well. And while the VX and GP don’t get the larger full-color dashboard upgrade, the Connext firmware has been updated, ensuring similar input response and the easy-to-use interface. The aforementioned VX lineup includes VX-C ($10,599), VX ($11,799), VX Deluxe ($12,899), VX Cruiser ($13,299), VX Cruiser HO 1.9L ($14,199), VX Limited ($14,499) and VX Limited HO ($15,899).
And no, we didn’t forget Yamaha’s performance models, the GP High Output 1.9L ($14,999) and the GP SVHO ($17,499); as well as the SuperJet ($10,999). But what of Yamaha’s new Rec Lite series, you ask? Yes, gone is Yamaha’s former response to Sea-Doo’s industry-breaking Spark and Spark Trixx: the EX series. In its place is a wholly redesigned, dual-material entry level runabout that is both shorter (116-inches), lighter (538-to-600 pounds) and slightly wider (45-inches).
Rechristened the Jet Blaster, each of the six available models come with a polypropylene top deck featuring an all-too-familiar-looking open wishbone concept atop either a SMC or NanoXcel hull. Equally, two models are available with a 2-up or 3-up bench (the 3-up models include rear view mirrors as well). Finally, two variants of the TR-1 engine are available: the 90-horsepower TR-1 and the 110-horsepower TR-1 High Output.
Each ‘Blaster comes with a 13.2-gallon fuel cell, and an all-new 144mm jet pump. (An increased 25.5º of trim angle and new impeller are exclusive to the Pro and LTD models.) Priced for budget appeal, the base Jet Blaster comes in at $7,999 with the SMC hull and 90HP TR-1. Weirdly, the Jet Blaster DLX 2-up ($8,999) and DLX 3-up ($9,999) differ in price by $1,000, while the Jet Blaster Pro 2-up ($11,199) and Jet Blaster Pro 3-up ($11,799) differ by $600 despite sharing the same add-ons for the added rider.
The Pro of course, is Yamaha’s answer to Sea-Doo’s ever-popular Trixx, offering wider handlebars on a taller neck, angled foot wedges and modified trim settings to perform wheelies and aggressive spin-outs. Previously, Yamaha shied away from the comparison but the dramatic parallels in styling, colors and attributes are far too overt to ignore. Lastly, the Jet Blaster LTD ($11,799) includes “a footwell audio kit, stern-mounted storage, and a Yamaha-branded mooring cover.”
The two Jet Blaster Pro models (2-up and 3-up) ride on NanoXcel hulls while both Pros and the LTD share the 110-horsepower TR-1 HO. Interestingly, all three 3-up Jet Blasters are equipped with longer sponsons over those shorter sponsons on the two 2-up models. This is said to provide great stability at all speeds and to tighten up some of the Jet Blaster’s “playfulness” in tight corners. Each ‘Blaster comes with a watertight glove box and full color LED dashboard.
The complete redesign of the Rec Lite segment surprised many, as the EX was only introduced in 2016 but the update falls in line with previous 8-to-9 year runs for the FX and FZ lines (the VX tends to last a decade or so). With that, Yamaha has aimed its focus at lower-priced entry buyers and those seeking top-of-the-line phone integration with their personal watercraft. For the thrill seekers, the engine lineup remains unchanged, which is still nothing to shake a stick at.
