Riding a personal watercraft can take you to so many beautiful places around the world. Places that you could never see on a boat. The small footprint of riding a PWC can take you to some of the most beautiful places around the world.
At the same time PWC can take you into the wide-open ocean. Like it did for YouTuber Adam Swords. While riding his Sea-Doo. He had a once in a lifetime encounter. While riding off the coast of Newport Beach California. Adam saw dolphins, not only did he get to ride along with the dolphins. He saw one of the rarest dolphins in the world, a semi albino bottlenose dolphin. The video that Adam uploaded to his YouTube channel you can hear the excitement and amazement in his voice.
This is just one of the many experiences you can have while riding a PWC. The places you can go and the things you can see. The personal watercraft industry is so vast in the things you can do there is something for everyone everything from seeing dolphins in the wide-open ocean two pushing a 300hp race craft around a course in Arizona. Not to mention some of the best people you will ever meet in the world are PWC enthusiast.
Adam wrote, “I saw this gorgeous yacht approaching and then noticed the dolphins were actually surfing the waves behind it. When I rode over for a closer look they spotted me and decided to put on a show!
“I definitely lost my mind! I just began shouting “No way! No way!” and shrieking like an excited child on Christmas morning. Seeing my reaction when I played the footage back was hilarious. These are 8-12ft animals and they were effortlessly jumping twice their length out of the water and in to the air.
“I’ve spent a lot of time interacting with dolphins out here in the pacific while exploring the area on my SeaDoo, but this encounter was truly unique.”
Just when we thought the electric PWC world couldn’t get any weirder, along comes the Supermarine MM01. The MM01 looks like something straight out of a science fiction movie, with its aerodynamic shape and curvy bow. The team out of France consulted with aerospace engineers to nail down the design. Bouvet Freres Marine, a company out of France, will build a limited-edition series of the electric jet ski. It is being billed as the world’s first “Hyper Jet.”
They will produce 30 Hyper Jets. The MM01 will have an electric motor that generates 300 hp to give it a top speed of 75mph. The exterior of the watercraft will be comprised of a lightweight carbon-Kevlar. Check this out, the storage trunk is lined with leather and a champagne holder is fitted under the seat so you can pop the cork for a special occasion!
The company says it is putting creativity over profitability by spending over 500-man hours to build each hyper jet. This is the reasoning behind offering only offer a limited number of the expensive machines.
The price of the MM01 is rumored to be twice as much as the Maverick GT. The MM01 is an elite class of jet ski as confirmed by this quote from Bouvet Freres Marine: “We are part of a radically different segment, without seeking to compete with the existing market, whether in terms of supply or volume.” Testing will begin later this year and the Supermarine MM01 is expected to hit the market in 2024.
Awake, always on the cutting edge of the electric surfboard development, has released their most bad ass electric surfboard to date. It is the high-powered RAVIK S 22, and it looks fun! The crew updated the full system with a more responsive Speed Controller and new motor. A rider can reach speeds up to 36 knots with the optimized impeller design and increased torque. The board uses the same plug and play system to get you on the water quicker with no cables to deal with. Awake keeps it simple so you can spend more time riding.
The Ravik S 22 is the most extreme board they’ve built. The crew sent a couple of riders to take on some gnarly conditions where we wouldn’t expect to see an electric surfboard. The Awake Ravik S 22handled them well. The guys were getting huge airs and hauling ass across frigid choppy waters. Riding on rail was on point because that board could hold an edge without slipping. It is built to carve. We were impressed with the way it handled in extreme conditions. Check out the video to see it in an action.
It’s a cool piece of equipment with a large price tag of $15,000 with the standard battery, that will provide you with 15-20 minutes riding time. They recommend buying the battery upgrade, which will give you around 30 minutes of ride time. It will cost you an additional $7,900. The board comes with everything you need to get out there. We were so stoked on the video that we were ready to ride a Ravik S 22!
Sea-Doo has released a collection of PFDs geared toward families. It is appropriately named, Protect your Loved Ones. Sea-Doo has put together an easy to navigate page, with one stop shopping for life jackets for the whole family. They included PFDs from several different lines with price points to fit everyone’s budget. They included several men’s, ladies, juniors, and kids’ sizes and styles to choose from.
The Men’s and Ladies’ Airflow Refraction Edition PFD’s are Sea-Doo’s top of the line life jackets. They are Coast Guard approved as well and come in sizes from small to 3XL. The AirFlo system is an interior EVA molding made to keep the jacket away from the skin. These jackets are quick dry and made for comfort with large arm holes to give you comfort while doing high speed cutbacks on the water.
For the little ones, the Kids’ Sandsea PFD is available in several sizes based on weight. Medium is for kids 33-55 pounds and the large is for kids 55-88 pounds. The real small one is for tiny kids, weighing up to 30 pounds. These are nice little jackets that will get the job done and give you peace of mind.
The Junior Explorer PFD is coming soon, and it will fit the kids weighing 50-90 pounds. The Explorer PFD made for adults has some cool features like a camera mount for a GoPro style camera, whistle, VHF radio holder, multiple pockets, and a loop for your goggles. Check out the Sea-Doo website for all the PFDs in the Protect Your Loved Ones lineup. Grab a few while you’re there and get everyone outfitted for the season.
When the first big swell of the season arrived in Praia do Norte, Nazare, in early January, the usual suspects were on it. Of note, were Justine Dupont, Lucas Chumbo, Fred David, and Ross Clarke Jones taking turns towing into some bombs. The swell wasn’t the largest on record nor were any biggest wave ridden entries going to be made. It doesn’t take a record-breaking swell for things to go awry.
Chumbo had put Dupont into a bomb and as she was making her bottom turn, her board dug a rail, sending her into a cauldron of doom. Dupont was then annihilated by several huge waves and pushed toward the dangerous outcropping of rocks. Dupont was getting thrashed near the rocks when David was the first to try to reach her. He mistimed his reach and had to bail and run along the rocks.
Fortunately, Chumbo was able to swoop in and grab her before she was thrown into the rocks. Check it out in Dupont’s Instagram post. The pictures really show the gravity of the situation and the will to survive anything! The sixth picture puts it all into perspective. Dupont’s fitness level and ability to remain calm as a mountain of water is about to unload on her, is next level.
The amount of time these athletes spend training in and out of the water is testament to Dupont surviving to tell another epic wipeout story. She has many! Dupont is a true water woman, and the guys are some of the best watermen in the business. The surfing community around the world will be buzzing about this one for a while, thanks to the epic capture by the photogs on scene.
The more we see the Sea-Doo Switch, the more we like it. The Switch is an awesome addition to the Sea-Doo line. Sea-Doo’s Tim McKercher really brings it home in this comprehensive video from the 2022 Miami Boat Show. McKercher covers the 2022 Sea-Doo Switch and its plethora of features in detail.
If you were on the fence about purchasing a Switch, you won’t be after watching this clip. You can do all kinds of stuff with these boats. What we really want to touch on are the ongoing supply chain problems.
McKercher reiterated the fact that demand is greater than supply and they are almost sold out of the 2022 models. He does go on to say that the Switch will be in production all year. This means that you have a chance of getting a 2023 model by September if you order now and put down a deposit. We recommend you take McKercher’s advice and get your orders in as soon as possible.
In the meantime, check out the video and then head over to the Sea-Doo site and order one of these versatile boats. They come in a wide array of sizes and are simple to operate.
How many of us remember being told that we couldn’t get up for second-helpings until we finished what was already on our plate? Well, the same goes for The Watercraft Journal’s UV-blocking, long sleeve jerseys. While we’re preparing to show the world three new colors that you, the reader will be allowed to vote on, we need to clear our shelves of the last few remaining Bimini Blue jerseys we’ve got left.
Thankfully, we’re not looking at more than 20 of these limited-edition riding jerseys. As of this writing, we’ve got (3) smalls, (8) mediums, (6) larges, and (14) XXL left. All of our XL and XXXL are sold out.
Typically priced at $45 each ($50 for XXXL), we’ve decided to discount each shirt an additional $5 – so for example, a medium will now cost $40 and a XXXL will be $45! That’s a price cut of 10-percent!
The WCJ Long Sleeve Riding Jersey is made using Helios material proven to provide UPF 50+ protection, stellar stain resistance, superior water wicking and breathability. And they’re super comfortable!
Plus, each shirt features durable mesh lining the inside length of the torso all the way down the sleeve to the elbow. Each jersey is cut slightly larger than typical shirts including a longer cut torso so it won’t ride up. Get one HERE!
Premier lifestyle and performance boat manufacturer, Cigarette Racing shocked audiences in attendance at the Miami International Boat Show in Miami Beach, Florida this past weekend with the reveal of its “E-Jet” personal watercraft concept. To those following the Opa Locka-based boat builder closely will note that the unveiling of the PWC was foretold over 6 months earlier:
John H. Ruiz, a Miami attorney and co-owner of Cigarette with Ophir Sternberg, CEO of Lionheart Capital, told Robb Report in August 2021, “We plan to build a 130-footer and also a line of personal watercraft. You’re going to see a lot more products in the brand, with an even more sophisticated build process. We have many new concepts that are patent pending.”
True to his word, Ruiz displayed a series of conceptual renderings of the E-Jet in Miami. Slated with an MSRP of $39,700, the E-Jet offers boaters and watercraft enthusiasts few options available anywhere else: Namely, the 2023 model unit will offer a choice of powertrains, a fully exposed carbon fiber construction, front and rear lighting, a collision avoidance system, and dual HD displays.
Buyers will have a choice of a forced-induction, gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine (ICE) capable of speeds as high as 75mph (although USCG prohibit speeds above 68mph) – or an electric powerplant with a top speed of 64mph with “a full charge ride time of 2 hours, as well as a quick charge feature giving riders 30 minutes of ride time with just a 2 minute charge.”
Born from a collaboration between Cigarette Racing, Alberto Mancini Yacht Design and NGI, the E-Jet will feature large, HD touch screen displays both at the helm as well as integrated into the handle bar pad. Currently a conceptual design, The Watercraft Journal expects to see many of the rendering’s sharper edges be softened out of safety for riders. Equally, we expect the dual jet nozzle to be reduced to one.
Either way, Cigarette Racing is serious about entering the personal watercraft market – and its E-Jet will certainly place itself at the top of the heap for luxury and design. The company is currently taking pre-orders and currently has received over $2,500,000 in deposits according to Diana Diaz, Chief Communications Officer for Cigarette Racing. Look to The Watercraft Journal for further details and an exclusive interview with John and Alex Ruiz in coming weeks.
Over the last decade the Kawasaki Ultra 300 and 310 models have widely been considered the best rough water PWC. This well deserved reputation is primarily due to the tough fiberglass 22.5-degree true deep-V hull that cuts through the waves – rather than crashing over the top. The big Kawasakis boast the most powerful engine of all production PWC, and also the heaviest weight. That weight adds to the ability of the machine to cut through the waves, but it does come at the cost of agility and speed.
A key factor in jet ski speed and handling is the ride plate. The shape, contour and dimensions of a ride plate contribute to the performance of the PWC. In this regard, Kspeed Performance has largely cornered the Kawasaki aftermarket, and the company recently released two very different plates for the Ultras, both of which we comprehensively tested – both to each other and the factory Kawasaki plate.
Developed as part of the Kspeed racing program, the KS1 and KS2 ride plates were created for different purposes – the KS1 Race Spec ride plate is a high performance all rounder as the KS2 Offshore ride plate has, as the name suggests, a rough water/offshore-specific design. These plates will fit all Ultras (LXs, 250, 260, 300, and 310s) from 2007 to 2021. Both have slots for the factory speedometer wheel and require zero modifications to install.
All three plates differ greatly; both of the Kspeed plates extend the hull’s running surface and feature an angled pitch or ramp to the extension. Unlike the factory plate, neither of the Kspeed ride plates have central bolt holes for the rear of the jet pump housing.
The KS1 ride plate has a profile reminiscent of the standard plate, but with some fundamental differences. Three distinct channels run the length of each side with five shallow channels running down the center. The extended running surface ramps upward, flanked by deeper skegs. The KS2 plate is radically different, with twin inverted strakes running nearly the full length of the plate. The surface is otherwise smooth, in stark contrast with the KS1 plate.
Our test unit was a 2017 Kawasaki Ultra 310LX with a little over 50 hours. Admittedly, it wasn’t stock, as it was upgraded with a mild performance tune with the speed limiter removal, and a performance jet pump intake grate both from Kspeed. All testing was done in the ocean over three days in different conditions, with the ride plate changes conducted in the marina’s car park.
To quicken changes, the speedometer wheel was cable tied up and out of the way up against the jet pump housing, and due to insufficient curing time, no silicone was used to seal the plate to the hull or Loctite on the mounting bolts. Miraculously, only one bolt was lost to the ocean over the testing period.
Due to grueling open ocean conditions no test managed a speed better than 70mph, regardless of whichever ride plate was installed, or even which direction we were traveling. However, this test focused primarily on handling and acceleration in real world use, and it is here that the differences really stand out…and as expected, both Kspeed plates are unequivocally superior to the stock OE item.
The Kspeed KS1 Race Spec ride plate absolutely transformed the handling of the Ultra. This plate is very accurate, confidence-inspiring and stable at speed. It has amazing grip. The machine rolls effortlessly into turns and holds its line with precision regardless of the speed. In higher speed turns, this means less battling against the g-forces; the rider is effectively pushing into the seat instead of being pushed off of the seat.
Instead of being pushed off of the machine, the rider is pushed into the seat. Traction and acceleration out of tight corners are massively improved. Steering response is sharper, responding to each adjustment of rider input, particularly when changing direction. In all, this ride plate makes the Ultra feel like a smaller, lighter, and more agile PWC.
This plate consistently performed the best of all three ride plates tested in all conditions except for traction in rolling swells (more on that in a bit). Even offshore it performed very well, and when conditions allowed for higher speeds in the swell, it tracked very authoritatively.
The Kspeed KS2 Off Shore ride plate is certainly no one trick pony either. In general, it performs midway between the KS1 plate and standard plate as far as grip and high speed turning is concerned. Initially, the machine rolls in well but tends to righten itself once settled into a high speed turn. Although it does not match the precise line holding and lean angle abilities of the KS1, the KS2 is definitely an improvement over the standard plate in this area.
In tight turns the offshore plate performs even closer to the KS1 Race Spec plate, but when pushed hard will tend slide the rear out earlier than the latter. When held in a sharp, tight apex, the offshore plate tends to bury the nose more but not to the level of the OE plate.
In ocean swell, the KS2 plate comes into its own. The twin reverse strakes produce noticeable suction, pulling the ski down, gluing it to the water. Consequently, this action keeps the pump loaded with full thrust more consistently than either of the other plates. We did note that the KS2 plate does elicit a slightly harsher ride when attacking rolling swells at full throttle, but this is a very small cost to pay for the real benefit of more hookup and consequently, speed.
The KS2 ride plate may produce more drive offshore, but it does not break the laws of physics, so the machine will still become airborne over big swells when hit at speed. The suction of the offshore plate becomes more noticeable as speed increases, so if conditions allow full speed, the effect is maximized. Conversely, in large, chaotic windy swell where speed is limited, the relative superiority of the KS2 ride plate is reduced.
We were hard pressed to find any glaring negatives with either of the Kspeed ride plates. Both did slightly reduce the reversing abilities as they protrude into the reverse bucket area, but the difference is hardly noticeable. We noted that both plates replace the Kspeed Stage 1 kit’s need for the angled pump wedge, which helped lift the bow further out of the water, freeing up speed and wetted surface area – all good things.
So, if you regularly ride offshore or your typical usage is primarily aimed at maximizing speed in water that is not smooth, look at the KS2 Offshore plate. For everything else, the KS1 Race Spec plate is the way to go. It is not terribly far behind the KS2 plate in terms of high speed offshore use, and is a superior performer virtually everywhere else. If you’ve got an Ultra (2007-2021) go over to Kspeed Performance and check them out today!
It doesn’t take a sharp eye to understand what salt can do to metal. Whether you’re talking about the rusty hulks of iron-hulled ships or the corroded body panels of a daily-driven Michigan pickup truck, salt is no friend to metal. As a bit of a cautionary tale, I thought I’d share my experience dealing with saltwater problems on a PWC trailer.
Back in 2015, I decided to grease up the front U-bolts of a brand new trailer. What I didn’t do was remove all of the lug nuts and leaf spring hardware and apply anti-seize (or a grease) to the threads. Now my trailer is 6-years-old and I there’s no way I would trust taking it too far for fear of something letting loose while on the highway.
I discovered this when earlier this year, I purchased a new spare tire and saw how hard it was to remove the lug nuts. After 7 coats of PB Blaster and using my 1400 ft. lb breaking impact wrench and a 6-point impact socket, I was able to remove all but one lug nut. (I had to use a torch on the last one.)
Learning my lesson, I purchased a new set of lug nuts and coated them three times with clear acrylic spray. While installing them, I used Permatex anti-seize lube – generally, this is used for spark plugs due to plugs being steel and the heads are aluminum (dissimilar metals) – do not want the threads to strip.
After the wheels were taken care of, I moved to the leaf springs, which were very rusty. My local boat trailer repair shop suggested I replaced the leaf springs every two years since they rust no matter how much you rinse them off. The shop owner said, “A trailer gets dunked into salt water and one can only rinse it off, not dunk it to clean it.”
He sold me two new springs and said to brush in some old motor oil in between the gaps between the springs it will help a little. I went a step further; I used three coats of clearcoat and let it dry in between. Secondly, just before installation, I brushed in the old motor oil.
Since the old bolts were all but completely worthless, I picked up a set of 9/16-inch galvanized bolts and nuts. Some of the original bolts required that I ground the head off and use a center punch to knock them out.
So what does all of this mean? My brother’s trailer is a year old and I intend on replacing and removing all nuts to add Permatex to all of the aforementioned surfaces. This will allow him to change a tire right on the beach if he needs to.
Hopefully some of this can be useful to newer riders who may not know what to do with their trailer that hauls around $20 to $40,000 worth of watercraft. It is just as important to take care of the trailer as well as their PWCs.
Thankfully, we’re not looking at more than 20 of these limited-edition riding jerseys. As of this writing, we’ve got (3) smalls, (8) mediums, (6) larges, and (14) XXL left. All of our XL and XXXL are sold out.
