By early Friday, the weather reports weren’t looking too hot. Sure it was going to be cold out on Lake Havasu – being uncomfortably cold was part of the “endurance” part of the world’s longest continual race – but the purported wind gusts of up to 35-40mph was going to make things so much worse.
True to form, Saturday’s conditions were looking brutal. Winds whipped the lake into an opaque tundra of pale green and churning white caps. Even those seasoned by years of offshore racing were looking at waves upwards to 4-to-5 feet on the far end of the lake – and it was only getting worse.
Of course, that didn’t deter a trio of Lake Havasu City locals, Jake Tobin, Ryder Bliss, Logan Blanchard, who had all signed up for the 17th annual Mark Hahn Memorial Havasu 300. Although relatively new to the sport, the boys grew up around jet ski racing (how could you not in Havasu) and felt they had a better than decent shot at the Ski Team class.
Aboard a slightly modded Kawasaki SX-R 1500 stickered up with a few sponsors like IPD and TC Freeride, the three charged hard into the surf, battling against some seasoned riders from teams like Kommander Industries, Broward Motorsports and Klipper 212 – all the way to the end. That’s right, after six brutal hours, the boys came out on top in their class, and that’s something to celebrate.
We at The Watercraft Journal have been big fans of the Bopenski Kickback chair since it’s early development several years ago. In fact, we tested prototypes for the team when they were working out some final design bugs. And it’s been our honor to help beat the drum to get other folks just as excited about it.
Recently, Bopenski dropped a Kickback chair in the hands of internet-famous consumer reporter “Gadget Jeff TV” who took it out for a spell around Seattle back in September 2020. Making the best of an 80-degree day, Jeff and crew found a secluded spot and set up the Kickback to well, kick back.
Gadget Jeff TV wrote, “The Bopenski Kickback Chair is an amazing new personal watercraft accessory that allows you to hang out and relax in comfort and style. Easily attaches to Sea-Doo, WaveRunner and JetSki models in under one minute! Available on Amazon”
Whatever model of sit down personal watercraft you’ve got, Bopenski has a Kickback chair for you. Check out Bopenski’s Amazon store to score some killer pricing and have that Amazon Prime box on your doorstep in a matter of hours!
Most folks have developed a bit of a routine when it comes to cleaning and maintaining their personal watercraft. Unfortunately, for many, these routines are sorely incomplete and leave much of the sensitive components unprotected from the elements – particularly if said PWC is used in salt water in any sort of regular interval.
A little over a year ago, Jet Ski Camping provided this useful (although a little excessive) tutorial on how to properly and thoroughly wash and detail your prized watercraft after a long ride out on the salty sea. The tips definitely are worth the watch and although many may not apply to the casual freshwater enthusiast, they are pretty spot on to ensure the longest life from your PWC.
Looking for some new riding gear for this coming season? Check out the latest Aloha collection riding gear from Sea-Doo including the vests for both men and women.
Keeping with the Aloha theme, these eco-friendly vests are constructed from 100% PVC-free GAIA biofoam and are lightweight even when wet.
Now with the his and hers collection, you can match your better half while riding in style. Below are some of the technical specifications of each of these vests. For more information or to pick yours up today, head on over to the appropriate links above.
Ultra-durable ecoprene outer shell
YKK front zipper
GAIA memory foam insert – the most soft and comfortable foam on the market
Side panels in stretch lining fabric for improved comfort
Light even when wet
Armholes cut large for riding comfort
Loop at back neck to attach your goggles to your vest
D-ring for key lanyard
Coast Guard approved
AIRFLOW SYSTEM: Interior EVA molding that keeps the life jacket surface away from the skin
LUMBAR COMFORT ZONE: Extra foam padding to minimize the pressure on your lower back while bolstering support
MESH PANEL: Drains away excess water for quick drying and thermal regulated comfort
When Sea-Doo originally released the Spark Rec-Lite series, it was intended to cater to a younger generation of buyers. Reasonably so, with its low entry-level pricing, it certainly sparked a new generation of watercraft itself.
Then Sea-Doo stepped up the game even further and came out with Spark Trixx which literally allows any rider to pull off water “wheelies” and various other stunts with ease.
For their spring/summer ‘21 collection, Supreme is releasing a special edition Spark Trixx with a custom graphics wrap.
Supreme is the iconic streetwear fashion company which also caters to a younger generation so we can imagine that this special edition Spark Trixx will spark a lot of interest with the audiences.
So far, there is no pricing announcement or set quantity to be made but judging by the overall market demand for watercraft and low supply, we don’t imagine to see a huge number of these special editions out on the water.
To read more about this unique watercraft, check out the original article.
Head to Cycle Springs Powersports and put down a deposit on a redesigned 2021 Yamaha VX-C Series WaveRunner. The new VX-C Series is a no-frills watercraft. Starting at $9,149, you get what you need for a day on the water. The machine offers versatility and value on a new mid-size platform. You have the option to add a pair of Yamaha’s high-quality integrated speakers, which give you the ability to bring your favorite music along for the ride.
The 20121 Yamaha VX-C makes for a good way to get out and have some fun with enough power to tow and a rider capacity of 1-3 persons. Yamaha offers multiple Limited packages to choose from, allowing you the freedom to customize your machine without breaking the bank. Cycle Springs Powersports is not only taking deposits on the 2021 Yamaha VX-C, but you can also sign up for price alerts on the unit. Cycle Springs Powersports is offering their lifetime engine warranty, no risk extended warranties and their usual half price service plans.
On the day of the sale, buyer’s get employee pricing on all gear and accessories. Everyone gets financing and trade-ins are accepted. If you need more information or have questions, call Cycle Springs Powersports at 727-771-1211.
The Kymera company has come a long way since founder, James Woods began his quest to build an inexpensive and easy to haul PWC in 2004. He developed a prototype of a gas powered Kymera jetboard in 2011. In 2012, he built an electric jetboard, which could be charged using an outlet or solar power. Woods made two appearances on Shark Tank and it was during his second in 2013, that he struck a deal for his electric bodyboard.
In 2019, the Kymera K-X2 waverider was announced. The K-X2 is a lightweight personal watercraft, which can reach speeds up to 35 mph. It weighs in at a mere 70 pounds and is seven feet long. The watercraft comes apart into two pieces, making it super easy to transport to transport in a car, SUV, or a truck.
The machine operates on 10,000 watts of electric power and will keep you going for an hour on one charge. The K-X2 is set up for you to ride it on your knees, so an hour is probably sufficient. It does look fun in the video that is provided and it probably is fun if your knees can take a beating.
According the Kymera website, the K-X2 personal watercraft is currently sold out. When it’s available, it will come with a $6,495 price tag. Check it out and share your thoughts with us.
Sea-Doo Ambassador, Andrew Hill, catches his biggest haul yet from a Sea-Doo Fish Pro. You can watch him reel in a Kingfish that is almost the length of his 2021 Fish Pro in this YouTube video! The fish weighed almost 60 pounds! Hill is the official Sea-Doo Ambassador for the Fish Pro.
Hill has been fishing since he was a young boy, and he has parlayed his lifelong passion for fishing into a career with Sea-Doo. He lives in New Zealand with his wife and four kids. New Zealand is where he has spent a lifetime fishing and chasing the big one. With his Sea-Doo Fish Pro, he can reach remote locations and hit the shallows due the ski’s maneuverability.
He has a life he only dreamed about. He gets to ride every week, sometimes fishing alone, riding with friends, or taking a group out to fish in New Zealand. Northern New Zealand is his favorite place to ride. He likes that area because it is pristine has minimal fishing pressure. Hill also enjoys exploring areas that are unfamiliar to him due their tranquility and the excitement new territory brings.
Something he would like to see on the Sea-Doo Fish Pro is a front mounted rod holder. His favorite accessory is the Ultimate Reel Cover. It protects fishing reels from saltwater spray and secures the rod to the rod holder. Check out Andrew Hills latest YouTube video to watch him battle that huge Kingfish! Be sure to take a look at the all new 2021 Sea-Doo Fish Pro, so you can go on your own fishing excursion!
If you’re watching this because you’re in the market for one of Yamaha’s best-selling personal watercraft from 2020, you’re gonna want to start looking at Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. That’s because Yamaha literally sold out of every single 2020 VX Deluxe WaveRunner. Offered in either Yamaha Blue and Yellow, or Ebony and Lime Green – like the unit we got to test ride today – Yamaha dealers across the globe ran out of these family-budget friendly watercraft well before the end of last summer.
And frankly, there’s little wonder why. Priced with an MSRP of $10,699, the VX Deluxe provides a stable-yet-playful platform to accompany 3-riders (although a trio of adults might be a little too close for comfort) that’s good for a spirited cruise around the lake, and plenty of built-in creature comforts to make the first-time buyer feel they’re getting much more than what they paid for. Toss in some pretty stellar fuel economy and Yamaha’s super-easy-to-operate RiDE dual throttle brake & reverse system, and you’ve got a tidy little package.
Beneath the tiered, two-tone sectional bench seat is a 1049cc 3-cylinder, 4-stroke TR-1 High Output Yamaha Marine Engine producing 125-horsepower on 87 octane. That might not sound like a heck of a lot, but when paired to its featherweight 664-pound dry weight, it makes for very responsive power-to-weight ratio. Yamaha shaves down the heft by using its proprietary NanoXcel material to provide a durable-yet-lightweight hull and deck.
Feeding the VX is an impressive 18.5 gallon gas tank, ensuring that you won’t be stopping at the fuel dock anytime soon. And to make sure you get the most mileage from that big tank, the VX Deluxe comes equipped with Cruise Assist and No Wake Mode, meaning you can find the perfect towing speed and easily navigate “No Wake” zones. Lastly, RiDE permits drivers to switch from forward to neutral to reverse with one pull of the left throttle for easier deceleration, reversing and docking.
Although phased out for 2021, the 2020 VX Deluxe came equipped with Yamaha’s Remote Transmitter, a small key fob that controls Low RPM Mode and Security Mode. Whether you use it to increase fuel-efficiency or disable the engine to prevent unauthorized use, this feature has since been integrated into the Yamaha Connext digital dashboard on the current models.
Storage capacity is a respectable 24.6 gallons split up between the bow, glove box (with two molded-in cup holders) and the screw-top rear storage bin beneath the rear passenger. A folding reboarding step is also standard, conveniently tucking up and away when not in use. Additionally, our VX Deluxe came to us with a couple of not-so-standard features that are available through Yamaha’s Parts & Accessories Catalog:
Namely, the VX Stern Mounted Storage bag and RAM-mounted EcoXGear Bluetooth speakers. The rear bag adds an extra 10.5-gallons of storage with zero drilling, and happens to be made from durable, weather resistant compression-molded black EVA foam – and even includes two side-mounted rod holders. The bag is handy but at $249.99 is pretty pricey, particularly as the drop-in cooler is sold separately for $129.99.
The dual 15-watt speakers easily pair to your smartphone, offer over 15 hours of playtime on a single charge, and are entirely waterproof! Heck, they even float! During testing, we found the sound quality to be pretty good but tends to drown out above 45mph. Priced at $349.99 the WaveRunner EX/VX Audio Package makes a decent option, particularly as factory-installed integrated sound systems weren’t made available on the VX series until the 2021 model line.
On the water, the VX Deluxe didn’t disappoint. The little 1-liter TR-1 HO has enough low-end grunt to pull a tube or wakeboarder at a progressive rate; for today and just having a single rider, it was enough to sprint up to plane with little trouble at all. Top speeds were in the low-50’s (52mph at 7,900rpm, to be exact). Sharing the same mold as the racy GP1800R, the VX’s hull is immensely predictable, tracking straight in choppier water, and going exactly where you point it without a lot of driver input.
Fit and finish is good, with doors and latches padded to keep panels from chattering too bad. The lighter panels feel a bit thin, but that’s too keep weight down. The rear view mirrors are fixed (really just reflective pieces that’ve been glued down) and the LCD dash cluster is spartan. No extra frills here. Again, with a redesigned successor already hitting dealerships as of this recording, and all current 2020 models being already snatched up, you’re going to have to scour the trade-ins and bulletin boards for your shot at one of these. But if you’re in the market, the 2020 VX Deluxe is definitely a smart purchase.
The Pro Watercross has just published their updated National Tour schedule for 2021 sponsored by Liqui Moly this year.
The racing action kicks off in April in Sebring, Florida so start getting your watercraft ready and make sure your registrations are submitted. Here is the press release with dates, but be sure to visit prowatercross.org for the latest details.
Exciting news… the 2021 LIQUI-MOLY Pro Watercross National Tour has evolved with encouraging changes with dates and locations. Keep in mind that the new sites are evolving and as information becomes available, we will get it out to all of you!
The 2021 Tour will start off on April 10-11, on a freshwater lake in Sebring, FL… the flat-water conditions will provide a good start to the season.
