Many might not know that IJSBA World Champion James Masterton is the head honcho over at Sydney Sea-Doo, and it’s proprietary parts manufacturer, Sydney Sea-Doo Performance. Recently, Masterton announced a handful of new billet performance parts that are sure to gussy up your Rotax 1503 engine (y’know, before all the ACE reconfigurations – 155/215/260 horsepower outputs). James teased the items on the dealership’s Facebook page and we thought we’d share them with you here:
“First up, Billet Rocker cover sets to suit the Rotax 1503 engine platform (155/215/260). [There are] only nine left. Once they are gone we will not reproduce [anymore]. [The] key feature of this product was to eliminate ignition coils from popping out [while] riding, causing [the] engine to misfire. If your original cover is badly corroded this product is for you! These are Australian manufactured from 6061 T6 aluminum and are sold as pictured in raw condition. It is highly recommended to have them anodized prior to use. We can do this for you but will incur an additional charge.”
Masterton lists each rocker cover for $250 each (again in raw aluminum only – not anodized). And what about those cool billet oil caps? Those are Sydney Sea-Doo’s Six-Shooter Oil Cap sets, and they sell for $100 (large and small). Check ’em out HERE.
There’s something to be said about a company who rises to the challenge. Hydro-Turf is easily one of the personal watercraft industry’s most recognizable names, and it’s products of durable, comfortable and attraction traction mats, seat covers and more is often replicated but never replaced. That’s why Hydro-Turf is the supplier of two of the industry’s three OE manufacturers.
When the GP1800 was to be introduced, the demanded asked for specialty CNC-cut mats to be designed and produced. Hydro-Turf rose to the occasion and delivered for Yamaha Motor Corp. and was recently acknowledged for both this feat as well as maintaining a steady, reliable degree of professionalism over the years, and we at The Watercraft Journal cannot agree more!
For Hydro-Turf‘s accomplishments, president Arno Olbricht was invited out to Yamaha’s Georgia headquarters and honored with the Yamaha Motor Corp. USA 2017 Supplier Excellence Award. Here’s the original post about the announcement:
Hydro-Turf president Arno Olbricht traveled out to Georgia this week to attend the @yamahamotorusa vendor conference. Hydro-Turf is proud and grateful to have received the 2017 supplier excellence award! Did you know that Hydro-Turf provides all of the traction material for OEM manufacturers like Yamaha and Kawasaki? Durability and fulfillment that even the big guns can rely on. That’s why we are proud of our traction products. #hydroturf#devourthecompetition @yamahaboating #yamaha#vendoraward#supplierexcellenceaward#yamahamotorusa#traction#award#thankful
With 29 years of manufacturing Yamaha’s WaveRunners, the Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC) celebrated the completion of its one millionth personal watercraft. It wasn’t long ago that The Watercraft Journal was given the very exclusive opportunity to tour Yamaha’s YMMC facility and be present as the brand’s EX Deluxe models rolled off of the assembly line, tracing its manufacturing back to single sheets of fiberglass. And before you ask, the answer is no, you cannot buy it. Rather, this incredibly special Black Metallic and Azure Blue Metallic VX Deluxe will have a permanent place in Yamaha’s Newnan, Georgia manufacturing facility.
Here’s the original (and complete) press release from Yamaha Motor Corp. USA: March 26, 2018 – Newnan, GA – Yamaha WaterCraft Group, a division of Yamaha Motor Corporation USA, together with Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), announced the one millionth Yamaha WaveRunner personal watercraft rolled off the line at its manufacturing facility in Newnan, GA.
The one millionth model was a 2018 Yamaha VX Deluxe WaveRunner in Black and Azure Blue Metallic. The event marks the culmination of more than 29 years of manufacturing personal watercraft at the Georgia based facility with the first WaveRunner having been produced on Monday, November 21, 1988 at 7:00 a.m.
“This is a historic event for the entire team here at YMMC, marking the culmination of so much hard work and effort from our Georgia based employees over the years to produce great products for our customers,” said Mike Chrzanowski, president of Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America. “We were proud to be able to pause the assembly line and have the entire team join us for a group photo and celebration around the one millionth WaveRunner, and notably there were several members who were here when the first one was produced. More than anything, we recognize that one million WaveRunners means one million opportunities for our customers to enjoy great experiences on the water.”
“We are honored to produce our watercraft in Georgia and impact the lives of so many employees in our local community,” said Dean Burnett, president of Yamaha WaterCraft Group. “This milestone is a testament to their hard work every day to produce these amazing personal watercraft that have created memorable outdoor recreational experiences for people all around the world.”
In our personal opinion, this is easiest the smartest move any event promoter could encourage; the 60-horsepower Sea-Doo Spark lends itself to being the single-best vehicle equipped for teaching young racers the nuts and bolts of personal watercraft racing (all without the danger of a incompetent and less-talented racer plowing a 160-horsepower, 551-pound standup into them). We applaud the Handlers for launching this youth-focused move and look forward to seeing lineups lined with kids riding the Spark around the closed course (although including the heavier, 102-horsepower Yamaha EX would allow for a wider entry list in our view).
Here’s the original (unedited) press release: Pro Watercross, the industry leader in Personal Watercraft (PWC) racing and watercraft related sports including Hydroflight competitions and the new Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) closed course racing – SUPcross continues its innovation with a new PWC racing class for juniors. The new class will be categorized as the Junior Spark Stock 13-15-year-old class and is specifically tailored for the Sea Doo Spark model, which must remain stock, no modifications to the watercraft will be allowed.
This new class is in addition to the junior stand-up ski class and will provide young racers the opportunity to participate on the Pro Watercross National Tour and sanctioned watercross events on the Sea Doo Spark, as well as a chance to compete for the World Championship in November 2018.
Pro Watercross listened to its racers and their families and identified interests in this race class and the exciting possibility of growing the sport with the new generation of watercraft and racers. Fun and competition will be the main objectives for the new class, but safety standards will be strictly enforced.
Key areas to note for this year’s youth classes are:
New class – Junior Spark Stock 13-15-year-old.
Complete rules for the Junior Spark Stock class will be released soon.
To introduce more youth to the sport and in turn grow the sport.
Not all younger athletes are attracted to the stand-up class.
A maximum of 10 competitors will be allowed on the line at one time.
After careful consideration and discussion there will NOT be a junior sport class – we reviewed all the safety aspects of the class and felt that it did not meet the criteria for youth participation.
Pro Watercross is looking forward in identifying the next PWC race generation and “superstars”. Any questions regarding the new class, contact Pro Watercross or visit the Pro Watercross website at www.ProWatercross.com
So you just picked up your brand-new Sea-Doo RXT-X 300 or GTX LTD 300? Now is a perfect time to install the latest performance kits from RIVA Racing.
Sea-Doo has done a tremendous job on these new platforms in terms of potential to unlock so much performance. RIVA Racing has now tied everything together and done all the homework for you to get maximum power delivery, acceleration, and top speed.
Check out their Stage 1 kit which delivers 76 MPH at 8,000 RPM according to the results achieved with their test unit 2018 RXT-X 300. Why settle for the stock unit’s top speed of 68 MPH? For only a few hundred dollars, you can quickly and easily unlock a higher top speed.
The best part about it is the installation is relatively simple, requiring only the Speed Control Override Module (SCOM) and the RIVA Power Filter. This is one of the most reliable and cost-effective upgrades that you can do in terms of the performance you get out of it.
Ready for even more eye-watering thrust? Check out RIVA’s Stage 2 kit. Good for 81 MPH at 8,300 RPM, this kit will definitely not disappoint.
In addition to the RIVA power filter with this kit, you also get the Maptuner X BRP 2018 bundle as well as a Skat-Trak 3-blade 15/21 impeller. Again, no internal engine modifications here so you still get a reliable performance monster.
After you are finished watching the videos and wiping the drool from your lip, head on over to RIVA Racing and take advantage of their free shipping on these kits.
Belassi has just published a new video teaser showcasing the elusive Burrasca personal watercraft. In this narrative video, the story gives a tantalizing tale of discovery into the mysterious beauties of this exotic watercraft.
Located where we expect could be the northern Adriatic coastline, the narrator begins by painting the picture of a dream world involving passion and beauty in the form of manufacturing.
The list of seductive adjectives give the sense of an unreal world that only exists in dreams. As the video progresses, the narrator begins to reveal an almost-magical world of manufacturing production. The world of “manufaktur” where Artisans meet Engineers and Technicians.
This place where the benefits of engineering and technology are combined with true craftsmanship is where the Belassi Burrasca is born. In essence it can be described as a place where magic comes to life and where dreams come true, for those who can afford it of course.
The narrator goes on to describe it as a place where only exclusive items are created emphasizing quality and personalization over mass production. A watercraft that is created to give a unique riding experience every time.
Belassi is created for your experience over the limit. For now, we will just enjoy this teaser.
There’s been quite a bit of concern from many on the performance forums concerning the longevity of Yamaha’s lightweight NanoXcel2 hull material, particularly in regards to those with 2017-18 GP1800’s who are pushing their machines further and further beyond that of the original factory configuration. Some have noted fracturing, cracking and even delamination around the intake grate insert and surrounding. While the internet trolls like to exaggerate the issue, as per Jerry Gaddis, owner of GreenHulk.net, states, “it’s not exactly an epidemic.”
That being said, Gaddis took to the forum after doing some research and offered up a surefire fix for the cracking issue. With only a couple of hours’ worth of labor and enough time overnight to let the fiberglass fix cure, Gaddis is positive that any threat of cracking around the intake grate will be resolved. Below we’ve shared Gaddis’ complete tech guide for repairing/restructuring the intake grate mounts in its completion, but you can read it verbatim HERE as it’s worth reading through the whole thread as Gaddis answers further questions from posters.
Above: Shown is an example of how some modified GP1800s are displaying cracking around the pump tunnel.
It’s worth mentioning that there are literally […] thousands of GP1800’s running around out there and we’ve only seen a handful of failures, so it’s not exactly an epidemic.
My personal GP1800 is an 88-plus-mph ski and the hull [has shown] no sign of cracking in this area; however, I opted to do this fix as a preventative measure. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. I recommend that anyone with a GP1800 [that is] modified to go faster than 80mph do this fix also.
The issue is that the lower hull is in two pieces, which are bonded together. For whatever reason, Yamaha cut out that upper portion of the lower hull and put the intake grate insert into this recessed area, leaving only one layer of hull for support. As mentioned above, some skis have cracked in this weaker, one-layer area as shown here.
Above: This picture shows how the factory GP1800 insert is placed into this cut out portion of the hull
The Green Hulk fix involves removing the stock inserts, filling in the recessed area with epoxy resin and fiberglass mat and using the old-style FX SHO ride plate inserts. (I want to give Bruce Clarkson over at RIVA Motorsports credit for sharing with me that the old-style SHO inserts can be used on the 2017-18 GP1800 to properly fix the hull cracking issue seen on some skis.)
Above: This picture shows you how the factory FX SHO intake grate inserts extend over the recessed area [marked in red] giving you more structural integrity and support. [Tip: To remove the stock inserts use a heat gun to break the glue down making the inserts easier to remove. What I did was protect the steering cable by wrapping it in a wet towel and used a heat gun on the inserts until the factory epoxy until it bubbled and smoked. I then threaded the old bolts in and gave them a couple light taps with a hammer from under the ski and the old inserts and glue came off in a single piece.]
Above: Here’s a picture of all the supplies that I used. The acetone was used for easy clean up of any drips.
Clean the area good and prepare to start laying the epoxy resin and fiberglass mat. I used a total of 4 pieces of fiberglass mat on each side to build up the recessed area flush with the surrounding area. It’s best to lay the fiberglass mat on a piece of plastic, or some other flat surface and then soak it down with the epoxy resin. Lay each piece one at a time into the recessed area to build it up.
Above left & center: This is what the hull will look like once the Epoxy Resin/Fiberglass Matt is all cured. Above right: At this point you are ready to re-drill the intake grate bolt holes from the bottom of the ski and then install the FX SHO inserts. I used 3M 5200 Fast Cure to seal the ride plate inserts to the hull. This image shows the FX SHO inserts in place. Tip: Temporarily bolt the intake grate up to hold the inserts in the proper position until the 3M 5200 cures (overnight)
Above: This picture shows the stock bolt next to the longer stainless steel bolt. I got these stainless steel bolts and washers from my local hardware store.
You will need longer bolts on the 4 rear grate bolts being the insert is sitting up higher than what it was before you built the recessed area up with Epoxy Resin/Fiberglass. You will need four M8 1.25 pitch bolts 50mm long. Also get 4 flat washers and 4 lock washers. I used blue Loc-Tite on the threads of all bolts.
Above: Be sure to use Permatex The Right Stuff to seal your intake grate. Here’s a couple of pictures of the areas that I sealed mine. Tip: expect the Right Stuff sealant to ooze out and get messy once the grate is mounted up. Using some acetone on a rag makes quick and easy clean up of the sealant. To make things easy for everyone, I have added the FX SHO inserts here in the GreenHulk Store.
Here’s a synopsis of eight water toys designed for those who like living on the edge. The Subwing, created by inventor, Simon Syverson,is a hand-held “fin” used to tow a brave rider behind a speedboat. The Subwing is made up of two independently piloting hydrodynamic wings. It can be ridden above or below the waters’ surface.
Next, is a go cart built for water. The Swiss-built Wokart incorporates a steering wheel and automotive controls making the craft handle like a cart built for land. It has the style of a catamaran with an outboard engine. The Wokart is fast, agile, responsive, and stable. There’s only room for one in this red-hot machine.
The JetSurf Motorized Surfboard is also on the list. We’ve covered it many times and it is not only for recreational use, it’s a competition machine as well. All boards are comprised of carbon fiber, making them light and fast. Attach the leash to your wrist, strap in your feet, and grab the throttle. These bad boys don’t even require waves!
Interested in a flying bike? Jetovator Flying Bike can hook you up as long as you have a friend willing to drive a PWC so you can take to the air. A jet ski with at least 180hp is necessary for creating the water propulsion needed to operate the flying bike using the 66-foot connector hose.
Another water propelled human flying machine is the Jet Lev Flyer. Carbon Sports GmbH in Germany is the only manufacturer that builds the complete carbon fiber made JetLev-Flyer JF-300. PWC owners can purchase the Jetpack Add-On Kit, which is compatible with Sea-Doo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki skis.
We can’t leave out the Zapata Flyboard! The Flyboard has evolved into the Flyboard Air and E-Z Fly. Zapata has brought it back around and created the Flyride. The Flyride is an adapter for your personal watercraft that enables you to launch into the air from a beach or a dock. Zapata has taken hydroflight to a level we didn’t think possible.
Coming back down to earth, we present the Seabob. The Seabob is a jet-ski bodyboard combination. It is a versatile machine that can be used for cruising above and below the waters’ surface.
Lastly, we have the Seabreacher, which we’ve covered many times and it’s coming at you again! Innerspace Productions is responsible for this crazy craft. One can’t help but smile when looking at a killer whale doing air spins on a lake.
Everybody loves free stuff, right? Of course you do! Well, we at The Watercraft Journal are looking to give back by launching our new “Free Stuff Doesn’t Stink” Facebook contest (presented by JetRenu)! That’s right! We will be publishing two posts each month that will ask you to like, comment and share to your personal Facebook feed. Once you complete all three actions, you’ll be entered to win a free bottle of JetRenu’s awesome “Stank Away” wetsuit and neoprene cleaner – the best stuff we’ve found to clean your riding boots, gloves, wetsuit and neoprene vests, and it smells great too!
We will be giving away two bottles of JetRenu’s Stank Away all season long, so there’s lots of opportunities to enter to win. Again, just like and follow The Watercraft Journal’s Facebook page, and keep your eyes peeled for the official contest post. Once it pops up, make sure to answer our question in the comment section, like the post and share it to your page for a chance to win! It doesn’t cost you a dime and let’s face it, you’re on Facebook too much anyways, so you might as well get something for it, right? It’s really that simple. Just like, comment and share and BAM! you’ve entered to win.
And when you do win, we will reach out for your shipping information so that a bottle of Stank Away can be on your doorstep a few days later. Unfortunately, this means that this contest is restricted to the lower 48 states – so apologies to our international readers. Oh, and we might just slip in a free official decal from The Watercraft Journal too! ‘Cause y’know, we’re cool like that. Happy hunting!
Come out for the 4th annual Watcon Lake Michigan Surf Ride. It’s a recreational ride, so load up your ski and prepare to enjoy three days on the lake. Meet new friends and catch up with old buddies. All are welcome and the people from Watcom want to remind you are not required to be a sanctioned rider.
The 2018 ride takes place on the shores of Lake Michigan at Pennoyer Park in Kenosha, WI. The dates are set for August 25-27. Check in begins Friday with an open ride so people can get used to the surf on the lake. A meet and greet will be held at a local restaurant.
Saturday is a jam packed day filled with festivities and good times. It all begins with the opening ceremonies, including a flag presentation and group photos. The main Surf Ride takes place and spectators can watch the riders throw down huge moves during the Big Air Freestyle event. The event organizers know everyone will be hungry after an action packed day on the water, so a BBQ dinner on the beach will be provided. Sunday is a day to chill with a nice ride or hanging out on the beach.
Check is open from 8am to 5pm all three days. The promoters ask that no one take gear to the beach until checking in. A release form must be signed and your PWC must be tagged. Participation costs $40 and includes a necessary wristband, event sticker for your machine, parking, and unlimited access to the beach during operating hours. Since the event is permitted, all participants must register. No registration, means no riding. The ride area will be marked with white buoys.
Have fun and if you need more information, a contact form and phone number are available at the bottom of the Watcon Lake Michigan Surf Ride Page.
