Pro Watercross has just announced some further details regarding the 2018 tour and championship dates and classes. According to the Pro Watercross release, they have now announced the classes for the National Tour, National Championship & World Championships of the 2018 race season.
In addition, they have also updated numerous pages throughout the website along with additional new pages to help athletes better navigate the website. You can check it out at prowatercross.com
Additional tour dates have been released as shown below:
2018 PRO WATERCROSS TOUR DATES May 5-6 | Panama City Beach, FL May 12-13 |Pensacola Beach, FL June 2-3 | Atlantic City, NJ July 28-29 | Racine, WI August 11-12 | Hartwell, GA August 18-19| Charleston, WV | National Championship World Championships | November 1-4 | Naples, FL *Special Event | June 30 | Sparks/Reno, NV
2018 HYDROFLIGHT TOUR DATES *June 23 | Sparks, NV **July 14 | Erie, PA TBA | TBA (National Championship) October 26-28 | Naples, FL – World Championships
2018 SUP-CROSS TOUR DATES * June 24 | Sparks, NV ** July 15 | Erie, PA TBA | TBA (National Championship) October 31 | Naples, FL – World Championships *Combined event – Watercross, Hydroflight, SUP **Combined event – Hydroflight, SUP
Man time is flying by, 2018 is well on its way and spring time is right around the corner. The Pro Watercross HydroFlight dates and regristration have now been announced and from the looks of it, it is scheduled to be another exciting year with expanded manufacturers and equipment.
Here is the full release: Greetings HydroFlight competitors and enthusiasts, 2018 is shaping up to be another historic year for the sport of HydroFlight…
Pro Watercross has decided to open up competition for the 2018 National Tour and World Championships to all HydroFlight manufacturer equipment/devices. This decision was made to open up competition to all manufacturers in order to grow the sport as a whole.
Pro Watercross will reach out for manufacturers to provide the proper equipment to connect each device to the watercrafts. Manufacturers that do not support the tour, the athletes using such equipment will need to bring your own equipment and personal watercraft. All personal watercraft’s need to meet tech inspection requirements. Watercraft can be modified but be no booster hoses will be allowed.
In addition to the Open Hydroflight Tour & Championships, we are excited to announce that the bike division has been added to the classes.
Start planning now for the Pro Watercross World Championships… this is going to be a great week in Naples!
Pro Watercross is excited to announce the addition of the Hydro Expo at the World Championships in Naples, FL on October 30-31, 2018.
The Hydro Expo will bring dealers & distributors of watercrafts, hydroflight equipment, stand-up paddleboards, motosurf and more together in one location over two days during the Pro Watercross World Championships.
More information will be coming soon, but here a glimpse of what we are planning…
We are inviting vendors and dealers for aftermarket parts, apparel, food and more, plus live entertainment! Two days, for the manufacturers to put you on their equipment and make you say “I gotta have it!”
Registration for the World Championships opens on June 1st. Be sure to visit prowatercross.com for all official tour dates.
Add some spice and a powerful boost to your snappy little Sea-Doo Spark with a Victory Turbo Spark Kit from PWC Muscle Performance Parts. The online shop is accepting pre-orders for the Victory Turbo Spark Kits. This high performance kit includes the following products: a high quality IHI Turbocharger, upgraded injectors, upgraded MAP-Sensor, Sport Air Filter with water resistant hat, and a Performance Intercooler.
All of the required tubing and high quality silicone hoses and a stainless exhaust system. The turbo charge will give your Spark more power as it is capable of creating 8-10PSI of boost and providing top speeds between 60 and 74mph. Mounting points have been reinforced to give components better stabilization when jumping and bouncing around while riding. That’s a nice modification. We can all use extra comfort when jumping wakes and riding at high speeds.
The Turbo Spark Kit does require a MaptunerX and PWC Performance suggests running 8-10PSI if you are using the recommended Solas 13/18 prop. If you don’t own the required MaptunerX; make your Kit a bundle for an additional $850.00 by adding the tuner which includes the necessary tuning license.
The V-Tech Victory Sea-Doo Spark Turbo Kit bears a price tag of $4,250. View the complete assembly and place a pre-order on this page. We aren’t sure when the kits will begin shipping. We are sure that the shop will keep everyone informed pertaining to the status of pre-orders. Don’t forget to use the SHIPIT to get free shipping from PWC Muscle Performance Parts.
“So what’s stock?” Dave Bamdas queried, already knowing the answer. “What, like 250 horsepower? Yeah, this has a hundred over that. 350.” The president of RIVA Racing has seen quite a bit in his 30-plus-years helming the Pompano Beach, Florida powersports dealership. Despite his trim, youthful physique, black old skool Vans and deep-rooted dual interests in first-wave punk and skateboarding, Bamdas has seen every age of personal watercraft racing first hand – and has refrained from souring or becoming salted. “Our guys put a lot of time into getting this package right,” he introduced, waving a hand over the spangled red, white and blue Yamaha resting on the floating dock. “I think you’ll really enjoy it.”
Standing on the newly completed seawall pavilion at RIVA’s private test lake, I strapped on my Fly Racing F2 Acetylene helmet and pulled up my gloves. I had ridden last year’s Limited-Edition GP1800R on the same lake, but with far better conditions. Today, steely gray skies loomed low overhead, and winds were gusting at 10mph, kicking up low chop that wasn’t perilous but didn’t lend itself towards top speed runs, which I had anticipated for. Nonetheless, the 2018 RIVA Racing Limited-Edition GP1800R carried over all but exactly the same components as the previous year’s model, and I had confirmed RIVA’s claim before with a blistering 86.2mph. Today, I wanted to test my hand at handling the beast, as the GP’s Pro Series sponsons weren’t ready in time for last year’s review.
The past 18 months have been phenomenal for the Yamaha GP1800 WaveRunner. Racers piloted the machine to national and world championships in every spectrum of the sport: closed course, offshore, endurance and more. The craft’s featherweight 769-pounds (in large part due to its NanoXcel2 hull and deck material), and industry-leading 1,812cc (1.8L) Super Vortex High Output (SVHO) engine made for a formidable combination, and the mountain of trophies cannot be disputed. Not surprisingly, many (if not all) of those GP’s were equipped with some number of RIVA Racing performance parts. And if not, what was employed was very likely a riff on something designed and manufactured by RIVA. The connection between RIVA and the GP1800 is almost umbilical.
“The RIVA GP1800R Limited-Edition was developed for the performance enthusiast who demands the best in power and performance,” Bamdas droned, almost perfectly repeating the website description. As with last year’s GP1800R and the previous year’s FZR 350 – the first of the modern Limited Edition Yamaha runabouts – RIVA hand-assembles only 25 units, each uniquely marked with an engraved serial number plate on the anodized red valve cover. Completing the GPR’s unique look is a RIVA Limited Edition Rear Traction Mat, a RIVA Limited Edition Seat Cover and of course, the RIVA Limited Edition Graphics Package made to look as if it was designed and applied by Yamaha Motor Corp. itself. “It just didn’t need to perform well, but we needed it to look great too,” Bamdas added.
Out of the gate, the GP1800R rips at a halting rate. Fighting to find traction, the ski cavitates some, permitting the engine to bounce half-a-second off of the rev limiter. (Admittedly, my weight and posture had more to do with it than the ski.) From a standstill, in just over 3-and-a-half seconds, I was at 60mph. Less than two seconds later, and I was at 80. At these speeds, the chatter of the ski ridding over chop was so rapid it felt like gripping a fully-automatic weapon at full burst. Spotting a small white buoy, I dropped my inside knee into the tray and snapped the bars hard right, praying that my grip would hold. The GP1800R responded in kind – its Pro Series sponsons biting down – and sprung out of the apex of the turn faster than I entered it.
I rode the GP1800R as hard as I dared, absolutely floored that the ski never once skipped, slid or broke free while pressing through hairpin after hairpin. No closed course would be arranged as frantically as I careened from side to side over the lake, I mused, smiling beneath my helmet. Yet weirdly, despite all its power and lazer-focused handling prowess, it never once felt unruly or that I was wrestling with it for control. This was a weapon entirely under my command. What is thy bidding, my master?, I heard the amplified baritone of Darth Vader supplicating in my mind. I snapped off another 90-degree turn at wide-open-throttle. Good. Gooood. I hissed, doing my best Emperor impression, geekily amusing myself.
It’s worth reiterating that much of the GP1800R is left stock. The ECU is merely reflashed using RIVA’s MaptunerX software. The supercharger, aside from the addition of the impeller shaft upgrade kit, is stock. Internally, the SVHO engine is box stock (save, again, for the valve spring retainer upgrade). The pump and nozzle are stock too. To achieve speeds like these only a few years earlier required extensive work: high compression pistons, camshafts, wholly rebuilt or completely replaced superchargers, billet pumps and the like. That RIVA Racing is able to eke out this degree of performance (both speed and handling) with almost entirely cosmetic, non-invasive methods is truly impressive. Most impressive.
Now for one more note: as crass as I can put this, the GP1800R is far too much machine for most people – even some of the folks who were hand-picked to test ride the GP1800R were significantly ill-prepared to handle this beast. But I guess that goes without saying. Priced at $25,995, the RIVA Racing Limited-Edition Yamaha GP1800R is surprisingly a bargain once you consider the cost of purchasing the parts at full retail, having them anodized red, having it all installed, and applying the custom graphics kit, seat cover and traction mat. Although only 25 are set to be built this year (and it’s only mid-March), a scant 12 units remain – so act quickly if you find yourself licking your lips while reading this.
Yamaha Watercraft scored three Neptune awards at Miami International Boat show, making the company the most recognized brand at the 2018 Marine Marketers of America Award Ceremony. Yamaha continues to strive at being the best and it’s not slowing down. Just take a look at the accolades the group consistently receives.
Yamaha took home the marine industry’s Best Mobile Application award for the third time. The application is all new for 2018 and includes the latest information from Yamaha. Media and specs for Yamaha’s 2018 WaveRunners and Boats are packed into this app. The new features also include the apps’ geolocation functionality, social content feed which keeps users engaged, and the integration of Yamaha’s lead nurture programs. It’s all good stuff and the application is free and compatible with iPhone and Android platforms.
Use this app to keep up with all the all the latest info from Yamaha and make contacts with the people who ride.
The Best Innovation award, introduced this year, was picked up by Yamaha for the group’s Test Drive lead generation program. Yamaha realized a need to better connect consumers and dealers so the company began using a softer sell in order to link consumers to their nearby dealers. Test Drive helped engage them in a more comfortable way and the outcome garnered more than 2,000 leads to dealers in the past year.
The third award went to Yamaha for Best Regional and Local Marketing. Yamaha was specifically noted for its website and search engine optimization work, which encompassed dealers located in underperforming markets. By utilizing a range of best practices and marketing support, the Yamaha group was able to double sales and grow its market share as much as ten percent in several regions.
Yamaha also received an Honorable Mention for Best Newsletter.
According to Yamaha Watercraft’s Digital Marketing and Communications Manager Andrew Cullen, “We strive to push the envelope across all our marketing efforts and our team is honored to have been recognized by the industry for the impact these efforts are having on our dealers and customers.”
I’ll admit that I am at fault for encouraging the continued purchase of cheap sunglasses. I’ve had frames break, hinges unthread and lenses chip and scratch more times than I can count. Add to that, having lost so many different pairs while on the water, it’s hard to justify another pair of $100 shades when they’re destined to lie at the bottom of a lake. In the course of launching The Watercraft Journal, I’ve tested and reviewed over a half a dozen different pairs of sunglasses from various different manufacturers. All have shown promise in one way or another; innovation in materials, venting, flexibility, flotation features, and more. Gimmicks and features aside, the two major factors from which I evaluate all sunglasses (particular for use on PWC) is design and protection.
While walking the unusually lightly-trafficked concourse of last year’s IJSBA World Finals, I heard my name yelled over the din of high horsepower engines revving at the starting line and the announcers constant banter. Locating the source of the beckoning was Abaco Polarized’s own President, Greg Sarkin who called me over to his booth. Abaco Polarized has been on the fast track of becoming the industry’s leading 100-percent UV protecting sunglasses manufacturer for a couple of years now, with several racers, freeriders and more brandishing the different colors and shapes from the brand. Greg and I had talked previously, but this was our first face-to-face:
“I got something for you,” he teased, leaning down and reaching into a special unlabeled box. He produced a cellophane-wrapped microfiber case. Inside were a pair of Abaco’s new Dockside sunglasses in Matte Black and with brilliant Polarized Blue Mirror lenses. I gave a low whistle and tried them on. The sat lightly on the bridge of my nose and aptly covered the entirety of my view – no daylight creeping in from around the frame. “I only have a couple made from an early run. I wanted you to try out a pair,” Sarkin continued. I pocked my old, battered gas station cheapo’s, and took a closer look at the Docksides. The frames were soft with plenty of give, but not rubbery like you might’ve seen from lesser brands. The stainless steel double-barrel hinges shined and were gratefully tight – I hate it when the temples are floppy.
The frames are made from impact-resistant polycarbonate, accounting for the flexibility and giving them a durability that others don’t. I prefer the square styling over rounded aviators or knock-off Wayfarers, as they block out more sun infiltration, so while my personal taste on style may be subjective it’s not without justification. Equally, squarer frames also hug the face a little closer, which is far superior for riding a PWC; glasses that sit out too far are the first to be whipped off of your face while at speed. The lightweight shades feature Abaco’s glare-free polarized lenses providing UV400 protection. The Blue Mirrored finish is deep, brilliant and really cool looking, but from the inside, the tint isn’t distorting or refractive, and still allows you to read the surface of the water surprisingly well (a major deciding factor).
Unfortunately, the life of a pair of sunglasses in my hands is a hard one, and I had to re-tighten the hinges twice over the past 6 months. It’s not a big deal to anyone with a pair of jewler’s tools, but some folks will simply let the hinges loosen until the screws fall out. Equally, we have already scratched the mirrored finish on both lenses, which has effected visibility. “No problem,” Sarkin replied when we let him know about the lenses. “Every pair of Abacos is covered under a Worry-Free Warranty. We maintain a Lifetime Warranty for all damage (including accidents)!” So yeah, I guess that isn’t a problem after all. With that reassurance, we’re going to send in our Docksides to get the Abaco warranty treatment.
Abaco is leading the way with amazing customer service – and not just with me. We asked around to a few of Abaco’s sponsored racers and riders and they all echo the same sentiment. In addition to a killer warranty, Abaco gives its customers free shipping on all purchases and free returns and exchanges (within 30 days of purchase), offers that just don’t exist with other companies. Priced at $50.00, our Docksides in Matte Black and Blue Mirrored lenses are some of our favorites that we’ve had the joy of testing (plus each pair come in a nice Abaco cleaning cloth/microfiber pouch). If you’ve been watching The Watercraft Journal’s bi-monthly YouTube show “Long Haul” I’m sure you’ve seen me wearing my Docksides religiously – there’s a real good reason for it too.
The number is then used to determine the number of trees planted to offset her carbon footprint. This is part of the the joint environmental initiative ‘Powerboating Goes Green’ launched by H2O Racing and the UIM at the end of 2017 at the Grand Prix of Sharjah. Trees are purchased and planted in Kenya in a place that will be named “Fly Jet Forest.”
The latest endeavor builds on the partnership between BUND Holding Group and H2O Racing. The BUND group is out of China and established the first carbon neutral sporting events in 2016. The events took place in the People’s Republic of China during the UIM-ABP Aquabike and UIM H2O Nations Cup Grand Prix of Shanghai.
The UIM F1H2O and UIM-ABP Aquabike Grand Prix of Sharjah were also awarded carbon neutral status. This is a big deal in today’s conversations centered around climate change.
More than 1,000 trees have been planted since launching “Powerboating Goes Green” initiative. Check out Treedom, from H2O Racing and Uim. The organizations teamed up to set up the website so we can keep up with how the program is performing. The site allows users to view the number of kgs of carbon used by racers and how many trees are planted in response.
We are anxious to see if more racers follow Graca’s lead and “go green”. Planting trees is a good thing and Graca has done well during her four years of racing. She’s a good candidate to begin the carbon neutral movement in water sports. The “Powerboating Goes Green” is a rad concept. Maybe the idea will catch on in other motorized sporting events because “green” sells and so does going fast!
Here’s a twist on the usual Sea-Doo Spark sales and it comes from PWCMuscle Performance Parts. The sale is for a Sea-Doo Spark RIVA Tuning ECU Flash Credit, 5 Credit Package. The package is marked down from $2,750.The licensing kit is on sale for $2,295. This tune package is compatible with all Spark models and years. Take advantage of this deal and receive a 5 Flash Credit Package. The money saved can be put toward the purchase of a Sea-Doo Spark Maptuner X, which can also be bought from PWCMuscle Performance Parts.
The current special on tuning licenses comes with 5 licenses for five different skis. Five separate VIN numbers are required for use. Once the tuning credits are bound to the VIN, they’re pretty much married. In other words, an owner cannot cheat and use the credits on other skis. One credit per ski. The upgrades can be used on the new 60 or 90hp Rotax engine. The tuning upgrade allows for a tune that will reach 100hp. All that’s needed to upgrade your software is the RIVA/V-Tech hand-held Maptuner X flasher system. Using the Maptuner X, one can upgrade between a 110 tune and stock tune. This tune can also be used on the E85, which can be upgraded to a solid 120hp.
PWC Muscle Performance Parts also included an instructional YouTube video. The clip provides easy to follow directions as to how to install a Sea-Doo Maptuner. The crew made it easy for us! Check ’em out. The website has many instructional videos, other resources, and a boat load of products! Oh yeah, free shipping is offered with purchases over $139. When checking out, use the code SHIPT and you’ll score the free shipping. PWCMuscle Performance Parts will beat any price too!
Visit the Cycle Springs Powersports crew at the 36th annual Suncoast Boat Show. The event takes place in downtown Sarasota at Marina Jack’s. Check out all the new boats, electronics, and more from April 20-22, 2018. The event begins runs from 10am to 7pm Friday and Saturday. Sunday it ends at 5pm. Tents full of gadgets and other goodies will be set up for people to peruse and mingle with venders and other guests. Admission for adults is $15 and kids under fifteen get in free. A couple of free fishing clinics are on offer for kids ages 4-16.
The Cycle Springs exhibit will feature the impressive line of Yamaha jet boats. Yamaha has crafted boats since 1958. All of the Jetboats are equipped with Yamaha’s internal propulsion system, which requires less maintenance and is more cost effective than an inboard or stern drive boat. The internal propulsion only needs annual maintenance and fluid refills. All of the boats come ready for recreation and are assembled in the USA.
Cycle Springs Powersports can get you in a Yamaha Jetboat starting at $28,499 and if you want to splurge and go all out, pick up the 2018 Yamaha 242X E-Series with a base price of $73,999. Check out the Cycle Springs line of Yamaha jet boats on their website, visit their showroom in Clearwater, Florida, or head to the Suncoast Boat Show!
A twelve year old boy is devastated after his 2018 Sea-Doo Spark is stolen from a Tattershall lake in the United Kingdom. The young boy’s mom is offering a reward of 500 euros for information on the skis’ whereabouts. The Sea-Doo Spark was stolen sometime between 5pm February 12 and 9am February 15.
The woman bought the watercraft as a Christmas present for her son. It is believed that the Spark jet-ski is only one of four in the United Kingdom. We cannot find information to back up that claim. Maybe the ski had a rare wrap kit. Nevertheless, this is a sad story. We don’t like thieves. Stealing this machine took some hard work. The Spark was padlocked and heavily chained, according to Dawn, the young mans mother. The family took most every precaution they could in order to keep the Spark from being ripped off. Dawn believes the ski was loaded into a van. However, that idea has not been confirmed.
Dawn says her son loves riding his jet ski and the freedom it gives him. She also says that he is extremely upset by this terrible incident. The search is still underway and we hope the boy’s Sea-Doo Spark is returned. In the meantime, we will continue our search for information pertaining to the very rare ski.
The ski has its own unique data tag number: AG4145. Anyone with any information is encouraged to call the police on 101 quoting the following incident number:18000074311. This article was originally posted on LincolnshireLive.
Here’s a twist on the usual Sea-Doo Spark sales and it comes from 
