Videos: Is Backflipping in Swimming Pools The Newest “Big Thing?”

December 5, 2016

With the freestyle community increasing in size every year, the tricks are getting pretty crazy. What started as guys doing barrel-rolls and flips in the ocean has turned into crazier ocean riding and flat water riding that is always buzzing with new ideas. Freeriding is much different than regular watercraft riding as it consists of you being in the air, upside side, doing twists and turns. It is truly amazing to look at how this community has grown over the years and how it has branched off in to its own thing.

This is becoming a new trend where riders are trying to find new exciting places to display their skills to the public. While there have already been a handful of people who have had videos gone viral for doing tricks in a pool, the first video shows Johnny Leftly at last year’s Wave Daze shooting out of the water just before he goes about doing his flips. He executes all of his flips perfectly but the landings…well, you’ll see. On his last flip he did come in contact with the side of the pool which could have been devastating. Luckily, Johnny and his ride were okay.

The next was filmed as a promo for a television show pilot. While the stunts are cool, the size of the pool is far smaller and the rider is very clearly a man in a white bikini (oh, Hollywood magic). The final video is of Volia Dzikovich on her JetGP Yamaha WaveBlaster (looking particularly better than any ‘Blaster did from the factory) doing a little more tame routine in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The last one is a little bit of a cheat, but worth watching. So, while we encourage you to go out and find crazy new spots, do so safely. Oh, and no more tyrannosaurus costumes.

The Watercraft Journal’s 2016 Top 10 Christmas Gifts For Jet Skiers

Kevin Shaw

December 2, 2016

How do you shop for the jet ski enthusiast who has everything? It’s a rough row to hoe because not everybody’s interests are the same, nor are their preferred ways to ride. While we’ve listed here a short collection of our favorite products that we’ve reviewed this year, some of you will find little use for them. Others will absolutely love ’em. We suppose that’s the joy of this sport. So many different kinds of people can enjoy it in their own way. For this year, we were looking at both price and usefulness, but ultimately, we wanted to focus on value and innovation, because c’mon, there were some pretty cool things to come out this year. So as you’re squeezing in your last minute shopping for the jet ski lover in your life (who just might be you!), and see if any of these would make a great gift for the holiday season!

1. Jettribe’s GRB 2.0 Race Boots – $98.99
There are few companies – especially those dedicated to designing and manufacturing apparel and riding gear expressly for jet skiers – with a larger catalog of product than Jettribe. Every year their line expands in to new and diverse places, but at their core, they’re a jet ski racing brand. Earlier this year (actually, late last year to be precise), we picked up a pair of their 2016 Jettribe GRB 2.0 Race Boots with a bit of skepticism. If there are two things that we regularly destroy in our testing, it’s gloves and boots and frankly, our hopes for Jettribe’s GRBs just weren’t that high.

With over a year’s worth of beatings under their belt, we’re still happily impressed. The GRB is technically a “2.0” version, showing superior design, construction and materials used on the predecessor. Gone are the traditional laces that are prone to rot and snap, eyelets that corrode and tear, and hooks that break off. Instead, Jettribe has integrated a zippered entry running half-way up the boot with two large, adjustable Velcro straps snugging one’s foot inside. Although priced at $98.99 and sized half of a size too big on purpose to require people to buy their Gator Lycra socks, the GRB 2.0 boots have outlasted all other boots we’ve tested and that’s saying something.

2. Jet Renu Stank Away – $14
While we’re on the subject of our Jettribe boots, we did encounter one small issue: ventilation. Even if left out to air dry in the sun, our boots had a tendency to mildew. Traditional soap and water worked well, but not enough to eradicate the stink of long hours of use in a myriad of water types. Although Jet Renu’s “Purple” is the brand’s all-purpose watercraft cleaner, and when mixed in a slightly concentrated form, will work well for gloves, boots and vests (not to mention wetsuits and rashguards), Jet Renu didn’t have much not in the way of conditioning and deodorizing these items.

Neoprene (much like Spandex) collects pretty much everything and can leave a pair of riding boots or gloves pretty rank, especially if left to mildew over night or trapped away in a front storage bin. To battle this, Jet Renu answered with its new “Stank Away” wetsuit and neoprene cleaner and conditioner. “Stank Away” is still very new and not found on the official Jet Renu website, but comes in a 16 oz. bottle and is priced at $14 a bottle HERE. Jet Renu managed to formulate a cleanser that not only penetrates the porous neoprene and extract bacteria left by human contact, salt residue and other deposits, but also leave the neoprene intact, without stripping the material of its natural oils; and leaving it smelling fresh with a gentle hint of citrus.

3. RIVA Racing MaptunerX – $399.95 to $1,011.60
Possibly the item with the single-greatest potential impact on the future of PWC racing, weekend hot rodding and home garage-level tuning, the RIVA Racing MaptunerX is the handheld tuning computer that takes the science out of tuning and cuts the cost of maximizing your personal watercraft’s ECU tune down to a fraction. The days of purchasing a $2,000-to-$3,000 aftermarket ECU, or extracting your factory ECU to ship it off to be permanently reflashed are all but gone, as the MaptunerX merely plugs into your PWC’s OBDII port, removes the factory preset engine tune, and subplants it with one of RIVA’s ready-to-run tunes or a customized tune specific to your particular application. The process takes minutes instead of weeks and is entirely reversible so that you can take your watercraft in for regularly scheduled maintenance and warranty service.

The MaptunerX can tune all Kawasaki, Sea-Doo and Yamaha 4-stroke watercraft, as well as side-by-side, ATV or UTV computers. Equally, the MaptunerX also has a built-in library that can store hundreds tunes, allowing you to switch between performance tunes instantaneously, as well as a standard “Service App” that quickly reads and clears fault codes (BRP only at this time) and can reset the fly-by-wire throttle (TPS). A large, full color, high resolution touch screen display makes the MaptunerX easy to use and navigate. Sold separately, the MaptunerX is staggeringly affordable ($399.95); but that’s without the tuning license ($549.95 – $599.95) and MaptunerX cable specific to your brand of vehicle. Thankfully, RIVA Racing sells the entire bundle required to tune a vehicle for an affordable package price ranging from $921.35 – $1,011.60.

4. Blacktip Jetsports Elite Traction Mats – various
We’ve been heaping quite a bit of praise on Blacktip Jetsports’ Elite series of traction mats lately, and for good cause. Besides a seat, traction mats suffer the most point-of-contact wear and tear on a PWC. The shuffling of feet, climbing on and off, and the impregnation of dirt, sand and grit can quickly discolor, disfigure and destroy your factory mats. More importantly is customization and we’re all about making our PWC “our own,” and there’s no better way than to change up your mat kit. Blacktip Jetsports, whose Elite line of traction mats can immediately add a splash of color and personality to your personal watercraft.

The variety of colors and material patterns offered through Blacktip can put the “personal” back in personal watercraft as you can design your own seat and traction mat combination to match your tastes, saving you from having to stick to a stock look. Blacktip Jetsports uses the most advanced CNC cutting machines and lay-bonding process in the industry, guaranteeing that each kit is precise, perfectly cut to the right pattern, and made with the same high level of quality each and every time. Each portion of their kit comes with a simple peel-and-stick application, eliminating the use of messy contact cement. Just apply a little bit of pressure to make sure each panel adheres properly and you’re done.

5. XPS Watercraft Cleaning and Detailing Kit – $45
We’re big believers in the value of a combo pack. Give us fries and a drink with our burger purchase and we’re happy campers. Sea-Doo’s parent company BRP did exactly that with their XPS Watercraft Cleaning and Detailing Kit and even tossed in its own bucket to lug it around. The kit provides an All-Purpose Cleaner (32oz.), a bottle of Boat and PWC Wash and Wax Concentrate (32oz.), a bottle of Vinyl Cleaner (32oz.) and Spray Cleaner and Polish (14oz.), as well as two (16-inch x 16-inch) microfiber towels, a deluxe wash sponge and it’s own resealable (3.56-gallon) storage/wash bucket (as mentioned).

While we’ve found other cleaners and polishes that might do a little better job knocking off built up grime or dried-on waterspots, but few of us have the time or energy to go on a scavenger hunt to pick everything up, so while the XPS Watercraft Cleaning and Detailing Kit aren’t perfect on their own merits, together they make up a great package – especially one that can be stored in your trailer’s storage box or in the bed of your truck. BRP is all about maximizing your enjoyment out of their products, and offering this pre-packaged kit is just another step in that direction.

6. SureCan Gas Cans – $39.99 – $49.99
We just got our hands on a pair of SureCan gas cans and can’t get enough of ’em. In fact, we’re admittedly burning up more gas in our lawn mower, weed-eater and skis just to use ’em more than we ought to. The ingenuity put into such a simple thing like a portable fuel can, makes the SureCan one of our favorite items on our list. Gas cans are something we all carry with us or store in our garage and are often something we don’t give a second thought to, but now the SureCan has given us a reason. Available in 2.5 and 5-gallon configurations, there’s also cans for diesel and kerosene.

Every facet of the SureCan has been re-engineered or re-thought. From the articulated filler neck to the drip-free trigger system, the SureCan is lightyears ahead of your old jerry cans. The neck’s screw-top cap is pressure sensitive (like a prescription pill bottle), the accordion-like filler tube is flexible for tight spots, the thumb trigger is thick plastic and spring loaded, the can itself is durable and thick, the fill cap has a plastic push lock, the list goes on and on. There’s a million little details in this can, and we know you’ll love it as much as we do.

7. Sea-Doo Carrier Dry Backpack by Ogio – $139.99
Right now, we’re struggling to find a way to properly explain how awesome this gearbag/backpack/drybag combo is. If you were to commission one of the most successful duffle/backpack manufacturers to make the ultimate gear bag for PWC enthusiasts, you couldn’t get much better than the Sea-Doo Carrier Dry Backpack by Ogio. Because it is literally three bags in one, we’ll try to break down how it does each job masterfully and why you must have one:

As a gearbag, it’s got two tote handles, one on either side. It’s large enough to stow a pair of riding boots and a traditional vest (not one of those bulky, slab-sided race vests). It’s bright yellow liner is easily cleaned out and makes visibility inside of it a lot easier. As a backpack, there are two padded, velcro-locked pouches for a full-sized laptop and a tablet, as well as half a million zippered pockets to tuck away your wallet, keys, phone, and anything else you can imagine. And as a drybag, the backpack itself rolls up tight and keeps out water enough for Ogio to be bold enough to include laptop pouches. Although we’re not brave enough to dunk our Carrier Backpack underwater with our laptop inside, we have done our watertesting, and sure enough, is watertight.

8. GoPro HERO Session – $199.99
You’re probably sick of hearing about GoPro by now. They’re everywhere, and if you don’t already have one, you’ve all but made up your mind that you aren’t getting one. That’s why we need you to reconsider. We were in the same boat for a while, that is until we encountered the GoPro HERO Session. Technology has allowed for the minimizing of items once 50-times its size. Remember a camcorder? Not only does this 1.5-inch by 1.5-inch cube do everything that your old Sony Camcorder did, but it does it a whole heck of a lot better. Not only can you capture amazing video from all sorts of new perspectives, but the quality of the camera is staggering.

The Session is the ideal “starter” GoPro or better yet, a second or third GoPro. It’s waterproof
to 33ft (10m) without a housing, durable, compact, and features a single-button use with an LCD screen allowing you to toggle through time lapse photography and video, as well as burst of photos (up to 10 frames per second). Additionally, the Session is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatible so you can turn it on/off and even see what you’re filming from an app on your smartphone (we’ve used this a couple of times. It’s super easy and really cool). You can even upload and share video instantaneously from your Session to your phone to social media. Also, it’s the cheapest GoPro on the market, so you’re not blowing the budget to pick one up.

9. Abaco Dockside Sunglasses, Polarized Blue Mirror Lenses – $40
After having so, so many pairs of glasses blown off of our face during rides, we’ve come to believe in ZZ Top’s admonition to always don a pair of “cheap sunglasses” because there’s nothing worse than watching $150-worth of Oakleys vanish into the water. And we’ve tried those “other guys'” floating sunglasses and can’t get past the big puffy patches of Hydro-Turf foam pressing against our temples. During our last photo session, we lost a pair of cheapo $18 gas station shades. After posting our loss on Facebook, a message came through asking us to try out a pair of Abaco‘s.

Admittedly, we hadn’t heard of the brand before, but were happy to give them a try. Their website is rife with hundreds of designs and color combinations, and Abacos are found in several major sunglass outlets. There’s nothing particularly PWC-specific about the pair of “Dockside” shades we’ve been using, except for the polarized blue mirror lenses which are simply superior to any off-the-rack junkers we’ve been wearing. Polarization is still a premier treatment for lenses and radically helps to reduce glare and damage to your retinas. And priced at $40, it’s so painful if you lose a pair to the drink.

10. Flexxloader 2 By Truckboss Decks – $6,599 to $8,662
Statistically, 85-percent of personal watercraft owners own some other form of recreational boating, motorsport or powersport equipment, be it a motorcycle, quad, snowmobile or otherwise, and chances are that your PWC trailer isn’t going to help you in hauling your dirt bikes or sled to your next riding location. To eliminate the need of a motorcycle trailer, a snowmobile or quad trailer and a separate PWC trailer, the Flexxloader 2 from Truckboss Decks not only eliminates ALL of those trailers, but also perfectly serves as hauling all of the above. We’ve illustrated all of the bazillion features integrated into the Flexxloader before, so it’s all but impossible to cram it all into two tiny paragraphs, but we’ll give it a shot:

The Flexxloader and the new version of the Flexxloader the skid system makes loading and unloading so much easier. Using an electric winch, the cradle is easily and safely hoisted and lowered from the deck, allowing you to unload almost anywhere; boat Launches, beaches, parking lots, etc. The Flexxloader deck incorporates a low resistant surface for the cradle skid system to move along easily, and provides the “guide and slide” and new “push back” systems with multiple tie down points and a winch. Even the new Flexxloader’s ramps are now lighter and easier to engage. Best of all, the new buggy system uses better wheels for almost all conditions, allowing the cradle to become a beach tote (and portable beach dock) in less than a minute, as well as a storage tote when your skis are put away for the winter.

The Watercraft Journal By The Numbers: November 2016

Kevin Shaw

December 1, 2016

November is consistently our worst month. Not only is there not a whole heck of a lot to report on, but it’s also the month where enthusiasts across the globe appear the least bit engaged. In the Northern Hemisphere, temperatures have shaken out most of the weekend riders, with only a few diehards and those in more temperate climes being the few remaining holdouts. This is the time where most watercraft are winterized, and as statistics have shown, people begin to pull out their other toys (be them quads, side-by-sides or snowmobiles). In the Southern Hemisphere, while the mercury is on the rise, they’re not in full blown riding season, so it’s still a bit of a transition period. Toss in a few major holidays to boot, and you’re looking at a month where people just aren’t thinking about jumping on their ski.

So, why have we continued to grow from last year to today? There are two major reasons: First, The Watercraft Journal, unlike any other media outlet in our industry, has never skipped a beat. We’re consistently first with late-breaking industry news, event and race coverage. To boot, our race coverage regularly has more images, more information, and usually the full results list, when others either exclude said information, or just hyperlink to the event promoter’s page. Moreover, we publish all of our own material. No regurgitated press releases. No stock photography in lieu of actually photographing the watercraft or product we’re claiming to review. And more importantly, we’re speaking to the largest audience that a personal watercraft magazine has ever had. Even during the heydays of Splash, Jet Sports, or Personal Watercraft Illustrated, none of these had over 330,000 annual readers.

Secondly, and not to be too polarizing, but the most recent presidential election in the United States. The US is still (and will be for many, many more years to come) the single-largest market for personal watercraft sales – both new unit and aftermarket parts. This market, more than any other, has more sway on the trajectory of our industry. Regardless of your (or my) personal, emotional or political leanings, the results of this past election has radically altered the course direction for not only the powersports industry, but the entirety of the financial futures market. According to both CNN Money and Forbes, never in the past decade has consumer confidence been at such a high. The level of optimism held by a wide swathe of would be, potential and current investors is massive; and this plays towards the future of industrial, commercial, and real estate development. People are excited for 2017, and are looking to spend money.

The manufacturers are already in motion. We recently learned that Yamaha Motor Corp. redesigned their regional map, condensing areas, and hiring more representatives to service the projected influx of boat, motorcycle and watercraft sales. For The Watercraft Journal, we’ve already welcomed new and returning advertisers, as well as fielded a bumper crop of advertising inquiries for the new year. The industry’s savviest players know there is a wave coming and they’re preparing for it. So, are you ready? Is your company ready to join the personal watercraft industry’s biggest publication? If you’re still on the fence, let us throw some facts your way:

November 2016

November 2015

Continued Growth Through Winter
Wintertime notoriously shrinks the industry all the way around (“shrinkage!”); be it new vehicle sales, product and accessory sales, and of course, recreational use. Even the average monthly user count on the biggest forums in the industry drop by half. Admittedly, much of the same happens with us as outlined above. Such is life in a seasonal industry, right? Yet, why is it significant to illustrate this past November’s performance against last year’s? Maybe because our readership grew by an additional 50%. Again, we cite the two reasons outlined in our preface. No other publication offers more consistent and reliable coverage of the industry, be it important announcements, race coverage or product reviews.

November 2015
Total number unique readers: 16,297*
Total number of articles read: 38,598
Percentage of new readers: 56.6%

November 2016
Total number unique readers: 23,061*
Total number of articles read: 44,599
Percentage of new readers: 59.8%

*This number is considered equal to an individual sale of a single copy of a magazine.

Cold Weather Won’t Slow Us Down
Back when we ran Personal Watercraft Illustrated, we operated on a 7-issue a year format. For four months out of the year, we published back-to-back monthly issues. These were during the summer months when racing and recreational riding were at their height. Yet, when temperatures cooled, so did our publishing schedule, and we went to a bi-monthly (every other month) schedule. Not only did we lose readership, but advertising support as well. It was a death nell. Fortunately, The Watercraft Journal doesn’t take a winter break, but rather, continues to crank out some of the industry’s best content from throughout the globe, and coverage from the entire personal watercraft industry – be it touring, fishing, racing, freestyle/freeride, or do-it-yourself tech. We bring the enthusiast the widest array of coverage possible – and completely free to the reader!

News articles published in November 2016: 26
Feature articles published in November 2016: 11
Total feature word count: 11,394 words

*When this number is translated to print publication standards equals a 98-page magazine. Please note that this number does not include an average of two uniquely-written news articles published daily.

Social Animals
Unlike other publications or sites, The Watercraft Journal doesn’t require its readers to download, or pay for a subscription, or even a setup a password to log in and access our content. Why? Because trending shows that people flee from such websites. Rather, we give our content freely and easily-accessibly to them; whether it’s via a desktop, a laptop or a portable device, they can read our content. And with our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and weekly newsletters, we bring our content directly to them. And that’s a huge part of our success!

November Facebook likes: 19,532
Top Five countries: United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, France

Don’t Get Caught With Your Pants Down
(Sorry for the language, but there’s no better/funnier Christmas movie. -Ed) Many find that the diehard PWC enthusiasts will either brave the winter’s chill and continue to riding (that is, in states where weather actually plays a factor in recreational riding), or will dedicate the months to working on their skis in preparation for the coming Spring. That is why getting your company and its products and/or services on The Watercraft Journal now is so important. Get in before the rush and establish your brand in front of the biggest readership of PWC lovers before all of the latecomers try to jump in. The Watercraft Journal has a variety of editorially-supported ad programs that will fit your budget and meet your goals for the coming year. For more information how to put The Watercraft Journal to work for your company, please email [email protected]

Japanese Tourist on Rental PWC Rams Moored Cruise Ship

Ocean Priselac

December 1, 2016

A 17-year-old Japanese woman and her partner rented a pair of PWC from NQ Watersports while on holiday in Queensland, Australia last September. Her boyfriend and a personal watercraft instructor were each riding their own skis when the woman crashed into a Sunlover Reef Cruises vessel that was moored at Cairns Marlin Marina.

The incident occurred shortly after 9am and the ship was full of passengers and several of them along with crew members pulled the victim from the water and attempted to render aid before paramedics arrived. The paramedics did everything they could to resuscitate the woman, to no avail. Unfortunately, she died on the scene in front of those who witnessed the crash.

This story came to us from OZPWC and sites that police spoke with witnesses and confiscated the ski in order to have crash experts perform forensic and mechanical inspections to determine whether anything was faulty with the ski that may have contributed to the crash.

This story is particularly noteworthy as Australia is currently grappling with the further legislation of personal watercraft use in specific beaches and waterways, as well as requiring licensing and classes in order to operate these machines. How exactly this incident will affect further Australian laws regarding PWC use remains unseen.

Video: The Shoreline Tubby; Built for the Yamaha WaveRunner Fishing Enthusiast

Ocean Priselac

November 30, 2016

Check out Yamaha’s Shoreline Tubby fiberglass fishing pods, manufactured by Racetech Yamaha in South Africa and owned by the O’Keefe family. The pods are so easy to attach to your Yamaha Waverunner, that you can fish as soon as you are underway. They can only be found at the Shoreline Yamaha dealership, located in South Brisbane, Australia. The pods have a really cool patented latch system for easy attachment as shown in this video.

When the pods were tested on a Yamaha Waverunner FX HO and it was like a match made in heaven. One of the testers was so blown away by the rig that he lied awake at night thinking about how could slip it in with his own personal boats.

The Tubbies come with rod storage, tackle storage, fish boxes, a live-bait tank, rod holders, and a cutting board. Another great thing about the pods is that they stabilize the ski so there is little to no chance of finding yourself in the “drink.” They were predominantly designed to fit most three-seater personal watercraft machines, however they fit the Yamaha FX HO better than other machines.

Jordi O’Keefe states in a piece from boatsales.com.au; stating that “The FX HO is a great platform. It’s the best all rounder for someone that’s fishing minded. It offers good stability and storage. It’s a drier ride, especially on the troll, than most.” The reasoning behind O’Keefe’s declaration is because the bow rides high at trolling speeds so the operator doesn’t end up blinded by spray.

The FHO’s latest model has 180hp engine, is naturally aspirated, and a low maintenance machine. Even better is the fact that it’s fuel efficient, which is almost a prerequisite in order to troll for many hours. The PWC also has a large hull with a sizable deck at the stern and that deck makes for an awesome fishing platform.

The Shoreline Tubby is also available for saltwater fishing and its set-up comes loaded with vertical rod holders, adjustable Railblaza outrigger rod holders, built in cutting board lid, rear stainless steel racks, a storage tank for safety equipment, another storage tank for live bait that uses the trademark Yamaha visibility spout and reroutes it for circulated water, along with plenty of storage for fish in the pods, plus tackle in glove boxes called Quick Access Tackle Storage pockets, and drink holders.

The base price for the 2016 Yamaha FX HO is $17,900 and the Shoreline Tubby is available for $3500 so you can grab a nice fishing setup for a fair price.

Video: NASCAR Recreates Sprint Cup Round of 8 But On Yamaha WaveRunners

Blake Ellestad

November 30, 2016

For many speed enthusiasts, NASCAR is the holy grail. Watching drivers practice all year, qualify in smaller events and eventually race in some of the biggest race’s offered, it’s what keeps some guys grounded. Along with NASCAR and other races, we are coming down to the last few watercraft races of the year.

The upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Race in Miami is quickly approaching and to do a promo they featured some of the top racers around. In the video, what started out as the racers running in the sand, turned into jet ski racing in different states to signify the different qualification rounds the racers go through to make their way to the top. They rode in Texas where they had to practice using proper weather precaution measures but that was not going to hold back Carl Edwards from winning. With the final qualifying race underway, two riders fell off which eliminated them from the top four spots; the final four qualified for the 2016 Sprint Cup.

With this video, it showed thousands of people just how riding a personal watercraft can truly be amazing. Personal watercraft are extremely fast and it just shows that our community that was once unheard of, is now gaining national recognition. Especially in a well known racing community. So kick back, relax, ignore the complete lack of personal lifevests, and watch this promo video and see how NASCAR drivers ride out on the water on what seem to be Yamaha WaveRunners (we know it’s really not them). Turns out they can’t just turn left.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYqCjxRwxiI

Video: Mud Bogging Vintage Runabouts With Typhoon Tommy And Eric Malone

Kevin Shaw

November 29, 2016

Men do a lot of things on a dare. It’s a character trait that separates us from our farer gender. The whole, “Hey, hold my beer and watch this meme” is almost strictly regulated towards the daring of men looking to show off for friends and the adoration of complete strangers, and as long as nobody or personal property gets hurt, it’s all good. Right?

Towards the end of a jet ski freestyle competition show in Philadelphia (back in 2012) after the tide went out, some of the riders had a little bit of fun with the mud the receding tide revealed. While we’re all for a little bit of fun to kill some time, when you fill the crowd with the likes of “Typhoon Tommy” Nuttall, Mike Hoffman, Eric Malone, Ryan Doberstein, you’re sure to witness some antics.

It didn’t take long for Doberstein to get stuck in the mud. Shortly thereafter, Typhoon Tommy aboard his (what appears to be) a ’94 Sea-Doo XP started making hard-leaning passes around Ryan who had little choice but to watch the show. As fate would have it, Tommy pressed his luck too far and lodged his runabout in the soft stuff too.

Eventually, the two were pulled free and left to flush their skis clean of the earthen stuff but not before this video was taken showing their exploits:

Video: Jet X Powersports/RIVA Racing’s Gordon Horne IJBSA Rec Lite Moto

Kevin Shaw

November 29, 2016

For many, the introduction of the Sea-Doo Spark was a bit of a joke. Many questioned, “What is this thing?” and “What the heck is ‘Polytec’?” with several reducing the Spark to being a “disposable” ski. Thankfully, the past four years have all but quelled even the most vociferous protester – particularly as Sparks have risen to the top spots on podiums month-after-month, and even withstood the brutality of the most boost-happy turbocharger tuner.

Jet X Powersports immediately took a shine to the Rec Lite runabouts and worked to develop a winning combination to put many the sponsored and team rider across the finish line ahead of others. “This year,” Jet X’s Ryan Dalli told The Watercraft Journal, “our rider Jon Hoffer won the World Title! Andrew Bezan [took] 4th with a damaged hull ([he was] landed on in [the] qualifier). Andrew won the second moto.”

One such racer is Ontario, CAN native Gordon Horne who not only clenched the overall Region 8 Series Championship in the Amateur R/A Rec Lites Class for 2016, but also has a long history of wins including six regional IJSBA championship titles, two CWA National Championships, and six Top 10 IJSBA World Final finishes. The Jet X and RIVA Racing rider had a strong showing at the 2016 IJSBA World Finals shown in the video below:

For 2017, Horne will return aboard his Jet X-tuned Vanilla Sea-Doo Spark to compete in the budding Region 8 series and is sure to have a few on-comers nipping at his heels. Horne has a few tricks and “tweaks” in mind to keep him ahead of the pack so keep an eye out for this wily Canadian as he seeks to retain his title.

Shore-Ramp’s PWC-50 Makes For Easy Docking

Kevin Shaw

November 28, 2016

We’ve all seen our fair share of portable PWC launches, beach totes, carts and even portable docks. While some are definitely sturdier than others, we’ve also encountered a few built on what you might call the cheaper side. When we encountered Lakeside Recreation’s Shore-Ramp PWC-50, we knew which side this leaned on once we saw its $799 price tag.

Built entirely of aluminum, the Shore-Ramp is entirely bolt-together, allowing for easy replacement of components that get fatigued or damaged by use. It also features two banks of 8 non-marking poly casters, allowing a full-sized runabout (3-seater, up to 1,100-pounds) to easily roll up and down for loading/unloading, fueling or just docking.

Lakeside Recreation’s Rick Keeney told The Watercraft Journal, “Our product has no welded joints. The axles holding the wheels are solid 1-inch bars inserted completely through the 4-inch central beam.”

The Shore-Ramp is not a dolly, so don’t expect any big beach tires to accompany it. Rather, this is a 77-pound portable dock you plop down and enjoy. An additional 2-feet longer than competitor’s ramps (a total 14-feet long), it’s long enough to set into the water, dock your ski and pull out of easily. The Shore-Ramp makes a good tool for shorelines with gentle inclines or flat, sandy beaches.

Here’s the original press release:
Lakeside Recreation LLC today announces the introduction of the Shore-Ramp PWC-50. The new Shore Ramp PWC-50 provides an economical and convenient means to store your Personal Watercraft up on your shore, safe from staining algae, fouling zebra mussels, and pounding waves.

The gentle incline and large, low-friction poly rollers make it easy to crank your PWC up onto the Shore Ramp PWC-50 with much less effort than required by traditional boat lifts. When it is time to get back on the water, your PWC can be launched in seconds.

When your watercraft is stored on land, you can conveniently put the cover on and off and access it for fueling, cleaning, or other maintenance. When it is time to go boating again, your watercraft can be launched in seconds, getting you on the water without delay.

The extended length handles larger 3-person watercraft up to 12 feet long with room to spare. The sturdy frame is constructed entirely of high-strength aluminum and is rated for up to 1100 lbs.

Weighing only 77 lbs, the Shore Ramp PWC-50 is easy to position on your shore. For those in more northerly locations where lake equipment must be removed for the winter, the PWC-50 can be conveniently pulled out by one person, and you won’t even have to get in the cold water.

Compared to a traditional boat lift, the PWC-50 is quicker and easier to use. It allows easy access to your PWC without obstructing vertical poles. Also, there is no need to waste valuable dock space or add expensive dock sections.

Other roller ramps with ladder-style frames have sharp-edged cross-beams and exterior rails that risk scratching your watercraft. The Shore Ramp PWC-50 with its large rollers mounted outboard on cantilevered round axles eliminates the chance of scratching the hull of your watercraft.

The Shore Ramp PWC-50 ships as a kit with all parts and fasteners that can be assembled in about 30 minutes.

The Shore Ramp PWC-50 is available immediately for purchase online at www.shoreramp.com.

Lakeside Recreation is also seeking PWC and lakeshore equipment dealers in the U.S. who would be interested in retailing the PWC-50. Dealer pricing is available and dealers are invited to inquire for more details.

About Lakeside Recreation, LLC:
Lakeside Recreation, LLC is a family run business located in the land of 10,000 lakes and the most boats per capita of any state. We live on the shore of one of the most popular recreational lakes here in Minnesota and know first hand how the convenience, durability, and ease of use of quality lakeshore equipment contributes to the enjoyment of lake living.

Video: Yamaha WaveRunners Australia Congratulates Mitch Wayt on Pro Open Win

Kevin Shaw

November 28, 2016

Things have been going pretty good for Pro Open Runabout racer and Gold Coast, Queensland local Mitch Wayt. Last week, the Factory Yamaha WaveRunners Australia/WORX Racing sponsored rider piloted his blue-and-white FZS against some of the fiercest competition that Australia had to offer at the QPWC Motosurf Titles in the Mudjimba Beach. Wayt bested Brendon Boyde, Christian D’Agostin, and Shane Stuart. As WCJ contributor Andrew “Skip” Donovan wrote, “He is a natural on a runabout and was giving everyone on the beach a great show, keeping the throttle pinned all the way to the beach.”

Wayt nearly lapped the field, with nary 100-feet separating him from Boyde’s tail, aptly placing his supercharged Yamaha atop the podium. With Wayt currently in Bangkok, Thailand for the annual Kings Cup, the previous week’s racing only served as a pre-show to the main event happening this week. In celebration of last week’s win, Yamaha WaveRunners Australia congratulated the factory rider on their official Facebook page, stating: “A world-class win at the 2016 QLD Surf Titles by Mitch Wayt in Pro-Open Runabout. Mitch won all three races on a Stock-Class FZS by a considerable lead,” with the hashtag #WinnersRideYamaha

Yamaha even captured Wayt’s strong performance as he navigated the rolling surf and surpassed the competition in the video below:

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