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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
Regardless of your personal politics, these past two weeks have reveal a tectonic shift in consumer confidence, investors’ projections for the new year and the landscape of financial futures. The DOW has closed at all-time and seasonal heights, early reporting from commercial sales have seen an uptick unlike anything in the past 8 years, and even OE manufacturers have reorganized their regional and district sales teams to accommodate the expected upward pendulum swing in sales. For all intents and purposes, the world’s largest market for PWC sales is going to see more fluid currency and a marked swelling in industry growth.
To address this influx of potential new and returning customers, Yamaha Motor Finance Corp., USA, (YMFUS) announced an all-new credit card program available through all Yamaha dealers starting this past November 1, 2016. The Yamaha-exclusive “consumer financing tool” is replacing the company’s outgoing program that had been handled by different banks over the last 20 years. Likewise, the new program will provide an easy-to-use application process with instant approval system to qualify customers when considering a new purchase. YMFUS is supporting the card with special financing promotions and hopes the new program will serve as the primary financing source for motorcycles, ATV’s, side-by-sides and personal watercraft.
Here’s the original press release: Yamaha Motor Finance Launches New Credit Card Program Program will be Available to all Yamaha Dealers November 1 CYPRESS, Calif. – November 1, 2016 – Yamaha Motor Finance Corp., USA, (YMFUS) today announced it has launched an all-new credit card program that is available through all Yamaha dealers starting November 1, 2016. This important Yamaha-exclusive consumer financing tool is replacing an outgoing program that had been managed by various banks over the last 20 years.
“Yamaha will maintain the key features our dealers and customers value, while providing the program directly through our captive finance company,” says Kim Ruiz, Vice-President of Yamaha Motor Corp., USA (YMUS) and President and CEO of YMFUS. “The new credit card moves Yamaha closer to our dealers and customers, allowing us to better understand and fulfill their needs.”
The new program provides an easy to use application process and instant approvals to qualifying customers when they are considering a new purchase, and the revolving line of credit provided by the card translates to repeat purchases. YMFUS is supporting the card with low, attractive special financing promotions and expects the new program to serve as the primary financing source for many of Yamaha’s products, including Motorcycles, ATV’s, Side-by-Side vehicles and Personal Watercraft.
“Offering a long-term solution for a credit card program was critical to maintaining our leadership position in the powersports lending industry by providing Yamaha dealers and customers the most complete array of financing solutions,” says Jeff Young, executive vice president and COO of YMFUS. “This highly innovative solution not only provides program continuity, it also gives our dealers and customers the certainty of a Yamaha-backed program. Yamaha’s capital supports it and Yamaha manages it – that’s a very different model than the previous bank-managed program.”
YMUS launched Yamaha Motor Finance last year to initially focus on first-time and limited credit buyers, enabling its dealers to expand their business in a segment underserved by traditional banks and lenders. This new credit card program will allow Yamaha Motor Finance to expand its focus to “Prime” consumers and take over a program that has provided financing solutions to more than one million customers.
Yamaha Motor Finance has expanded its staff at its headquarters in Cypress, California, to manage the new program. The credit cards will be issued by WebBank, Member FDIC.
It’s been at least 5 Years in Australia since we have seen a surf race. For some reason it just stopped happening. I’m not sure if it was due to low numbers or insurance issues, but I’m glad it’s back. What a great day; the Queensland Personal Watercraft Club held their first Surf Round at Munjimba Beach on the Sunshine Coast. To me, surf racing is the most technical and exiting form of watercraft racing, with the track continually changing. You have to judge the waves perfectly and timing is paramount. Also, having the courage to hit the back of the waves without hesitation to prevent you from plowing into the sand if you get it wrong. There’s always a high chance a rider can come unstuck and see their ski wash up on the beach if it doesn’t sink first.
Well, at Mujimba there was a bit of carnage. I saw a FZS upside down and a 310 Kawasaki with its noise in the sand, as well as a couple of ghost riders crossing the line. The action was a plenty with a good size swell and plenty of shore break to keep the racing interesting. With some riders dusting off the cobwebs for this event it was a great turnout – more than the usual QPWC closed course rounds. Even the local freeride club, the Sunshine Coast Jetski Club, turned up and gave a demo of what they can do. It was great to see such a mixture of riders at a club event.
Seeing as no one has raced for a while there was plenty of new comers to the event. Only 4 riders had ever surf raced before, so plenty of supervision and guidance was on hand. A few basic ground rules were made clear so everyone understood safety was paramount. The day began with Sport class, a mixture of ‘Blasters and Sparks. This was always going to be interesting as its old meets new. With a couple of the ‘Blasters running triples it evened up the competition. Justin Windsor was the man to beat on his Yamaha. He was one of the riders that had competed in a surf race before and you could tell, he was on fire. Not just on the ‘Blaster but he also rode in the Ski round on his SuperJet. It’s a great effort just to compete let alone take the win on both classes.
Some of the other class stand outs were Bailey Cunningham racing his Sea-Doo Spark and his RXT-X 300. The kid only just graduated high school and is a up and coming star. For someone that had never raced in the ocean before, he did great taking first place in Amateur Stock. Bailey is also talented on the closed course track, with a few wins under his belt.
Another first timer was Frank Waite; the local jet ski mechanic was consistent and patient. He wasn’t getting the best of starts so he was always on the hunt. Chasing down QPWC president Tim O’Neill and Brett Douglas was a challenge. Brett was on fire until he misjudged a wave on the way in and sunk the big Kawasaki like a submarine. At one point I thought it wasn’t coming back up. Tim just didn’t have the stamina to keep young Frank at bay and got piped at the post about 300-feet from the finish line.
The class that everyone was keen watch was Open Runabout with Mitch Wayt, Breandon Boyd, Christian D’Agostin, and Shane Stuart. Shane hasn’t competed for a while so it was good to see him on the water again, riding his FZS like he had never been away. Christian, a tried-and-tested rough water champion, was keen to get some laps under his belt in preparation for this year’s Kings Cup in which he’ll be competing. Unfortunately, his ski had a couple of gremlins that prevented him from taking the win from Mitch.
Mitch is also heading to the Kings Cup to compete. If his ride this weekend has anything to show, he’ll been a rider the others should be wary of. 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. I don’t know how he hung on, my wrists would have snapped for sure. Brendon Boyde was another rider that was exhilarating to watch. His Hulk-inspired Sea-Doo is an awesome machine and he can ride it like he’s the green man himself. Mitch and Brendan had some great battles right up until Brendan had his lanyard pull out in the surf, pushing him onto the beach. A quick and frantic yell to his helpers had him up and racing again. Unfortunately for Brendan, it nearly cost him a lap, bringing Mitch within 100-feet of lapping him. No way was Brendan going to let that happen, and he kept the hammer down until the finish.
What a great day on the beach! Beautiful weather, awesome action and good friends. Who could ask for more. I’d like to thank all the events staff and volunteers. Without all your support none of us could participate in the sport we love. Here are your podium winners and classes: Sports/Spark: 1. Justin Windsor, 2. Joel Batt, 3. Luke Hudson; Amateur Stock: 1. Bailey Cunningham, 2. Gary Zaradie, 3. Jamie Eade; Expert Runabout Stock: 1. Frank Waite, 2. Brett Douglas, 3. Tim O’Neill; Ski: 1. Justin Windsor, 2. Jordan O’Keeffe, 3. Clyde Grant; Open Runabout: 1. Mitch Wayt, 2. Christian D’Agostin, 3. Shane Stuart
Let’s face it, purchasing a brand new personal watercraft sure sounds tempting but many of us simply cannot justify the monthly expense – especially with the holidays upon us. That is why so many PWC enthusiasts have turned to used PWC sales. In fact, the influx of new pre-owned buyers has spurred manufacturers like Yamaha to offer official certifications for some pre-owned units. “Used” once was a dirty word, but with so much effort going into protecting the consumer from buying a lemon, that picking up a new-to-you older unit can still be as satisfying a purchase as a brand new unit.
Unfortunately, for most older units, the wear of time and bleaching sun’s rays can leave them looking less than appealing. Cracks in the vinyl seat covers, snags and tears in the factory foam traction mats can make your would-be purchase a no-go. Thankfully, there are easy solutions to turn any potential basket case into a fixer-upper and save you literally thousands of dollars in either purchasing a new or newer PWC. With some help from our friends at Watercraft Superstore and Blacktip Jetsports, any worn and weary PWC can look cool, clean and custom in no time.
Every year, Watercraft Superstore (WCSS) features a restoration segment in their annual “magalog” (a hybrid magazine and catalog). The Clearwater, Florida-based personal watercraft mega-retailer not only supplies the industry the single-most vast collection of replacement and performance parts, but riding gear, apparel, accessories and even water toys to help the average enthusiast eke out the most fun from their PWC-owning experience. In addition to WCSS’ gallery of goodies, is Blacktip Jetsports, the manufacturer of some of the highest-quality traction mats and seat covers available to the market today.
Above: An old or sun-bleached seat cover need not keep you from purchasing a pre-owned watercraft. With the addition of a BlackTip Jetsports Elite replacement seat cover, you can dial back the clock and make it look new.
Above: A professional upholster can quickly reskin a seat cover in a matter of minutes, but that’s not to say the job can’t be done at home too. All you’ll need is a professional-grade staple gun, some heavy duty staples, pliers and some elbow grease.
Focusing specifically on their Elite line of traction mats and seat covers, one can immediately add a splash of color and personality to their personal watercraft to not only dial back the years, but also make the watercraft look a little bit more custom. With 15 different colors and material patterns available, Blacktip Jetsports can literally put the “personal” back in personal watercraft, allowing the customer to design their own seat and traction mat patterns and color combination. Within a few minutes of perusing Blacktip Jetsports’ online store, anyone and quickly and easily create their own custom look.
Moreover, every single Blacktip Jetsports traction mat is made using the most advanced CNC cutting machines here in the United States of America, you know that the kit is precise, perfectly cut to the right pattern, and made with the same high level of quality each and every time. While some smaller outlets offer handmade mats, the product often doesn’t have the same level of precision that a computer-controlled CNC-cut kit can provide. Equally, all traction mats are layered on BlackTip Jetsports own proprietary PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive), making installation of the kit as simple as applying peel-and-stick decals.
Blacktip Jetsports is able to create such unique color-layered and textured patterns via a proprietary laminating process. When each laminated sheet of foam is ready, it’s laid beneath the CNC cutter that exactly and cleanly removes material to reveal the beveled edges, smooth transitions and creative patterns only found through Blacktip Jetsports – and we’re just talking about a traction mat here! Every kit has been precisely measured and patterned using a 3D scanning device to fit every make and model watercraft sold. If Blacktip Jetsports doesn’t have the correct measurements, they won’t “guess” and hope it fits. Either it’s right, or it’s not available yet.
Above: Installation of a BlackTip Jetsports Elite mat kit is not only quick and easy to do at home, but also is very rewarding on several levels; installing it yourself saves money, Elite mat kits can greatly improve the look and personality of a PWC, and the wide range of textures and colors not only improve the look, but traction and comfort of your ride.
Above: The combination of a BlackTip JetSports Elite mat and seat kit can radically change the overall look and appeal of any personal watercraft – new or old.
When it comes to Blacktip Jetsports’ hand-sewn Elite seat covers, the level of expertise is just as impressive. Just as before, ordering a Blacktip Jetsports Elite seat cover has been made gratefully simple thanks to Watercraft Superstore’s search engine optimization feature. Using the easy-to-follow prompts, simply plug in the year, make and model of your PWC, Blacktip Jetsports’ page will provide you a predetermined template with a variety of color and texture options (as well as all of WCSS’ suggested parts and accessories for items specific to your vehicle). Next, simply choose the pattern for your specific model, and Blacktip Jetsports’ array of colors and materials will appear, allowing your inner interior designer to come out.
Once satisfied with the pattern you’ve created, simply submit your order and a confirmation email will be sent back to you with an estimated time of shipping and arrival. Over the years, WCSS’ has demonstrated its commitment to delivering within days of an order. Even when the pressure is on, WCSS will make good on an estimated delivery date no matter the circumstances. It’s an incredible promise to make and thus far, Blacktip Jetsports and the WCSS has always made good on their commitment. And true to their word, a gorgeous, hand-stitched seat will arrive at your doorstep along with installation instructions (as well as an on-call customer service center who can help resolve any questions or concerns if any are to spring up).
Soon, what was once a budget-friendly but not so glamorous used PWC can be striking without having to break the bank. More importantly, the added traction and comfort that comes with a new Blacktip Jetsports Elite seat cover and traction mat kit will provide better riding confidence and a little more added pleasure in your PWC ownership experience. And not to put too fine a point on it, all Blacktip Jetsports traction mats and seat covers will be 50-percent off this coming “Black Friday” only. If you wait for the weekend, you’ll save 30-percent off on Saturday and Sunday. And WCSS will also have some apparel and other accessories on sale, so make sure to check out the store at www.watercraftsuperstore.net.
