Last week we let you know that Truckboss Decks, the industry’s only manufacturer of weatherproof, multi-utility truck bed deck systems was gearing up to reveal a newly redesigned, revamped and improved Flexxloader deck system for hauling and unloading personal watercraft of any size or shape. Now, just in time to be part of their “Beat the Summer Heat” June Special offer, Truckboss released a brief look at the new 2016 Flexxloader system.
Improving over last year’s design, the new Flexxloader makes converting your truck’s bed into a trailerless PWC hauler all that more easy to operate thanks to a revised caster-less loading rack, now using a durable poly-material that allows the rack to slide up and down the deck without binding or getting caught up; and a new and innovative threaded Lock Down and Push Back system that secures the PWC rack to the deck, or effortlessly assists in pushing it back down, off the deck.
Already, popularity of the outgoing Flexxloader was enough to get the engineers at Truckboss to get right to work on improving their design, and after a year’s worth of in-the-field testing, the new 2016 Flexxloader is now ready for the public. The Watercraft Journal is currently working on a detailed feature article going deep into the development of these new features, how the system improves upon the previous and much more, so until then, check out this video and Truckboss’ website HERE.
TRUCKBOSS FLEXXLOADER – A brief introduction to the 2016 model. Improvements include a push back system, new lighter ramp, easier to use, and much more
So that old saying, “If ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” kept coming to mind when I sat down and started thinking about the 2016 Yamaha SuperJet WaveRunner (yes, it too is a WaveRunner). The long-running standup has risen to become one of the most successful personal watercraft ever made. Not necessarily in sheer sales, but as a ski that everyone knows and recognizes. With over 25 years on the water, the SuperJet has survived the retirement of the Kawasaki JetSki without losing its soul; no other ski has stayed basically the same this long and still performs at the top of its class.
Starting out as the ol’ square nose, 50-horsepower single carb SuperJets in the early 90’s ($4,500 USD), the current 2016 model is surprisingly not too far removed from its ancestor, sporting a 701cc dual carbureted two-stroke producing 73hp ($8,500 USD). The twin reed valve and twin 38 carburetors running 50:1 premixed oil and gas, is fitted with an electric starter and is water cooled. It’s a pretty simple, but reliable system, and has remained that way for decades. And rightfully so: even after loosing your ski in the surf, just roll it over, get the water out, dry off your spark plugs and you’re off again.
Above: Adding to the SuperJet’s popularity in Australia has been Yamaha WaveRunners Australia have been mainstay sponsors of local Australian events, such as the annual Rip N’ Ride Freeride, where a new SuperJet has been given as the grand prize.
A revamped hull and pump setup in 2008 made a huge difference to the SuperJet’s handling. Although shorter (88.2-inches) than its then-competitor, the SX-R 800, the SuperJet was discovered to be a capable machine. It corners like its on rails. I’m amazed how fast you can corner (with a bit of practice); it keeps its nose up just enough in the surf so you don’t spear into the sand, and keeps it pointed in the right direction when racing. Obviously, it has become a central freeride/freestyle platform, and the SuperJet has found new life as a Ski Lites class darling.
In fact, the legacy of the current SuperJet is quite storied. This ski has be through everything anyone could throw at it: Raced, flipped, rolled, sunk and smashed and it still continues to fire up again ready to go again the next ride. Over the years, every multiple color schemes have rolled out. The latest edition is no exception. This beautifully turned out ski is available in a choice of either Pure White with Orange & Blue, or Pure White with Black, and is one smart looking ski.
In recent years, SuperJet sales have experienced a new resurgence thanks to optimized sales incentives, promotions discounting monthly payments, and more importantly, a natural groundswell in interest for more standup skis. Here in Australia, the SuperJet is as popular as ever, and has been the grand prize for several local events (that is, those sponsored by Yamaha WaveRunners and other great companies). Every weekend you see someone in Australia ripping it up on the SuperJet.
Of course, everyone is different, and some people add aftermarket parts to improve performance as with any vehicle. Everything from improving steering to modifying the pump nozzle, from bigger exhaust to better electronics. None of this is necessary for the layman but as you improve your riding, you’ll find that the SuperJet is exceptionally responsive to additions made. The Yamaha drivetrain is so good that aftermarket hull manufactures build their hulls to fit Yamaha motors and parts.
Above: The Yamaha SuperJet’s survival has hinged on its retention of simplicity. The two-cylinder, two-stroke 701cc plant hasn’t been dramatically changed in over a decade.
Fatefully, what makes the SuperJet so much fun is also what alienates so many PWC enthusiasts: riding a SuperJet takes a certain level of athleticism. Balance is key, and riding a standup is a dance between you, the ski and the water. For this reason, soft, comfortable and stable runabouts have increased in popularity (almost as quickly as people’s waistbands). In fact, being completely exhausted after a ride is a sure sign of a good day on the water.
Regardless of your riding style or experience, you will never regret owning a SuperJet. They are easily one of the best purchases you can make for the water. It’s cheap, easy to learn, forgiving, and great fun for you and your mates. Heck, it’s an easy way to quickly get back into shape without feeling like you’re “working out.” Whether you’re looking to cruise down the river or a blast through the bay, you are covered with a 2016 Yamaha SuperJet.
Tragedy struck this weekend as 14-year-old Chantouch Chanthasuntitham died of injuries incurred during a training session on Sunday. Chantouch had earned the World Championship in the Novice Ski Stock division of the 2015 Quakysense World Finals at Lake Havasu City, Arizona, this past October, 2015, earning the young racer international status.
Hailing from Thailand’s Pathum Thani’s Thanyaburi district, Chantouch was a student at Heathfield International School, Bangkok when not competing in local and international PWC events. Chantouch’s father, Sajja Chanthasuntitham, told local police that he had taken his son to train at Bung Chao Samut, a large lake near Thai Ban Mai.
During the training session, at 2:20pm local time, Chantouch was struck by another young jet skier after falling from his own ski. According to Pol Capt Saranpach Boonrangsri, duty officer at Muang district police station, the 9-year-old boy didn’t see Chantouch in the water until it was too late to maneuver out of the way. Chantouch was immediately rushed to Paolo Samut Prakan Hospital, where he was fatefully pronounced dead.
This unfortunate event marks possibly the youngest death of a professional racer in the sport’s history. All of us at The Watercraft Journal wish to offer our condolences to Chantouch’s family and those who knew this rising star.
Listen, we’re going to make this loud and clear: illegal drag racing is stupid. In this video alone you’re going to see crowds gathering on a dock, the shoreline and launch with skis running at excess of 90-plus-mph; racers wearing zero safety gear (besides a lifevest), despite the aforementioned speeds (no helmet, neck or back brace, gloves, etc.); no flagmen or buoys to warn other boaters; no safety skis to attend to crashed or sunken skis or injured riders; no ambulance on duty; visible drinking of alcohol; etc. What you’re seeing is truly illegal and a detriment to our industry.
Rules exist for a reason, and its not to pad the pockets of sanctioning bodies (although that happens) or grease a promoter’s palm (although that happens too). It’s also not to limit the fun that these racers can have. Rather, it’s to keep persons like these from 1. injuring or killing themselves, 2. injuring or killing a spectator, or 3. injuring or killing another boater. Not only is the injury or potential death (as illustrated by 14-year-old Chantouch Chanthasuntitham’s accidental death this weekend) tragic for the person, but all those who surround them; but it’s also detrimental to our industry.
Why do you think Yamaha Motor Corp. USA has a team of lawyers at the ready? Did you read about the $14 million dollars that BRP was ordered to pay? We live in a litigative society that constantly results in us regular, law-abiding folks being screwed over by the actions of a handful of morons. We’re sharing this video not to promote but to condemn these sort of illegal races. And although the winner of this heads-up race went home with a cool $14,000 in cash, both racers were fined for shattering the dockside No Wake Zone as soon as they pulled up to the launch.
Let’s face it: there were some less-than-stellar designs for skis and runabouts that have come and gone. Their short, boxy, bloated and disproportionate shapes simply haven’t stood the test of time and are anything but “classic.” And over decades of sunshine, mis- or disuse, those iridescent yellows, purples and greens don’t hold up and well as they used to, either.
Well, in celebration of these ugly ducklings, SBT, Inc. is inviting you to share your dilapidated, off-colored, stickered-up, misshapen skis on their Facebook page! The contest is already nearly a week in, but will carry on until this Saturday, so you gotta act fast! The winner will still own their ugly ski, but will take home a set of free Blacktip Jetsports traction mats or seat cover!
Remember, dirty is good, moldy is better and nasty is best. Just “like” the official SBT, Inc. Facebook page, go to the “Ugly Ski Contest” thread, upload your pic and make sure to hashtag SBT in your post for the judges to see your ugly ski today!
Here’s the original post: It’s contest time: Like our page and tag us in your ugliest, grubbiest jet ski photos. You will then be entered to win free BlackTip Jetsports traction mats or seat cover for your jet ski. We will announce the ugliest ski and winner of our contest June 14th, happy skiing! ‪#‎PWC‬ ‪#‎Jetski‬ ‪#‎contest‬
In a patent-infringement court suit between Arctic Cat and BRP US Inc. (Bombardier Recreational Products), a Florida jury unanimously sided with Arctic Cat, finding that the defendants (BRP) infringed two Arctic Cat patents and awarded damages be paid of approximately $15.5 million. Arctic Cat filled the suit against BRP alleging that the makers of the Sea-Doo jet propulsion PWC committed willful infringement.
According to a report by PowerSports Business, the suit concerned a long-standing safety concern in the PWC industry: the inability to steer a PWC once the throttle is released as is common in emergency situations; particularly for inexperienced riders. According to the complaint, Arctic Cat was responsible for originally developing an effective off-throttle thrust mechanism.
The technology provides riders with temporary “steerable thrust” when the rider turns in off-throttle situations. With this technology, the hopes are it will help limit injuries and fatalities caused by out of control PWC’s. Arctic Cat claimed representatives from their company demonstrated the technology to the Coast Guard, representatives of BRP and others in the PWC industry back in 1999 and 2000.
The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, alleged that BRP marketed, promoted, offered for sale, sold and distributed Sea-Doo personal watercraft that infringed patents owned by Arctic Cat. The United States Patent and Trademark Office awarded Arctic Cat these patents for their off-throttle steering technology, entitled “Controlled Thrust Steering System for Watercraft.”
“We are incredibly pleased that the facts of this case were clear to the jury and that Arctic Cat today protected the IP it owns,” said Nicholas Boebel of Hagens Berman, lead counsel for Arctic Cat. “Arctic Cat worked hard to develop and protect its intellectual property and today its fight for the rights of its original and novel inventions has paid off.”
Truckboss Decks, the industry’s only weatherproof, multi-utility truck bed deck system is making not wanting to ever own a trailer again a way better choice with their “Beat the Summer Heat” June Special offer: With the announcement of their new Flexxloader system coming this month, Truckboss is offering huge incentives on their Expandable Side Deck and Base Deck systems.
If you purchase either a Truckboss 7-foot or 8-foot Expandable Side Deck system (the sides literally expand to hold an additional ski, snowmobile or quad), Truckboss will toss in a free winch kit and a Smartboxx. The patented Smartboxx is the industry’s only rolling cargo box that also functions as a bed/cargo glide that’s designed to fit in any full size pick-up truck.
As you can imagine, that’s a pretty expensive piece of equipment, and together with the winch kit saves you a staggering $1,450. But if that’s not enough to wet your whistle, Truckboss is offering a deep discount on their budget-minded Base Decks (sized either in 7- or 8-foot applications). If you step up to a Base Deck this month, Truckboss is going to give you the winch kit free too! That’s a savings of $595, and a serious “must have” when it comes to loading and unloading a deck system.
When you’re so far ahead of the competition that you have only yourself to compete with, you start looking to beat your previous year’s performance, and that is exactly what we’ve done thus far in 2016. This past May readership numbers handily surpassed last year’s June, by over 3,000 unique individuals at that. Sure, we had a heck of a scoop about the upcoming 2017 Yamaha WaveRunner that is guaranteed to turn the top-of-the-line performance enthusiast world on its ear (and quickly were asked to retract the entire story because we like not being on Yamaha’s $#%& list), as well as tossing in some industry-leading race recaps, photo galleries and product reviews, but that’s been our modus operandi for three years now.
May was also particularly special as we also welcomed some new advertisers who’ve come to learn that joining The Watercraft Journal gets them more exposure to more potential and return customers than anywhere else. For those still considering working with The Watercraft Journal, consider the fact that in the last five months, Sea-Doo averaged over 5 individual articles each and every month, RIVA Racing averaged just a little below that. How’d you like to see your company get that level of exposure? Sounds pretty dang great, doesn’t it? But here’s the kicker:
You need to be ready to work with a fast-paced daily magazine; simply cutting us a check is nice, but you’re not going to get the return on your investment if you’re unwilling to help us put your brand in front of our readers. We can only write so much. If you’re not energized to promote, educate or entertain, we simply can’t do it for you; we’re not your marketing agency, we’re the outlet that puts you in front of the largest reading audience in the personal watercraft industry. Now we get it, you might not be able to afford a marketing strategist or a college kid who can tackle your various social media outlets (by the way, chances are Snapchat and Instagram aren’t going to be your best plans of attack).
Even if you’re a small shop producing a handful of products, there’s still ways that a program with The Watercraft Journal is going to drive new customers to your store. Allow us to review your latest invention, we can develop a unique biography on you or your company, publish an insider look at your facility or much, much more. We’re working with Dean’s Team, an established entity in the PWC racing world that recently opened its doors to the public, by creating articles putting their ECU tunes to the ultimate test or showing how easy it is to increase both horsepower and fuel mileage in a single afternoon. Our job is to educate and entertain its readers and introduce them to the best brands and products within our sport. Isn’t it time that we help direct them to you?
May 2016
Don’t Take Our Word For It
It’s easy to peruse this article and just hear a bunch of gloating. In all seriousness, that is not our intent, but rather, to educate those companies still unclear whether advertising on The Watercraft Journal is right for them – and illustrate to our current advertisers that they’ve made a sound investment. Our steady growth is proof enough that we’re the magazine most sought out, most read and most shared than any other entity in our industry. And why is that? Because the continual stream of new and engaging articles never ceases at The Watercraft Journal – there’s always a reason to come back several times a day.
April 2016
Total number unique readers: 24,971*
Total number of articles read: 54,308
Percentage of new readers: 64.4%
May 2016
Total number unique readers: 28,672*
Total number of articles read: 57,120
Percentage of new readers: 69.7%
*This number is considered equal to an individual sale of a single copy of a magazine.
There’s Always a Reason to Come Back
Have you noticed that there just aren’t very many outlets for PWC news and entertaining content? So have we, and its this vacuum of quality content that drives us each and every day to raise our game. Our industry deserves more than what is being put out and that is why we are proud to work with such amazing companies to develop and publish informative and pertinent articles that not only educate, but instruct and inform. We know, we’ve said those words a lot lately, but they have meaning. We strive to produce better quality content, faster and more consistently that any other media outlet, and we know that is shows. Heck, reading everything in this article and you’ll know it too.
News articles published in April: 24
Feature articles published in April: 13
Total feature word count: 10,831 words*
News articles published in May: 22
Feature articles published in May: 15
Total feature word count: 11,530 words*
*When this number is translated to print publication standards equals a 138-page magazine. Please note that this number does not include an average of two uniquely-written news articles published daily.
Death of a Sales Rack
Face it kiddies, print is dead – at least when considering our industry. Newsstand sales evaporated when Personal Watercraft Illustrated and Watercraft World dried up. The last few remaining print titles are either so exclusionary (ie. crude, controversial, or too regionally focused) that no news rack will carry them, or their written in Japanese. So that’s why The Watercraft Journal has an obligation to put its content out in the digital atmosphere as best as possible, putting its efforts into utilizing Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and weekly newsletters as best as possible. Because hyperlinks to a paper article don’t really work too well, do they?
May Facebook likes: 15,778
Top Five countries: United States, South Africa, Brazil, Philippines, Australia
Take It For a Test Drive
We get it, trying something new can be scary especially if just hearing the word “advertising” makes your skin crawl. That’s why it’s good to know that The Watercraft Journal not only has ad rates that can fit your budget, but we can develop an editorial calendar that meets your expectations and fits within your allotted budget. It’s part of being flexible and being willing to work together with the advertiser, not just collect a paycheck. Let us make 2016 the year you break all of your previous sales records, requiring you to hire more staff, move to a larger building and become the fixture in the industry that you know you want to be. email [email protected] about advertising today and lets put the single-most popular PWC magazine to work for your company.
Blame us for being a Doubting Thomas in recent posts, but it looks like Belassi is really making a big push to make a splash in the performance PWC world. The latest news to come from the Linz, Austria-based watercraft manufacturer is that IJSBA World Champion, Hungarian György Kasza has just joined the upstart company to take this year’s Pro Runabout class by storm.
Nevertheless, Belassi was more than excited to make the announcement, which stated:
We are happy to announce our collaboration with Gyorgy Kasza!
Directly from Hungary, György is a Pro Runabout PWC racer that conquered a lot of podiums in his career all over the world. Belassi will receive an important support in testings and developments from this great Champion, in order to bring to the market the products in highest quality and unmatched performance.
In 2016 he competed in the UAE championship in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, gaining the podium in Runabout GP category. György has been awarded by Hungarian PWC Federation and Olympic Commitee for his activities in this amazing sport. Attached you can find the list of his races (2011-2015) and results.
We are proud to have György in our team! His great experience and passion for Personal Watercrafts will bring only the best to Belassi.
There practically isn’t a single podium in Pro Runabout racing without a Yamaha rider standing tall upon it, and there practically isn’t a single Pro Runabout Yamaha on the podium that hasn’t been touched, tweaked or tuned by Dean Charrier. The shadow cast by Charrier is far larger than his massive Cajun frame an throw, as the performance tuner wields over 20 years of experience in watercraft racing world, and another 30-plus-years in motorsports racing. Bringing all of that hands-on knowledge to the table has been a boon to Yamaha.
Having built his “Dean’s Team” moniker into one of the most prolific and respected names in the industry, Charrier has worked closely with Yamaha Factory Racing since 2009, not only permitting him exclusive access to Yamaha’s vast catalogs of testing and racing data, but future product development and much, much more. Suffice it to say, if Charrier is seen experimenting with a bit of new technology, it’s almost a sure bet that it’ll be made into a production item in a year or two. That’s the kinda impact this guy has.
And until recently, access to Charrier and his know-how was almost impossible. That is, until Dean’s Team became a public store, offering its ECU tunes, performance parts and complete performance packages to the general public! Best yet, now as an advertiser to the industry’s largest and most popular PWC magazine – The Watercraft Journal – you’ll be seeing a lot more on the awesome Dean’s Team products that not only improve throttle response, top speed but even fuel mileage and engine longevity. Make sure to click the link and look out for future stories, technical content and more here!
