It’s a great day for us at The Watercraft Journal, as we can proudly and publicly announce that two of our advertisers – America’s Motorsports of Madison, Tennessee, and RIVA Motorsports Superstore of Pompano Beach, Florida – were honored with being awarded the Powersports Business 2015 Power 50 Award. Powersports Business announced its 2015 Power 50 dealerships Thursday night during the awards dinner sponsored by EFG Companies and National Powersport Auctions (NPA) at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., during the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo).
Being included in the Power 50 listing by the Powersports Business editorial staff only comes after an extensive application process focusing on a variety of business segments, including “new and pre-owned sales, events, marketing, service and F&I department operations, employee training and social media usage.” according to Powersports Business press announcement of the Power 50 award.
This year also marked America’s Motor Sports‘ third consecutive year in the Power 50. AMS’ owner, Chris Watts stated, “They say sports is a team effort, well so is business. I’m proud to say that America’s Motor Sports has won the PowerSports Business 50 award for 3 years straight!! Thank you to all the staff!”
For the staff at RIVA Motorsports Superstore, the inclusion in the Power 50 is equally rewarding. While RIVA Racing garners a lot of attention from us at The Watercraft Journal, RIVA’s Pompano Superstore is truly an adult toy box that we recommend all those in the South Florida area or those visiting to stop by and check out in person.
That is where Jetski World, Australia’s premier authorized Kawasaki JetSki dealer, comes in. Working tirelessly over the past several months and developed completely in house by their own performance team, Jetski World has developed TWO special edition Ultras for 2016: the new 340RE and 320LE. Both offer increases to overall horsepower, as well as improvements in acceleration, comfort and handling. Best of all, both of these machines will come with a special 3 year warranty guaranteed through Jetski World themselves.
Now, you might be wanting a lot more info on these machines, particularly the 340RE (the “RE” stands for “Race Edition”) that pulls all the way to a GPS-confirmed 75mph thanks to a ferocious combination of a proprietary ECU reflash tune, a redesigned intake system, an intercooler upgrade, new Solas prop and modified jet pump, and increased boost (over the factory maximum of 16.8psi).
If you’re itching for more information, don’t fret! The Watercraft Journal will have all of the details next week in an exclusive feature article unveiling everything. We’ll also have plenty more stories coming your way from Jetski World over the next several months – how they’re Australia’s ONLY licensed SBT dealer, how they develop and test their own performance products thanks to their extensive in-house machine shop and R&D team, and much, much more – as they’ve joined The Watercraft Journal for 2015/2016!
It’s actually hard to remind oneself that it was only little over a year ago that Yamaha introduced their entire 2015 lineup with the new RiDE dual throttle brake and reverse system, thus replacing Yamaha’s often beleaguered right-hand reverse lever (we were probably the more guilty of giving the manufacturer grief than most). The change not only dramatically improved the whole product line’s ergonomic aesthetic, but added a whole new level of control and safety. Now, all RiDE-equipped units start in a static neutral position before being engaged in either forward (using the right-hand throttle) or reverse (using the left-hand throttle).
Having spent so much time testing 2015 and now 2016 WaveRunners, we’ve simply come to expect the dual throttle system whenever we ride. But it wasn’t very long ago that Sea-Doo was the only manufacturer with an intelligent braking system. The magic of forgetfulness helps dilute the frustration of monkeying with the manual reverse lever, no matter how intricately engineered. By designing an electronically-deployed reverse bucket to gradually slow a speeding watercraft (upon demand), Yamaha has joined Sea-Doo in developing some of the most advanced personal watercraft on the market – and consequently establishing a new standard for boating safety.
The brake and reverse systems of the two manufacturers differ slightly, but not enough to confuse a rider hopping from one to the other. Yamaha boasts a “patented bucket design that forces water out the sides of the bucket, whereby acting as a virtual rudder” and does deliver exactly as promised. Maneuvering in reverse is so quick that it takes a little getting used to. And engaging the left-hand RiDE lever on one of Yamaha’s unofficial 260-horsepower, Super Vortex High Output-equipped WaveRunners is a strong indicator of the thrust you can expect when launching forward.
Prior to the implementation of RiDE, we had found plenty of reason to praise the then-current FX SVHO, but bemoaned the clunky reverse lever. In getting our grubby little hands on a new 2015 Yamaha FX SVHO WaveRunner, we needed very little time to recall our previous test ride. And although reviewing a 2015 model in the face of an influx of 2016 models may seem ill-timed, we argue that many units are still available at dealerships today, and for discounted prices, thus making them all the more attractive. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves…
First and foremost, the FX is deceptive. From the outside, the FX is rather staid in its rakish design. Whether its a naturally-aspirated 180-horsepower HO model or a supercharged SVHO, the hull, deck and trim remains the same (apart of course, from some rather decadent automotive-grade coloring). Only by adding the Cruiser option does the FX “bump up” in any sort of extra trimmings like pop-up cleats and the high-backed scalloped seating. Otherwise, the FX SVHO could easily slip past as a regular ol’ HO.
To many, that’s the beauty of it. Void of audacious badging, a custom hood or fairings, Yamaha lets its 1,812cc centrifugally-supercharged SVHO engine and 160mm pump do all the talking. The plant is no stranger to the winner’s circle, as Yamaha claimed four of the five Pro Runabout championships at this year’s IJSBA World Finals. Slinging 8.5:1 compression forged pistons, the SVHO runs large 60-pound fuel injectors, and an increased intercooler (providing an impressive 22-percent increase in efficiency) over the previous SHO model.
Putting all of that to work is a vacuous 86mm HKS supercharger with a 6-vein impeller pressing out 60-percent more boost over the SHO as well. Although the powertrain hadn’t changed since the 2014 introduction of the SVHO, the FX’s overall performance has improved nominally thanks to Yamaha’s all-new NanoXcel 2 hull and deck material. The new lightweight material shaves off just shy of 50 pounds from the FX platform (833 lbs. dry weight), optimizing the runabout’s power-to-weight ratio for quicker acceleration and throttle response.
And the weight savings are noticeable. When pinned, the FX SVHO’s race-inspired 8-vein pump (housing a 160mm impeller) produces enough thrust to leap to a full sprint from a standstill like a catapult, launching a single rider (with only a gallon or two of fuel in its 18.5 gallon tank) from 0-to-30 in 1.5 seconds, and up to 60mph just a hair past a second over that. Our bright yellow and black metallic test unit was well broken-in, and hit 69.2 mph on a cool Arizona desert morning (with the electronic trim programmed to a flat setting).
The big three-seater’s 140.2-inch beam manages to perform admirably in both above moderate chop and in the corners, but not without the necessary rider input. In the rough stuff, be prepared to stand up, with the 5-position tilt steering all the way up. When aiming to cut a hairpin, drop those bars to their lowest setting, slide your butt half way off the seat, and plant your inside knee flat in the footwell. The FX SVHO responds masterfully to body english, so be prepared to move around.
For those looking to just enjoy Yamaha’s most powerful full-sized runabout under calmer conditions, the pistol grip-style handgrips are comfortable, and the single analog dial gauge (flanked by dual LCD screens) is easy to decipher at any speed. Forgiving charcoal gray Hydro-Turf mats stretch over the wide swim platform and footwells, with a folding swimstep that fits flush to the transom when vertical. Total storage is a blend of screw-top watertight bins in the dashboard and beneath the rear seat, a glove box, wet storage on the rear deck (ideal for ropes) and a sealed front stowage totaling 33.2 gallons.
That being said, its difficult to contain our enthusiasm for this particular machine. Whether fooling around with friends, cruising the lake with family, or charging the buoys, the FX SVHO is more than capable. Yes, there are machines with more storage, more horsepower and more bells and whistles, and in most cases, you’re going to pay for those things too. Priced at $15,099, it comes in comparable to competing units. And it can run on the cheap stuff too (internal knock sensors detect low octane fuel and retard engine timing).
Of the full-sized runabouts to be offered for 2015, the FX SVHO manages to walk the line of versatility better than many others. The WaveRunner’s blend of ergonomic design, amenities, power delivery and economy makes it a performer that all members of the family can enjoy, and that makes it a winner in our book.
There were plenty of winners at this year’s quakysense IJSBA World Finals, but one that stands out among the fray is Sea-Doo who claimed their fifth consecutive Pro Open Runabout world championship last week. Piloted by Hungary’s György Kasza, the nearly all-carbon fiber runabout once started life as a supercharged Sea-Doo RXP-X 260, but what outpaced every other watercraft on the water was anything but stock.
Kasza was clocked at an estimated 94 miles per hour in the lengthy backstretch during Saturday’s motos, and held off last year’s world champion, James Bushell from England, aboard his 158 Performance Sea-Doo RXP-X.
Only during the first two heats did Bushell directly challenge Kasza’s lead, until the Hungarian continued to pull away lap after lap. The rest of the field was lapped by the duo nearly twice during Sunday’s final moto. And just for good measure, Kazsa also claimed the world championship for the Pro Open Runabout Slalom as well.
Here’s the original press release: Valcourt, Québec, October 15, 2015 – BRP (TSX:DOO) added a fifth consecutive Pro Open class title to its historic IJSBA World Finals championship count this year. The event, attended by the top riders in the world, helped usher in a new era of performance dominance with 2016 Sea-Doo 300-HP watercraft models.
Much of the buzz entering this year’s IJSBA World Finals in Lake Havasu City, AZ, was the launch of the 2016 Sea-Doo RXP-X 300 and RXT-X 300 models, and how they are poised to be the next dominant models in watercraft racing. After the weeklong event, the buzz became a roar to accompany the roar of the crowd after Hungarian, Kasza György, claimed his first Pro Open World Championship aboard a Sea-Doo RXP-X.
“The entire Sea-Doo team is extremely proud to continue our racing on the RXP-X by taking home the premier Pro Open world title for the fifth straight year,” said Julie Tourville, Global Marketing Director, Sea-Doo watercraft. “We congratulate Kasza György and his team on their win, and we’re excited about the future as the new 300-HP Sea-Doo models make their way to starting lines in 2016.”
The 2016 Sea-Doo RXP-X 300 and RXT-X 300 come equipped with a new ROTAX 1630 ACE engine that is bigger, stronger and more efficient than before. That, together with the new Ergolock system, allows riders to enjoy more performance, confidence and greater control to push limits even further.
A new era in lower horsepower classes has begun as well, as Thailand’s Nopphadon Sapmunsaerr claimed the first Pro-Am Runabout 1000 Superstock title on a modified Sea-Doo SPARK. This is the first world championship for the SPARK, which was introduced in 2015, in a class that has been dominated by late model Sea-Doo SPX models for the past 10+ years.
Multi-time world champion James Bushell won the $1,000 #SeaDooNEXTLEVEL Bounty Invitational in a head-to-head, three-lap race aboard identical 2016 RXT-X 300 models against New Zealand’s Carl Lampe. Bushell, who is from the UK, also finished second in both Pro Open and Pro GP classes on his Sea-Doo RXP-X.
In connection with the IJSBA World Finals was the Sea-Doo Ultimate Owners Ride V that drew 94 participants. Sea-Doo owners were led on a 45+ mile round trip from Site 6 launch ramp in Lake Havasu City, AZ, under the historic London Bridge and up the Colorado River to Pirate Cove Resort and Marina in Topock, CA. Riders from as far as Ontario and Denmark took part.
Visit Sea-Doo on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SeaDoo to view images from the 2015 IJSBA World Finals and to learn about upcoming events.
For more information on Sea-Doo models, please visit www.sea-doo.com.
Some years back, behind closed doors, all three manufacturers made a handshake agreement to share with each other their most sensitive data on a regular, monthly basis, including new vehicle sales, model production numbers and dealership performance records. The nature as to the whys and hows of the arrangement still remain mum to us proletariat-types as the agreement’s one caveat be that this information was to remain from the media and general public’s consumption. Yet, every now and again, we at The Watercraft Journal get a brief peek at the monthly report…
This year’s sales – across all brands – have increased by double digits, which of course is great. But what was incredibly noteworthy was September’s new vehicle sales; as both Yamaha WaveRunners and Sea-Doo enjoyed parallel growth of 10-percent, Kawasaki suddenly jumped to an impressive 17-percent. Some discounted the bump to heavily discounted previous model sales by motivated dealers, but the uptick over nearly double that of the other brands is still as interesting.
Currently, Kawasaki retains just shy of 10-percent of the total new vehicle market, with Sea-Doo over 50-percent and Yamaha working to close the gap. Kawasaki also produces the least amount of units per year (a number undisclosed to us, but estimated to be less than 4,000 units per year). When over twice that estimated number was sold in Sparks this year alone, you get an understanding of the scale of discrepancy.
“They’re on their way out,” one very animated Sea-Doo representative told The Watercraft Journal only a few weeks ago; and to the untrained eye, it would appear so. Rumors of Kawasaki boarding up its watercraft division have swirled in the online mire for half a decade. But Kawasaki’s “JetSki” brand still wields more equity in it than any other brand amid enthusiasts, and Kawasaki also houses the most vociferous fans beneath its big green pavilion.
Cursory polling shows people want to see Kawasaki back in “the mix” and would welcome a new product from the brand that first launched the standup that started the whole industry. But what you and I consider “in the mix” might not be the same as what the “Good Times Roll” company is envisioning:
Yes, we had heard all the rumors about a new 4-stroke standup. This has become the proverbial “elephant in the room” that everyone likes to talk about, like all the four-cylinder Rotax engine rumors from 5 years ago. Yes, Kawasaki has a working prototype, and there’s also no shortage of aftermarket hull makers who’ve mastered wedging the STX’s 1.5L beneath the hood of a SX-R. Whether it’ll come to fruition most likely depends if Yamaha’s rumored SuperJet 1000 garners enough demand.
But what can be counted on is what The Watercraft Journal was fed just a few weeks prior to the 2016 model launch. The very juicy bit of news came via a source near to the company to whom has very rarely led us far off course: As he said, “Kawasaki’s got a new runabout coming out next year. No, it’s not what you think it is, but something for people new to the sport.”
First, let’s address what “what you think it is” means: Undoubtedly, you’ve likely read the countless pleas we’ve made for a heavy revision of the STX into a FZ/RXP-X fighter. Even by leaving the hull alone, a stylish redesign of the deck, seat and hood, and shoehorning in the Ultra 310X powerplant into the STX – creating a 300-plus-horsepower STX-R – could be the adrenal shot the watercraft builder could need to propel it across the finish line.
Yet, as Kawasaki’s own representatives have openly advocated, “Win on Sunday, Buy on Monday” doesn’t really apply anymore to PWC sales. And as all of the manufacturers share their sales numbers, they all know that the most popular units sold today are almost exclusively naturally-aspirated, smaller runabouts priced for new buyers (Sparks and VXs). While the current STX-15F falls into this category, it only does so after applying dealer discounts, and still fails to offer many if any amenities.
In offering “something for people new to the sport,” the implication is a lightweight, entry-level “rec lite” segment vehicle. The likes of which will certainly require a new, more compact powerplant. For us PWC journalists, the rule of “look at the snowmobile line” for future tech doesn’t apply for Kawasaki, so we turned our direction towards its major efforts this year in both UTVs and motorcycles:
For 2016, Kawasaki made big waves in these two segments, particularly with the launch of the Mule Pro-FXT EPS and Ranch Editions, as well as the hot new 2016 ZX-10R superbike. The two new Mules (although not as titillating as the racier SxS’ like the new YXZ 1000R) are leaders in the utility vehicle market. Powered by a grunting DOHC liquid-cooled three-cylinder, the 812cc 4-stroke presses out 48.0 lbs. ft at 3500 rpm via 9.5:1 pistons. The less-than-a-liter motor has already proven itself as a versatile package and could be enough to push a small 3-seater to 45mph or so.
Of course, the gnarly 1-liter 998cc 4-cylinder engine new to the ZX-10R is the same found in the celebrated H2 and H2R superbikes. We’ve made plenty of cases for this engine (or a derivative of it) to be the next engine for the JetSki lineup, and bears little need being beleaguered here once again. But the engine’s proliferation amid the company’s Sport, Supersport, Supersport Touring and even Touring segments all attests to the engine’s versatility and abilities. We only ponder whether a 180-horsepower naturally-aspirated engine is what Kawasaki would see as a good fit for “people new to the sport.”
All in all, we argue that there’s still plenty of gas left in Kawasaki’s tank. It’s a smart play to return to Kawasaki’s JetSki roots with an affordable, fun and lightweight machine that encourages riders to push themselves and the machine, similar to the “it takes talent to ride” 440s and 550s. If in fact, Kawasaki is going forward down this path, we’re enthusiastic to welcome another entry-level machine. And if there’s still room in the lineup for a 300HP STX-R, you can bet we’ll be first in line to ride one.
Remember the Quadski made by Gibbs Technologies? Well, those guys recently put up some videos of an entire lineup of amphibious vehicles. That lineup included an amphibious motorcycle (BiSki), a Can-Am like trike (TriSki), a side-by-side (TerraQuad), and some videos of some old amphibious cars we’ve never seen.
Here’s a compilation of all the models:
As of right now, the BiSki, TriSki, and TerraQuad are still considered as ‘concepts.’ The Quadski and Quadski XL, however, are in production.
We got word that Gibbs would be bringing some interesting products to the table at the International Motorcycle Expo in Orlando, FL, and they certainly didn’t disappoint.
We don’t have much info on these new amphibious vehicles. All we have at this time are the on-water horsepower estimates listed on the company’s website. You can see these beasts in action below:
The BiSki, which makes 55 horsepower on the water.
The TriSki, which makes 135 horsepower on the water.
The TerraQuad, which makes an impressive 140 horsepower on the water.
Gibbs has been around for over a decade, and have built quite a few amphibious vehicles in the past. You may remember some from various publicity stunts. Here are some videos of these vehicles from the Gibbs Technologies past.
This is the Aquada amphibious car. What’s not to love? It’s pretty much a sports car that is also a boat!
This is the Phibian, which is obviously a more commercial work vehicle.
And finally, the Humdinga. It’s more of a boat with wheels than a truck with a hull.
You’ve probably seen these already, but here are the Quadskis.
And the Quadski XL:
We are hoping these Gibbs models will grow from concept to production model. We will keep you updated as we find out more info.
OZPWC announced JSW Powersports’ fundraising ride for Hear and Say, one of the top pediatric auditory-verbal and implantable technology organizations in the world. The technology group has taught deaf children how to speak, listen, and hear since 1992. It also provides cochlear implants, which are amazing . Hear and Say’s website claims that this year, 1,500 children and young adults affected by hearing loss, will benefit from their services. Hear and Say spends more than $10,000 a year for up to six years to teach one deaf kid to learn to listen and speak. The organization relies heavily on fundraising events to offset costs.
JSW Powersports invited riders to The Spit boat ramp for the 56km journey, a lengthier route than they normally take for their charity events. The ride ended at the Southern Beach of Peel Island. JSW asked that participants familiarize themselves with the route prior to the ride to help cut back on riders getting lost. A team was on the water to assist riders who might’ve encountered problems. A $5 BBQ was ready when the group reached Peel. The money raised from the meal, the $20 donation/entry fee, and raffle ticket purchases all went to Hear and Say. The fundraising goal for this event was $1000, and riders helped reach it!
JSW is the number one Sea-Doo dealer in the world and is located on Australia’s Gold Coast. The shop has been in business since 1998 and has grown from a small work space into a giant personal watercraft dealership and Fox Boat distributor.
Maybe this dates me, but I remember when Sea World was really just an amped-up aquarium. Long before the laser light shows and roller coasters, Sea World was more education than show, back when schools took busloads of kids on field trips to look at otters and sea lions. Today, the parks are half rides, fireworks displays and roller coasters, making them as much a candidate for a school trip as Disneyland.
But as audiences clamor for more adrenaline and less education, Sea World has needed to evolve. In one such attempt, Sea World Australia added a quasi-themed ride called the “Jet Rescue Roller Coaster” – a 40mph thriller that zooms a train of 16 jet skis through a twisting, turning track in the attempt to “save our precious marine life aboard your very own jet ski,” as SWA states.
The near quarter-mile long (1,380-feet), 30-second ride places riders on what very obviously look like Honda F-12 Aquatraxes, through a series of half-helix turns, a mist-filled tunnel and a few dips. Again, you’re riding knock-off Hondas, not a Rickter RRP Ninja and you’re not Mark Gomez, so don’t expect to be executing any barrel rolls. But SWA does tease that the ride pulls an impressive 2.5gs in its tightest corners, so hey, that’s pretty good, right? First launched in December of 2008, the Jet Rescue Roller Coaster has been entertaining park visitors for over 6 years now.
Below we’ve included both Sea World’s own promotional teaser video as well as a POV video from video blogger Theme Park Review, who listed it as its top 3 attractions (apart from the dolphin show). Watch below and decide whether SWA’s Jet Rescue can hold a candle to the real thing:
It all started with Philip Wright answering a For Sale ad in a local newspaper. Wright jumped at the chance to take advantage of what he thought was a motivated seller” looking to off-load a clean, low-mileage personal watercraft. Within 24 hours’ time, Wright stood watching at the local police hauled his newly purchased PWC. Unknowingly, Wright had purchased a stolen watercraft, one taken from a home only a couple hours’ drive from his own home.
Even though Wright had attempted to do his due diligence, he was unable to discover that his purchase was indeed a stolen PWC. From that point on, he vowed to help others from the same fate, and created the Worldwide Stolen PWC Database. Just this year, the Stolen PWC Database went global. They announced, “we finally became a global service, earning us a new name and the title of ‘the only worldwide, dedicated stolen PWC database’. When we know it’s stolen, we tell the world about it. We are the only worldwide, dedicated stolen personal watercraft (PWC) database. We hold up to the minute theft reports of stolen PWC and trailers from around the world.”
Using the Worldwide Stolen PWC Database’s real-time, worldwide database makes checking any PWC and/or trailer easy for individuals and law enforcement, marine and tracking agencies. As they announce, “With more and more stolen PWC being taken out of their own state, county or even country, there’s nowhere in the world for the PWC thieves to hide from us. With data collected from insurance companies, law enforcement authorities, marine agencies, main dealers and private individuals, our database of registered stolen PWC and trailers, makes the reselling of stolen PWC extremely high risk for any thief.”
Highlights for the event came from Brian Baldwin on his stock class FZR SVHO as well as well as Palomo Noceda, who was also atop a Yamaha FZR. They made their sponsors, friends, and family members proud as they won their respective classes.
In Pro Runabout stock, Yamahas swept the podium. Despite not qualifying very well, Brian Baldwin came out on top of the podium after getting third in moto 1 and a win in moto 2. Fellow Yamaha riders Abdullah Al-Fadhel and Aero Aswar took second and third places respectively.
The podium was split between the three major manufacturers in Pro Runabout Limited, but Yamaha rider Yousef Alabdulrazzaq ended up on top of the podium for the event. He dominated the field and got the win in both of his motos.
In Women’s Runabout, Paloma Noceda had an outstanding showing and took the win for the weekend. Another Yamaha racer, Shante Bukes, rounded off the podium in the number three position.
Yamaha Race Director Scott Watkins, very proud of the way the Yamaha riders and machines have performed, had a few words to say about this stellar showing:
“In 2009 when we introduced the FZ’s we decided to make a strong concerted effort to re-enter racing,” said Yamaha’s Race Director Scott Watkins. “This has been an effort over the last five years or so and it takes time to assemble the right people and products in order to put together a great team capable of winning the biggest races in the world.
“Seeing many racers transition to Yamaha in the last few years has been a thrilling experience for me. They know what they need to win. Winning many of the World titles at the World final in Lake Havasu is the icing on the cake to a very successful race season. Thank you to everyone involved in Yamaha racing. We plan to keep the momentum going for 2016.”
