Something funny happened on the way to Spring. What could it have been? Well, since you asked nicely we’ll tell you: the combined readership of The Watercraft Journal over these past three months of 2015 (January, February and March) has eclipsed the peak summer months of 2014 (June, July, August) by literally thousands of new readers. Let’s repeat that: even though there’s still snow on the ground in some parts of the country, we’re bringing in more readers (new and old) than last summer – and we were still the most-read

This trending indicates quite clearly that The Watercraft Journal is poised for significant growth in readership throughout the prime riding season (April through September). This magazine’s audience, which reached over 150,000 unique views in its first year, is targeting a goal of 200,000-plus unique readers for 2015 – a number unmatched by any personal watercraft publication. And quite frankly, puts us so far ahead of our “competition” that it puts us in a category equal to some of the industry’s biggest forums

Why is this important to know? If you’re an advertiser or considering joining The Watercraft Journal’s growing family of supporting advertisers, you can rest assured that your investment will garner the single-greatest overall exposure to an audience of core personal watercraft enthusiasts than anywhere else. In today’s new media, readers want immediate content focused on their interests. General content magazines that publish a wide swathe of content simply are dying on the vine. PWC enthusiasts want a PWC magazine. End of story.

June, July and August 2014

January, February and March 2015

It’s a Consistency Thing
Inconsistency is equal to unreliability. If readers can’t count on you to produce fresh, entertaining and informative content each and every day, you’re sunk. That is why The Watercraft Journal excels. Not only do we publish the equivalent of a 100-plus-page print magazine each month, but also daily news from across the personal watercraft industry and promoting our supporting advertisers Monday through Friday. When you’ve never missed a single day in your two years of daily publishing, people have come to rely on you. And we don’t take that trust lightly.

News articles published in February: 17
Feature articles published in February: 19
Total feature word count: 12,350 words

News articles published in March: 28
Feature articles published in March: 12
Total feature word count: 11,650 words*

*When this number is translated to print publication standards equals a 108-page magazine. Please note that this number does not include an average of two uniquely-written news articles published daily.

It’s Not Just About Being Popular
Other PWC magazines have done a great job marketing their product, with nearly double the Facebook presence. Others have us beat on branding, getting their stickers everywhere and T-shirts on everybody. So why don’t they have more readers? It’s all about the content. The Watercraft Journal employs a dozen-plus years of publishing experience, decades of niche marketing know-how and applies of the latest social marketing and new media tactics to develop the best, most interest-specific content available today.

February
Total number unique readers: 14,834*
Total number of articles read: 34,372
Percentage of new readers: 64.6%

March
Total number unique readers: 19,134*
Total number of articles read: 45,044
Percentage of new readers: 62.1%

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

We’re Everywhere You Are
Chances are, you’ve either visited our Facebook page, liked one of our posts or shared one of our daily pictures. We love our social media friends, and are the first to thank those who follow us, share and like our posts and leave comments on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and weekly newsletters. Without all of you, we wouldn’t be where we are today – the single-most popular personal watercraft magazine in the United States of America, and soon to be all of the industry worldwide.

March Facebook readers: 12,687
March Facebook weekly reach: 10,078
Top Five countries: United States, Australia, Canada, France, United Kingdom

Full Throttle Into Riding Season
There’s no time to waste! As the winter has finally given way to spring and summer, and temperatures are finally rising, personal watercraft enthusiasts across the northern hemisphere are getting their skis ready and planning their weekends. If you’re looking to get your company in front of more eyes than any (and we mean any) other PWC magazine, The Watercraft Journal is the resource you’re looking for.

In late 2013, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. set the motorcycle world on fire with the unexpected unveiling of an all-new and centrifugally-supercharged 998cc inline 4-cylinder at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. Although reminiscent of the larger 1,498cc (1.5 liter) DOHC 4-cylinder four-stroke found in current Ultra 310X model JetSkis, the new motor was revealed later through a dynamic campaign as the future powerplant for the soon-to-be-released track-only H2R superbike.

The announcement of the H2R engine’s production of a world-leading 300 horsepower shook the powersports industry. Tipping the scales at just over 100-pounds, the compact, lightweight 4-stroke powerplant features a four-valve, dual overhead cam (DOHC) cylinder head force-fed by a dog-shifted two-speed, gear-and-shaft driven centrifugal supercharger (designed with assistance from the KHI Gas Turbine & Machinery Company, Aerospace Company, and Corporate Technology Division).

Until now, this engine was only available in the Ninja H2R and more recently in the slightly tamer street version, the H2 (producing a 197-horsepower via mildly boosted at 5 psi (34 kPa), versus the 20.5 psi of the H2R). Only in the past two weeks have dealerships started receiving units, making the announcement that Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. has introduced two marine-approved applications of the 1-liter H2 engine through its Gasoline Engine/Power Products division so surprising.

The Watercraft Journal reached Usagi Yojimbo in the Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. Chūō-ku, Kobe headquarters, who explained, “Kawasaki recognized the potential of the [H2] engine in a variety of applications during its development. In wanting to secure its leadership role in all divisions of motorsport, Kawasaki arranged for two marine applications of the 998cc 4-cycle engine to be built. Both the motorcycle and marine engines share the same supercharger and many other components, with the exception of the head gasket, cam profile and timing, and exhaust system.”

“Both a 200-horsepower supercharged and normal aspirated [estimated to be rated at 160-horsepower – Ed.] version will be made available to select [custom jet ski] builders,” Usagi continued. When asked concerning eventual domestic (United States) availability of the two marine grade engines, Usagi responded, “We anticipate the program will be well received locally, thereby permitting a wider distribution in following years.”

Kawasaki has yet to officially release the names of the custom ski builders pre-approved to receive the H2 engines.

Because of the limited nature of the availability, word of this program had yet to go widespread. American and Australian custom hull builders – specifically, Krash Industries, Bullet Racing, WWR and Trinity Composites – have expressed public interest in the lightweight 4-stroke powerplant, but with the decision to provide only a select few Japanese boat builders with the opportunity to build custom standup jet skis with the new Kawasaki engine leaves them searching for alternatives.

Even the naturally-aspirated, 100-pound, 160-horsepower 4-stroke engine could – in The Watercraft Journal’s assessment – radically tip the scales for future Pro Ski Open and Pro Ski GP classes, as conventional triple-cylinders weigh more than the current motorcycle plant. And considering the recent IJSBA rule changes, it is also very likely that H2-powered skis would qualify for Pro Ski Stock classes.

Either way, unveiling such a program is a tremendous gamble on Kawasaki’s part, but we all know that the industry leader in over-the-top performance isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. There are still a lot of questions left unanswered and await further details on this groundbreaking program. For the original announcement and some additional information on the new Kawasaki H2 marine engine, click HERE.