The last thing any of us want to hear is someone spewing a bunch of hot air.
Turns out, your PWC feels the same way about hot air.
Cold air is more dense, and contains more pounds of oxygen per cubic foot than warm air.
The upshot of that fact is, increasing the cold air pumped into your ski’s system will enhance the engine’s combustion efficiency, allow the engine to “breathe easier” and run more efficiently, and boost both your acceleration and horsepower.
So it should come as no surprise that RIVA has now introduced a new Power Filter Kit for the Sea-Doo 325 (both the RXT 325 and RXP 325) that will feed your supercharged Sea-Doo engine a steady diet of cool air – roughly 40% more than the OEM system – delivering greatly improved acceleration and rpm.
This kit replaces the more restrictive stock intake system with a high-volume, precision-formed intake duct that attaches to the supercharger via a tapered adapter. Cool air enters the system via a proprietary oversized, stainless-steel mesh filter element that is certified to meet U.S. Coast Guard ‘SAE J1928’ requirements.
And, as a bonus, RIVA kept the installation simple, designed the system with quick removal to allow easy access for engine maintenance, and is IJSBA legal for all classes.
The kit Includes a water-repellent pre-filter for rough water riding, and detailed installation instructions.
In this video, Dave walks viewers through the features and installation of this newly released kit, which is available from RIVA at $399.95
The small print: Fits 2024+ RXT & RXP 325 models only. Installation of this Power Filter Kit requires installation of Catch Can/Engine Breather Kit, and the kit is NOT compatible with the Sea-Doo Secondary Battery Harness Kit.
For those looking to push their personal watercraft’s speed to new heights this August, Active Jetsport has just released exciting news that will max out the adrenaline in your summer fun. They’re officially rolling out the Sea-Doo 325 Plug-in SCOM-X, which promises to deliver unprecedented velocity for 2024+ Sea-Doo 325 watercraft.
The Sea-Doo 325 GPS Speed Control Override Module (SCOM) is a device that hooks into your jet ski’s interface to remove the GPS speed limiter, enabling it to reach maximum speed potential. What’s more, the device will still keep your Sea-Doo within the original RPM limiter, so you don’t have to worry about losing your warranty as you make these major upgrades.
The good people over at Active Jetsport are serious about the quality of their products, so when they promise that the upgraded PWC will be “capable of reaching 80+ mph, or 129 kph+, on cluster and even 81 – 82 mph on low fuel and good water conditions”… we believe them! Just check out the five-star rating on their previous model SCOM for 2019-2023 Sea-Doo 300s to feel assured of the quality of their work. There’s even a handy demonstration video on their YouTube channel showing this device at work.
The icing on the cake for us has to be the ease of installation, which can be seen in their 1-minute and 25-second installation guide on their website. It’s truly just a simple plug-in to fully unlock the potential of an already incredible watercraft.
If you’re interested in getting your hands on one of the limited supplies of these little marvels, head over to the Active Jetsport website as soon as possible!
All good things must come to an end. At least that’s the story with the Yamaha Summer Sales Event.
Kicking off back in early June, Yamaha’s 2024 sale focused less on which Yamaha PWC to buy, than it does on simple ways to pay for whichever model you choose. The summertime financing options come to an end today, July 31 – but that’s still plenty of time to take the plunge and treat yourself to summer savings and summer fun, all in one go.
The Yamaha Summer Sales Event offers several different savings options, allowing customers to choose what deal works best for their situation … and their pocketbook.
The Summer Sales financing offers include: An introductory 5.99% APR financing for 24 months, with a rate of 15.99% APR for the remainder of the term. Available on approved purchases of new 2018-2024 Yamaha WaveRunner at a participating dealer made on the Yamaha Credit Card issued by WebBank; 6.99% APR for 60 months.
Available on approved purchases of new 2018-2024 Yamaha WaveRunner at a participating dealer made on the Yamaha Credit Card issued by WebBank; or 5.99% APR for 36 months. Available for well qualified tier 1 credit customers who finance a new 2018-2024 Yamaha WaveRunner through Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA at a participating dealer.
The range of special summer offers is not the only hassle-free aspect of Yamaha’s direct website interface; they offer a number of tools and forms to make your purchase more streamlined and efficient.
Start with the Build and Price tool that lets you narrow down your series – whether that is the Rec Lite line, the VX Recreation series, the FX Luxury Series, the GP Performance Series or even the Freestyle Series – pick your model, your colors, and your accessories, and displays the purchase price with each choice.
And we couldn’t help but jumping on the bandwagon and featuring this beautiful clip of a Lake Powell ride featuring @ramontorres16 and his FX SVHO … a perfect example of the fun in store for those who take advantage of the last few hours of the Yamaha Summer Sales Event.
While we usually tend to stick to more “serious” pieces regarding personal watercraft, a recent video on our timeline caught our interest enough to interrupt the steady flow of race coverage, reviews, and jet ski news to bring you a feel-good story from Instagram this week.
A recent Yahoo! Life article highlights the story of Walter’s first experience ever riding on a jet ski. While he seems a bit nervous at first, he quickly gains confidence and sits up straight to enjoy the feel of the wind on his face. The only catch? Walter is a two-year-old golden retriever!
In the video, Janelle (@thedailynelly), Walter’s mom, explains that her father’s dog of 18 years used to love catching the waves with him before passing away, so he wanted to continue the tradition with his doggy grandson, Walter. The July 15th post shows their first foray into jet skiing together, and it seems that they’ve already gotten the hang of it.
It is important to note that jet skiing certainly isn’t for all dogs, and Yahoo! Life recommends always following the dog’s lead and taking any apprehension as a sign to stop and maybe try again at a later date. Regardless, it seems to have been a great experience for Walter, and we’ll be following along to see any new updates on his jet ski adventures!
You can check out Walter’s Instagram (@living_with_walter) here to see the full video of him and grandpa jet skiing together!
We may still be in the midst of the dog days of summer (which is, by the way, July 3 to August 11 each year, corresponding to the 20 days before and 20 days after July 23, the date, historically, that the Dog Star, Sirius, rose and set in conjunction with the sun) with numerous race tours, series and championships smack dab in the middle of their competitive seasons – but it’s never too early to start thinking about Havasu and World Finals.
With that objective in mind, IJSBA Executive Director Scott Frazier took to the IJSBA website last week to post a few updates, scheduling notes and class list.
“All of these entities will have a voice at World Finals to remind you that they are all great partners in getting you across the finish line,” Frazier stated, “Stay tuned for specific announcements.”
Next up, Frazier covered some important date and scheduling details, including a mention of Mondays. “You may see October 14 as an end date posted here and there. This is part of our permitting process to let the public know we reserve Monday, October 14, as an emergency overflow day in the event of poor weather or other interruptions,” he stated, going on to also talk about Monday, Oct. 7. “Please take note that in most years we do not race on Monday, we only practice. However, this year, we will race on Monday October 7.”
Next up was an overview of the World Finals Week schedule, with Frazier stating, “The event officially opens on Saturday, October 5, for general check in and placement in the pits. Opportunities for early registration and pit placement may exist for some VIP and event sponsored riders. Sunday, October 6, will host the annual IJSBA Juniors Program while registration continues. Practice begins Monday morning, with racing to follow immediately after practice. Novice and Amateur classes begin the week, with Pro Classes wrapping up the weekend. A tentative schedule will be posted around the first week of August.”
An update on registration details was next, with the announcement that the registration process this year would be different than in previous years. “Online registration will begin in the middle of August with the lowest registration prices being for early registration until September,” Frazier stated, adding that standard registration prices will hold during the month of September and online registration will end September 30, after which only onsite registration will be available, with on-site fees added. It is the process for onsite registration that will be undergoing the most significant change. As stated by Frazier, “IJSBA will open registration, formally, at a location to be announced, on October 5 and 6. Beginning October 7, registration/check in will be on site at Crazy Horse. We are doing something different for on site registration this year. We are working on a plan to do on site registration down in the vendor area. This will require competitors to be preregistered if they want to check in after Tuesday, October 8, without having to potentially pay a parking fee prior to check.” He added that a number of different scenarios and plans are being considered, and further plans will be posted as soon as they are available.
Prices and awards were up next on the list of updates, with Frazier saying no increases in competition fees and no charge for most spectators. Awards will be held on site on Friday, October 11, and Sunday October 13, at the stage.
Frazier also briefly mentioned the inaugural Owners Convention, as first announced in October 2023, with a promise of more details to come.
Closing out the update, Frazier listed the current roster of expected race classes, including:
PRINCIPAL PRO CATEGORIES: PRO RUNABOUT GP PRO SKI GP PRO SPORT GP PRO FREESTYLE
PRO AM CATEGORIES: PRO AM RUNABOUT 1100 OPEN PRO AM RUNABOUT ENDURANCE PRO AM SKI STOCK PRO AM SKI LITES PRO AM 4 STROKE SKI LITES PRO AM WOMENS’ SKI Modified PRO AM WOMENS’ SKI STOCK PRO AM RUNABOUT STOCK PRO AM RUNABOUT SUPER STOCK PRO AM VETERANS RUNABOUT LIMITED PRO AM RUNABOUT LIMITED PRO AM SKI MODIFIED 1500 PRO AM RUNABOUT 1100 STOCK PRO AM SKI LITES PRO AM SKI FOUR STROKE LITES PRO AM SKI SUPERSTOCK PRO AM RUNABOUT 1100 STOCK PRO AM WOMEN’S RUNABOUT 1100
UNDEFINED SKILL CATEGORY MASTER SKI GP MASTERS SKI STOCK GRAND MASTERS SKI STOCK MASTERS SKI MODIFIED 1500 RUNABOUT N/A SPORT SPEC X2 VINTAGE SKI VINTAGE
You can read the full IJSBA Press Release below, or visit the IJSBA website
This first update about the 2024 Short Block Technologies WGP-1 World Finals is brought to you by Blowsion, the first and only name in the most attractive and desirable Personal Watercraft performance accessories anywhere. Your social media profile will be the most popular on the internet when you show off pictures of you and your watercraft adorned with everything Blowsion has to offer. Now that we have mentioned Blowsion and social media, lets talk about World Finals, Lake Havasu City, our title sponsor, and all of the fun we are going to have this October 5-13 at Crazy Horse Campgrounds and Resort.
Short Block Technologies. SBT approached IJSBA last year and indicated it was their time to highlight the commitment they, and all of their brands, have to organized Personal Watercraft events with racing as the focus of the events they want to further. The SBT family includes Hydro-Turf, Adonis Impellers, Blacktip Motorsports, and the Watercraft Superstore. All of these entities will have a voice at World Finals to remind you that they are all great partners in getting you across the finish line. Stay tuned for specific announcements.
Dates. There are some things to make sure everyone knows up front, so we will mention them often over the next couple of months. First, you may see October 14 as an end date posted here and there. This is part of our permitting process to let the public know we reserve Monday, October 14 as an emergency overflow day in the event of poor weather or other interruptions. Please take note that in most years we do not race on Monday, we only practice. However, this year, we will race on Monday October 7. The reason for this is that World Finals is always the week leading up to Columbus Day. Columbus Day, celebrated in the United States, is the second Monday in October and is a federal holiday. We use this week to give people a holiday to travel home after the event is over. Since it is not the same day each year, it can happen as early as the 8th and as late as the 14th. This year is the latest day it can happen in the year and, with this season, there is less daylight in a day as we go further in to October.
Scheduling. The event officially opens on Saturday October 5 for general check in and placement in the pits. Opportunities for early registration and pit placement may exist for some VIP and event sponsored riders. Sunday October 6 will host the annual IJSBA Juniors Program while registration continues. Practice begins Monday morning with racing to follow immediately after practice. Novice and Amateur classes begin the week with Pro Classes wrapping up the weekend. A tentative schedule will be posted around the first week of August.
Registration. IJSBA will open registration, formally, at a location to be announced, on October 5 and 6. Beginning October 7, registration/check in will be on site at Crazy Horse. We are doing something different for on site registration this year. We are working on a plan to do on site registration down in the vendor area. This will require competitors to be preregistered if they want to check in after Tuesday, October 8 without having to potentially pay a parking fee prior to check. We are running different scenarios with the grounds management team and will post tentative plans as soon as we develop them. However, early registration and check in will be the best results on site. Online registration will begin in the middle of August with the lowest registration prices being for early registration until September. The month of September will hold standard registration prices. Online registration will end September 30 and, then, only on site registration will be available with on site fees added.
Prices. IJSBA is committed to no increases in competition fees for 2024. We think we can deliver this. The only deviation may be a couple dollar per class software licensing fee. However, race fees, including grounds fees and additional pit passes are planned to have no increases this year. The event will remain admission free for spectators who do not need pit passes with only parking fees applying.
Awards. We will have awards, on site, on Friday, October 11 and Sunday October 13 at the stage.
Owners Convention. 2024 will see IJSBA host the very first PWC Owners Convention. Please stay tuned for special programs celebrating the culture of Personal Watercraft.
Classes. The following are the expected classes at the 2024 SBT WGP-1 World Finals. (see list above)
Normally priced at $137, this all-condition, reversible PFD features the Kawasaki lime green on one side, for smooth waters level 50S, and red level-50 for partially smooth/open waters.
Custom made for Brisbane Kawasaki by JetPilot using the reversible Addict Vest, featuring FlexLite Ultra neoprene with panels for comfort and stretch, and fully-segmented panels that conform to you body for the ultimate fit, along hidden webbing and PVC Foam Core for buoyancy.
Note that, due to the extra foam used in construction, it is recommended to go up 1-2 sizes when ordering to avoid a too-tight fit. For example, if you normally wear an XL in the Jetpilot Cause, it is recommended that you order a 2XL for this item.
There are limited sizes available, so be sure to act now to snag your size!
Choosing, and caring for your PWC is a huge piece of the puzzle when it comes to enjoying your time on the water this summer, and The Watercraft Journal is a great resource for checking out the features on different brands and models of PWCs so that you can select just the right machine to match your interests. WCJ also strives to provide tips, tutorials and guides for keeping your PWC in tip-top shape.
But there’s more than mechanics involved in enjoying the PWC lifestyle, and Jet Tech once again steps up in offering all the accessories and incidentals that go along with PWC adventures. As the Jet Tech tagline says, it’s all about amplifying your ski experience, whether that is accessories geared specifically for PWC fishing, PWC tubing and surfing, or just generalized PWC accessories, gear and fashion.
This week, we’re taking a look at the Jet Tech Touring Bag & Sled, as highlighted in a recent Jet Tech video.
As a skim of the video introduction shows, “When on an ocean fuelled mission, you’ve got to carry all the gear you need safely, securely and most of all dry. Our extra large 200L Jet Ski touring dry bags are designed to transport all your camping and weekend gear. Confidently pack your swag, food, clothing and any other water-sensitive supplies knowing they’ll stay safe. The 200L touring bag is reinforced with extra strong points to carry heavier equipment like cameras, swags and cargo. With integrated Jet Tech sled latching points allows the touring bags to easily secure to Jet Tech sleds, making it the first and most versatile system to transport your gear to your destinations, predominantly giving your jet ski a trailer system that is still also compatible with our Jet Tech Adventure Fish boxes.”
The Touring Bag, available for $139, is 110cm x 50cm x 195cm (43” x 19.5” x 13.75”) with a 195 L capacity, made from 500D PVC material for watertight protection and superior abrasion resistance as well as welded seams. The Rescue Sled, available for $745, comes fully equipped with all the gear you need to get there fast – “the universal kit gets it attached to any make and model ski out there, and being inflatable, it packs up compact making it easy to transport around. The jet ski sleds are super-lightweight to not affect your ski’s performance yet mega-tough due to un-compromised construction in both design and materials.”
With the dog days of summer upon us, the heat is on, and everyone is finding every excuse in the book to spend time on the water. And as Sea-Doo promotes in their latest summer news, summer is about sharing good times on the water with friends.
And as a musician most synonymous with good times at the lake, country artist Niko Moon and Sea-Doo were a match just waiting to be made.
Sea-Doo will be partnering with Moon, with the Switch pontoon serving as Moon’s floating stage for his latest summer soundtrack.
You can read the full press release below, and be sure to check out Moon’s social media page to learn more about his music, and click here to learn more about the Sea-Doo Switch.
As one of the most synonymous musicians with good times at the lake, country artist Niko Moon and Sea-Doo were a match just waiting to be made. That’s why we are so excited to announce our new partnership, with the Switch pontoon serving as a floating stage for Niko’s summer soundtrack. As one of the most versatile and adaptable boats on the water, the Switch is the perfect venue for the artist, as he can reconfigure his stage for whatever the moment dictates.
In addition to his blossoming solo career, Moon has written eight #1 songs and over 40 major record label cuts for artists such as Morgan Wallen, Avicii, Dierks Bentley, Pitbull, Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts and more. He also co-produced the Zac Brown Band albums, Jekyll+Hyde and Welcome Home, and was recently named a SESAC country songwriter of the year.
In the months to come, Niko will be releasing a special series called “Seaside Sessions,” which will include tracks recorded and filmed aboard his Sea-Doo Switch. He also just dropped his latest single, “These Are The Days,” which is partially filmed onboard.
Click here to learn more about Niko Moon, or here to get his latest news and music on Facebook.
RIVA Racing discusses the best ways to improve handling on your PWC with this article on the top six upgrades you can swap in on your PWC.
Whether you are replacing your ride plate or your intake scoop & grate, or you’re looking for more traction to keep your seat, RIVA has you covered.
Check out details below:
You bought a personal watercraft and you love it. You have perfected your riding style and now you’re ready to take it to the next level. When getting into the upgrade game, it’s best to take things one at a time. If you change more than one thing at once, it may be hard to tell what changes you like – or dislike.
With years of testing and ski tuning under our belt, we recommend that you start with pwc handling parts before moving into horsepower upgrades. Jet Ski Handling parts — or handling components – are the bolt on modifications that can make your watercraft handle better. New handling components can make your ski turn faster, or be more stable at high speeds. This lets you go faster without hitting the eject button.
RIDE PLATES One of the easiest jet ski parts to upgrade is the ride plate. This part goes underneath the watercraft, and bolts on just below the jet pump. A good pwc ride plate will help keep you planted through a turn, giving you better traction and letting you go faster. If you ever feel like you are “spinning out,” a better ride plate can help fix that.
INTAKE & SCOOP GRATES The intake, or scoop grate, helps “scoop” water into the Jet pump. The better the scooping action, the better hook up and performance. The Hook up helps keep a ski from hopping out of the water which ultimately gives the rider more control of the ski. A good pwc intake grate will help you stay stable at high speeds and go faster and that’s all we can really ask for in the water, right? Just make sure you get the right size and fitting for our ski, as with most PWC parts, you have to make sure you get the right fitting for the best results.
PRO-SERIES SPONSONS Adding a set of RIVA Pro-Series Sponsons to a pwc will open up a world of possibilities over a set of stock oem sponsons. Bolting on a new set of sponsons will dramatically improve a rider’s handling and straight line stability. As an added bonus, a new set of sponsons will allow the user to control the amount of influence they have on the watercraft by adjusting the position of the sponsons. For stand ups, adding new jet ski sponsons means that the user will be able to control turning radius for tricks, racing, or freestyling. On a sit down pwc, sponsons will allow better hookup through turns, and better hold in choppy racing conditions.
PWC sponsons come with a fin, backing plate, and bulletproof mounting system that are easily bolted on, and user friendly. Whether on a sit down or stand-up, these are a MUST-HAVE for anyone looking to get better handling out of their ski.
STEERING SYSTEMS: If you want to ride quicker and smoother, a new ski steering system will improve your ride dramatically. Upgrading the steering system on your ski will help it react faster and more precisely. You’ll also feel a difference in the smoothness of your turns. However, this one may be a later upgrade because it is more difficult to install. You might wait a little longer for this upgrade, but let me tell you, it’s definitely worth the wait. You can always call the RIVA Racing customer service if you have any questions or concerns about installing a new steering system in your ski.
HYDRO-TURF TRACTION MATS: If you’re willing to get a little sticky, upgrading from stock mats to high-traction mats is a simple way to take your riding up a notch. Stock mats on skis are not typically made for long term wear, or for racing. If you want something sturdy and with more grip, check out Hydro Turf’s line of mat kits. With a little bit of glue, you can give yourself a two-for-one deal and make your ski look cooler and ride better.
SPLASH GUARD: When you’re going fast, you may notice a little more spray in your face. A RIVA Racing Splash Guard can help displace some of the water and keep it out of your face. This is important so that you know where you are going and to keep you and your ski in safe riding conditions. Splash Guards are a must-have for Jet Ski racers and will make your ride a little easier.
If you’ve reached a point where you’re ready to go faster, look no further than the go-fast goodies that RIVA Racing has on their website. Beware – it’s a slippery slope when you start upgrading your PWC! A little taste of horsepower will leave you wanting more. Whatever you’re thinking, the experts at RIVA Racing can help you push that envelope.
Last Tuesday, The Watercraft Journalpublished the recap and results of the SBT P1 AquaX 2024 Series Round 2 race weekend in Michigan city, and while receiving race recaps directly from race tour promotors is vital in keeping WCJ readers informed on all race results, major happenings during weekend events, and tour standings, there is much more to racing, and race weekends, than official results and the view from the race tower.
And that’s where race teams, individual racers, and even crews, families and fans come in.
It’s in the individual stories – the struggles, the mishaps on the road on the way to the race, and the battles with obstinate engines – and the triumphs over those hurdles, that make up the real stories. It’s the journal of race life, and race family – the shared passion for a sport that consumes a vast amount of our attention here at WCJ, and for our readers – that depicts the uniqueness, adrenaline and rewards of PWC racing.
And for those moments, WCJ relies on you. Unless and until WCJ Editor Waters can make it back out on the road to attend races throughout the country, it’s contributions from those on site that will provide the in-depth and personal review of race events, and of the many rec-ride opportunities that continue to make up a growing part of the WCJ family and coverage.
Photos Credit: RonnyMac.com
Today, we take a look at the Michigan City Race through the eyes of Dean Harrison with Macc Racing, and the powerful performance of Macc Racing’s Cooper Caldwell, who swept the AM Enduro 200 class to take the overall top podium spot – a repeat from Round 1.
You can read Harrison’s full report below, or better yet, visit MaccRacing.com to keep up with team members as the 2024 race season continues.
And WCJ would like to extend an invitation to all racers, race teams, promoters, crew members, ride organizers, family members and fans; to share your race and rec ride stories with WCJ. Race and ride recaps are always welcome, and can be sent to [email protected]. Additionally, WCJ is always looking for writers and photographers to work as paid freelance contributors on a regular basis or for special coverage of PWC events and PWC-related content. Contact me at the same email address, [email protected], to discuss details!
Michigan City, IN – July 15, 2024 – The Monster Energy MACC Racing Team delivered a strong team performance at the P1 AquaX event this past weekend in Michigan City, thrilling fans with intense competition and outstanding results.
In the AM Enduro 200 class, Cooper Caldwell dominated the field, winning all three races to secure his second victory of the season. Caldwell faced fierce competition from Kayden Baldwin in the first two races but managed to fend him off to take the win. In Race 3, Baldwin initially held the lead, but Caldwell capitalized on a mistake by Baldwin, who pulled his lanyard at the halfway point, allowing Caldwell to pass and secure the victory. Caldwell’s impressive riding skills were on full display as he even lapped riders in the more powerful 300 class.
In the Pro Enduro class, Tim Miller showcased his determination and skill, battling hard to finish in the top 5 in Race 3 and earning a well-deserved 4th place overall. Reflecting on his performance, Miller stated, “After a rough first round in Daytona Beach and consistent Moto finishes here in Michigan City, I’m thrilled to have secured fourth overall for the weekend. This has been the toughest racing I’ve done, and every Moto is a learning experience. I’m more determined than ever to push myself and the team forward.”
After a hard-fought battle for a 3rd place finish in Race 2, Chris MacClugage was on track for a podium result, but a cracked hull dashed his hopes, leaving him 6th overall for the weekend & 5th in the Championship.
A massive shoutout to all our incredible sponsors and dedicated pit crew – your support is what makes weekends like these possible!
For more information and updates, visit Maccracing.com and follow us on social media.
The last thing any of us want to hear is someone spewing a bunch of hot air.
The good people over at Active Jetsport are serious about the quality of their products, so when they promise that the upgraded PWC will be “capable of reaching 80+ mph, or 129 kph+, on cluster and even 81 – 82 mph on low fuel and good water conditions”… we believe them! Just check out the five-star rating on their previous model SCOM for 2019-2023 Sea-Doo 300s to feel assured of the quality of their work. There’s even a handy demonstration video on 
