When you think of boosting your PWC’s performance, especially when you’re fueling the “need for speed,” there are a number of upgrades that automatically come to mind: 

Reprogrammed ECUs pave the way for ramped-up power; upgrading impellers yields responsive acceleration and improved handling, ride plate upgrades and adjustments can be a game-changer for speed and cornering,  and of course, an upgrade to the air intake will give your engine the air it needs for improved speed and performance. 

And while upgrading your PWC’s exhaust system may not not make it to the top of many quick “boost your mph” tip lists… those in the know will tell you without hesitation that significant potential performance gains lie hidden in the often-ignored exhaust system.

Increased engine performance, improved airflow, added torque and horsepower, better fuel economy – upgrading  your exhaust system can do it all by providing better airflow, and thus increasing engine output.

And let’s be honest – on top of the ramped-up performance – many PWCers who opt for an exhaust upgrade, are also chasing a tone, as exhaust upgrades often come with a throaty roar that stock systems just can’t match.

Once you make the decision to take advantage of the performance boost of an upgraded exhaust system for your PWC, there are few in the industry that can provide the range and quality of options as RIVA Racing. 

With a wide selection of made-in-the-USA performance exhaust upgrades for Yamaha, Sea-Doo and Kawasaki. Divvied up between 2stroke and 4-stroke exhaust offerings, RIVA has this back side of PWC performance covered. 

On the 4-stroke side of things, RIVA caries a number of exhaust product sectors, including exhaust system upgrades, waterboxes, exhaust couplers and outlets, and O2 sensors, and a range of free-flow exhaust kits and rear exhaust kits that deliver performance as well as cutting-edge style. 

For example, this RIVA Yamaha 2019+ FX Rear Exhaust Kit allows for removal of the restrictive sound suppression system located between waterbox and hull exit, improving engine performance by reducing back pressure and restriction. The kit Includes a mandrel bent aluminum exhaust tube that is powder coated to prevent corrosion, large billet through-hull exhaust outlet, billet OEM exhaust outlet block-off and high-temp silicone couplers along with all necessary mounting hardware & installation instructions – and its available in either black, blue or red anodize options – all for $439.95.

This Sea-Doo 2020 RXP and 2020+ RXT/GTX/GTR/GTI Free Flow Exhaust Kit also replaces the restrictive sound suppression system located between the waterbox and hull exit on your watercraft and improves engine performance by reducing back pressure and harmful detonation. Includes mandrel bent aluminum tubing that is powder coated to prevent corrosion, high-temp silicone replacement coupler and installation instructions – all for $214.95.

There are also the dual exhaust kits for Sea-Doo, as detailed in a information-packed video, compatible with the PWC’s factory waterbox, or the RIVA Pro Series waterbox.

Jumping over to the 2-stroke side, RIVA caries  waterboxes, exhaust outlets, flow control valves, exhaust couplers and outlets and exhaust systems in addition to free flow exhaust kits.

For example, this RIVA Yamaha GP1300R Free Flow Exhaust Kit with easy installation that requires no cutting of hoses is available for $161.95, and this RIVA Yamaha GP1200R/800R Free Flow Exhaust Kit for a mere $64.95 replaces the restrictive sound suppression system and provides reduced back-pressure that improves engines performance and reduces harmful detonation. Features easy installation, provides noticeable results, and is IJSBA Superstock legal.

Plus you get free shipping on all orders of more than $150 in the Continental US. 

Be sure to check out the RIVA webpage for more Exhaust upgrades, kits, systems and parts.

One of the most respected outfits in the PWC World, whether you’re talking racing or retail, Broward Motorsports undoubtedly has what it takes to put riders on the water – either by way of a new (or used) ski, top-of-the-line technology, high-quality service, or all the parts, accessories and apparel you need. And they have seven ways to get it to you – namely, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, West Palm Beach, Jupiter/Tequesta,  Treasure Coast/Hobe Sound, Miami, and the World Wide Web. 

While the renowned BMS reputation for quality and customer service links all the company’s operations, each site has their own focus and identity, and their own specials and sales, and it’s time, once again, for The Watercraft Journal to do the legwork for you, and run a speed round through each store and highlight their specials, sales, promotions and events. 

Starting out our quick lap around the BMS stores with the Flagship Fort Lauderdale Store, where you can find rebates up to $2,000 and 2 years of coverage on select 2023 Sea-Doo personal watercraft models through July 31, and a retired factory 2021 Yamaha GP1800®R SVHO® race ski in their featured inventory. All retired race skis come equipped with ECU Reflash, custom graphics, Jet Trim seat covers, Worx steering system, handlebars, grips, footwell lifters, retainers, Solas prop, Worx ride plate, intake grate, cooling kit and air intake, as well as intake ribbon modification.

Next up is the Hollywood store, where they have a nearly $30,000 savings on a 2023 Scarab 215 ID. And you can now get $10 off oil change kits.

In West Palm Beach, take advantage of the BMS consignment plan and let BMS sell your old PWC for top dollar, paid off or not; or use their trade-in tool to find out what your existing PWC (or motorcycle, ATV or side-by-side)  is worth. And you can join their Text Club by texting ‘Broward’ to 844-913-3612 to get $25 off any $125 parts or accessories purchase. 

Next is the Jupiter/Tequesta store, where they have a 2023 Sea-Doo FishPro™ Scout 130 on manager’s special for $12,688 and a  2023 Sea-Doo Spark® Trixx™ 2-up Rotax® 900 H.O. ACE™ iBR on featured special for more than $1,000 off. You can also take advantage of their service specials that include $299.99 watercraft service, regularly $439.99, and free local ramp pickup with regular-priced watercraft service, as well as free dockside/marina service with paid 50/100 hour maintenance & battery service.

Moving on to Treasure Coast/Hobe Sound, we find Red White and Blue July Specials through July 31 that include 10% off parts and labor on accessory installs, 10% off select service appointments, and closeout and clearance items up to 75% off throughout the store. And to top it off, you can get 2 years of coverage, and an extra $500 when purchasing two units, on 2024 Sea-Doo Spark models.

And for those who can’t make it to the Florida stores, be sure to browse the websites for each of the stores to find great prices on parts, service, new and used inventory, and more.

Many of The Watercraft Journal readers – especially those that lean toward the Rec Ride side of PWC, as opposed to the race side – may already be familiar with Daniel do Nascimento. More well known as “AquaDan,” Nascimento has been a strong promoter of the recreational aspects of PWC ridership for years; some of his video shorts have garnered “trending” level popularity on social media and YouTube, and the images and video of his PWC adventures paint an enviable picture – with gorgeous azure skies, crystal clear turquoise water and lush greenery. Whether you are more drawn to off-the-beaten-path destinations, or you were looking for the best floating PWC party on the water, AquaDan could guide you there.

In recognition of his following, his experience, and his store of rec-riding knowledge, Sea-Doo snagged the chance to bring AquaDan into the Sea-Doo family, with the announcement of AquaDan as an official Sea-Doo Ambasador. 

Following is Sea-Doo’s full press release on Aqua-Dan’s appointment to the Ambassador Team. 

Sharing the excitement of riding a Sea-Doo is as much fun as the riding itself, which is why we are so excited to welcome Daniel “AquaDan” do Nascimento to our ambassador team!

For years, AquaDan has been a major fixture in the personal watercraft community, sharing his exquisite

riding content and uniting users from all walks of life. His contagious enthusiasm for life on the water has inspired countless new riders to get out and live their best lives, making him a natural fit for sharing the Sea-Doo Life.

We are thrilled to welcome AquaDan to the Sea-Doo family and can’t wait for his next big ride. Learn more about AquaDan by following his adventures on Facebook or Instagram.

You can also check out his YouTube Channel for great shorts like this

The title of this article pretty much says it all. If you’re an avid fan of personal watercraft racing or just top tier performance, and you find yourself watching videos on YouTube and you’re not already subscribed to the Farthing Racing YouTube channel… there’s something seriously wrong with you.

We at The Watercraft Journal had the pleasure of interviewing Dustin several months ago (at the time of this writing) and detailed his efforts to bring to light the excitement and energy that goes into a world class PWC racing team. Representing Factory Yamaha WaveRunners and Monster Energy, the Farthing Racing Team is no lightweight, bootstraps-level organization. It’s as professional as it gets.

Helmed by 30-plus world champion Dustin Farthing and his two sons (with a couple more stellar athletes on the roster year-by-year), the Farthing Racing YouTube channel documents Dustin and his boys’ exploits, the technical acumen necessary to build world champion-winning watercraft, the physical training, skill and raw talent needed to contend at this level and the fun had between heats.

Even if you’re not likely to ever attempt professional racing, even if you’ve never attended a single PWC race before, the Farthing Racing YouTube channel puts you in the middle of the action like you’ve never experienced before. This isn’t some vlog filmed with an old iPhone6 and a pair of GoPros, this is true ESPN-level production stuff. Don’t believe it? Go see for yourself HERE.

Following up on our SeaDoo Safety Tips from earlier this week, Sea-Doo is also getting riders ready for a fun, and safe, summer, with the annual runthrough of essential summer safety gear. 

Besides complying with state boating regulations, having the proper safety gear onboard can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major on-water emergency. Responsible boaters never leave the dock without the equipment to ensure they get home safe every time they hit the water. Here are three must-have’s for every ride.

Sea-Doo Safety Kit – This kit includes four critical safety items in an easy-to-stow container. Fifty feet of buoyant heaving line, a bailer, whistle, and watertight flashlight augment legally mandated equipment to ensure you have the right tools to deal with an emergency on the water.

Sea-Doo PFDs – Perhaps the single most important piece of safety gear on any vessel, a personal flotation device, or lifevest, is the key to preventing drowning and increasing the chance of being rescued alive if separated from your vessel. Sea-Doo has an extensive selection of comfortable water sports PFDs for any size, style, and budget.

LinQ Fuel Caddy – While a slightly less obvious safety item, a fuel caddy can make the difference between getting back to the dock under your own power or needing assistance from others. Utilizing BRP’s versatile LinQ mounting system, the 3.8 Gal fuel caddy ensures you have extra fuel to help yourself or a fellow boater if you get caught up in the fun and lose track of your fuel status.

With yet another decade under their belt, and countless more satisfied customers in the ranks of WaveRunner, Yamaha is celebrating the come company’s 69th birthday.

While yesterday, July 1, was technically Yamaha Motor Company’s birthday, the fun didn’t stop there, and Yamaha is inviting customers and fans to join in on the celebration. 

Below is the official Yamaha announcement, expressing gratitude to customers, and introducing the theme of this year’s #YamahaDay: “Let’s Take Kando Actions.”

On 1 July each year, we celebrate the foundation of Yamaha Motor Company in 1955. It’s a moment for the global Yamaha family to celebrate the legacy of Genichi Kawakami, founder of Yamaha Motor Company, who’s spirit of innovation and challenge lives on today. 

Just a few days after its foundation, Yamaha entered its new YA-1 Red Dragonfly (Aka-Tombo 赤トンボ) in the two major race events in Japan: the Mount Fuji Ascent Race and the Asama Highlands Race. The new motorcycles achieved third and first place, respectively, and also claimed first place in the 125cc class for both events.

The annual Yamaha Day celebrations are a global event encompassing all products – including music; a day when Yamaha globally celebrates its shared values of innovation, excitement, confidence, emotion, and ties. Injecting these values into everything we do meets the expectations of our customers and gives us the energy to strive for greater goals.

The theme for Yamaha Day 2024 is Let’s Take Kando Actions, the theme invites everyone in the global Yamaha Motor family to think about the *Kando experiences they have enjoyed with Yamaha products, and share them with others. What Kando means to each person will differ based on lifestyle, culture, age, and even the Yamaha products they own.

To commemorate Yamaha Day 2024, Yamaha Motor Australia has launched its Let’s Take Kando Actions web page to showcase the essence of Yamaha’s brand structure and to share stories of #Kando from members of the Yamaha family. The page promotes Yamaha’s unique styles and provides a forum for sharing thoughts about what taking Kando actions means to each of us. Over the next few months we will seek out stories of Kando from Yamaha staff, dealers, ambassadors, and customers to be posted on this page via video and editorial content. We look forward to sharing the first of these with you soon.

Celebrate this 69th milestone with us by sharing what #RevsYourHeart by tagging us and including the hashtags #YamahaDay #YamahaDay2024.  

 To our amazing Yamaha WaveRunner customers, thank you for your unwavering passion for recreational boating! Your love for the water and adventure truly “Revs Our Heart.” Join us in celebrating this milestone as we continue to make waves and run the water!

With Independence Day and Canada Day being celebrated this week, the North American summer PWC season is here, and more people than ever will be enjoying the water on vessels of all kinds, leading to some of the busiest days of the year on our oceans, lakes, and rivers. This year, the National Marine Manufacturers Association estimates that 100 million people will go boating, which means a lot of vessels —and fun — on lakes, rivers, and coastal waterways.

With that in mind, Sea-Doo is promoting safe riding for new and veteran users alike and reminding all riders to prioritize safety this summer. Sea-Doo takes safety on the water very seriously and is committed to promoting BRP’s Responsible Rider Program to help PWC riders be present when they ride and always consider safety, riding etiquette and the environment regardless of whether they are on the ocean, a lake or a river.

“As a leader in the personal watercraft industry, we have a responsibility to grow the community of responsible riders, educate our community on preserving our water playgrounds and generate positive experiences. Every action and initiative we take at Sea-Doo is to ensure our sport flourishes today and for future generations of riders,” said Jérémi Doyon-Roch, Global Marketing Director, Marine at BRP. “Holidays are a great time to be out on the water with your friends and family and it is our responsibility to help ensure riders know how to safely enjoy the water and, most importantly, return to the dock or shore to do it all over again the following day.”

Here are Sea-Doo’s top five safety tips to the likelihood of preventable incidents on the water.

Wear proper-fitting safety gear for PWC use: Always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket designed specifically for PWC use, and make sure it is properly sized and fits correctly, meaning nice and snug. PWC specific life jackets are designed to be stronger to endure higher speed water impacts and produced to maintain higher buoyancy when a rider enters the water at higher speeds. If you end up in the water, a properly fitting life jacket that is fully zipped up or buckled helps ensure you’re properly buoyant.

When it comes to watercraft gear, neoprene shorts are a must. Neoprene’s form-fitting protection prevents injuries to the lower body when striking the water during a fall backward. It also acts as a cushion between your body and the saddle while limiting exposure to the jet pump thrust.

Attach safety lanyard before starting the engine: In the event you fall off, the safety lanyard will detach from the engine cut-off switch and automatically shut down the engine, allowing you to safely reboard the watercraft with the engine off and continue riding. Ensure the lanyard is securely attached to your life jacket. And make it a habit to attach the safety lanyard to your life jacket or wrist with a wrist strap before attaching it to the Watercraft.

Maintain a safe distance at all times: PWCs are generally faster, nimbler, and less visible than conventional boats. Before you throttle up, be sure that you have a clear and obstruction-free path ahead of you. Always be respectful of other vessels and anything else that may be in the water, including swimmers.

Observe posted speed regulations: Always follow the rules of the road – or water – and slowdown in restricted speed areas, including slow speed and no-wake areas. ‘Slow Speed’ is usually 7 mph or less and ‘No Wake’ is just that, slow enough to not create a wake. In addition to being illegal, speeding in these areas increases the likelihood of collisions with other vessels or underwater obstacles.

Familiarize yourself with your watercraft’s braking system: While PWCs of the past had no braking capabilities, most PWCs now offer some type of braking or slowing system for making quick, emergency stops from speed. Sea-Doo’s Intelligent Brake and Reverse system allows riders to come to a complete stop by simply squeezing the left handlebar lever, allowing a watercraft traveling at 50mph to stop 100 ft sooner than a model without the braking feature.

Learn more about personal watercraft safety here.

It’s almost impossible to overstate the importance of a quality steering system for jet ski racing. The steering system is the aftermarket upgrade that most directly affects control and precision for a rider, and the upgraded handling is crucial when navigating tight turns, racing courses, or even rough water conditions. Additionally, an upgraded system boosts the rider’s confidence; with increased sensitivity, the rider is guaranteed a higher level of assurance in their ability to dominate any task before them. Knowing this, we feel confident promoting RIVA Racing’s well-established offering of top-of-the-line PWC Steering Systems and Controls! 

 RIVA Racing’s upgraded steering systems are all crafted in the United States from premium quality materials, and they promise to offer “superior handling, awesome styling, and easy installation!” 

Take, for example, the RIVA Sea-Doo 2018 RXT/GTX & 2021+ RXT/GTX Steering System Bundle, which replaces the stock plastic steering unit with aircraft-grade anodized aluminum tubing to enhance durability and prevent corrosion. This kit not only strengthens your build but also implements quick-turn settings to give you greater control. 

Then there’s the RIVA Yamaha 2015-21 FX Pro-Series Steering System, which boasts a lighter and stronger steering structure, ensuring your safety on rough water or while pushing your PWC to the max. 

What’s more, they’re currently offering free shipping within the continental United States on all orders over $150, so be sure to check out their extensive offerings on the RIVA Racing website now!