Nothin’ wrong with a little dirty fun – as long as you clean up nice!

Hey now, we’re talking skis here! 

It might seem counter-intuitive – after all, PWC is a water-based activity – one would think that it would be a self-cleaning sport. But anyone that has ever trailered their ski to the nearest lake, much less a race four states away, knows the amount of dirt and grime that can accumulate in just a few short miles, not to mention the oils and who knows what else splashed up from truck and trailer tires on dirty asphalt and the smudgey fingerprints from that kid at the last gas station (there’s always one).

Add in being strafed by a passing flock of seagulls (not the ones that ran so far away), the soda you spilled as you were locking down the ratchet straps before the trip, and  the tree sap from the last boat ramp parking spot you lingered at, and you’ve got a mess to deal with. And that’s before you even peek in the engine bay where oils, fuel, grease, additives and more collect.

And of course, if you’re a surf rider, you’re also dealing with salt, and its damaging effects, both externally and internally.  Even flatwater riders know that the water they’re motoring through is often anything but crystal clear. 

Right about here is where Brisbane Kawasaki comes to the rescue with decades of hands-on experience in countering the grime, grunge and detritus of PWC sports and recreation, they have come up with two top-of-the-line products to help you keep your fun, clean!

First, the Foaming Shampoo & Salt Remover with the efficient and effective Foaming Gun takes care of your ski’s outside and engine bay quickly, effortlessly and safely for both ski and environment. Then the Foaming Flush & Salt Remover with Mixer adapter removes salt and calcium deposits, descales the engine cooling system, and breaks down built up deposits.

Available separately for $24 each, or as a package for $109 that includes the mixing adapter and foaming gun, the price is well worth it, and the Ultimate package is a steal of a deal, with two bottles of Foaming Shampoo & Salt Remover and two bottles of Foaming Flush and Salt Remover, plus the Foaming Gun and the Mixer adapter, all for $157, including tax.

Read more about the products and process in the full press release below, and be sure to check out all the other great PWC products on the Brisbane Kawasaki website.

Foaming Shampoo & Salt Remover + Foaming Gun

Foaming Flush & Salt Remover + Mixer adapter

We’ve been washing jetski’s for over 30 years.

In that time, we’ve tested every product out there that you can think of.

Finally, it clicked, let’s make one that simply works and does what is says on the label.

-100% Biodegradable

-PH Neutral & Phosphate free

-Safe for use on all surfaces

-Corrosion Protection

-Plant derived ingredients

Simply mix 40ml of Jet Ski Wash with 950ml of water in the foaming gun.

Spray on and let it sit for 45 secs. Heavily soiled ski’s may require repeat application or light agitation with a sponge.

Hose off & Chamois dry.

Can be sprayed in engine bays for far more effective cleaning also.

Foaming gun separates and allows you to rinse the ski without changing all the connections. Simply slide the unlock switch, twist and remove.

Foaming Flush & Salt Remover was developed specifically for use by us when servicing jetski’s. Since we were making a wash, we decided to also offer it for retail sale.

This is a commercial grade flush that works like it is supposed to.

No slogans, No fancy names. JET SKI FLUSH, it does what it says on the bottle.

-100% Biodegradable

-PH Neutral & Phosphate free

-Safe on all gaskets & Rubbers

-Removes Salt & Calcium deposits

-Descales the engine cooling system & breaks down built up deposits.

Simply add 40ml into the mixer, plug it into your ski, connect the hose and follow the owner’s manual like normal.

True to The Watercraft Journal’s reporting back in June of last year, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA pushes forward on its goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. As outlined in the company’s 2050 Environmental Plan, Yamaha marches forward toward radically re-imagining its marine offerings – this time by joining the Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) as well as announcing the development of a hydrogen outboard motor.

Now before you think, “Hydrogen? You gotta be kidding me!” understand that many of the world’s biggest automakers – General Motors, Toyota, Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz and several others – have all invested tens of millions into countering the highly politicized EV market by developing hydrogen-powered engines. Yamaha’s involvement in such an effort is squarely on par with manufacturers looking for clean alternatives to electric-only vehicles.

It was revealed earlier that Yamaha’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact would include removing a quart of oil used in all 1.9-liter High Output Marine engines, ironically exasperating the very issue plaguing the current HO and SVHO engines – oil starvation due to an inferior oil pickup and oil pan cage/trap design (as revealed during an episode of The Watercraft Journal IRL podcast in late 2023). The prototype hydrogen-powered outboard is set to debut at the Miami International Boat Show this coming February 14-18, 2024.

Read the whole press release below:
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. joined the Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) alongside hydrogen producers, infrastructure providers, engineering firms, and other off-takers as part of its pursuit of multiple technology solutions to achieve carbon neutrality.

The company recently announced the development of a prototype hydrogen outboard motor that will be on display at the 2024 Miami International Boat Show.

“Yamaha plans to work diligently with FCHEA to advance hydrogen energy and fuel cell policies,” said Martin Peters, Director of Yamaha Marine External Affairs, who will serve on the organization’s board of directors. “There is much to be done to prepare the future of decarbonizing the recreational boating and outdoor space, technically and in legislation and policy. We look forward to working as a team with FCHEA and its member companies. We hope others in our industry will join us.”

“We are very excited to welcome Yamaha to the association,” said Frank Wolak, FCHEA President and CEO. “Having an innovative company with a strong foundation in multiple mobility sectors focus on hydrogen is a tremendous asset for FCHEA and the hydrogen industry at large.”

A recent, first-of-its-kind study commissioned by the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) entitled The Pathways to Decarbonisation for the Recreational Marine Industry, validates Yamaha’s approach to carbon neutrality, revealing a multi-plan approach is the best way to continue the decarbonization of recreational boating.

Through the study, a leading global engineering consulting firm, Ricardo plc, investigated propulsion technologies across nine common recreational watercraft to compare the impact of lifetime global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, financial costs, usability, performance, range, and infrastructure implications.

Due to the unique water environment of boats, the study found there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution, and instead recommends a portfolio of technologies to continue the reduction of carbon emissions within the recreational boating industry including a combination of electric, hybrid, sustainable fuel and internal combustion applications.

In the last two decades, the U.S. recreational marine industry alone has decreased marine engine emissions by more than 90 percent and increased fuel efficiency by more than 40 percent.

The phrase “house calls” could easily be called an archaic term in the medical profession; in 2024, it is unlikely that the vast majority of people in the United States have ever experienced a doctor visiting their home to provide treatment.

Even in international terms, physicians who pack their goods into the iconic black snap-shut doctor’s satchel and bring healthcare to their patients where they live, is quickly becoming a thing of the past.

But in rural locations throughout the world, and especially in remote locations that make a doctor’s appointment more akin to a journey as opposed to a quick trip to town, local doctors like Dr. Keigo Yasukawa still makes house calls. Yasukawa just does it with a twist, or actually a squeeze … of the throttle, that is.

Yasukawa, a native of Japan’s Miyakojima island – about 200 miles due east of the northern tip of Taiwan – now operates the Dr. GON clinic on Miyakojima. But many of his patients, quite a few of whom are elderly, live on even more remote parts of the island or even reside on nearby islands.

So several times a week, Yasukawa packs up the tools of his trade, loops a lanyard around his wrist, hits the start button on his PWC, and navigates the swells of the Pacific Ocean to make house calls.

Not content with even that level of dedication to his patients and his community, Yzsukawa began hiring other doctors, who also visit the remote neighboring islands to provide essential medical services.

You can read more about Yasukawa and the Dr. GON Clinic here and here, and learn more about the Jet Ski Doctor here. 

Running for another year under Title Sponsor LIQUI-MOLY, and with the support of presenting sponsor JetTrim, Pro Watercross recently announced the schedule for the 2024 Season.

Tagged the ‘Triple Crown’ tour, Pro Watercross’ 2024 season has been culled to three tour stops – down from the more common roster of 5 – 7 stops that Pro Watercross frontman AJ Handler typically packs into a schedule. The lineup also deviates from the tour’s typical mix of surf and lake stops – this year, the competition is fully flat-water, with no surf races scheduled.

First up on the Pro Watercross 2024 season is a stop at Sebring Florida on May 4-5. With a typically technical course required by the shallow waters and the load-in ramp in the middle of the course, the Sebring race has given racers some new twists and some great races since it’s first appearance on the Pro Watercross schedule in 2021. 

Pro Watercross’ second stop in their trimmed-down season is a June 15-16 race weekend at Lake Geneva in Keystone Heights, Florida – the site’s second year on the PWC Tour. 

For the final regular-season stop on the 2024 schedule, Pro Watercross returns to Lake Hartwell.  A long-time favorite stop for racers, and a popular event for locals, the Lake Hartwell race was dropped from last year’s tour, but returns this year – although significantly later than the usual June slot. This year, Pro Watercross will pull into the Mega Ramp at Tugaloo State Park on Lake Hartwell in Georgia for an August 3-4 race. As this race is just minutes from this editor’s doorstep, I’m hoping to see good turnout, despite what appears to be some scheduling conflicts among tours!

Although there is no mention of Arizona in the season schedule press release, the Pro Watercross Website does list the Pro Watercross International Cup in Lake Havasu City, AZ as “TBA.”

See the full press release below, and be sure to keep up with all the 2024 PWX race season news at prowatercross.org.

Pro Watercross Unleashes a Wave of Excitement in its 29th Anniversary Season with the Thrilling LIQUI-MOLY Triple Crown presented by JetTrim.!

Pro Watercross, the unrivaled force in personal watercraft racing, is celebrating its 29th race season with a return to its roots, we proudly present the LIQUI-MOLY Pro Watercross Triple Crown presented by JetTrim. The Pro Watercross Triple Crown, a symbol of excellence and excitement was first held in 2004, as it redefined the limits in the world of watercraft racing. The LIQUI-MOLY Pro Watercross Triple Crown series is not just a set of races; it’s a celebration of the most prestigious races in personal watercraft history, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience for both participants and spectators alike!

The 2024 season is poised to be nothing short of extraordinary, featuring three events at iconic locations that will leave you breathless:

May 4-5, 2024 | Sebring, Florida

June 15-16, 2024 | Keystone, Florida

August 3-4, 2024 | Hartwell, Georgia

Witness the speed, and unwavering determination of the top personal watercraft racers, transforming each event into an absolute must-attend event for fans and enthusiasts alike.

Pro Watercross invites everyone to join the festivities of its 29th anniversary season. Immerse yourself in the excitement of the LIQUI-MOLY Pro Watercross Triple Crown presented by JetTrim, where the Tour showcases top pro classes while also providing entry-level classes for beginners or those eager to enhance their competitive skills.

Stay in the loop with the latest updates by following the Tour and your favorite athletes on social media. Simply search Pro Watercross or visit www.Prowatercross.org. Get ready for a sizzling summer filled with heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping action on the water!

See you at the Beach!

If you’re in the market for a new deckmat, check out Unlimited PWC’s Deckmat Simulator to perfectly visualize your new purchase before placing the order.

These days, just about everyone knows the difficulties of online shopping. After hours of browsing through options, you eventually pick out the product you like, wait a few days for it to arrive at your door, and when you finally open up the box… disappointment. All too often, the product doesn’t fit like you had imagined or doesn’t even appear like the image you had seen online, so you return it and have to wait even longer.

Well, when it comes to shopping with Unlimited PWC, you’ll no longer have to face these struggles. Using their deckmat simulator, you can envision how a new deckmat will look on your jet ski before even making the purchase!

The simulator lets you choose between a variety of Kawasaki and Sea-Doo models on which you can visualize your deckmat. You then proceed to select between a wide selection of patterns, top layer colors, and bottom layer colors so you can find what combination would work best for your watercraft. The on-screen visualizer updates in real-time, so there is absolutely no hassle while you browse the options available to you.

After using this great tool to pick out the style you prefer, you can go on to purchase one of Unlimited PWC’s high-quality Traction Mats, knowing that the product you see is the product you’ll receive! Check out the Unlimited Deckmat Simulator now.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but The Watercraft Journal remains the world’s most read, most referenced and most popular personal watercraft publication. The numbers don’t lie: in 2023, WCJ welcomed over 2.4 million unique individuals to its digital magazine and YouTube channel combined. As part of WCJ’s daily publishing, we also provide the single-most detailed reviews of new personal watercraft (PWC) made available to the general public.

At the end of each calendar year, we re-evaluate the new PWC units we’ve reviewed for that model year and deliver a “Watercraft of The Year” award based upon a series of valued factors.

For 2023, the winner of The Watercraft Journal’s lauded “Watercraft of The Year” award went to the 2023 Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170.

Exhibiting unique and innovative features targeting a burgeoning market segment, the Explorer Pro bested a dozen other units to earn this accolade.

In celebration of winning the WOTY award, Sea-Doo placed the 2024 Explorer Pro 170 and its supercharged 230-horsepower sibling on display at the 2024 Discover Boating New York Boat Show held in the Javits Center on Manhattan this past weekend.

Tens of thousands of attendees visited Sea-Doo’s sprawling booth, perusing the 325-horsepower RXP-X and RXT-X and observing the podium displaying the Watercraft of The Year announcement.

Social media posts from BRP’s corporate accounts as well as that of Sea-Doo both shared the news of the Explorer Pro’s success in winning the hard-fought praise, particularly in light of this author’s rather critical review of the machine.

For those who know already, the Kawasaki Ultra JetSki remains the preferred weapon of choice for most offshore/rough water riders. It’s dramatic 22.5-degree deadrise makes its deep-V hull a wave splitter, allowing the craft to piece a swathe through chop unlike lighter or less aggressive hull designs that might skip or slide over the turbulent water’s surface.

Unfortunately, the Kawasaki’s heft and displacement hull also makes it considerably slower than its competitors. Yamahas and Sea-Doos require much less thrust to reach competitive racing speeds than the Kawasaki, so what is to be done? Kspeed has been hard at work solving said issue and not solely in getting the supercharged JetSki to produce more power.

In a recent Facebook post, Kspeed wrote the following:
Final test of the production KS3 plate. Holy Moly! You’re gonna want to jump on this fast. Instant 3+mph gain even on a full tank and this has been repeated time and time again on several skis in a multitude of conditions and with numerous test riders.

Goes over light chop faster, flies straighter and doesn’t lean over. Point and shoot and make going fast look like child’s play. It’s the GOAT of ride plates. You can buy it today and see it in 3D glory on our website. It will ship in April 2024.

The revised ride plate helps reduce drag, elevates the bow higher up out of the water (when used together with the 3-degree pump wedge) and gets the JetSki to planing speeds faster – all necessary in getting modern Kawasakis back into competition with the other guys’ skis. We look forward to seeing updates on the KS3 ProRace Plate as they come.