Whether you own shorefront property, a marina, or even a dock, finding the proper space to store and launch your personal watercraft can be a challenge. Steep shorelines, sea walls, or space limits can restrict a PWC owner’s ability to easily launch his or her craft out onto the body of water. That’s not just a capacity limit… it’s a fun reduction!

Luckily, Capria S.A.’s PWC launcher offers a nifty solution to this struggle. Their state-of-the-art launching system allows you to easily move your PWC from on-land storage to the water. All you have to do is place your PWC in a cradle system, which then can be used to lower it into the water or raise it into storage in as little as five to fifteen seconds! The launcher allows for maximal flexibility as well, with angles ranging between 20° and 90° and a maximum distance of 100 feet, making it extra useful in areas with significant tide fluctuations.

With over 50 years of experience manufacturing precision heavy machinery, and more than 20 years working with marina systems, Capria offers a secure and reliable solution to your PWC launching needs. See the full press release below:

Many marina owners know they can generate a modest income stream through daily personal watercraft (PWC) launch fees. More are discovering the real money is in drystack storage.

An all-electric PWC Launcher from CAPRIA S.A. is easy to add to any small, unused portion of waterfront—whether it’s a steep embankment, concrete seawall or second-story structure. The opportunity to increase customer satisfaction and owner revenue is now in place.

Perfect for incorporating into a new or existing drystack operation, CAPRIA PWC Launchers are CE-marked and built to ISO 9001 standards. They’re manufactured to accommodate virtually any location. Vertical travel can reach up to 100′ with angles between 20° and 90°. This makes the machinery especially practical for marinas with extreme tidal fluctuations.

Operationally, it’s no different from a standard drystack business. Owners contact the marina to book a pickup time. PWCs up to 1,500 lbs. are loaded onto the PWC Launchers using a CAPRIA semi-automated Stacker Crane or forklift. Then, it’s a mere five to 15 seconds until it’s in the water.

CAPRIA S.A. has manufactured precision heavy machinery for over 50 years, including marine systems for over 20 years. With low-cost drystack installations around the world, it has a proven record of solidly improving profits for its customers.

Contact CAPRIA S.A., Haendel 32, Centro Industrial Garin, CP 1619 Garin, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Phone: +54 3327 414470; [email protected]; www.thestackermachinery.com.

Last weekend was the 20th annual Mark Hahn Memorial Havasu 300, the world’s longest continual PWC race. Dozens of participants took to the water to race across a 10-mile loop encompassing Lake Havasu, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Among the athletes were several piloting Yamaha WaveRunners who snagged some impressive placing when the race was called shortly after the 4-hour mark.

Among those were Mike Neumann and Bill Austin brought home a victory in the Manufacturers Stock class aboard a unmodified GP1800R SVHO proving the potency of the factory-stock Yamaha. Other Yamaha wins came from Craig Kelling and Andreas Kubatzki who grabbed second in modified Runabout Vet Master Open class, and Jamal Reyes and Juan Lezcano earned second in the Runabout 1100 Stock class.

Yamaha Motor Corp. USA celebrated the turnout of top tier WaveRunner racers in a Facebook post stating the following:
In a stirring display of skill, endurance, and product reliability, Yamaha riders Mike Neumann and Bill Austin clinched victory in the prestigious Manufacturers Stock class at the 20th Anniversary Mark Hahn 300 Personal Watercraft (PWC) endurance race, held on February 24 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

In addition to the win in the Manufacturers Stock class, Yamaha riders Jamal Reyes and Juan Lezcano finished second in the Runabout 1100 Stock class, followed by Yamaha rider Arnold Martinez, who finished third.

Yamaha pro riders Tory Snyder and Christopher Landis finished third in the modified Pro/Am Four-Stroke Open class. Yamaha riders Craig Kelling and Andreas Kubatzki finished second in the modified Runabout Vet Master Open class.

The victory in the Manufacturer’s Stock class is particularly noteworthy. This class is designed to showcase the out-of-the-box performance and reliability of PWCs, directly comparing manufacturers’ products under the most demanding conditions. Unlike modified types, where extensive tweaks and enhancements are the norms, the Manufacturers Stock class requires competitors to race on watercraft as close as possible to what consumers can purchase from dealers. This means that the victory is not just a testament to the riders’ skill and determination but also the superior design, engineering, and reliability of Yamaha WaveRunners®.

“We are thrilled with Mike and Bill’s victory at the Mark Hahn 300. It’s a testament to their hard work and the unmatched performance and reliability of our WaveRunners,” said Yamaha WaveRunner Racing manager Bryce Parker. “Winning the Manufacturers Stock class is particularly meaningful to us because it reflects the real-world capabilities of our watercraft. We believe it’s essential for our customers to know they are purchasing some of the most reliable and high-performing products on the market.”

The Mark Hahn 300, known as the longest continuous PWC race in the world, challenges teams to complete 300 miles on the waters of Lake Havasu. This grueling test of endurance, strategy, and equipment draws competitors from around the globe, making it a benchmark event in the PWC racing calendar.

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 today, The Watercraft Journal is going 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, we find a great Manager’s Special deal on a black and green 2023 Yamaha JetBlaster on sale for $9,999 with a financing offer of 0-down, 199 a mo @ 10.99 A.P.R. for 84 mos (W.A.C.), as well as several PWC models in their featured inventory list. Hanging out in the store’s announcement bar is notification of the news that Liqui-Moly is now available at BMS stores, a link to the Broward Motorsports Racing Instagram Account, and steps to join the BMS Text Club and get $25 off any $125 parts or accessories purchase, just by texting BROWARD to (844) 913-3612.

Next up is the Hollywood store, where you can preorder any 2024 Sea-Doo model and get 2-year coverage and $250 off accessories through March 31, plus the Yamaha Waverunner Best of Show event with three great financing deals to choose from on new 2018-2024 Yamaha WaveRunner made on the Yamaha Credit Card issued by WebBank, plus one-year Factory Warranty plus one-year complimentary Yamaha Extended Services. And to top it off, Hollywood has Red Tag savings every Saturday on new and pre-owned inventory, parts and accessories, not to mention hotdogs, burgers and kids activities from 12 – 4 p.m.

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 if you feel like veering away from the PWC line, check out the manager’s special on a sharp-looking blue 2023 Sea-Doo Switch Sport with trailer included for $37,888 – a savings of more than $3,000.

Next is the Jupiter/Tequesta store, where they are running a special on the 2023 Sea-Doo RXP®-X® 300 Tech Package in sleek Triple Black with race-ready performance. You can also take advantage of their Premier PWC and Boat Service, with same-day service (with appointment), dockside service available, and more, with a 10% discount (terms apply) available on your next service – not to mention managers specials that include a  2024 Yamaha FX Cruiser SVHO for $19,799

Moving on to Treasure Coast/Hobe Sound, we find a $1,000 rebate and financing starting at 2.99% on 2023 Sea-Doo RXP-X and RXT-X 300 models through 3/31, not to mention the green 2023 Sea-Doo RXP®-X® Apex 300 in featured inventory for $17,483 – more than $3,500 off the regular price, and a 2023 Yamaha SuperJet® also in featured inventory for $7,983 – more than $2,500 off the normal price.

Finishing up our tour at Miami, we find not only great deals, but information and education too, with a list of frequently-asked questions about jet skis  (and the answers) and a “How To Drive A Jet Ski For Beginners” video. 

 If you feel like breaking away from the jet ski for a bit, you can also check out the Winter Sales Event featuring 2023 and 2024 Scarabs, with up to $8,000 cash savings or APR as low as 4.99 through 3/19.

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.

For many of us, being close to nature means going out for a hike or enjoying a day out on the nearest body of water. Taking a break from a normal day’s work to reconnect with the nature around us is a rewarding and relaxing experience, a much-needed pause for any individual. 

For Vladislav “Vlad” Melnik, however, being close to nature means much, much more.

In a recent interview with Marianas Variety, Melnik recounts how his arrival in the Northern Mariana Islands in 2011 brought him a newfound passion for life by reconnecting to nature. Melnik reminisces about his childhood in Russia, where he spent his early years as an outdoorsman.

“I grew up in the mountains and nature. It was absolutely natural back in those days to play in the woods, go fishing, pick berries, mushrooms. You can feel it, it got deep under your skin — the knowledge, the skills,” he tells Marianas Variety.

It’s with this familiarity that he would rekindle his passion years later, arriving in the Northern Mariana Islands and making his home on the water.

After years of jet ski practice and ample preparation, Melnik decided to push himself further with two open sea voyages throughout the island territory. His first trip on August 4 from Saipan to Farallon De Medinilla totaled 60 miles or 100 kilometers of open sea travel. Eleven days later, he would complete another voyage from Saipan to Rota, a distance of around 80 miles or 130 kilometers. He made both excursions on his Sea-Doo GTX 300.

While Melnik made all the necessary preparations and was well-versed in the technical details (he maintained a steady pace of between 28-35 knots or 32-40 mph), to hear him tell it, his primary interest was the natural beauty he encountered along the way. He made special note of the importance of avoiding sea turtles, and his descriptions of the surrounding nature are filled with wonder.

He tells Marianas Variety, “You can see the beautiful formations, ridges, and holes, not from the [US Military’s] bombings, but from natural erosion. The wind and waves and everything made it a beautiful architectural work.” He paid special attention to photographing his surroundings along the way.

Check out the full article and interview by Andrew Roberto on Marianas Variety to learn more about Melnik’s journey.