Powerboat P1, the premier international powerboat and personal watercraft sports promotor, has announced that Monster Energy will become the Official Energy Drink of the five-venue P1 AquaX USA National Championship – which is scheduled to launch in Michigan City in early July.
“Motorsports are a major part of what Monster Energy is all about and we support racers and motor racing the world over,” said Monster Energy Vice President of Motorsports Dave Gowland, in a press release.
Monster Energy will be represented with extensive branding and signage opportunities on race days, and some events will feature Monster sampling opportunities. Monster will also receive VIP hospitality and media exposure through P1’s TV broadcast agreements with Bally Sports Regional Sports Networks and CBS Sports.
“[Monster Energy] prides themselves on being ‘all-action’ and love racing, power and larger than life opportunities, and our high-energy, lifestyle events will provide the brand with a platform to get in front of people and interact with fans.”
“Their decision to sponsor our range of marine motorsports is testament to the growth of our business over the last twenty years, with strategic partnerships and television coverage playing key roles.” Said Powerboat P1 CEO, Azam Rangoonwala.
Unless you’re living in Florida where it always seems to be summertime, the rest of the Northern Hemisphere is readying for warmer weather – and that means dusting off your old riding gear just to realize that Mother Nature has taken it’s toll! Not to worry though, because RIVA Racing if offering some great deals for Jetpilot riding gear online!
In order to get you properly suited up and looking as good as your watercraft, RIVA has slashed prices on life vests, full and spring wetsuits, gloves, booties and more. Find the sizes, colors and combination that best fits you and your summertime look! Plus, RIVA is offering free shipping on orders over $150, which in today’s market is a huge deal.
This is a blow-out sale with savings up to 35-percent, meaning that RIVA is looking to clear out its current inventory, so don’t be surprised if you wait too long and the size or color you want is gone. They’re moving limited quantities as quick as they can so stop in and start shopping NOW!
Let’s be really honest here. Most casual jetskiers rarely don a pair of race-ready riding boots to fart around the lake with the kids. Growing up, most folks laced up an old pair of Chuck Taylors or slip-on Vans before stepping into the tray of their JS550, but just as the personal watercraft have evolved over the decades, so has the riding gear.
Calling something “race” often scares folks away, so that’s where this review begins with a disadvantage. While certainly, Slippery Wetsuits’ Liquid Race Boots are fully suitable for the closed course, they offer foot and ankle support that you won’t find in an old pair of sneakers or Crocs, or even some neoprene booties. And after a long day on the water, that added support will be much appreciated.
Since the redesign, Slippery’s Liquid Race Boots have maintained the same all-black look, and come with 1.5mm neoprene socks standard. No extra purchase required. The lace up boot features heavy duty loops and a thick shoestring to draw the sides taut around your foot. Above the ankle is a large Velcro strap that cinches the ankle closed. On the back is a pull tab to help slip the boot on.
Previously, the boot’s “chassis” was made of a thicker material with only small perforations for your foot to breathe through. Today, the boot uses Slippery’s “airmesh” material on both sides for vastly improved ventilation and drainage. This also gives it added flexibility allowing it to feel more forgiving. This was a welcome change to those who wore high-top wrestling shoes.
The Liquid Race Boot featured rugged anti-abrasion traction pads at the heel and toe, protecting the foot from shock while increasing grip while moving around the tray. The sole wraps high up around the heel for increased traction, support and stability. The thick sole cushions the ball and heel, fundamental for racers and aggressive riders often pivot off of their toes and ride on their feet.
In prior reviews, our primary complaints were that we found that sizes over 11 felt a little tight and the harder laces and loops tended to get brittle over the season – but not so for our boots this year. Our toes were never cramped or squished, and the materials are still pliable and soft. Priced at $99.95, Slippery’s Liquid Race Boot has increased in price by $10 since our last bout.
Nevertheless, they’re still a solid purchase at a fair price – particularly as other boots with less breathability and lacking the inner liner cost quite a bit more. Whether you’re looking for added grip for aggressive riding, better protection from rubbing and scrapes, or just wanting to keep your toes warm, the Slippery Liquid Race Boot is easily one of your best options.
In 2022, a number of P1 AquaX racers suffered mechanical issues that race officials attributed to the aggressive ECU tunes being run by many participants. The exorbitant cost of components and repairs was one of the main factors that deterred new racers from joining the P1 AquaX National Championship.
In an effort to reduce the number of mechanical issues that racers suffer while on the course, the 2023 rule book was amended with new lower speed and RPM limits. Skis in the Pro Class will now be required to run stock impellers, amongst other safety and performance related changes that were implemented.
In announcing these influential rule book changes, P1 AquaX has appointed Adrian Wilson as the new Technical Director for its US series. Wilson will provide competitor oversight, drive compliance with new rules, and provide recommendations on improving risk management and safety strategies.
Wilson is a former AquaX competitor in the UK, and has performed the role of Technical Director for the Jetsport Racing Association of Great Britain (JSRA) and at the World Cup in Thailand in 2022. “I’m delighted to continue my involvement with P1 AquaX racing by taking on this role,” commented Wilson.
The 2023 P1 AquaX series kicks off in July- 50 miles outside of Chicago in Michigan City- where both Pro and Am Enduro racers will compete on Lake Michigan. Stay tuned for more details from P1 AquaX about their latest sponsorship and broadcast agreements.
The 2023 P1 AquaX Rulebook and race calendar can be viewed on the AquaX website: www.p1aquax.com
Yamaha Motor Corp. USA recently opened a marine innovation center in Kennesaw, GA. They will add over 100 workers at the new facility, which will focus on marine technology, advanced boat power systems, and quality assurance. The company currently has over 2,300 employees spread out in multiple Georgia facilities, located in Cobb and Coweta counties.
Ben Speciale, president of Yamaha US marine business unit said the innovation center’s staff will explore new ways to make boating approachable. The easier softer way is an interesting trend we’re seeing in America. During a ribbon cutting ceremony Speciale said, “If you’re new to boating, it can be kind of scary. But we can lay technology on top of that, and they’ll get a better experience, and we can build that confidence faster.”
One way of doing this is by integrating and improving internet technologies in boats, which is a focus for Yamaha. The Yamaha mobile application is an example of one of those technologies. The user can monitor their boat’s location, battery charge, and some of its cargo.
Yamaha’s continued growth in Kennesaw is attributed to Georgia’s nearby universities and students seeking jobs in the engineering field. Governor Kemp welcomes companies like Yamaha because they provide opportunities for students and residents to make a great living working for innovative and fun companies. If you’re looking for an engineering job in metro Atlanta, Yamaha’s new marine center is hiring!
Kspeed out of Brisbane, Australia is known for their innovative performance products and accessories for Kawasaki JetSkis. They currently offer complete Stage 1 and Stage 2 kits for the latest generation Ultra 310 JetSkis, as well as a complete catalog of components that will make any Kawasaki JetSki enthusiast excited.
The original KS1 ride plate achieved global acclaim, but was not compatible with the new Kawasaki Smart Reverse and Deceleration (KSRD) system now standard on new Ultra 310 JetSkis. So, K-speed went back to the drawing board and “re-engineered and refined the original design.”
The original KS1 ride plate included three channels that ran the length of each side, with five shallow channels running down the center. The plate featured an extended running surface that ramped upward, flanked by deep skegs. The new KS1 ProRace ride plate features a similar architecture.
KSpeed spent the last six months rigorously testing the new KS1 ProRace Ride Plate prototype in different water conditions, and has finally announced that the new Ride Plate will begin shipping in July of 2023. Enthusiasts can now place a pre-order HERE
The KS1 ProRace Ride Plate promises “a perfect blend of offshore and high-speed performance, combined with improved handling in rough water conditions.” Kspeed claims that the new KS1 ride plate offers a higher top speed than previous generation ride plates, and provides better straight-line stability and traction in turns.
The IJSBA Race-Legal KSpeed KS1 Ride Plate will retail for $350.00 USD plus shipping. Note that this does not fit previous generations of Kawasaki Ultra 310 JetSkis.
Check out the new Premier Boat and PWC service from Broward Motorsports of Tequesta, FL! BMS Tequesta is offering white glove concierge service for your all makes and models of personal watercraft. BMS is also offering free local boat ramp pickup with full service for Juno, Tequesta, Hobe Sound, and Jupiter.
Same day in-and-out service is available with an appointment. That’s gold! No more lost water time and no months long wait for your ski while it’s parked in the shop. We like the idea of not having to load the ski on the trailer and hauling it to the shop. It also takes the guess work out of wondering when it will be ready.
You can also grab 10% off your next off by mentioning their ad. The 10% is only good if you’re using the drop-off or dock-side service only. All concierge services offered are dockside, pickup and delivery, and personalized services geared toward what you need. Broward Motorsports is one of the best in the business when it comes to factory trained technicians.
These guys go through extensive training to keep up with the latest best practices when it comes to maintenance. They honor all warranty work and will handle recalls and any problems that may arise with your PWC, and they will get it done in a timely manner.
Let Broward Motorsports Tequesta make your life easier by taking advantage of their new white glove service and scheduling a mobile technician to come to you. Call them at 561.748.9424 or make a request online.
The single most repeated piece of advice I give at The Watercraft Journal is for folks to always, always, always anchor their skis in 3-feet of water. Beaching your ski – although it looks pretty cool and all the manufacturers always do it for their photoshoots – is one of the worst things you can do to your ski.
Besides scratching the heck out of your hull – especially if its painted, like all factory Yamaha hulls are – it is the quickest way to get sand, rocks and other debris lodged into your jet pump. And if you’re on a Sea-Doo, the fastest way to get sand impregnated into your carbon seal, which can lead to catastrophic failure.
So yeah, like I said, always use an anchor. And over the years, I’ve found that the Sand Docker anchor – more than any others – has got to be my personal favorite. First, it’s 100-percent American made. I love supporting small American business, and Sand Docker is out of Jupiter, Florida.
Second, it’s not some over-complicated high-priced piece of equipment. Made from entirely out of aluminum and TIG welded together, the Sand Docker is lightweight, super strong, and impervious to rust.
Lastly, they’re incredibly easy to use. Simply pull it out of his supplied perch, hook the bungee strap to your bow hook, and stomp it into the ground. It’s literally that easy – and it’s just as easy to pull it out. No twisting or goofy procedures.
The anchor itself is less than $60 bucks, and together with a bungee dock strap is a little under $85 bucks. That’s literally less than HALF of what some of these other guys are charging – and a lot of those anchors barely even fit in your ski.
The Sand Docker is compact, lightweight, won’t beat the crap out of your storage compartment (because it comes with its own mount) and is a fraction of the cost. That, and it’s not made overseas but instead, here in America.
The year was 1973. The average family income in the United States was just under $13,000 a year, gasoline was about $0.40 cents a gallon, and Kawasaki’s newly minted R&D Department in Southern California had developed a prototype stand-up JetSki that would change the course of history.
Based on the designs of Clayton Jacobsen II – the U.S-born former Marine, engineer, and powersports enthusiast who is universally credited as the inventor of the jet ski – Kawasaki was the first company successful in bringing the concept of a jet pump driven personal watercraft to the masses. Kawasaki began producing JetSki hulls from Sheet Molded Compound (SMC) in 1975, and they continue to produce their hulls in a similar method.
It all started with the 1973 WSAA (flat hull) and the WSAB (deep-V hull) 400cc stand-up JetSkis. These 200 pound two-stroke skis generated a lot of interest in these new “motorcycles for the water.” In 1976 Kawasaki’s manufacturing facility in Lincoln, Nebraska began full production of the JS400 stand-up. Weighing in at 244 pounds, and measuring just over 7 feet long, the JS400 featured the same two-cylinder 400cc two-stroke engine found in the WSAA/WSAB, producing a whopping 24.5 horsepower.
Kawasaki continued production of their heritage two-stroke stand-up JetSkis for nearly 40 years, ending production in 2011. Throughout the long-lived production run, Kawasaki continued to make improvements and changes to their stand-up design, culminating in the release of the Special Edition 800 SX-R JetSki.
Due to tightening environmental restrictions, Kawasaki was forced to end production of their two-stroke JetSki engines. In 2016 Kawasaki introduced the industry’s most powerful 4-stroke stand-up – the SX-R 1500, which is capable of speeds over 60 mph.
In 1986, Kawasaki was credited with introducing the first mass-produced “sit-down” personal watercraft- the Kawasaki X2. This two-passenger watercraft enjoyed a 9-year production run from 1986 to 1995. Powered by a 650cc two-cylinder two-stroke engine, the X2 weighed in at just over 275lbs and measured in at just over 7 feet long.
Along the way, Kawasaki released some strange – albeit iconic – watercraft that have gained cult-like followings. The Kawasaki Jet Mate was a small 9’ x 5’ jet pump powered boat-like vessel first released by Kawasaki in 1989. Between 1989 and 1992 only about 1,200 of Jet Mates were produced. Powered by a 52 horsepower 635cc two-cylinder engine, the 527-pound Jet Mate was controlled by a joystick- and could accommodate three riders at once.
In 1991 Kawasaki released a two-passenger side-by side watercraft known as the Kawasaki Sport Cruiser (also known as the “Sea Couch”, “Spine Crusher”, and “Super Chicken.”) Powered by the same 635cc two-stroke found in the Jet Mate and 650SX, the Super Chicken measured in at 9’ x 4’ and weighed 441 pounds. Either rider could take control of the Super Chicken via its articulating, rectangle-shaped steering wheel.
In 1994 the 750 ST hit the market as Kawasaki’s first 3-seater runabout. While the 1995 two-seater 900 ZXi was the first JetSki to utilize Kawasaki’s new three-cylinder 891cc two-stroke engine. The STX line was born in 1997 with the 1100 STX, producing 120 horsepower from its 1100cc three-cylinder two-stroke powerplant shared with the venerable 1100 ZXi.
The Ultra 150 and 130 were the first JetSkis to feature the “Ultra” marque, although they shared their deck and hull design with the ZXi line. In 2007, the naturally aspirated 160-horsepower Ultra LX and the supercharged Ultra 250x made their debut. These skis were powered by a marinized 1,498 4-cylinder DOHC supercharged and intercooled engine – derived from the Ninja ZX-14.
The first generation of the Kawasaki Ultra LX enjoyed an iconic 15-year production run from 2007 to 2022, establishing the Ultra line as a capable and reliable ski for touring and rough water riding. Over this same period the Supercharged and Intercooled line of Ultras grew from 250 to 310 horsepower. Kawasaki Ultras are known for their class-leading horsepower and their deep-V hull design, which features Sheet Molded Compound (SMC) and gelcoat.
In 2011, the Ultra 300 was born as the first personal watercraft to utilize an Eaton Twin Vortices Series roots-type supercharger. Continual upgrades to the Ultra’s 1,498cc engine and cooling system resulted in the release of the Ultra 310 in 2014. For 2022, Kawasaki released the second generation of the Ultra 310 JetSki, modernizing the platform while keeping the iconic hull almost entirely unchanged.
While the personal watercraft industry has undergone numerous shifts and brands have come and gone the past 50 years, Kawasaki has continued to produce JetSkis that provide generation after generation with “Good Times on the Water.” From their first stand-ups to their supercharged runabouts – Kawasaki has obviously been doing something right for the past 50 years.
The thrust that propels your personal watercraft forward is produced rather simply: an inlet at the bottom of your watercraft’s hull ingests water, processing and compressing this stream into thousands of pounds of positive thrust that shoots out as a stream through the nozzle from the back of your watercraft.
At the inlet (or “intake”) is a device that both helps prevent the ingestion of debris as well as provide both lateral traction and suction to the water’s surface. This device is known as an intake grate, and comes in a variety of designs. The science behind it is quite fascinating and you can read more about that in an article we did previously here.
To some, the intake grate may look like an obstruction but not so! Rather, intake grate design can significantly improve pump efficiency, water ingestion and traction – radically improving performance, handling and predictability. For those looking to modifying their PWC, this relatively inexpensive part offers the biggest bang for the buck.
Kawasaki watercraft specialists, Kspeed out of Brisbane, Australia developed their own “Top Loader” intake grate after testing every single grate option on the market. Seven years of research and development resulted in what Kspeed claims as “the fastest top loader intake grate on the market”, the Kspeed Kawasaki Ultra 300/310 Intake Grate.
After the Kspeed team was confident they had what they felt was the best intake grate on the market, they tested it for an additional 18 months. Not only did they test their grates out with their own machines, but worked closely with offshore racers, closed course racers and regular leisure riders.
The Kspeed intake grate has much deeper runners that carry all the way through to the back of the grate. This helps give it added traction. An extended chip with a much more aggressive ramp allows for a better “bite”. Kspeed removed the middle runner allowing much more water to enter the pump. Yet, the biggest difference between the Kspeed grate and the stock grate is with the blade, giving it a much more aggressive bite.
The Kspeed Ultra 300/310 Intake Grate will fit on all 300 and 310 models. Installation is as easy as the following steps: First, loosen and remove the 6 5mm Allen bolts from the factory grate and remove it. Next, position the Kspeed intake grate in it’s place. You will notice that it feels like a tighter fit. Kspeed does test each individual intake grate for fitting before shipping to ensure correct fitment.
Then loosely install the front 5mm Allen bolts that Kspeed supplies with the kit in the front of the grate, not forgetting to add a dab of blue Loctite. The stock washers are not needed, but you can use them if you wish. Next, loosely install the rear 4mm Allen bolts supplied with the kit, again applying a dab of blue Locktite. Only once all of the bolts are in place and everything is lined up, tighten the bolts. And that’s it! Enjoy your newfound hookup!
In an effort to reduce the number of mechanical issues that racers suffer while on the course, the 2023 rule book was amended with new lower speed and RPM limits. Skis in the Pro Class will now be required to run stock impellers, amongst other safety and performance related changes that were implemented.
Check out the new 
So yeah, like I said, always use an anchor. And over the years, I’ve found that the 
