If you’ve been part of the Facebook four stroke SuperJet groups, you probably know that the Watercross of Texas 2.0 ride plate and double scoop intake grate are hot choices for handling upgrades. In this article, I’ll share my experiences with the WCOT plate and grate to help you figure out what’s best for you and your Yamaha 2021+ SuperJet!
There’s nothing worse than getting a new ski and having to rush out to buy new gear just to make it turn properly without sliding, and while OEM manufacturers clearly want their models to work for everyone – the stock equipment often falls short, and upgrades can provide the answer.
For example, if you’re looking for a better hookup and smoother turning – check out the WCOT 2.0 double concave ride plate and double scoop intake grate combo.
DOUBLE SCOOP INTAKE GRATE
Most stock intake grates are just generic debris blockers for the pump tunnel. The 2021+ SuperJet OEM grate features a small foil, commonly referred to as a scoop, but it doesn’t really help performance much. This creates opportunities for aftermarket options that can enhance pump efficiency, traction, and overall drive. While nearly all aftermarket scoop grates outperform the original OEM design, the WCOT double scoop grate stands out in several ways.
Install
Installing the new cast aluminum intake grate is quite simple. You just need to remove the stock grate, inspect and apply some blue Loctite to the OEM hardware, and reinstall the WCOT grate. With any aftermarket part, it’s a good idea to hold the grate up to the mounting points first to make sure everything lines up. Mine fit just right with no problems.
Traction
The rough water and cornering traction improvement is amazing! Both large scoops hang a little below the bottom of the hull. Their size and placement allows them to keep water moving into the pump more efficiently in chop or heeled over in a turn. I can push harder into and out of turns and accelerate more smoothly through chop. With the added traction, I feel more confident, which helps me relax and move with the ski below me.
Braking
Another benefit of the WCOT large scoops is the increased braking when off the throttle. It might take a bit to adjust if you’re used to the ‘coasting’ feel of the stock grate. So, why is the additional braking helpful? It lets you stay on the throttle longer, quickly slow down just before a turn, and get back on the throttle fast. Recreational riders will also enjoy the quicker throttle response when making sharp turns or finding the perfect spot to catch a wave.
Speed
The WCOT grate is advertised to increase top speed by around 1.5 mph. Obviously, a lot of factors go into top speed, including temperature, elevation, rider weight, amount of fuel in the ski, water density (freshwater, brackish, mineral rich, etc), amount of wave chop, engine efficiency, and other aftermarket parts installed.
I did several GPS runs with a stock intake grate and ride plate setup with a full tank of gas. Then I installed the WCOT intake grate and Pro Watercraft Racing ride plate (the WCOT 2.0 plate was not available at the time) and tested again (same day, same temps) with a full tank of gas and gained a little more top speed than the advertised increase. Keep in mind that I am a 150 lb. rider using a downloadable cell phone GPS app. The intake grate not only boosts top speed but also enhances acceleration in and out of corners by improving pump loading efficiency.
DOUBLE CONCAVE 2.0 RIDE PLATE
The stock ride plate on the 2021+ SuperJet feels as slippery in corners as greased owl… uh… “doo-doo.” I used the stock plate just long enough to take some GPS runs around a buoy course before swapping it out for an aftermarket one. When I bought my SuperJet in 2022, the new 2.0 WCOT plate wasn’t available yet. I was thrilled with the performance boost once I finally got it!
Install
Like the intake grate, the WCOT 2.0 ride plate install is super simple using the stock hardware. Just remove the stock plate (or in my case an aftermarket Pro Watercraft Racing plate), double check the new plate lines up to the mounting points, inspect and blue Loctite the OEM hardware, and install the new plate. Done!
Cornering
I tested the new WCOT 2.0 plate after riding a while with the Pro Watercraft Racing ride plate and Pro Watercraft Racing wedge rear sponsons. This combo was decent around the buoy course. Definitely far better than the stock plate, but still a little squirrely and slippery in the corners if my body position wasn’t quite perfect or low enough. Once I installed the WCOT 2.0 plate, the traction was so much more stable and predictable. I gained the confidence to relax and put more effort into charging harder into the corners because the new plate resisted losing traction and sliding out the rear.
Drive
The 2.0 ride plate features a little longer design that helps keep the nose down to blast through chop. I noticed immediately that instead of bobbing the nose up and down a lot in chop (porpoising), the new plate reduced the bounce and instead kept the ski more level and moving forward. The fairly mild side-to-side chine wobble was reduced with the 2.0 WCOT plate. My feet felt more planted and in control of the tray, even in rough conditions. When I compared the PWR plastic plate to the WCOT 2.0 aluminum plate, I found it took less effort to bunny hop with the WCOT setup.
You can also check out my WCOT 2.0 ride plate install and ride video for some extra visuals and commentary!
