This model year welcomed many machines that were both radical improvements on previous vehicles, as well as completely new designs. That, and carry-overs from previous model years had us weighing lasting impact, appeal and longevity against the new and untested units. Thankfully, the industry hasn’t been stronger in nearly a decade, with domestic and international sales up into the double digits.
This has not only benefited the OEMs, but dealers and the performance aftermarket as well. In fact, we deferred much to the impact of two of the units listed – our Watercraft of The Year and our two runners-up – in making this year’s decision, as both craft played heavily on both new vehicle sales as well as in the aftermarket. You can see the runners-up here.
2015 Watercraft of The Year Winner: 2015 Yamaha FX Super Vortex High Output WaveRunner
Although it worked out to have all-three manufacturers represented on the podium this year, that was not our original intent. But, awarding the 2015 Yamaha FX SVHO WaveRunner the honor of The Watercraft Journal’s Watercraft of The Year award was almost a foregone conclusion the minute that Yamaha introduced the model with its new-for-2015 RiDE dual throttle system. The addition of the new brake and reverse system to its (near) entire lineup not only elevated the manufacturer to a whole new class of safety and rider input, but also gratefully replaced the right-hand reverse lever that we had beleaguered Yamaha over for years.
The current FX is a few years old, but the inclusion of both the new NanXcel2 lightweight bonding material and the Super Vortech High Output (SVHO) 1,812cc centrifugally supercharged 4-stroke to the three-seater in 2014 dramatically unveiled what many already knew: the FX hull is truly a fast and responsive design. But it wasn’t until Yamaha introduced us (and its 2015 lineup) to its new RiDE technology that it could ever be considered as Watercraft of The Year. Although additional features are found on the Cruiser edition, most of us found the high-backed stadium-style seating too restrictive for taller riders, and preferred the low-slung, stepped bench instead.
One of the biggest factors for the 2015 FX SVHO taking home this year’s Watercraft of The Year has been its recent surging presence in the racing scene, particularly in the realm of offshore and endurance competition. Although not near the rough water machine as the Ultra 310X, between the large diameter 160mm pump and sure-fire SVHO powerplant producing an unofficial 265 horsepower, the FX has proven itself as a true, full-tilt open class contender that can also be one of the most reliable long distance cruisers when equipped properly (ie. FX HO). There’s not a lot of hull designs that can boast such versatility.
And it’s that versatility that made the FX SVHO the choice over the closed-course darling FZR and FZS. It takes a level of athleticism to full engage the FZ models, and cruising such an aggressive hull is counter to its design. We recently documented the incredible numbers of the all but unchanged 2016 Yamaha FX SVHO WaveRunner when given the ideal conditions, and although very unlikely that most riders could replicate such speeds with a bone stock unit, the potential within this craft is seemingly limitless. Already, the aftermarket is awash in performance parts to maximize this 3-seater’s abilities, and we’re sure to only see more in the coming months. So with that, we want to congratulate Yamaha for earning this year’s The Watercraft Journal’s 2015 Watercraft of The Year!
