The all-new Yamaha JetBlaster broke Sea-Doo’s nearly decade-long reign of the Boating Writers International Innovation Awards, winning the Personal Watercraft division of the 2025 awards.
During the early-morning awards breakfast held yesterday, Feb. 13, the Jet Blaster model series was recognized for its “cutting edge” three-piece deck design and top-of-the-line performance.
The Innovation Awards, managed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI), honors manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products for the boating industry to market. The awards are presented at the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show and the Minneapolis Boat Show. This year’s awards featured 12 categories, including, among others, Personal Watercraft; Tow Boats; Cuddy Cabin, Bowrider, Deck Boats; Cabin cruisers, Motor Yachts, Trawlers; Center Console/Walkaround Fishing Boats; Fishing Equipment, Gear & Tackle and Consumer Electronics, Mobile Applications and Software.
This year’s Judges’ Committee included seven BWI members with expertise in marine products and equipment. On the committee were chair Tim Murphy and co-chair Ben Stein (co-chair), along with Gary Reich, Kim Knudsen, Tony Esposito, Kate Bush and Kelsey Bonham.
During the awards, Murphy stated, “We live in a time of fundamental change in boating—how we store and use energy, how we control our boats, how we collect and send dynamic information, how we draw in younger boaters and those who haven’t tried it yet. There are so many new ways to enjoy time on the water, and the 2025 Innovation Awards are showcasing those changes as they happen.”
In announcing the Yamaha JetBlaster as this year’s winner of the Personal Watercraft category, Knudsen stated, “Yamaha’s new JetBlaster WaveRunner Series prioritizes practicality and function for consumers, dealers, and service providers. As an entry-level offering, the three-piece deck system and the removable mid-deck makes maintenance and customization easier at all stages. From a performance perspective, the JetBlaster’s lightweight truly delivers a PWC that’s fun for everyone –from first-time riders to adrenaline junkies and performance racers.
The win for Yamaha breaks a nearly decade-long Sea-Doo clench on the Innovation Awards Personal Watercraft category that included (2024) RXP-X, (2023) Explorer Pro 170, (2022) Fish Pro 170, (2019) Fish Pro 155, (2018) GTX Limited, (2017) Spark Trixx.
In 2016, Yamaha got the Innovation Award nod for the TR-1 Marine High Output Engine, in 2015 Yamaha tooke the Personal Watercraft win for the Ride System, in 2013, Yamaha’s 192 Series with Thrust Directional Enhancer claimed the win, and in 2008, the Wave Runner SHO took the top honor.
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2025 Yamaha JetBlaster highlights (Courtesy Watercraft Zone):
Yamaha JetBlaster two-seater (90hp):
- SMC fibreglass hull
- Small LED instrument display
- 5.5-litre glovebox
- Rear deck mats
Yamaha JetBlaster Deluxe three-seater (90hp):
- SMC fibreglass hull
- Small LED instrument display
- 5.5-litre glovebox
- 7.8-litre bow storage
- Two-tone rear deck mats
- Reverse trigger
- Side mirrors
- Rear boarding step
Yamaha JetBlaster Pro two-seater (110hp)
- Lightweight Nano-Xcel 2 hull
- 4.3-inch digital instrument screen
- 5.5-litre glovebox
- Two-tone rear deck mats
- Rear boarding step
- Rear step wedges and adjustable trim to ride on the ‘tail’
Yamaha JetBlaster Pro three-seater (110hp):
- Lightweight Nano-Xcel 2 hull
- 4.3-inch digital instrument screen
- 5.5-litre glovebox
- Two-tone rear deck mats
- Rear boarding step
- Rear step wedges and adjustable trim to ride on the ‘tail’
- Side mirrors
