Jetskilopnik: My Next Toy

"Upshift" (Upshift)
03/31/2015 at 17:30 • Filed to: Personal Watercraft, Yamaha, FX, HO, Cruiser, Purchase, New, Jetskilopnik

Some of you will remember from my earlier !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that I was going to swap out my watercraft for a different model. Well, the paperwork is done and I will soon have a 2015 Yamaha FX Cruiser HO parked in the back yard.

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There aren't any photos of my actual craft for me to share yet because it's in the dealer lot still wrapped up. However it is the same as the stock photo above down to the colour scheme.

It's powered by the same 1812cc inline 4 cylinder engine, producing aproximately 180hp, as the VXR. It's 99lbs heavier however at 827lbs.

The FX series, however is Yamaha's luxury watercraft. It's a foot longer and 4 inches wider than the VXR with a hull much better suited for cutting trough chop. Which translates to a much more stable and comfortable ride over rough waters.

Features include the 3-piece cruiser seat, 33 gallons of storage including a water-tight container under the seat and a wet storage compartment for stuff like tow ropes, flip flops and diving goggles at the stern, four position tilt steering, electronically adjustable trim, cruise control, no wake mode which holds a steady 5mph without the user needing to apply throttle for low speed zones, a more detailed multi-function display, a much deeper reboarding step, ergonomic handlebar grips and pull-up cleats flr docking ropes.

And of course, Yamaha's new RiDE left trigger that, like Sea-Doo's iBR, allows a true neutral setting, controls reverse and uses reverse thrust for braking. The similarities end there because, unlike iBR the left trigger acts like a second throttle. It doesn't cycle between neutral or reverse but engages reverse directly. Neutral is achieved simply by letting go of both triggers. Also, the reverse bucket is designed to allow directional thrust while applying the RiDE trigger, allowing you to steer while slowing down with whatever amount of thrust you are applying.

I'll be picking it up in a couple of weeks and I gotta say I'm excited. I'll have an in depth review out in June.

DISCUSSION (18)

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Upshift
03/31/2015 at 17:48

As much as I tend to favor Kawasakis over Yamahas (with the exception of the FJR1300ES), that's not a bad jetski.

jkm7680 > Upshift
03/31/2015 at 17:50

I've always wanted a Jetski, but the towing capacity of my A4 is that of a portly waitress.

Wacko > Upshift
03/31/2015 at 17:52

Congrats on the Yamaha,

Don't own a jet ski, but my snowmobile is a Yamaha, and my 25 hp boat engine, the boat engine is 30 years old now, but it still runs like new.

Yamaha has one of the best reputations for engines.

Upshift > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
03/31/2015 at 18:01

The Kawasakis are definitely the indisputed horsepower and offshore riding kings! I would love to have an Ultra 310 some day! The issue is the lack of dealership availability in my area and it lacks certain features I really wanted in a craft. Plus I was looking for a long distance cruiser so hense why I opted for an N/A ski instead of a superchared craft. But, one day!

Upshift > jkm7680
03/31/2015 at 18:04

Yeah, nowadays you want something that can tow 1000-1500lbs comfortably. Although you would be the perfect candidate for a Sea-Doo Spark! The craft itself is only 400lbs so even with the trailer I doubt your A4 would struggle much. BRP actually ran an ad last year featuring a spark towed by DeadMau5' Ferrari 458 to show that it's light enough to be towed by anything. Plus the starting price is 5 grand which is significantly less than anything else on the market.

Upshift > Wacko
03/31/2015 at 18:05

Their reputation for reliability is the main reason that attracted me to them in the first place!

jkm7680 > Upshift
03/31/2015 at 18:06

Wow, that's not bad at all. I'll definitely look into it, but the cost of the Jetski itself and the trailer would probably end up costing 3-4 times what my car cost, haha.

Thanks for the info though! I'll keep track of that for sure.

Upshift > jkm7680
03/31/2015 at 18:08

Yeah I mean 6K up is definitely not cheap by any means. But it's the least expensive you can get for a new unit and the low weight means you could get away with towing one with almost anything.

jkm7680 > Upshift
03/31/2015 at 18:09

It's not cheap for sure, but I'm guessing it would be something worth doing in the long run. Especially without a car with a good towing capacity.

Upshift > jkm7680
03/31/2015 at 18:11

It's definitely a good option for a lot of people. The target market for the spark is pretty mch anyone with a lower budget looking for their first machine and wan't something that doesn't require an SUV or truck to tow. Though, it has found a cult following amongst enthusiast riders because of it's smaller size and lower weight.

thefinalmonster > Upshift
03/31/2015 at 18:18

cool, I bought a VX Deluxe last year and can't wait for the season to start again.

The whole thing stared with the seadoo spark, which I test drove and liked, but wanted something more stable. Next step up was this Yamaha.

That said, I really want a bowrider boat now. Jetskiing is fun but very limiting - you have to dress up and ALWAYS get wet, plus you can't ride at night.

Wacko > Upshift
03/31/2015 at 18:23

When I will replace my suzuki atvs, it will be a Yamaha

Upshift > thefinalmonster
03/31/2015 at 18:40

There are limitations indeed. It really depends on the kind of riding you want to do. Congrats on your purchase by the way!

jkm7680 > Upshift
03/31/2015 at 18:42

Ah, sounds like it has a good potential for a cult following. Would you consider it like the Ninja 250 of jetskis?

Upshift > jkm7680
03/31/2015 at 19:02

something along those lines yes!

jkm7680 > Upshift
03/31/2015 at 20:55

Haha, that sounds good then.

Upshift > jkm7680
03/31/2015 at 21:01

http://watercraftjournal.com/loose-change-2…

Here, read this review.

jkm7680 > Upshift
03/31/2015 at 21:21

Thanks for the link, I'll take a look-see.