The all round winner: 2012+ Yamaha Waverunner FX HO Cruiser
We generally only use PWCs as quick and convenient ocean transportation. Occasionally we take them out for pleasure ridding, but the conditions need to be either hurricane force winds with 30 foot swells or mirror flat like an oil slick. I think the most fun I have ever had in the ocean was on a Waverunner in the Gulfstream during hurricane Sandy, but those opportunities only come by so often. So our winner is the most reliable, comfortable and has the best fuel range of the 3 major manufacturers. Speed would be on the list, but the performance differences on high end modern watercraft is negligible. The only real advantage to blown and turbocharged engines is a little acceleration.
Reliability
Since the inception of the first Waverunner in 1986 we have been managing fleets of water toys for our clients. At the time of writing this article we manage 24 PWCs not including our own rental units. We have long term torture tested every competent unit on the market and the ones with least problems are all made by Yamaha. As an example, there is a neglected 2008 unit that we have sitting on a semi floating dock in Gables Estates near Miami that we are experimenting to see how long before catastrophic failure occurs. Not only does this FX HO Cruiser have over 400 salty hours on the counter, but it has never been rinsed or washed since we purchased it brand new in late 2007. We are mindful of oil changes and whose counting how many batteries but as a guest machine she has always operated flawlessly. Try that with any other brand and you will be taking on water within the first year.
Range
Usually when selecting any toy we opt for the highest performing available engine. However, whether spending the day ridding around Miami with friends or doing a midnight crossing from one Bahamian island to another, fuel is not always readily available. Furthermore, fueling can be a daunting task for non-nautical guests. The FX HO is the only comfortable PWC that will consistently get you a 100miles in the ocean. We augment that with a 5 gallon gas can on every second bike when island hoping in the Bahamas.
Comfort
The latest Yamaha Nanoxcel hull was last lengthened in 2012 by nearly 8 inches and is the larger than some of Bombardiers earliest jet boats. This translates into the most comfortable and stable ride on the water. The bike is also an unexpectedly good jumper with its over 800 lbs weight well distributed and snappy engine response. You could do better with a VXR for wave jumping but it occasionally bow stuffs in rough seas.
Best PWC in freshwater: 2011+ BRP RXT-X 260
If this is not your first PWC you already know that the fun of ridding in circles on a lake gets old pretty quick. Check your classifieds as there are many low hour machines that were used less and less as the years went by. Most people buy these watercraft because of how fun they LOOK to ride. However, if you are stuck on a freshwater lake without destinations, the RXT will continue to give you a smile longer than any other watercraft. The acceleration is mind blowing right up to it’s GPS limited top speed of 74mph and the bike will out hold you in a turn. I can only imagine the spectacular crashes that have occurred by newbies getting tossed on the high side.
Best family PWC in freshwater: 2 X 2014+ BRP Sparks
The only issue with the Spark is that your family will also require a ski/wake boat. But if your kids have any friends and are aspiring athletes, you needed a dedicated vessel with ballast systems and enough electronics to make the Navy blush anyways. I often summer in Canada and when visiting some of the local aquatic attractions I am sometimes asked by onlookers about the price and maintenance for such a steed. My only logical answer is “too much!”. Modern watercraft walk out the door for the same price as a Volkswagen. They have truly become small boats in the competitive battle for the best handling and most stable platform. But for less money, you can now have 2 Sparks and go exploring with your significant other. You also have the added safety of the buddy system.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.