Yamaha’s flagship WaveRunner, the FX Limited SVHO, combines performance, handling, luxury and a collection of limited-edition amenities that separate it from the pack.
The FX hull handles a wide variety of water conditions, from a carve on morning glass to ocean waves and rollers. Cranking the bars reveals a smooth transition into turns with an intuitive inside lean. In rougher waters, the hull tracks straight as an arrow with nary a wander or glitch to be found. Electric trim fine-tunes the hull attitude to the conditions, as well as puts more hull in the water when making those aggressive turns. Raising the trim enhances the craft’s top speed.
At 1,812 cc, the engine below the saddle is the largest-displacement offering in the PWC industry. It benefits from both a supercharger and an intercooler to pump cool, condensed air into the cylinders. That engine is housed within a hull manufactured from Yamaha’s lightest-weight NanoXcel 2 construction material to fully maximize the horsepower-to-weight ratio. During our test in near-ideal conditions, a full squeeze of the throttle pushed the craft to 30 mph in as little as 1.5 seconds. Top speed peaked at 67 mph.
Standout features include RiDE, Yamaha’s dual-throttle system that adds a secondary throttle both to control reverse during slow-speed maneuvering and to provide rapid deceleration when applied at high speed. RiDE creates an electronic link to the reverse bucket, using it in both instances to precisely deflect pump thrust and achieve the desired effect. The result, after a brief learning curve, is intuitive control of the craft and total confidence in tight confines, like a launch ramp or crowded marina.
Other features include cruise control and a low-speed no-wake mode, both of which eliminate throttle-finger fatigue when cruising, towing or navigating extended slow-speed zones.
New-for-’19 tech accessories include waterproof wireless EcoXGear Bluetooth speakers, Garmin GPS fish finder with through-hull transducer, and a beverage mount. The included watersports package gives you a tow rope, a tube holder, and a single-passenger inflatable with 12-volt inflater and outlet. Dry bags for gear and phone, fenders, pull-up cleats, and a custom colorway with matching cover round out the offerings.
High Points
- Tiered cruiser saddle offers support, comfort and elevation.
- Color touchscreen displays vital info, customizes ride, locks ignition to prevent theft.
- Bow compartment has soft cooler and quick-access aft trunk.
Price: $17,399
How We Tested
Engine: Super Vortex High Output 1,812 cc supercharged Yamaha Marine Engine
Pump/Impeller: 160 mm high-pressure/stainless-steel
Gear Ratio: 1.00:1
Fuel Load: 18 gal.
Crew Weight: 155 lb.
Yamaha – Kennesaw, Georgia; 800-962-7926; yamahawaverunners.com
