“Nanotechnology….on a PWC?”
The very same thought crossed my mind as Yamaha staff patiently, and slowly, explained some pretty serious chemistry to a history major. For years, consumers have been dazzled by the wonders of modern composites which always seemed to outdo whatever last month’s super composite was. Composites are a part of everyday life: Boeing is getting ready to roll out a mostly composite jetliner; the 787 Dreamliner. The U.S. Air Force has a number of mostly composite aircraft. Composites are everywhere; in cars, bikes, computers, aircraft, making things lighter, stronger, and faster.
If like me, you ever wondered when all these great material advances would finally land on a PWC, today is the day. Meet NanoXcel: Yamaha’s new material for hulls and decks on their FX HO, SHO and Cruiser series watercraft. NanoXcel is the result of Yamaha engineers changing composites at the molecular level and producing a material with a better finish that’s far stronger than before, but here’s the kicker; it also weighs in 25 percent less than the old hulls.
Starting to get the picture? Now, combine the Supercharged 1.8 liter engine with a hull and deck 25 percent lighter than before and now it’s time to start adding on the extras. As always, Yamaha doesn’t disappoint in this department.
Bells and Whistles
A few purists decry the advent of “gadgets” on modern PWC. From built in GPS to fuel control monitors to sound systems and the plethora of aftermarket ad-ons. I respect their position, but simply, I don’t think you can have too many tools, particularly on the long distance runs I prefer. Apparently, Yamaha feels that way too.
New for the SHO Class is ‘Cruise Assist.’ This allows the long distance rider to throw away the rubber bands and short sticks, and instead rely upon a built in “cruise control.” It’s not a true cruise control for obvious reasons as the rider must have their hand on the throttle at all times.
Cruise assist works by you setting the speed you want to maintain; then once engaged you can squeeze the throttle control back to the more comfortable fully depressed position, thus easing the strain on your hand and the headache of attempting to maintain and even speed. This is great for towing wake boards and skiers. It even has an adjustable rocker switch allowing the rider to tweak the speed up or down a few knots each way. Anything more requires you to reset the system. Anytime the throttle is released, the system automatically shuts off restoring full authority to the rider.
Combined with the already existing fuel flow meter, and for the first time it becomes possible to set your SHO to its optimum speed under given conditions to achieve the greatest range possible. (I have my fingers crossed that Yami will upgrade this further with an even larger fuel tank next year.)
And there’s more: how about a computer controlled reverse? Skeptical? So was I, until I tried it. No cavitations whatsoever, and no more looking like an amateur at the dock. In fact, it provided such astounding instantaneous control on the prototype I tested, I’m pretty sure we’ll all see more of this in the future.
So what else? How about a “no wake mode?” Yep!
AWA’s home waters here in DC are fantastic, except for an incredibly long and questionable no wake zone which must be transited to reach the open Potomac below the city. The law is the law and we suffer through in compliance. Trying to maintain some sort of headway on this nearly mile long stretch, while avoiding the tell tail white wake is annoying.
Not anymore. A simple push of the button and you’re transiting no wake zones at around 5mph… with no wake…at all: None. I was so impressed with this, that I found myself continually trying it over and over. No wake modes have been around for years, but this is a first on a personal watercraft. About time.
Another minor, but positive change in my opinion is a welcome refinement to the upper decks of the SHO. Gone is the transparent colored shield on the hood. It’s been deleted and the look is a sleeker, cleaner, more angular hood with larger bow bumpers on both sides.
New SuperJet! Oh yeah.
The SuperJet has a brand new hull allowing for guys like me to relive the whole reason they love personal watercraft in the first place. I have to admit I haven’t ridden a stand up in years; maybe quite a few years. And here was my chance in the Georgia drizzle on a secluded cove at Lake Allatoona with only Yamaha staff present to snicker.
The new SuperJet hull has been redesigned with ‘molded-in’ sponsons making it comfortably stable for a run-about rider to embrace. In fact, I was able to jump right up and go, albeit slowly. The control touch took two minutes and one fall to get used to, but I motored back into our cove and asked if I could try it one more time. This run, I had it down, and was giving her more throttle which resulted in an almost wipe out pulled out nicely for an honest ‘tight turn.’ I was laughing. Riding the new Super was challenging to me, long accustomed to yachting on big run-abouts, but there I was, and it was the most fun I’d had on a PWC in a while.
This is nothing but great news for stand-ups. Anything which brings new riders into the ranks of the stand-up community is good. Anyone with half a sense of balance can easily handle the new SuperJet; and it may lead a needed resurgence. Yamaha sees it that way too, and has increased the numbers of new SuperJets available for sale this year. I strongly encourage any run-about rider to take the opportunity to try the new Super. At a very reasonable $6699.00, it would fit very nicely on the trailer with your existing boats.
The Last GP.
Every rider on the planet knows the almost cult-like following the GP has earned. While the market has embraced new and spectacular performance craft with enthusiasm, the GP has quietly held her own as the classic muscle boat. She’s changed little from the past but why would you? It’s a GP. If you’ve been waiting for a chance to grab this distinct watercraft, now would be that time.
As part of the Greater International Communist Conspiracy (also responsible for Deadwood being off the air), 2008 will be the GP1300R’s farewell year. To send her out in style, Yamaha will offer the GP only in the gorgeous midnight blue metallic flake.
The rest of the Yamaha stable is fairly consistent with 2007. One notable exception is a new color scheme available for the wildly popular VX Cruiser. New Orleans Saints fans will love the new black and bronze model. Having seen it in real life, it is a beautiful boat.
It sounds cliché to keep saying this is a great time to be part of the PWC Nation, but it is. Just a few years ago, there was an unspoken belief that maybe…just maybe, that’s all there was from the manufacturers. What we need to understand is that research and development takes time, and we’re seeing the fruit form those trees planted 5 years ago. Yamaha is showing what taking your time, can produce. |