Canadian Yachting - April 2011

PWC REVIEW
Yacht Tenders

NEW YAMAHA WAVERUNNERS FOR 2011

WE ARE SEEING more and more big boats carrying a personal watercraft instead of a dinghy or a RIB (rigid hull inflatable boat). Is a watercraft practical? Is it economical? And, what are the benefits?

We spent the day sampling a group of Yamaha’s newest WaveRunner models to see what they offered and also to consider how practical it might be to have one of these instead of a dinghy or inflatable.

In a recent media presentation by Yamaha, we learned that while there are both two- and three-passenger watercraft models, three passenger versions are 93% of the Canadian market.

Personal watercraft are generally 10 to 11 feet in length on a 4-foot beam, weighing approximately 700-800 lbs. If we compare that to a similar size inflatable with a 40 hp outboard, the personal watercraft is probably about 150 lbs. more. The weight difference is partly the all-fiberglass construction and partly the engine which is typically much more powerful than a 40 hp.

By Andy Adams

Transport Canada safety regulations require both a driver and a watcher in order to tow a person on a tube, a waterskier or wakeboarder; there also must be a place for the skier to ride onboard the boat for safety reasons. You cannot tow with a two-person personal watercraft (or any other two passenger boat) unless there’s room to bring a skier on board. So a three-passenger watercraft like the WaveRunner VX is legal for waterskiing and it certainly has the performance!

The VX was one of two new WaveRunner models that Yamaha introduced for the 2011 model year: the VX and the VXR, both with big engines but value pricing. (Incidentally, these machines can be serviced or get warranty coverage at any of the 285 Yamaha dealerships across Canada which is a worthwhile consideration when cruising with your boat.)

If you have never driven a personal

Maybe the photograph conveys how cold it was that day, but not many other people would want to be out boating! In spite of that, with a Yamaha wetsuit and life jacket over my bathing suit, I was warm, dry and having a blast!

watercraft (and many yacht owners have not), it’s actually pretty easy. At rest, beside a dock or swim platform boat, these three-seat models are stable enough for even a large person to step on board on one side.

Everyone onboard a watercraft must wear an approved personal flotation device (PFD); eye protection is certainly a good idea! Wear a pair of polycarbonate unbreakable sunglasses or goggles just in case you encounter a bug in the air. Compared to an open dinghy or inflatable, you can stay just as dry and comfortable on a personal watercraft except that the watercraft has side foot wells that can take on water as you board, so wear sandals or go barefoot and put your shoes in the storage compartment.