History of WaveRunners (PWC)

Yamaha released the WaveRunner 500 (Marine Jet 500T), the world's first sit-down type open stern production PWC. This is the model that created today's PWC market. As an agile craft that many people could enjoy with a sense of assurance, it sent shockwaves through the small watercraft industry.

The WaveJammer 500 (Marine Jet 500S) debuted as the world’s first sit-down type solo riding PWC. The combination of a fixed steering column and small hull made this an extremely agile model. Its concept would later be carried on by the WaveBlaster models.

The WaveRunner III 650 (Marine Jet 650TL) was released as the world’s first 3-passenger PWC, featuring a larger hull and high-performance engine. With truly pleasurable running performance and great stability, it started a new rage and became the predecessor of the later family models. It became a standard that is still seen on the water today. Its reverse drive was also a first.

With the SuperJet 650, Yamaha made itself a presence in the stand-up model category.
The great balance of this model quickly spread the Super Jet name around the world, making the stand-up models accessible to more people.

The WaveRunner VXR650 (Marine Jet 650TX) was released as the deluxe model of Yamaha's tandem series. While the same size as the initial WaveRunners, the adoption of a new concave hull design gave it sharper turning with reduced slipping.

The WaveBlaster 700 (Marine Jet 700TZ) made its debut. With a motorcycle-like ride that let riders enjoy sharply banked turns, combined with its powerful engine, this model won the hearts of sports-minded riders. At the races it dominated the sport class competition. This is a model that still has many devoted fans today.

The WaveRaider 700 (Marine Jet 700RA) was released. PWCs entered a new era of speed racing, and runabout type models with "V" hulls became the standard.
In the same year, Yamaha also released the FX1 stand-up model.

The full-sized 3-seater model WaveVenture 700 (Marine Jet 700VN) debuted. Because this was a model that beginners could ride with assurance even in fairly rough waters, it became a hit at beaches with PWC rentals. This year the WaveRaider was also upgraded with a 1100cc engine for the increasingly high-speed PWC scene.

To help more people enjoy the fun of riding a PWC aggressively, the WaveBlaster II was released with a powerful 760cc engine and a hull designed for even greater stability.
The SuperJet was also upgraded with a 700cc engine.

The GP1200 was released as a runabout model with awesome performance. With the most powerful engine in the industry and a compact body designed for great agility, this model stole the hearts of riders who loved real speed riding.

The XL1200 debuted as Yamaha’s top model in the full-sized 3-seater category. It won popularity for its unbeatable combination of a powerful engine, a hull that delivered both great running performance and stability and contemporary styling. This model expanded the world of PWC sports to include touring, towing sports and family riding.

The GP1200R debuted with a 155 hp engine and newly designed hull and body. Its unsurpassed running performance and gorgeous design won it the crown as leader of the muscle craft. It quickly became the must-have machine for the performance-oriented rider.

The XLT1200 debuted as a re-designed version of the XL1200 Ltd. with a completely new front look. This was a model that made many performance-minded customers look to the 3-seater category for the first time.

The FX140 was released as the world’s first 4-stroke engine PWC. Its smooth engine feeling, clean exhaust and great fuel economy revolutionized the world of PWCs. It also became popular for its new hull design that provides good stability even on rougher waters.

Raising the displacement of the highly-acclaimed 1200cc engine and adding fuel injection and a high-performance catalytic converter, Yamaha introduced the GP1300R as a revolutionary muscle craft that offered both performance and environmental friendliness. This model made Yamaha the leader in environment-friendly models in both 2- and 4-stroke PWCs.An FX Cruiser version of the FX140 with hip-support seats was also introduced.

The FX High Output and FX Cruiser High Output appeared with higher performance 4-stroke engines. With these models the much talked about 4-stroke models entered the high-performance arena. Yamaha 4-stroke models are now praised throughout the industry for their smooth-running engines, great reliability and outstanding hull performance.

The VX Sport and VX Deluxe are released with the aim of getting more customers to experience the wonderful performance of 4-stroke engine models by offering an irresistible combination of high quality and an affordable price. The engine is a masterpiece of engineering based on the proven high-performance 4-cylinder engine used on the FX High Output models. Combined with a new-design hull, this model opens new horizons for the PWC.

To the worldwide best-selling VX series we add the new model VX Cruiser with a newly developed "Cruiser Seat." The excellent sense of fit that the riding position of the seat provides makes it possible to experience the fine handling performance of the VX hull even more fully.

The world's best-selling PWC since their debut in 2005, VX Series has been renewed for 2010. Yamaha has kept the industry's best fuel efficiency and the quality, and upgraded its premium look with newly designed deck and black hull. The VX Sport is the best machine to simply enjoy riding with excellent cost performance.

The VXR was first released using a VX hull which utilized the ultra lightweight material "NanoXcel" and was powered by a 1.8L High Output Engine. Out of all existing runabout models, the VXR laid claim to the lightest body in the industry.
This new package refines the speed and agility of the model even further. With the new VXR, riders are reminded of the true nature of sports riding.

RiDE is the World’s First Handlebars with Dual Throttle Controls, an ultra-intuitive control system. Pull the right hand throttle lever to go forward, pull the left hand throttle lever to slow down and go in reverse. Let go of both levers and the watercraft is in neutral. The right and left throttle levers can work together at speed to let the driver dial in maximum control over their ride.
RiDE utilizes a patented bucket design that forces water out the sides of the bucket, whereby acting as a virtual rudder that keeps the watercraft tracking in the direction the driver intended.
The throttle system is controlled by a Boat Control Unit, or BCU, that is specifically tuned at the factory to account for the power and weight of each model. This ensures a completely smooth experience whether riding around a dock in close quarters or taking a turn at full speed. The BCU is also programmed to understand driver input and intention when both levers are pulled simultaneously, applying the appropriate level of acceleration or deceleration to maximize control.

For 2015, Yamaha introduces NanoXcel 2, a nanotechnology-engineered material that is even lighter than the previous version while maintaining the structural integrity the material has come to be recognized for.
To create NanoXcel 2, Yamaha engineers innovated at the microscopic level using a combination of “nano” clay and glass micro-bubbles to develop a new stronger resin that uses less material. The glass micro-bubbles used in NanoXcel 2 are smaller and stronger than other filler materials, contributing to the strength, rigidity and lightweight of the new hulls and decks.

The 2016 was the 30th Anniversary of WaveRuuner.

All the styling of more expensive watercraft makes the VX one of the best-looking personal watercraft in its class. Features Yamaha's innovative TR-1 High Output 3-cylinder Marine engine and RiDE for a value-packed ownership experience.

The EX Series is designed for buyers seeking an affordable entry into the sport of personal watercraft, but demand the durability, reliability and quality that only Yamaha can deliver.

Born out of Yamaha’s deep race heritage, and designed for closed-course racing and experienced high-performance enthusiasts, the new GP1800 is the quickest, fastest, most precise handling WaveRunner that Yamaha has ever designed.

The luxury performance personal watercraft series returns with an all-new deck and hull design, the industry’s first color touchscreen instrumentation, self-draining footwells, and an innovative multi-mount system that makes affixing accessories to the FX a snap.
The new deck of the FX Series is aggressive and bold, featuring stylish gunwales and an entire look that is supercar-sleek. The new hull design favors stability, predictability, and comfort in choppy water conditions.

The high-performance EXR is the most powerful and lightweight Rec Lite watercraft in 2019. Powering the EXR is three-cylinder TR-1 HO marine engine that comes with a modified engine control unit (ECU) that increases horsepower by ten percent compared to the rest of the EX line.
The EXR features Yamaha’s high-performance, super-lightweight NanoXcel 2 hull and deck material, and also features a top-loader intake grate and a 40mm pump extension for more agile handling and performance.

The SuperJet returns all-new from the ground up to challenge a new generation of standup riders with a torquey Yamaha’s award-winning, three-cylinder, four-stroke TR-1 marine engine. This compact, lightweight 1,049cc engine delivers the exhilarating acceleration that standup riders love throughout engine RPM range. And for novice riders, there is now a L-MODE that reduces engine performance of the SuperJet to 85 percent or approximately 40 miles per hour.
The design goal for Yamaha engineers was to keep the original SuperJet riding experience alive in a new four-stroke model. To do that, Yamaha needed to keep the size and weight of the new standup as close to its two-stroke predecessor as possible.
The new deck features a three-position adjustable handle pole that can extend up to 50mm in length, race-inspired handlebars, and a wide padded foot tray with an integrated reboarding holder.
Under the waterline, the new SuperJet hull is designed for greater static and dynamic stability while maintaining the SuperJet’s thrilling turning abilities.

New to the Yamaha WaveRunner line in 2022 is the fun and exciting JetBlaster that delivers a playful, exciting riding experience like no other sitdown watercraft before.
The three elements that make the JetBlaster so much fun to ride are its raised, lightweight performance handlebars, foot chocks placed where the footwells meet the stern, and a custom-tuned electric trim that allows the rider to tailor the riding characteristics of the watercraft.

All new 1898cc, four-stroke, four-cylinder, 16-valve High Output Yamaha marine engine replaced the 1812cc High Output motor that powered the previous HO models. This more powerful engine provides quicker and smoother acceleration and a higher top speed. This is achieved through the engine's increased displacement, which is industry largest 1.9L, optimized intake and exhaust paths, and a 10 percent larger throttle body for more power and torque. Yamaha also refreshed and modernized the look of the new HO marine engine with a cross bar concept and an all-new black anodized engine cover and exhaust manifold. For Engine cover, plant-derived cellulose nanofiber (CNF) reinforced resin is adopted, this is the world's first*¹ case of mass-producing parts for vehicles using this material.
*1: Based on Yamaha Motor and Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. research