2026 Yamaha Crosswave revealed: radical four-seat fishing jet ski headed for Australia 

The jet ski fishing segment is about to get a major shake-up with the unveiling of the all-new 2026 Yamaha Crosswave. 

It is a four-seater, wide-body personal watercraft dedicated to fishing or diving, thanks to its flat platform and underfloor storage. 

It might not look like a traditional jet ski, but it is powered by a jet pump and has handlebars for steering. 

Yamaha is yet to release key technical specifications such as size and weight (and the size of the petrol tank), however it is powered by the same 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine used in the Yamaha FX HO WaveRunner, among other models. 

Yamaha does not make a claim for the power output of this engine, however industry estimates peg it at about 200hp. 

The 2026 Yamaha Crosswave – an all-new, ground up design – is wider and longer than most personal watercraft but much smaller than a boat. 

The jet pump propulsion means it can travel into knee-deep water if necessary, unlike small boats with outboard motors that can get stuck in shallow conditions. 

The 2026 Yamaha Crosswave is set to shake up the fishing jet ski market. 

In the early 2000s and 2010s, Yamaha was the go-to brand for fishing enthusiasts, with riders customising their skis with rod holders and cooler boxes. But in 2018, rival Sea-Doo saw the opportunity and launched the Fish Pro, a dedicated fishing model that quickly carved out the segment. 

Unlike the Fish Pro—which starts as a standard ski before Sea-Doo adds factory-fitted accessories—the Crosswave has been designed from the ground up as a purpose-built fishing Jet Ski. 

The Crosswave features a large flat deck that enables the rider to stand on either side, or on the bow or stern, and it also allows for ample underfloor storage. 

Images from the US show multiple fishing rod holders and even a place to mount a sunshade umbrella to keep riders protected. 

There is also the option of a live bait tank and trolling motor attachment points. 

The clever console design – which houses two touchscreens – means Yamaha can upgrade the screens at a later stage without much reworking. 

And another unique feature of this model is that it seats four people instead of three. Most full-size jet skis on sale today have a maximum capacity of three riders. 

Yamaha fans in the US and Australia are still waiting on a price for the new model.   

Dealers are not yet offering price estimates, which means it could cost more than $30,000 – the price of what is currently the most expensive non-supercharged Yamaha WaveRunner. 

While the 2026 Yamaha Crosswave is due in US showrooms in the first half of next year, Yamaha WaveRunner dealers in Australia have been advised not to expect this model until 2027, once production ramps up. 

In the meantime, Yamaha has given most of its WaveRunner line-up a fresh coat of paint and new colour schemes for 2026. 

Bright red is back on certain models for the first time in 10 years, while the flagship 2026 Yamaha FX SVHO Limited also comes with 40th anniversary badging to commemorate the start of the WaveRunner era for Yamaha 40 years ago. 

Yamaha WaveRunner dealers have been advised to expect the first shipments of 2026 models to arrive in time for the Australian summer, though the Yamaha Crosswave will likely be a 2027 proposition at this stage.