Yamaha unveils 2020 jet ski range

Yamaha has given its complete WaveRunner range a colour and trim overhaul for 2020 and re-introduced the FX SVHO Limited as the flagship to the fleet after a one-year hiatus.

The new line-up is due to arrive in Australian showrooms in late November or early December but photos and details have been released now to coincide with the start of the boat show season in North America, the world’s biggest market for jet skis and personal watercraft.

Prices are due to rise by between $300 and $500 on most models due to the Australian dollar recently hitting a 10-year low against the US dollar. Yamaha WaveRunners are designed and engineered in Japan but made in Newnan, Georgia.

Buyers who want to pick up a bargain might want to consider one of the current 2019 runout models given there are no technical changes on any of the model lines – EX, VX, GP and FX series.

However, some familiar models get a new name and a bold new colour scheme to better reflect their racing credentials.

The championship-winning GP1800R, powered by a supercharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, is now called the GP1800R SVHO (the letters used to define the supercharged engine on other models in the WaveRunner range) and the body colour is now a bold yellow with blue highlights.

In previous years the GP1800 was available either in white and blue or white and red. Its price has risen from $21,999 to $22,499 (excluding rego and trailer).

Because the popular VX-R was essentially a GP1800R but with the non-supercharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, Yamaha has chosen to rename that model to GP1800R HO (HO being the letters to define the non-supercharged engine in other models in the range). Its price has risen from $17,999 to $18,399 (excluding rego and trailer) and is now finished in black and lime yellow.

Both renamed GP1800R models retain identical versions of Yamaha’s second generation lightweight NanoXcel II hull – only the engine and colour combinations are different.

The flagship FX series is not yet 12 months old, but as is tradition at Yamaha the colour combinations have changed to reflect the new model year.

The non-supercharged 1.8-litre FX HO (previously white and blue) is now white and green, and the price has risen from $19,999 to $20,499 (excluding rego and trailer). The FX HO Cruiser (with stepped seating and two tie-down cleats) is now silver and blue and costs $21,499 (excluding rego and trailer), up $500.

The supercharged 1.8-litre FX SVHO (previously white and red) is now “stealth” black with grey highlights and costs from $24,799 (excluding rego and trailer), up $500. The FX SVHO Cruiser (with stepped seating and two tie-down cleats) is now silver and red instead of dark grey and red and costs $25,799 (excluding rego and trailer), up $500.

The new flagship of the fleet is the supercharged 1.8-litre FX SVHO Limited finished in black with blue highlights. It gains the Cruiser’s staged seating and comes with four tie-down cleats instead of two. It costs $25,999 (excluding rego and trailer).

Unlike the US version, the FX SVHO Limited does not come with accessories such as the towing tube, tube inflator and built-in USB port in Australia. For now, the USB port is available as a dealer fit genuine accessory.

Yamaha has again delayed the introduction of tailor-made accessories while it waits for redesigned speakers and more sturdy speaker mounts that will be unique to the FX series. If all goes to plan, they should be available locally in the new year.

The three models in the entry point EX series each get new colour combinations, starting with the budget-priced EX ($8499 excluding rego and trailer, the same price as before).

The high output EX-R ($12,599 excluding trailer and rego, up $300) gets a larger splash of yellow on the top deck this time around.

The middle of the range EX Sport has been replaced by the EX Deluxe ($11,199 excluding rego and trailer, up $900) and comes with Yamaha’s ‘Ride’ control system which (as per the EX-R and dearer models in the range) conveniently positions the reverse lever near the left hand grip rather than a separate lever on the body of the craft.

The EX series is still powered by Yamaha’s proven three-cylinder 1050cc TR1 engine; and the “performance on a budget” EX-R still has a power advantage over its more affordable siblings.

Given that the Yamaha WaveRunner 2020 models are effectively a colour and trim change, buyers could end up with a bargain if they choose a 2019 model during runout in the coming months.

All three personal watercraft manufacturers – Sea-Doo, Yamaha and Kawasaki – are overstocked following slow sales this past summer, and weaker than expected demand despite hot deals at the recent Melbourne and Sydney boat shows.

Although all three brands are yet to announce their discounts for the upcoming Brisbane boat show, chances are they may sharpen prices on runout models even further.