Yamaha FX Cruiser High Output

Capt. John Wenz

Cruiser is a fitting name for this “flagship” of the Yamaha WaveRunner fleet. From the moment I straddled the three-passenger seat, I agreed with the brochure; I got the impression I’d be driving rather than riding.

Sure, the dashboard and mirrors are reminiscent of a touring sports car. Don’t be fooled, the 160 HP Yamaha MR-1 engine delivers all the fun and exhilaration of sportier PWCs. It’s got enough pulling power to pull boarders and skiers or take three lucky passengers for a ride. My impression was more like a high-end touring motorcycle. In fact, I daydreamed about taking my wife and the “son of the day” for a cruise on our local waters. The other two boys would be awfully upset to miss out on something this special!

Bold New Styling and Comfort Features

The all new deck design lends itself to the world-class sports car look and feel. The titanium and black color scheme looks fast, even tied up at the dock! The molded front shroud and dashboard combination is characterized by smooth lines and graceful corners. Good-sized mirrors blend right in with the shape; and the swept back, tilt handle bars enhance the lines to create total appeal. The Yamaha Cruiser seat is thickly padded and molded to support the hips. Combined with the handlebars and the raised foot chocks, their three-point contact system allows the driver to relax the legs, arms and lower back to reduce fatigue on those extended cruises.

New Instrumentation and Electronics

My favorite part of this boat is hands-down, the electronic instruments. They’re all-new for 2006 and mounted on an automotive style dashboard. An analog speedo/tach, digital speed, time, and distance computer, air & water temp, and a digital compass are all there and easy to read. The industry’s first built-in fuel flow meter completes the package. You’ll always know what your distance limits are with the fuel you have on board. In addition, a remote control security system allows the ignition to be locked and also controls Yamaha’s low RPM mode. It reduces RPMs by about 30%; for those novices in the family who aren’t quite ready for full speed.

Yamaha- an Industry Leader

Yamaha WaterCraft Group has been a leader in the PWC Industry right out of the blocks. They were first to introduce the two-person watercraft in 1986, and first with a three person model in 1990. 2002 saw Yamaha introduce the first four-stroke powered PWC. A Yamaha WaveRunner has been named “Watercraft of the Year” seven times since 1993. The 2006 model year continues in their tradition of innovation; the FX Cruiser series introduces pull-up cleats along with the innovative instrument package and built-in fuel flow meter.

Power plant

Clean and quiet, the Yamaha High-Output MR-1 was designed exclusively for marine use. A high volume intake box with water repellent air filter, dry sump lubrication, and a corrosion protection system provide the dependability you want for extended cruising and long engine life. Yamaha’s computerized engine management system controls and adjusts fuel and ignition parameters and provides for off throttle steering, and a slant detection switch shuts the motor down immediately in the event of overturning to prevent water ingestion.

Additional Features

Twenty-six gallons of total storage including a cooler, rear-seat storage and, at the driver’s position, a glove box. In addition, a waterproof compartment for your cell phone, wallet, and other important items is conveniently placed. Five step adjustable tilt steering allows drivers of all size to drive in comfort, without fatigue. The remote-control security system disables the ignition at the touch of a button. The same pocket transmitter activates Yamaha’s “Low RPM Mode” which decreases engine rpms by 30%, reducing top speed for those novices in your family. A swing down step is mounted beneath the large aft platform allowing for stable and safe re-boarding. The Quick Shift Trim System offers 24 degrees of instant trim adjustment with a twist of the left handgrip for quicker acceleration and more precise turning. Yamaha’s trademarked “Visibility Spout”, from the rear of the craft, makes all Yamaha PWCs more visible for safety. The hull and deck are fabricated from Yamaha’s SMC materials, which allow touched-up scratches to blend right in. The manufacturer provides a 1-year limited warranty. The FX Cruiser Model offers the same amenities, just slightly lower horsepower (140 instead of 160), at a price of about $1000 less.

On The Water

We enjoyed perfect conditions for our test day with the FX Cruiser High Output. The breeze was calm, air temperature in the upper 70’s with the water a few degrees cooler. Our speed runs resulted in a top end run of 58.2 miles per hour. Based on our fuel consumption data, I can conclude that a cruising range of about 125 miles at a speed of 32 MPH could be expected on a tank of regular gas.

All speeds are measured by a hand held Stalker PRO radar gun and a hand help digital timer, so the human elements is a factor. Temperature, saltwater versus fresh, load, and water conditions are all a factor and the reason why test results may vary.

Performance Chart

Test Conditions