Yamaha JetBlaster (2022-)

Brief Summary

Waverunners sure are fun, but they aren’t really dedicated just for fun now are they? I mean, they can also cruise, serve as water toys on the swim platform… Lots of people extend the fun with tubing but the simple fact is, it’s the cranking and banking that is the most fun.

Specifications

Length Overall	123.6" 313.94 cm
Dry Weight	549 lbs. 249.02 kg
Fuel Capacity	13.2 gallons 49.97 L

Captain's Report

Captain's Report by Capt. Steve

No matter what else we do with these machines, just watch what people do when they first climb aboard and that tells the story… figure eights, close circles, fast accelerations, these are the adrenaline shots the WaveRunners bring to the table. Well now, Yamaha has stepped up and made a WaveRunner that is dedicated strictly to having exactly this sort of a blast on the water and it’s appropriately called… the JetBlaster.

Mission

The mission of the JetBlaster is to provide an all-new freestyle experience like no other sit-down watercraft. 

Major Features (Including Distinguishing Features)

• All-new model for 2022.
• Delivers a unique, freestyle riding experience like no other PWC before it.
• Features raised lightweight handlebars for stand-up solo riding.
• Fitted with foot chocks for a secure stance when riding standing up.
• Comes with custom-tuned electric trim to adjust the handling characteristics from playful to planted.
• Powered by award-winning Yamaha TR-1 HO Marine Engine.
• Rides on high-performance, ultra-light hull.
• Includes RiDE dual throttle control for unmatched maneuverability.

Handling

Anyone who has spent any time on a WaveRunner will feel right at home on this one.  When riding this WaveRunner, it’s pretty much stand-up all the time and put your weight way to the back.  Then it’s a matter of cranking, banking and getting wet.  With your feet in the aft chocks, your weight is directly transferred to the hull and that’s when the magic happens.  Spin-outs become more commonplace and suddenly you’re heading in the opposite direction before your stern wave has time to dissipate.  And just like that, you’re launching over it and catching air.  That’s if you have the trim all the way up. 

With the trim all the way down, you can stuff the bow in a hard turn and kick the stern out of the air and around for a hard turn in the opposite directions.  There’s really no limit to what you can do if you have the cojones and the athleticism to go for it.  It’s not like you’re going to faceplant onto cement, so why not.  Who knows, they just may name a new move after you. 

Boat Inspection

We met with Winona Mack, Yamaha’s Digital Marketing Specialist, who went over the key features of the JetBlaster with us.  She explained that there are three primary features that make the JetBlaster a blast to ride. 

1. Raised handlebars: This WaveRunner was meant to be ridden standing up, so the handlebars are designed to accommodate that.  They’re higher than those on a regular cruising model.  The handgrips are also spaced farther apart, making it more comfortable to lean farther out into the turns and really get that weight outside the center of gravity. 

2. Aft-mounted foot chocks: By having the feet placed way in the back of the footwells, the weight is more naturally transferred to the back of the machine allowing for digging in the stern and really cranking it around for tighter turns and a more thrilling ride.  It just feels more natural to have the feet back there when freestyling and having foot chocks back there just makes it more comfortable now. 
3. Custom Tuned Electric Trim: Just because fun was added to this WaveRunner, doesn’t mean that Yamaha skimped on the technology.  The throttle trigger is still on the right-hand grip.  On the left is a rocker switch that controls the up and down of the jet nozzle trim to really dial in the ride.  Want a straight and true acceleration to blast off with?  Then trim down to keep the bow down.  Want to launch over your wake and catch some air? Trim the nozzle way up and get that bow way up.  There’s an indicator on the digital screen to let you know where the trim currently is so there’s no guessing.  This is an exclusive feature of the JetBlaster and frankly, the more athletic the rider, the more aggressive the ride becomes. 

Additional Features

• RiDE: Rounding out the technology features on the JetBlaster is the RiDE control.  This allows for stopping and even reversing and it’s among the most intuitive experiences on the water.  While the throttle is on the right-side, RiDE is on the left.  Squeeze the left trigger to effectively stop the WaveRunner and, if the trigger is continually held, then it actually starts to reverse.  This is great not only for safety, but it makes docking a breeze.  Just remember that when reversing to “steer the bow” and you’ll stay in control.   
• TR-1 HO Marine Engine: The award-winning TR-1 HO Marine engine from Yamaha is the most powerful engine offered in a compact WaveRunner.  It’s a 3-cylinder, 1L, 4-stroke powerhouse that works wonders in the company’s boats, so imagine the power it brings to a WaveRunner.  Connect it to a 13.2-gallon (49.97L) fuel tank and the fun can go on all day. 

• Performance Hull: Yamaha’s performance hull is designed and built to exact tolerances to be ultra-lightweight.  SMC fiberglass gives the JetBlaster a weight of only 549 lbs. (249 kg) will give it not only speed and agility but the ability to kick it around the lake with ease. 
• Top Loader Intake Grate: This increases the jet pump hookup and decreases cavitation when launching over waves.  There’s also a 40mm jet pump extension that increases acceleration response. 

Options to Consider

JetBlaster Footwell Speakers: $599.99

Price

The JetBlaster is priced at $9,999.

Observations

The JetBlaster isn’t for everyone.  Take away the cruising, the touring, the luxury, the bells and whistles…. Yamaha has other models with all those.   This is for the confined area that just screams for a machine to let loose and wring it out and see what level of fun can actually be had when a machine is built exclusively for pure fun.  Like a pure thoroughbred, this is made to be ridden hard and put away wet.  The only limitation will come from the rider who will get worn out long before the fuel supply dwindles. 

Now with all that said, let’s be clear about a few things.  This is a whole new category for Yamaha.  It’s outside of all the existing classifications and as such, plays in its own sandbox.  Secondly, if it’s thought that one has to be a super athlete and on the young side to enjoy this machine, think again.  I may not have been doing back-flips on it, but I gave it a run for its money and lasted for the better part of the day doing so.  Yes, I was sore the next day, having used muscles I hadn’t used in a while, but that’s not the point.  The point is, this is not just a toy for the kids.  Far from it.  Truth be told, I have tested every WaveRunner in the Yamaha lineup and I spent more time on this one than any other model.  Period.  It’s just more fun to wring this one out than it is a touring model.  What can I say… The design works.