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Yamaha FX Limited SVHO (2019-)
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Brief Summary
The FX series of five WaveRunner models represents Yamaha’s line of luxury and performance Personal Water Craft (PWC).
The FX Limited SVHO is the ultimate package with the most technology, the most amenities and the most performance. Yamaha packages this model with all of the accessories, leaving nothing to want when playing on the water.
Key Features
- 1.8-liter, Supercharged 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, Super Vortex High Output (SVHO) marine engine
- 1 to 3-person rider capacity
- 44 gallons (167 L) of storage capacity
- NanoXcel®2 lightweight hull and deck
- Connext® touchscreen with security and drive control
- Reverse RiDE™ with traction control
Specifications
Length Overall |
140.9'' 3.58 m |
---|---|
Beam |
50'' 1.27 m |
Dry Weight |
822 lbs. 373 kg |
Deadrise/Transom | N/A |
Max Headroom | open |
Weight Capacity |
529 lbs. 240 kg |
Person Capacity | 3 |
Fuel Capacity |
18.5 gal. 70 L |
Engine Options
Tested Engine | |
---|---|
Std. Power |
1 x 1812cc 4-cylinder, 4-stroke SVHO Yamaha Marine Engine |
Captain's Report
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Contents of Report
Mission
Yamaha put all of their knowledge and experience in personal watercraft design and construction to create their ultimate package, the FX Limited SVHO. Altogether, the Yamaha FX Limited SVHO offers the top of the line performance, luxury features, and accessories to enjoy exhilarating experiences in comfort and give owners bragging rights on the water.
Major Features
- 1.8-liter Supercharged SVHO Jet Drive. This is the largest displacement engine in the personal watercraft market at 1812cc.
- 4.3” Multifunction Display. Connext®, Yamaha’s all-in-one touchscreen helm control system integrates the boat’s entertainment features, operation functions, and essential system information.
- No Wake Mode. 3-position switch sets engine speed and maximizes jet thrust for No Wake zones.
- 44-Gallons of Storage. The Yamaha FX Limited SVHO has 44 gallons (167 L) of wet and dry storage in multiple compartments.
- Cruise Control. Yamaha’s Cruise Assist allows the operator to set the speed for cruising.
- Integrated Fold-Down Re-Boarding Step. Yamaha built in a wide drop-down re-boarding step to make it even easier to get onboard.
- Accessory Tow Package. The Yamaha FX Limited SVHO comes standard with Yamaha’s Accessory Tow Package which includes a color-matched tube, inflator, 12-volt outlet, tow rope, and two fenders.
- Accessory Tech Package. The Yamaha FX Limited SVHO comes standard with Yamaha’s Accessory Tech Package which includes two waterproof, wireless, Bluetooth® speakers, a GPS fishfinder with transducer and RAM® mount hardware.
Performance
The Yamaha FX Limited SVHO has a length of 140.9” (3.58 m) and a beam of 50” (1.27 m). With an empty weight of 822 lbs. (372.85 kg), with 100% fuel, and one person onboard and 50 lbs. (22.68 kg) of gear, there was an estimated weight of 1,182 lbs. (536.15 kg).
Top Speed. With a single supercharged Yamaha 1.8-liter Super Vortex High Output (SVHO) engine turning the internal impeller jet drive, the test PWC reached a top speed of 68.0 mph (109.44 kph) at 7600 rpm.
Best Cruise. The best cruise came in at 4000 rpm running at 25.5 mph (41.04 kph). At that speed, the 7.8 gph (12.3 lph) translates to 7.8 miles per gallon (3.33 kpl) and a range of 130 statute miles (210 kilometers) while still holding back a 10% reserve of the PWC’s 18.5-gallon (70.03 L) total fuel capacity.
Acceleration and Conditions
Handling
With Yamaha’s supercharged, high-performance SVHO engine and the lighter-weight NanoXcel 2 hull and deck construction, the FX Limited accelerated onto plane virtually instantly, going from zero to 30 mph in 1.5 seconds. Yamaha has the steering dialed in with playful spin-outs easily achievable. Remember, that is what these PWC were designed for serious fun by experienced riders.
Low-Speed Maneuvering. Yamaha has added their Thrust Directional Enhancer (TDE). This creates the benefit of downward thrust when maneuvering at low speeds.
Features Inspection
Stern
The stern of the Yamaha FX Limited SVHO is designed for easy boarding from in the water with a custom-cut, rubberized non-skid that is easy on bare feet. The non-skid surface also deters the heat from the sun. Further back is a flip-down re-boarding step making it easier to re-board the FX Limited without having to climb and pull ourselves out of the water.
Note the handle at the base of the seat to make boarding even easier. Most PWC manufacturers don’t design to this level of detail and or consideration of how customers use their products.
Side Decks
The side decks on the Yamaha FX Limited SVHO also have custom-cut, rubberized non-skid for comfort and security. Yamaha has included drains in the footwell to keep the water from building up and sloshing about.
Seats
The level of luxury that Yamaha has achieved on the FX Limited SVHO begins with the seats. They are more like saddles when you sit in them and not on them. The textured upholstery and wraparound saddle backs hold all three riders securely.
The rear position of the three saddle seats includes a wraparound grab handle for safety. This also comes in handy for rear-facing riders observing the end of the towline.
The rear-most position includes a wraparound grab handle for safety and this also comes in handy for rear-facing riders observing the end of the towline. The aft deck provides a secure place for the observer rider to place their feet.
Storage
The Yamaha FX Limited SVHO has 44 gallons (167 L) of storage situated throughout several separate compartments.
The forward-most compartment is the largest of these compartments. It can be conveniently opened from the operator’s position. This is a relatively large space that could easily accommodate a soft side cooler.
Water-tight Compartment. Hidden beneath the removable aft seat section there is a compartment with a fine threaded cap to keep the interior watertight. The entire compartment is removable allowing people to take their valuables with them.
The sides of the wet storage trunk compartment are slightly raised above side decks. Any water falling off of wet gear stored inside will drain away onto the side decks and overboard. Snaps on both sides of the hatch close the hatch securely.
Control Systems
The hand grips on both sides are ergonomically designed and padded to help the operator stay comfortable. The RAM mounts put the waterproof speaker(s) and GPS fishfinder within easy reach of the operator and the Connext® touchscreen display is in direct line of sight for the operator. Dual rear-view mirrors are well placed outside the Connext® dash housing.
Cruise Control. Yamaha’s Cruise Assist allows the operator to set the speed for cruising. Using the trigger throttle to reach the desired speed, the operator presses the “set” button (yellow arrow above) to enter Cruise Assist mode. There will be a series of beeps, and then the operator squeezes the throttle all the way to set the speed. Pressing the up and down arrows (red arrow above) will allow the operator to make incremental adjustments to that speed. To override, the operator gives the throttle trigger a quick release.
No Wake. The No Wake Mode works similarly to the Cruise Assist. Pressing the switch (green arrow above) sets engine speed and maximizes jet thrust for No Wake zones.
RiDE Technology. Yamaha has designed a bucket that drops down over the jet nozzle and vectors the flow to both or either side to create better control when reversing. It can also create a braking effect when at speed. There is actually no shifting or reversing the jet drive. However, RiDE provides a neutral position to stop forward or reverse motion.
Reverse. By squeezing the left-hand trigger, the Yamaha FX Limited SVHO reversing bucket drops down over the jet nozzle effectively putting the FX Limited SVHO in reverse. Turning the handlebar vectors the thrust. Steering is opposite of forward steering. Consider steering the bow, not the stern.
Neutral. A quick squeeze of the left-hand trigger puts the Yamaha FX Limited SVHO into neutral. This effectively keeps the FX Limited SVHO from moving forward or backward, but turning the handlebars will cause the boat to pivot rather than turn.
Braking. A big benefit of the RiDE Technology is braking. At any speed, squeezing the left-hand trigger slows the engine while simultaneously dropping the reverse bucket, effectively creating a braking effect without putting the FX Limited SVHO into a nosedive. Keep squeezing and the braking begins reversing.
Trim. Yamaha incorporated a Thrust Directional Enhancer (TDE) to the RiDE Technology on the FX Limited SVHO which allows incremental trim corrections at speed. This allows operators to correct the trim with added riders and loads creating the most efficient trim for any condition.
Engine
The FX Limited SVHO has the biggest engine Yamaha makes. The Super Vortex High Output (SVHO) engine is a 1812cc supercharged and intercooled, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, 16-valve motor.
High-Performance Intercooler. The SVHO engine features a high-performance intercooler, increased supercharger air intake capacity and boost, and a modified fuel injection system for increased fuel flow.
3-Blade Stainless Steel Impeller. The SVHO engine is driving the 160mm, 3-blade, 16.4-degree pitch, stainless steel impeller through an 8-vane high-pressure jet pump for impressive thrust.
Accessories
The Yamaha FX Limited comes standard with Yamaha’s Accessory Tech Package which includes a GPS fishfinder and two waterproof speakers along with two RAM® mounting systems. It also comes standard with Yamaha’s Accessory Tow Package that includes a soft side cooler, tow rope, tube, and 12-volt inflator.
Options to Consider
The Yamaha FX Limited SVHO is the top of Yamaha’s line of WaveRunners and comes with essentially everything an owner would want for having fun on the water.
Price
The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Yamaha FX Limited SVHO is $17,399.
Observations
The Yamaha FX Limited SVHO combines Yamaha’s most powerful engine, its top-of-the-line luxury, its foremost level of technology and all of the most popular accessories to create the ultimate WaveRunner. This PWC is not really for a beginner because it is so powerful. Rather, it is for riders who have found their existing machine a little too tame. They are the enthusiasts who should consider the Yamaha FX Limited SVHO.