Every year we let you know all about the best new water toys. This year, we wanted to broaden the search and include personal watercrafts (PWCs). They make a great addition to a pontoon or deck boat.
Personal watercrafts have been around since the 1960s and were designed to combine the elements of self-power, small size and a maneuverable, active vessel. The original one-person standing PWCs quickly developed into a two-person model and the multiple passenger variety is still the most popular today.
Just like the pontoon and deck boat industry, PWC manufacturers are constantly working on research and development which produces wonderful new technology. PWCs have continually evolved to meet consumer demands. Today, PWCs can hold up to three people, offer greater storage space and some are even capable of pulling skiers. Since personal watercrafts were invented, they have been equipped with the same two-stroke engine technology that powers marine outboard motors. Now many PWCs are fuel-injected and the vast majority have the best four-stroke engines available on the market.
Sea-Doo Spark
The state-of-the-art, new Sea-Doo Spark is putting to rest the idea that you can’t have it all—and for an amazing price, starting at just $4,999. One of the most agile and maneuverable watercrafts on the market, the new Spark is playful and fun to ride. Those with more practical concerns will appreciate the Spark’s lightweight, compact build. Easily trailerable, the lightened load saves riders gas money both while towing and while on the water.
Part of the lightweight design comes from a unique polypropylene-blend hull material that’s strong, light and easy to manufacture. Starting at about 400 pounds for the two-seat version, the Spark is almost half the weight of most other personal watercrafts. The world’s first and only Intelligent Brake and Reverse system allows the Spark to stop up to 100 feet sooner than competitors’ models. The 3-up option was created with the family in mind. With seating for mom, dad and a child, enjoying the water has become a family affair. (www.sea-doo.com)
Jet Ski STX-15F
This beautifully-colored PWC from Kawasaki will make others green with envy. The Kawasaki Jet Ski is one watercraft that doesn’t compromise performance for value. Available for $9,965, this powerful four-stroke engine has a sporty-handling composite hull and plenty of rider-friendly features. It comes with digital instrumentation, including a speedometer, tachometer and fuel gauge. Plus the extra storage space lets you take all your gear with you.
Kawasaki Smart Steering monitors steering input and engine speed and, when certain conditions are met, raises the rpms to give you enough thrust to maneuver comfortably. The durable three-blade oval-edge stainless steel impeller provides maximum efficiency, while the shielded jet propulsion system offers greater protection from damage. The STX-15F is sure to be the bargain of the summer for enthusiasts seeking fun on the water. (www.kawasaki.com)
Yamaha FX SVHO WaveRunners
Yamaha’s FX Series of luxury WaveRunners are led by the new FX Cruiser SVHO and FX SVHO. These models raise the bar of what’s possible when luxury and performance meet on the water. The FX SVHO models are fast and packed with features while remaining lightweight, thanks to Yamaha’s proprietary NanoXcel hull and deck.
Starting at $15,399, these WaveRunners can accommodate up to three people and hold an impressive 18.5 gallons of gas. They come with the Yamaha Super Vortex High Output engine, which is a purpose-built 1812cc, four-stroke, four-cylinder, supercharged and intercooled marine engine. According to Yamaha, cooling efficiency has been increased by 25 percent, the supercharger air intake by 20 percent with a larger diameter supercharger impeller and Yamaha increased supercharger boost by 60 percent. Yamaha increased oil cooling efficiency by 110 percent with an all-new oil cooling system and the SVHO engine features an advanced fuel injection system to increase fuel flow and added high-performance forged pistons to deliver peak power. (www.yamahawaverunners.com)
AIRHEAD SS SUP (Stand-up Paddleboard)
Want to be out on the water without having to maintain an engine of any kind? A standup paddleboard could be for you. The SS SUP from AIRHEAD is for everyone; in fact, the SS stands for “Super Stable” and that’s just what this very special inflatable SUP is.
Beginners, intermediates and larger riders love the SS’s unparalleled stability. Experts—especially extreme white water paddlers—appreciate the stiffness, lower standing area, tapered rails and aggressive nose for punching through waves. Three fins, with removable center fin, ensure straight tracking. This paddleboard retails for $1,199. (www.airhead.com)
AIRHEAD SWITCHBACK
This new towable holds an impressive four riders. Two riders sit in front with a comfortable inflatable backrest and side panels to keep them in place. The other two passengers kneel behind them, riding chariot style. This combination creates a two-in-one tube for your family, hence the name SWITCHBACK. Like all AIRHEAD towables, this tube has no problem sliding effortlessly across the wake. There are plenty of boarding straps for re-boarding from the water. The retail price is $439.99. (www.airhead.com)
Aquaglide Takeoff Towable Bouncer
Is it a tube? Is it a water toy? Quick answer: it’s both! The Takeoff is a full-sized water bouncer that can also be towed behind your boat. Plus it’s easy to use with a large integrated boarding platform for easy access from the water. It has heavy-duty towing reinforcement for durability and QuickConnect tow attachment to make hook-up fast and simple. It’ll set you back $599.99, but the memories will be worth every penny. (www.overtons.com)
O'Brien Off Ramp 3 Towable Tube
Built for up to three riders, everyone on your pontoon can have a blast on this Off Ramp towable. Designed with a side whip accelerator base, the Off Ramp is sure to give riders an exciting adventure by whipping them across the water. We like tubes that are well-made and easy to use and this O’Brien meets both of those standards. It’s constructed with 26-gauge PVC and fully covered in nylon for durability. It’s also very comfortable with six handles with knuckle guards, three comfortable EVA pads, one quick-connect tow hook and one Boston valve. The price tag comes in at a cool $299.99. (www.overtons.com)
RAVE Mega Mambo
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This is the largest towable RAVE offers and it comfortably fits up to four riders. The swept wing design provides excellent stability in all water conditions, enabling riders to be more likely to stay on the tube.
“This tube is sleek and fast. We've increased the size from our traditional Mega Mambo, providing one of the wildest tube rides you'll ever experience,” says President Steve Friswold.
The Mega Mambo features heavy-duty gauge PVC, an 840D heavy-duty UV-stabilized cover, a quick connect tow point, large anti-chafe guard, and twin rear boarding straps. If you are a seasoned rider and an extreme enthusiast, the Mega Mambo is the tube for you. You can pick one up for $299.99. (www.ravesports.com)
SPORTSSTUFF SPILLWAY
This 8-foot long slide was built specifically for pontoon boats and will attach in five minutes or less. Sportsstuff has created the ultimate product for pontoon owners with this Spillway. You just inflate it and then use the included ropes to strap it to the rails of your pontoon. For safety, there are raised inflatable safety chambers on both sides to keep your little one centered. Four inset molded steps and two molded handles make it easy to climb. This beast retails for $599.99. (www.sportsstuff.com)
WOW Aqua Treadmill
We’ve seen water balls before, but none of these products could actually move very much on the water. The brilliant idea from WOW uses a sprocket system to make the Aqua Treadmill. The sprockets turn this capsule into a human powered vehicle by enabling you to move across the water at speeds up to 10mph. You can also steer by shifting your weight. Once you get tired of moving around you can use the Aqua Treadmill as a floating island with shade. See-through construction for the body of the Aqua Treadmill allows you to see where you are going. A high profile with bright colors makes the Aqua Treadmill highly visible on your favorite body of water. These retail for $479.99. (www.wowwatersports.com)
