2020 Yamaha FX Cruiser SVHO - The Watercraft Journal, EP. 66 

There ARE worse ways to spend your time. ;)

randy lovato thats awesome!

@@watercraftjournal keep up the good work with the video reviews we appreciate them

It's our pleasure!

Yes, today's runabouts are nothing like their ancestors.

Literally not at all. They only share the same powertrain and hull/deck material. Hull/deck design is radically different, weight is far different. You need to read up on the differences over at www.watercraftjournal.com.

No doubt

Wrong

@@newaccount5026 Yeah you are wrong. 😄 It's the best hands down.. I CRUSH for example Seadoos 300s and they supposed to have 35 horsepower more 😅😅😅😅😅🙈🙈

Good choice!

Me too, last Friday 😍😍

How much should one pay used ?

They don't want to ruin the relationship with both companies, pretty obvious Yamaha is the best machine. If there is some fit, feature, or other reason get to the SD, knock yourself out.

The Limited is available in black/blue for 2020.

Glad you liked it

Good question. True to the marketing material, you literally sit IN a Sea-Doo and ON a Yamaha. Sea-Doo's ST3 hull REACTS to changes in the water surface far more erratically. Only until it's modified with several aftermarket items will it become more RESPONSIVE to rider input. The Yamaha FX hull is dramatically more predictable. It rides atop the surface and has far less drag. It also responds to rider input far quicker and naturally. The differences are night/day. -K

@@watercraftjournal thank you so much! This helps a lot. I’m always watching the live streams and videos, love the content!

That's great! Have fun!

@@watercraftjournal Thank you. Wter temp just hit 64 Thursday. Ocean temp, Old Saybrook CT

Thank you, sir!

If you're happy with the GP, I suggest the FX. The cabin isn't as roomy as the RXT-X, but you're already familiar with the SVHO powerplant, so it might make for a good set.

It's a very nice "touch."

@@watercraftjournal lol

Well, considering your name we guess you'd know. ;)

Unfortunately, no. Thankfully, the Limited is no different (mechanically) from the Cruiser. It just comes with more accessories.

The Watercraft Journal ohh ok thank you.

Thankfully, the SVHO has a knock sensor, which detects predetonation. This means that even if you HAVE to run 87, it will retard the timing so you're not damaging the valvetrain. It's definitely not recommended (buy a bottle of octane boost at AutoZone before going out if you fear not finding 91/93 on the lake).

Unfortunately, all 3 OE manufacturers have asked that we DO NOT film comparison videos. And since they supply us with the units to test throughout the year, we cannot afford to injure that relationship. We provide the viewer (and reader over at www.watercraftjournal.com) AMPLE information to do their own research and come to a conclusion. If you're ONLY viewing these videos, you're NOT getting the whole story.

I’ll tell you this. I beat a rxp 300 with a 09 fx sho with decent chop. It couldn’t even break 60 while I was hitting too speed. Not only that the handling can’t handle chop at all either and it feels like you’re about to get ripped off. I haven’t raced or driven a rxt which is the same as the gtx just different handle bars and color but I doubt it’s any better. The new Yamaha fx is literally longer and bigger so it’s probably the best for chop and handling. Sea doo needs to step up they’re game when it comes to handling.

@@jadelees9005 Get a Kawasaki if you want something for chop, deeper hull and more weight.

Alex Chapman new fx is bigger than it now. And a lot more reliable

Nope. Because we don't own the skis we review.

Theboy 314 we’ll have a full roll out for Yamaha in mid- August. No spoilers until then.

What should one pay for a 2020 used under 20 hours ?

Betsy Rose well you’re out of luck. Everything new for 2020 is sold out.

Looking to buy fall/ winter 2020 into January 2021. So hopefully buy then they will have some. I wanted to buy 2. Thanks for any info on Salt water/Ocean riding

OK, first it's important to understand how they work. They are literally just gravity-fed hoses that run out of the back. There's no electric siphon pumping them dry. At speed, the footwells are empty naturally. It is only when the ski is out of the water (level on a trailer or stand, etc.) that they will drain out.

@@watercraftjournal So it's only a storage thing and is not effective on the water? Bummer for me; I thought it would actually do something on the water.

FruitBasket push the gas and the water drains out on any ski...

Again "at speed, the footwells are empty naturally."

@@watercraftjournal Of course, but that's only if you're moving. I'm referring to when you slow down/stop and your wake flows over the back and fills them again. Maybe I'm the only one who has a problem with this, and if so, then I completely understand it not being something the manufactures ever consider.

And what’s your question? Under what parameters? What do you value in a PWC most? What riding conditions? What level of skill is the rider? See why asking another person to answer that question borders on impossible?

The Watercraft Journal the simply wanted to know what you liked more or less on each machine than the other based on your preference of riding. I have a RXT X 300 and like,to ride in groups with friends and explore the horesepower and also I have a wife and daughters who like to cruise and tube. It does both of the items I like excellent for me. Was just curious how the Yamaha suited your riding style and I figured I could contrast it against my riding style to make a informed decision.

Norman Ross Jr. our personal preference leans far harder towards the FX hull and powertrain, but heavily in favor of the Sea-Doo ergonomics and cockpit.

Click the link in the description of the video. The top speed is both in the video and the article.

Just wait...oh, 7 weeks.

We know, right? Especially with how deep the Sea-Doo footwells are!

We did not test on Cameron Lake.

The Watercraft Journal my last name rhymes with toona. Lol I grabbed a 19 GTX Ltd 300 back in January. Been stuck out of the country and still haven’t been able to get out on the lake yet. Maybe i’ll run into you out there whenever I can get back stateside.

They are TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT MACHINES. They only share the powertrain. That's it.

About 2/3rds as good. Again, it all depends on how long you're in the boost.

@@watercraftjournal I'm looking to get my first pwc. I'll be mostly cruising at around 40 mph, not so much aggressive driving. I've heard that at cruising speed, the mpg doesn't differ much. Not sure if true or not though.

I strongly recommend the naturally-aspirated FX HO or Cruiser HO. Less fuel consumption, less maintenance, cheaper entry price.

Seadoo4life Yamaha typically has more subdued color combinations; they do this intentionally. They purposefully try to appeal to a “more adult market,” as I’ve been told.

The Watercraft Journal oh ok. That’s an interesting thought process. I’m surprised. Either way nice review.

Yes, the saddle is rather wide especially when compared to their main competition.

Love my 2020 fx svho but the seat hurts my hips for being so dang wide. Why Yamaha whhhhhhyyyyyy!!!!!!

I don't see how they could make the seat narrower without replacing the 1.8L engine - the engine is just too long and wide to have a narrow seat. And I don't see them replacing the 1.8L engine anytime soon, so they're stuck with wide seats. Sea Doo can make the seat narrower near the front because their engine is shorter due to one fewer cylinder.

You could reshape the seat easily without major changes to the deck or powertrain. It won't be a replica of the Ergolock, but it can be done. Racers have had custom seats made with no trouble.

For the SVHO engine? Boost "comes one" around 5500rpm, which is about 44-46mph. Staying around 40-42mph puts the FX in the desirable 5.8-6mpg range. Multiply that by 18.5 gallons and you've got your answer.

"Tired and true"? It was first launched in 2014. Moreover, Yamaha continues to win every single racing class it enters, so there's really zero motivation to do so.

I can see them giving it minor updates here soon but otherwise it’s a great engine not need to replace it just yet and it’s pretty bullet proof as well.

The Watercraft Journal lol I didn’t write tired it was tried and true. I prefer the Darth Vader look of the regular fx svho. Great machine tho.

@@watercraftjournal did the 1.8 really undergo that much of a change between the sho offered until 2013 and the first svho in 2014? the 1.8 is way older than 2014.

Chances are you won't find a 2020 left on dealer floors. They're all but totally sold out.

The Watercraft Journal when will they be back in stock?

@@watercraftjournal there were 3 FX SVHO Cruisers at a dealer by me in Florida today. 2 blue, 1 red.

Act quick. They're drying up fast.

No. You can see our videos and articles and make an informed decision on your own. You're a grown man, we believe in you.

That's a good question. Watch and read the reviews at www.watercraftjournal.com to make your own decision!

@@watercraftjournal I have, I want your opinion, if you had to choose one...

@@watercraftjournal ...hello?

Open loop cooling is better then closed in my opinion. And jet of water is easy enough to rid of

IBR is not superior to RIDE, no need to pull two throttles to reverse faster. Also the water spout is a great feature for riding in those tight and twisty rivers, add a valve on the line and you can shut it off with a quick turn. Seadoo knocks it out of the park with the seating position though, the Ergo lock is just awesome.

The visibility spout is literally a rubber hose connected to a plastic sprayer in the deck. You can quickly uncork the hose and it'll spit out of the jet pump. In fact, pay close attention to the video and you'll see snippets where it was uncorked. Kevin plugged it back in to properly represent the product as it is sold.

Wife and I love our Wake Pro 230 and GTRX 239. That touch screen on the Yamaha would look nice on them though.

SeaDoo 230 is a nice ski but it’s no comparison to the Fx SVHO.

No, mainly Old Hickory Lake.

LOL for many it’s all about that too speed number.

NO SHOOTOUTS. The manufacturers will quit letting us review products if we do shootouts.

Buy a T-shirt or hoodie and help us buy a better microphone.

The Watercraft Journal nah. I don’t subscribe to digital panhandling. If you don’t make enough off ad revenue, you’re screwed.

Yet ironically, you'll happily consume free content without supporting the supplier. Gotcha. ;)

The Watercraft Journal it’s RU-vid buddy. I have a premium membership. If you need more of my money I suggest career day at the local community college.