2022 Yamaha FX Limited SVHO Review: The Watercraft Journal EP. 100 

We appreciate that!

@@watercraftjournal we appreciate you too 🤙

Glad you enjoyed it!

Did you have any issues with your Yamaha jetski FX HO?

@@nicklouallen4784 I had a 2014 FX HO that I LOVED! Perfect ski. I rode solo in lakes, on Lake Michigan, rivers. I tow, ride 3 up. Loved it. However my timing chain broke at 99 hours and blow up my engine - apparently that was a thing with that years’ model (2014). This year I bought a new ‘21 FX SVHO with extended warranty ($800 for 4 extra years). Again, love it. Zero problems - 60 hours this summer. I would absolutely recommend FX HO - they are fast, comfortable, fun, easy to drive, tons of storage. Just don’t buy a 2014.

Me too! Placed my order last week

Nice! Happy to hear it.

Great to hear!

Awesome! Thank you!

Exactly!

Look around, everyone is pretty much equal as of 2022.

@@watercraftjournal well, crossing the Gulfstream isn't a pleasure ride. There's an entire JetSki Community in Florida though absolutely. Maybe reference them when taking about "big time in the PWC" is all I'm saying. More than happy with my 2 stroke Yamaha although the most valuable item is the trailer and of course the engine is *the best trolling motor ever made* which is why I bought it. 80 miles an hour hitting even a piece of flotsam will not make one long for this World. But, yeah if I gotta move some booze from Bimini to back ... well, obviously I'd use a full hull for that...but from the Mothership with some saddlebags maybe something over the front cowling and inside the frunk...plus "roll on/roll off" What line of work you in again?

@@georgedoolittle9015 He does this and other vehicle content for a living. Has an extensive background in PWCs and motorsports in general...

@@davidkrizauskas4993 well then it's time to *MAN UP* then! We drive cars over *TWO HUNDRED FUCKING MILES AN HOUR ON THE QUARTER MILE* where I live!

Appreciated!

VX series are being delivered now.

Thanks!

Hopefully it arrives then!

Thank you sir!

Appreciated!

The Limiteds come with sound.

@@watercraftjournal mine the cruiser. Wonder if i can add the factory one? Dont want aftermarket system. (Last option)

Hope you enjoy it!

LOL awesome!

Sweet!

Happy to help.

Go with the 2022. It's worth it.

Thank you!

Hope you enjoy it!

@@watercraftjournal it's being ceramic coated prior to 1st use...friday will be a great day! (Breaking her in) Yamaha apparantly hasnt delivered any of the accessories with the ski, so guess I'll be waiting on the access package

Glad it was helpful!

A good dealer will make you a killer trade in for it!

Thanks so much!

That we DIDNT know! How terribly frustrating!

Yikes. Did you do ANY research on how long the delay is with these? You likely won't see it for MONTHS.

@@watercraftjournal well the dealer said there were 2 coming in within 30-45 days. I’ll be sure to keep you updated if this holds true or not.

If that's true, that's good news.

Thank you!

No kidding?! That's first we've heard.

@@watercraftjournal I wish I was. Have been in direct conversations with the manufacturer and dealer and have expressed my disappointment as it was one of the reasons I went with this ski. I have suggested they update their Australian website.

Not an accurate representation of the final product. This was a VERY pre-production unit. The Connext system is already well established and highly regarded in the boating world.

You are a sea doo guy…we get it.

@@GP-SVHO one of these days ---> maybe a FP. Until then I'll enjoy my FX's

@@LorenP I ride a 21 GP1800R. I do really like the GP (it is very fast), but I have thought about getting into the new 22’ FX for the fact it will be better riding in chop and more water conditions. We don’t always get glass to ride on.

@@GP-SVHO having one of each would be awesome! A GP to go fast, and an FX for other times. Search for my name in the big FB groups. You will see some of of the GPS mounting parts that I make for Waverunners. Some very nice stuff. I wont tag myself here, because its not my channel.

Happy hunting!

The compliments are appreciated, but I cannot tell you which ski is best for you. I and my team produce a wealth of information here and at www.watercraftjournal.com for any adult to make an informed decision.

Fingers crossed! Please help us grow by sharing our videos!

We will!

Yup, we know.

Coming soon!

LOL wow, seriously?

Wow. We didn’t know that Yamaha didn’t!

yeah I don’t get it. Super disappointing.

Everything Sea-Doo's got Yamaha has too (in some way or form). But frankly, I'd lean FAR HARDER towards how the ski rides in a variety of water conditions over how many bells and whistles they've got.

@@watercraftjournal in that case, which of the top line luxury models rides the smoothest in choppy water, seadoo or Yamaha? TYVM.

Kawasaki.

LOL believe it or not they’re almost entirely decided by the customer surveys they email out

No worries! Congrats on the baby!

@@watercraftjournal thank you very much

It's honestly impossible to measure - as models are having erratic failures and recalls that totally disrupt any unit of measurement. Sorry that's not the clear cut answer you want, but it's literally an impossible comparison.

Yamaha fx ho naturally aspirated is the most reliable flagship ski that you can buy.

9,200?! Holy crap. Dude, that's at turbo level builds. You're looking at 450-500HP easy (if not more depending on fuel type, compression/boost, etc.).

@@watercraftjournal Correct me if I'm wrong but this looks like 9200. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fTREs2vaAlw.html

I'm not seeing a tachometer speed anywhere on the dash, just MPH. When in the video are you referring?

@@watercraftjournal See the 11 second mark. The tack is the 2 digit reading below the speedometer.

Glad you enjoyed it

Yes and no. Testing is showing that the new SMC hull is slower but more forgiving. It all depends on how you plan to ride it.

@@watercraftjournal can you clarify what more 'forgiving' means. Thanks

Unfortunately, no. I have ZERO experience using Yamaha's production models. What we had access to was a pre-production unit.

Yup they’re getting a little pricey.

The Kwai doesn’t even come near to the luxury

We already have.

Are you paying attention to what the economy is doing right now? Do you REALLY think prices will come down or production will increase? -K

@@watercraftjournal I figured as much. I’ll be making my order soon lol.

It’s physically no different than the FX Cruiser SVHO besides color.

@@watercraftjournal Thank you for the info. ​Unfortunately the color is the main factor here...

Don't blame Kevin if she doesn't like it. :P

@@watercraftjournal My only fear is that I'll wish I had ordered one too!

Not so much. The Yamaha remains far more competitive than you give it credit for. On the race course, Yamaha's dominate. The engine is locked from the factory, a very simple reflash opens it right up.

@@watercraftjournal trouble is, who wants to have to spend more money after buying the most expensive Ski, I have a Map Tuner X and do my own tunes on my SHO, I would still have to pay the near $600 for a license if I bought the new 2022, as I would if I Bought the Kawasaki, but I wouldn't need it on the Kawasaki as it has 50+HP as stock, yes Yamaha should do better in the race circuits as it has the largest motor of them all and so will develop more HP with mods, not everyone wants mods as they want the reliability of a Stock ski as well as the warranty of a Stock unmodified Ski. Once the warranty is over then a lot of us will modify, others with money to burn will just buy a new faster Ski.

Considering the tens thousands of tuning licenses sold a year, quite a few.

@@billybobjones4317 the svho stock is better in every aspect speed corners … it’s way faster these kawas are boats way to heavy I let my buddy tune the ecu and has 340 hp never has a kawa beat me not even when it was stock

@@jamiemagdeleyns9152 As I said earlier, I have a Yamaha FX-SHO, modified as I bought a second hand model with very low hours, now have had it for quite a few years, trouble free and could afford to make it run as it should have from the Show room.

If you gotta ask, you shouldn't be riding either.

Hi Kevin can u please give ur opinion to this question

Because we have never found the FX to be lacking in these categories.

The GPS mapping has been a bit of an issue, particularly with those who have the GPS chip/card installed. This may be something to take to your dealer. -K

@@watercraftjournal Thank you for the quick reply... I'm going there today, actually in regard to this issue. Yamaha, also stated something similar. That I would need to take this up with my dealer.

Yes

See our video on Kevin's Top 5 supercharged PWC picks.

FX SVHO (non-Cruiser)

@@watercraftjournal thanks Kevin 👍

Those years are gone. Nobody has depth finders.

That's the top speed as per the factory settings.

Clearly you had damaged the hull previously. Kevin's done SEVERAL videos on this specific issue.

You're riding at plane, and the hull itself has a very gentle keel. You're not going fast enough to keep it level (also the ride plate needs work).

@@watercraftjournal Thank you Kevin. So it doesn't have anything to do with the rev limiter? It happens at full-throttle on perfectly smooth water. I usually have it trimmed to the second highest setting. That seems to be where I can achieve the highest speeds (67-68 mph).

No, you would feel the engine surging if you were bouncing off of the limiter. Teetering left to right is a hull behavior.

YES! Because of the ride plate. You need either the '22 plate or the RIVA plate.

@@watercraftjournal thanks. I would have figured a 2022 Yamaha ski delivered 2 weeks ago would have a 2022 ride plate.

Not sure. You're going to want to do more homework on that one.

The normal fx cruiser has 2 the limited has 4 not worth the upgrade

Limited only has 2.

Last years limited had 4

Cruiser includes cleats, a tiered seat and different colors.

@@watercraftjournal Thanks!!!

I don't believe cleats are included in the 2022 cruiser. Only limited model this year.

Be patient!

@@watercraftjournal I know its probably coming but got money down on one now. Probably be next year model with my luck haha

It never hurts. If anything, take a look at the grease to make sure its in good condition.

@@watercraftjournal Thanks

This has popped up quite a bit. In taking with dealers, many simply don’t know until they get there. Originally, the mapping was included in the Limited package. This far, the corporate website hasn’t been changed.

I also have the Limited, however my accessories package is not here. It would be nice to know if the GOS card will be included.

Yes

Unfortunately not without far more time, labor and money than it would take to sell yours and purchased a factory-supercharged ski.

@@watercraftjournal perfect thank you

Good clarity, but the wind noise will drown them once you hit the low 60's.

Yeah it's great.

Greenhulk.net or RIVA Racing

@@watercraftjournal thank you so much. They indeed have it!

It hasn't changed since 2021. See that review.

Not a shootout. We have you top speed in the video AND article.

It’s a winner!

I’m going to in joy seeing you guys trying to smile when I pull up on my 2022 Kawasaki

@@jonathancumberbatch1377 You can not go wrong with an awesome 4 cylinder powered Kawasaki.

HO.

It’s nearly that way across the industry.

No different than the '21. See that review.

@@watercraftjournal thanks. Just put a deposit on the 2022 FX SVHO. Literally the last and only one left here in Australia until march 2023.

Top speed is in the story. And it's the Limited. All it is is bells and whistles.

Very nice

Ugh.

No.

Lake Altoona, Lanier or Oconee. Not sure which of the 3.

LOL we have the engine dyno charts.

Agreed!

True story - they're not my skis. :P

Maaaybe!

Curious. How so?

Just place an order.

Nano2 is not weak or an eggshell; if it was they wouldn’t continue using it for the decks. The issue was thin paint cracking/spiderwebbing as the hulls would flex in high impact conditions. Current claim numbers show over 90% of “hull failures” were due to operator misuse (beaching, obstacle impact, neglect, etc.). The facts remain that gelcoat over SMC fiberglass continues to be the most durable combination.

@@watercraftjournal I totally and utterly disagree I have been out riding with three different guys with FX SVHO BRAND NEW out of the crate and all three hulls failed with the same front end cracks and delamination within 10 to 12 hours of use hear in the UK solent waters. And the failure rate is far higher on race skis that put more pressure on the hulls. ONLY YAMAHA HULLS have these problems and its been going on for decades so I dont need lectures about these terrible thin weak hulls not fit for purpose and I said the hulls fail not the top deck.

Decades? Nano2 is what, 6 years old? And let's be crystal clear Russ, we're talking to enthusiasts, not racers. You, a Kawi racer, have been RACING in open seas, right? What about Sea-Doo's CM-Tech? Lots of failures there too. What you're seeing is PAINT failures, not the hull. (Both are bad, but it's important to be specific to what is really happening.)

@@watercraftjournal Yes I do agree with you Kevin, all the manufacturers have there strengths and weaknesses the kawasaki has a bullet proof hull but an engine that wears out pistons and rings and valves faster than the other two brands and needs refreshing, but that's the point any engine be made good again but not a nano hull, if its damaged its game over. It would be super awesome if all the best bits of all the three could be made into one ultimate PWC !

@@watercraftjournal Yamaha hulls even the SMC ones BEFORE the amazing nano technology were regularly failing in the offshore competitions around year 2000 yes thats 20 plus years and yes that means decades, they would split down the centreline front to rear of the hull. I have bought ridden and raced since 1991 over 50 seadoo and 12 kawasaki Ultras and never had an external hull failure but I do admit the early GTX 130 spring seat XP 130 2 strokes failed when there inner deck single front engine mounting smashed through the inner deck but was 100 percent repairable and strengthened to be bullet proof after that but still the outer hull did not fail.

Yeah, it's killer.

Amen brother

@@watercraftjournal 😆