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Yamaha JetBlaster Review and Specs [Video]
The new Yamaha JetBlaster just hit the market, but to the regret of many fans, it’s light years away from the original WaveBlaster!
It’s safe to say that the JetBlaster is nothing more than a rebranded Yamaha EXR with a freestyle handlebar, foot chocks, and custom electric trim. However, it offers a lot of fun for an affordable price tag!
If you want to find out more about this machine, you’ve come to the right place.
We at JetDrift have compiled all you need to know into this Yamaha JetBlaster review!
Yamaha JetBlaster Review
Let’s face it, today’s PWCs are already so large that they look like small boats rather than “personal” watercraft! Because of this, the market is hungry for more nimble machines.Sea-Doo grabbed this opportunity and released the Spark series in 2014, followed by the TRIXX versions in 2017. Responding to these models that same year, Yamaha revealed the all-new EX family.
But to the greatest regret of Yamaha fans, EX WaveRunners were bigger and less playful than the competitor Sparks. The most powerful and sporty model was the Yamaha EXR, available until the 2021 model year.
By 2022, the manufacturer had dropped this model and introduced the “new” Yamaha JetBlaster.
This machine inherits its name from the iconic Yamaha WaveBlaster, which is considered one of the most playful sit-down PWCs ever built. But unfortunately, these machines don’t have much in common outside of the name!
This is because, contrary to expectations, the JetBlaster is not a new model designed from scratch. Instead, it’s basically a renamed EXR with some new features.
Do doubt this?
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and compare these two WaveRunners head-to-head!
Differences Between the Yamaha JetBlaster and EXR
It’s safe to say that the Yamaha JetBlaster and the EXR are almost identical, as they share the same engine, hull, top deck, and many other features. The only differences that distinguish the retired EXR and the JetBlaster are as follows:
- Wider and elevated “freestyle” handlebars
- Foot chocks mounted on the rear of the footwells
- Custom tune electric trim
- The JetBlaster is 9 pounds heavier
- Different color schemes and decals
Therefore, many riders say that the JetBlaster is actually the new “Yamaha EX TRIXX” rather than a rebirth of the legendary WaveBlaster series.
(If you want to compare the new JetBlaster and the Spark TRIXX, don’t miss the latest comparison post!)
The most noticeable innovation on the JetBlaster is arguably its “freestyle” handlebars, which are wider and sit higher than its predecessor. This new design gives you a lot of steering maneuverability and control over the entire watercraft, especially in a standing position.The next inventions are a pair of foot chocks mounted at the rear end of the footwells. They offer an athletic riding position that can help you to pop out of the water much easier. If you’re looking for aggressive rides, you will appreciate the extra support for your feet!
Another key advantage of the Yamaha JetBlaster is its “custom tune electric trim.” What is this?
In a nutshell, this feature allows you to move the jet nozzle higher than on the regular models, so it does the same job as “VTS” (Variable Trim System) on the Spark TRIXX.
This feature can lighten the bow of the machine to make it feel more nimble on the water. In other words, the JetBlaster’s custom trim can change the riding characteristics of the PWC, which results in more lively rides.
But sadly, the JetBlaster is not as playful as it should be. Although Yamaha considers this machine a “Freestyle” watercraft, it’s 9 pounds heavier than the outgoing EXR!Although the deck and the hull are manufactured from the lightweight NanoXcel2, the dry weight of the craft is no less than 549 pounds.
Just like its predecessor, the Blaster is also powered by the proven TR-1 HO Yamaha Marine engine. This 1049cc, 4-stroke, three-cylinder power source produces 110 HP.
Regarding the paint job, Yamaha also tried to bring back the ‘80s with the combination of baby blue-yellow-red-black, but this unique colorful scheme got mixed reviews. While many riders like it, others say it makes the machine look like a plastic toy or a sports shoe!
Yamaha JetBlaster vs. EXR Comparison Chart
For a better comparison, we’ve compiled the key specs of these machines into this JetBlaster vs. EXR chart. As you can see, these two WaveRunners are almost identical!
| Specs | JetBlaster | EXR |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | TR-1 HO | TR-1 HO |
| Displacement (cc) | 1049 | 1049 |
| Engine stroke | 4 | 4 |
| Cylinders | 3 | 3 |
| Bore x Stroke (mm) | 82 x 66 | 82 x 66 |
| Performance (HP) | 110 | 110 |
| Dry weight (lbs.) | 549 | 540 |
| HP/Weight | 0.20 | 0.20 |
| Length (") | 123.6 | 123.6 |
| Width (") | 44.5 | 44.5 |
| Height (") | 46.5 | 45.3 |
| Fuel cap.(gal) | 13.2 | 13.2 |
| Max speed (mph) | 53 | 53 |
| Rider Capacity | 3 | 3 |
Yamaha JetBlaster Riding Experience
Although the new JetBlaster is the most playful WaveRunner in Yamaha’s fleet, it’s not as lively as its name suggests. Even if Yamaha labeled this model as a “Blaster” and repositioned it into the Freestyle category next to the 4-stroke SuperJet, it seems that this is just a marketing gimmick.
The riding experience of this machine will probably disappoint those hardcore enthusiasts who are waiting for the “4-stroke WaveBlaster”. Like the Spark TRIXX, the JetBlaster also wants to push the boundaries of its 4-stroke engine and (relatively) bigger hull.
And if we look at it from such a perspective, Yamaha’s engineers did a good job as the JetBlaster is capable of many “sit down” tricks like spins, power slides, wave jumps, doughnuts, and submarines.
But let’s face it, the biggest drawback of the JetBlaster is that you can’t do “wheelies” on it. This means you can’t raise its nose in the air the way you can on a Spark TRIXX.
Instead of a wheelie, the craft can easily leap from the water and do 180 spins thanks to the custom trim.
If you watch the official marketing videos, you can see which tricks the JetBlaster is capable of. But beware that the riders in the videos are professionals who can get the most out of the machines!
Yamaha JetBlaster Specs Chart
For your convenience, we’ve listed the 2022 Yamaha JetBlaster specifications in one chart!| Specs | JetBlaster |
|---|---|
| Engine | TR-1 HO |
| Displacement (cc) | 1049 |
| Engine stroke | 4 |
| Cylinders | 3 |
| Bore x Stroke (mm) | 82 x 66 |
| Supercharger | No |
| Compression Ratio | 11.0 : 1 |
| Cooling System | Open-Loop |
| Pump Type | 144mm Axial Flow |
| Fuel Supply System | EFI |
| Performance (HP) | 110 |
| Dry weight (lbs.) | 549 |
| HP/Weight | 0.20 |
| Length (") | 123.6 |
| Width (") | 44.5 |
| Height (") | 46.5 |
| Fuel cap.(gal) | 13.2 |
| Storage cap. (gal) | 7.7 |
| Max speed (mph) | 53 |
| Rider Capacity | 3 |
| Hull Material | NanoXcel2 |
Takeaway
As a takeaway, we’ve answered the most common questions about the Yamaha JetBlaster!What Size is a Yamaha JetBlaster?
The Yamaha JetBlaster is 123.6 inches long, 44.5 inches wide, and 46.5 inches high. Thanks to its freestyle handlebar, this model is 1.2 inches higher compared to the predecessor EXR.
How Much Does a Yamaha JetBlaster Weight?
The dry weight of the Yamaha JetBlaster is a remarkable 549 pounds, meaning that it’s 9 pounds heavier than the predecessor EXR.
What Kind of Engine is in the Yamaha JetBlaster?
The engine of the Yamaha JetBlaster is the proven 1049cc, 4-stroke TR-1 HO Yamaha Marine engine. This powerful fuel-injected triple utilizes an open-loop cooling system.
How Much Horsepower Does a Yamaha JetBlaster Have?
The Yamaha JetBlaster has no less than 110 HP, which offers plenty of fun on the water.
How Fast Can a Yamaha JetBlaster go?
Based on our research, the top speed of the Yamaha JetBlaster is about 52-53 mph under ideal conditions.
How Much Does a Yamaha JetBlaster Cost?
In 2022, the Yamaha JetBlaster is available for an affordable price tag of $9,999.
