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Yamaha WaveRaider 700 Specs and Review [Video]

Yamaha WaveRaider 700 Specs and Review [Video]

The popular Yamaha WaveRaider 700 was marketed from 1994 through 1997. Just like its bigger brothers, the mid-sized WaveRaider 760 and the flagship 1100, the WR 700 was known for its reliability and durability as well.

If you want to learn all about this legendary machine, this post is for you.

We at JetDrift have compiled all you need to know into this Yamaha WaveRaider 700 review!

Yamaha WaveRaider 700 Review

The legendary Yamaha WaveRaider 700 was revealed in 1994, which was the same model year that the lesser-known Yamaha FX-1 stand-up made its debut.

Over the years, the WaveRaider family expanded with some new members, including:

The first and most basic model in this breed was the WaveRaider 700. It was also the longest enduring WaveRiader since it was marketed from 1994 through 1997.

Like its brothers, the WR 700 earned a good reputation for outstanding reliability and durability.

It’s safe to say that Yamaha positioned this 2-seater model between the sporty WaveBlaster 700 and the comfortable WaveVenture 700.

The aggressive Blasters were intended for performance-minded PWC enthusiasts who were looking for a motorcycle-like riding experience (and didn’t care if they often got wet!)

In contrast, the WaveVenture line was designed with families and beginners in mind. These 3-seater skis featured a wide and stable hull that offered predictable, comfortable rides. As you can imagine, they offered much less fun than the nimble Blasters.

The get the best of both worlds, Yamaha decided to build a larger 2-seater ski on a more sporty platform. As a result of this effort, the WaveRaider family was born in 1994.

Each WaveRaider model shared the same platform measuring 112.6 inches in length, 44.1 inches in width, and 38.2 inches in height.

This hull was not only 11.4 inches shorter and 5.1 inches narrower than the Venture platform, but it also featured a different design on the bottom. These smaller dimensions and the unique hull design resulted in a higher top speed and a more nimble attitude.

Sure, the Raiders could not compare to the Blasters, but they were more lively and faster than the large Venture series.

Instead of the industry-standard front storage, WaveRaiders featured a large hood that effectively sealed the entire engine compartment. In contrast, on competitor models the engine bay was covered with only the seat, which couldn’t completely prevent water leakage.

The handlebars were mounted on top of the hood, while the storage bin and the battery were moved to beneath the seat.

Standard features included dual mirrors, rear grab handles, sponsons, safety lanyard, front and rear eyes, and gauges (on the ‘94-‘95 models). Unlike many other WaveRunners, the WaveRaider family was manufactured without an hour meter.

As the name suggests, the hull of the WaveRaider 700 housed a 701cc, 2-stroke twin engine featuring an oil injection and open-loop cooling system. This power source cranked out 70 or 80 HP depending on the model year.

Surprisingly, this model underwent several changes over the years, the most important of these were as follows:

1994 WaveRaider 700 (RA700)

In the first model year, the WaveRaider platform was made of light fiberglass, so the ‘94 Raider weighed only 388 pounds. The 701cc twin engine was also equipped with two Mikuni carbs and cranked out 80 HP at 6250 RPM.

Thanks to this powerful engine and the lightweight body, the top speed of the 1994 WaveRaider was about 52-54 mph under ideal conditions. In those days, these skis were some of the fastest 2-cylinder jet skis in the marketplace!

Its fuel consumption was about 9 GPH, so the 10.6-gallon fuel tank ensured about 1.2-hours of riding time.

This early model was easily distinguishable from its older brothers as its hull featured a purple paint job. The only drawback of this model was its small sponsons. (Fortunately, the larger sponsons of later models fit well on the ‘94 Raider.)

Although the WaveRaider 700 was marketed as a 2-seater ski, it became very top heavy and tippy with two adults onboard. Because of this, the model was mainly recommended for solo rides.

1995 WaveRaider 700 (RA700) and WaveRaider 700 Deluxe (RA700A)

The base WaveRaider continued on for the 1995 model year without any significant changes. The biggest improvement on this model was bigger and more effective sponsons, which ensured better handling in the turns.

Also, that same year, the WaveRiader 700 Deluxe (RA700A) made its debut. This model featured an SMC body, which resulted in a significant weight increase. The dry weight of the ski jumped up to 483 pounds while its top speed dropped to the 50 mph range.

This model also featured a larger 13.2-gallon fuel tank, which was borrowed from the WaveRaider 1100. With this fuel cell, the Deluxe offered an approximate playtime of 1.5 hours.

1996 and 1997 WaveRaider 700 (RA700BU and BV)

To the greatest regret of many Yamaha fans, the Japanese manufacturer cheapened the WaveRaider family for the 1996 model year.

The hull and the top deck of the 1996 WaveRaider 700 were already made of SMC, resulting in a dry weight of 472 pounds. This hull was shared across all WaveRaider models (700/760/1100).

What’s more, the engine was also downgraded by only having one carburetor, decreasing the performance to 70 HP and a top speed of 45-46 mph. To keep costs down, Yamaha also removed the gauges from this model.

Therefore, the ’96 and ’97 WaveRaiders were much slower and less desirable than their predecessors.

Yamaha WaveRaider 700 Specs Chart

For your convenience, we’ve compiled the 1994 Yamaha WaveRaider 700 specifications into these charts!

Dimensions

DimensionsWaveRaider 700
Length112.6 in (2,860 mm)
Width44.1 in (1,120 mm)
Height38.2 in (970 mm)
Dry weight388 lb (176 kg)
HullGH1

Engine Specs

Engine SpecsWaveRaider 700
Engine62T
Engine type2-stroke
Number of cylinder2
Displacement701 cm³ (42.78 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke81 × 68 mm (3.19 × 2.68 in)
Compression ratio7.2 : 1
Intake systemReed valve
Carburetor typeFloatless type
Number of carburetor2
Carburetor starting systemChoke
Scavenging systemLoop charged
Lubrication SystemOil injection / Premix
Cooling SystemWater-cooled

Propulsion

Drive UnitWaveRaider 700
Propulsion SystemJet pump
Jet Pump TypeAxial flow, single stage
Impeller rotation (Rear view)Counter clockwise
TransmissionDirect drive from engine
Nozzle Angle23 +/- 1°

Electrical Features

Electrical FeaturesWaveRaider 700
Starting SystemElectric Starter
Ignition SystemC.D.I.
Ignition Timing15 BTDC ~ 21 BTDC (Degrees)
Battery Capacity12 V 19 Ah
Spark PlugBR8HS (NGK)
Lighting coil3 +/- 1 A @ 5,500 rpm

Performance

PerformanceWaveRaider 700
Maximum speed51.6 mph (83 km/h)
Maximum Output58.8 kW (80 HP) @ 6,250 rpm
Maximum Fuel Consumption9.0 US gal/h (34 L/h)
Cruising Range / at full throttle1.2 hr

Fuel and Oil

Fuel and OilWaveRaider 700
FuelRegular gasoline
Oil2-stroke outboard motor oil
Fuel and oil mixing ratio50 : 1
Fuel Tank Capacity10.6 US gal (40 L)
Reserve3.1 US gal (11.6 L)
Oil Tank Capacity1.1 US gal (4.0 L)

These charts are for informational purposes only! For exact specifications, please refer to the factory manual.

Yamaha WaveRaider Comparison Chart

We’ve also compared the key specs of the three Yamaha WaveRaider models head-to-head in one chart:

SpecsWaveRaider 700WaveRaider 760 DeluxeWaveRaider 760WaveRaider 1100
Engine62T62T64X63M
Number of cylinder2223
Displacement701 cm³ (42.78 cu in.)701 cm³ (42.78 cu in.)754 cm³ (46.0 cu in.)1,051 cm³ (64.14 cu in.)
Maximum speed51.6 mph (83 km/h)50.3 mph (81 km/h)52.2 mph (84 km/h)56.5 mph (91 km/h)
Maximum Output80 HP80 HP90 HP110 HP
Maximum Fuel Consumption9.0 US gal/h (34 L/h)9.0 US gal/h (34 L/h)10.04 US gal/h (38 L/h)12.2 US gal/h (46 L/h)
Length112.6 in (2,860 mm)112.6 in (2,860 mm)112.6 in (2,860 mm)112.6 in (2,860 mm)
Width44.1 in (1,120 mm)44.1 in (1,120 mm)44.1 in (1,120 mm)44.1 in (1,120 mm)
Dry weight388 lb (176 kg)483 lb (219 kg)465 lb (211 kg)540 lb (245 kg)
HullGH1GH6GP2GJ1
Hull materialFiberglassSMCSMCSMC
Fuel Tank Capacity10.6 US gal (40 L)13.2 US gal (50 L)13.2 US gal (50 L)13.2 US gal (50 L)
Oil Tank Capacity1.1 US gal (4.0 L)1.0 US gal (3.8 L)1.0 US gal (3.8 L)1.0 US gal (3.8 L)

Vintage Yamaha WaveRaider 700 For Sale

If you are considering purchasing one, you probably want to know where to find a Yamaha WaveRaider 700 for sale. As this model vanished from the market in 1997, it’s already a collectible item, so finding one is not an easy task!

We recommend that you start your research on dedicated WaveRunner forums and Facebook fan groups. Aside from some good deals, you may find some valuable info there about this ski.

Besides these sources, you may also find some vintage Yamaha WaveRaider 700s for sale on Craigslist, PWC Trader, and other dedicated jet ski swap sites.

Takeaway

As a takeaway, we’ve answered the most common questions about the Yamaha WaveRaider 700!

What is a Yamaha WaveRaider 700?

The WaveRaider 700 was a popular 2-stroke sit-down jet ski manufactured by Yamaha.

What Year Did Yamaha Make the WaveRaider 700?

Yamaha marketed the WaveRaider 700 from 1994 through 1997.

Was a Yamaha WaveRaider 700 a 2-Stroke Ski?

Yes, the Yamaha WaveRaider 700 utilized a 2-stroke twin engine.

What Size was the Yamaha WaveRaider 700?

The Yamaha WaveRaider 700 was 112.6 inches long, 44.1 inches wide, and 38.2 inches high.

What Kind of Engine Did the Yamaha WaveRaider 700 Have?

The engine of the Yamaha WaveRaider 700 was a 2-stroke, 701cc twin Yamaha marine engine.

Did the Yamaha WaveRaider 700 Have Reverse?

No, the Yamaha WaveRaider 700 wasn’t equipped with reverse.

What Size Storage Compartment Did a Yamaha WaveRaider 700 Have?

The Yamaha WaveRaider 700 featured only a tiny under-seat storage box.

How Much Fuel Did a Minta Hold?

The Yamaha WaveRaider 700 utilized a 10.6-gallon fuel tank, while the WaveRaider 700 Deluxe had a 13.2-gallon fuel cell.

How Much Fuel Did a Yamaha WaveRaider 700 Use?

The Yamaha WaveRaider 700 fuel consumption was about 9 GPH at WOT.

How Many People Could Ride a Yamaha WaveRaider 700?

Although the Yamaha WaveRaider 700 was rated for two riders, it became quite unstable with two adults on board.

How Much Did a Yamaha WaveRaider 700 Weigh?

The dry weight of the 1994 Yamaha WaveRaider 700 was only 388 pounds, while the 1996-1997 models weighed 483 pounds due to their SMC hull and top deck.

How Much Horsepower Did a Yamaha WaveRaider 700 Have?

The 1994-1995 Yamaha WaveRaider 700 provided 80 HP at 6,250 RPM, as these models featured a twin-carb engine. In the 1996-1997 model years, Yamaha offered the WaveRaider with a less powerful, single-carb engine rated at 70 HP.

How Fast Did a Yamaha WaveRaider 700 Go?

The top speed of a Yamaha WaveRaider 700 was 45-54 mph depending on the year and the engine option:

1994-1995 Yamaha WaveRaider 700 top speed: 52-54 mph (dual carb, fiberglass hull)

1995 Yamaha WaveRaider 700 Deluxe top speed: 50-51 mph (dual carb, SMC hull)

1996-1997 Yamaha WaveRaider 700 top speed: 45-46 mph (single carb, SMC hull)

How do you identify a Yamaha WaveRaider?

Just take a look at the tag near the hood hinge, where you will probably find one of these codes:

RA700S (1994)

RA700T (1995)

RA700BU (1996)

RA700BV (1997)

If you can’t find the code for some reason, just check the motor mounts. The lighter fiberglass hull featured only four motor mounts, while the heavier SMC models had six.

This is because the SMC hull was designed for the more powerful WaveRaider 1100, but it was also used on the 700 and 760 models.

How Much is a Yamaha WaveRaider 700 Worth?

It’s hard to tell the exact price of a Yamaha WaveRaider 700, as it strongly depends on its year, condition, and location. If you are lucky, you may find a neglected one for a couple of hundreds of dollars. On the other end of the spectrum, there are restored Yamaha WaveRaider 700s with hefty price tags of $1,000-$2,500.

As a final word, you may want to purchase a 1995 model as this was arguably the best model year of this ski. If you can only find a 1994 model, you can still replace its sponsons with the more advanced ‘95 sponsons.

The 1996-1997 WaveRaider 700 models are less desirable due to their low-performance single-carb engines and heavy SMC hulls.

This is our short Yamaha WaveRaider 700 review; we hope you find it useful!