![Yamaha WaveRaider 760 Specs and Review [Video]](https://www.jetdrift.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/review-and-specs-5.jpg)
Yamaha WaveRaider 760 Specs and Review [Video]
The popular Yamaha WaveRaider 760 was marketed from 1996 through 1997. Like its brothers, the entry-level WaveRaider 700 and the flagship 1100, the model 760 was also known for its reliable engine and predictable hull.
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 760 review!
Yamaha WaveRaider 760 Review
The legendary Yamaha WaveRaider family debuted in 1994 with the WaveRaider 700.
Over the years, the WaveRaider series was expanded with some new members, including:
- Yamaha WaveRaider 700 (‘94-‘97)
- Yamaha WaveRaider 700 Deluxe (‘95)
- Yamaha WaveRaider 760 (‘96-‘97)
- Yamaha WaveRaider 1100 (‘95-‘96)
It’s safe to say that these 2-seater models were positioned between the lively WaveBlaster 700 and the large WaveVenture line.
The sporty Blasters were designed for racers and performance-minded PWC enthusiasts looking for an aggressive riding experience.
In contrast, the WaveVenture family was intended for novice riders and families. These 3-seater crafts were built on a stable hull that offered less exciting but more comfortable rides
The get the best of both worlds, Yamaha decided to design a sportier, 2-seater ski, so the WaveRaider family was born.
The 1994 and 1995 WaveRaider 700 models (except the Deluxe) featured a lightweight fiberglass body with an outstanding power-to-weight ratio.
But everything changed in 1995 when Yamaha released the WaveRaider 1100. This model required a more durable hull, so the Japanese manufacturer switched from fiberglass to SMC.
To keep manufacturing costs down, this heavier SMC hull was shared with each WaveRaider model in the 1996-1997 model years, and the Raider 760 was no exception.
This platform measured 112.6 inches in length, 44.1 inches in width, and 38.2 inches in height, while the dry weight of the WaveRaider 760 was 465 pounds.
Under the hood, you could find a 754cc, 2-stroke twin Yamaha marine engine featuring an open-cooling system, two Mikuni carbs, and an advanced oil injection system.
Thanks to these features, this power mill cranked out 90 HP at 6350 RPM and ensured a top speed of 55 mph.
(In contrast, the fiberglass WaveRaider 700 weighed only 388 pounds and had an 80 HP engine option.)
Engine power was delivered to an axial-flow, single-stage jet pump via direct drive.
One of the unique features of the WaveRaider 760 was its large hood that effectively sealed the engine compartment. On competitor models, the engine bay was only covered with the seat, which proved to be much less watertight.
Due to this design, the ski lacked regular front storage and only had an under-seat storage bin.
Standard features included rear grab handles, dual mirrors, sponsons, safety lanyard, front and rear eyes, and gauges. Surprisingly, each WaveRaider model was manufactured without an hour meter.
Like its brothers, the WR 760 also earned a good reputation for outstanding reliability and durability.
It was comfortable and predictable but it still offered a lot of fun on the water. The only drawback of the ski was its significantly heavier SMC body, which made it less appealing than the ‘94-‘95 fiberglass WaveRaider 700.
In late 1997, Yamaha decided to discontinue the WaveRaider 760 after two short years of production.
1996 Yamaha WaveRaider 760 Specs Chart
For your convenience, we’ve compiled the Yamaha WaveRaider 760 specifications into these charts!
Dimensions
| Dimensions | WaveRaider 760 |
|---|---|
| Length | 112.6 in (2,860 mm) |
| Width | 44.1 in (1,120 mm) |
| Height | 38.2 in (970 mm) |
| Dry weight | 465 lbs (211 kg) |
| Hull | GP2 |
Engine Specs
| Engine Specs | WaveRaider 760 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 64X |
| Engine type | 2-stroke |
| Number of cylinder | 2 |
| Displacement | 754 cm³ (46.0 cu in.) |
| Bore and Stroke | 84 × 68 mm (3.31 × 2.68 in) |
| Compression ratio | F:7.2, R: 6.8 |
| Intake system | Reed valve |
| Carburetor type | Floatless type |
| Number of carburetor | 2 |
| Carburetor starting system | Choke |
| Scavenging system | Loop charged |
| Lubrication System | Oil injection |
| Cooling System | Water-cooled |
Propulsion
| Drive Unit | WaveRaider 760 |
|---|---|
| Propulsion System | Jet pump |
| Jet Pump Type | Axial flow, single stage |
| Impeller rotation (Rear view) | Counter clockwise |
| Transmission | Direct drive from engine |
| Nozzle Angle | 23 +/- 1° |
Electrical Features
| Electrical Features | WaveRaider 760 |
|---|---|
| Starting System | Electric Starter |
| Ignition System | Digital C.D.I. |
| Ignition Timing | F: 15 ~ 20 BTDC, R: 15 ~ 18 BTDC (Degree) |
| Battery Capacity | 12 V 19 Ah |
| Spark Plug | BR8HS (NGK) |
| Lighting coil | 2 ~ 4 A @ 5,500 rpm |
Performance
| Performance | WaveRaider 760 |
|---|---|
| Maximum speed | 52.2 mph (84 km/h) |
| Maximum Output | 66.2 kW (90 HP) @ 6,350 rpm |
| Maximum Fuel Consumption | 10.04 US gal/h (38 L/h) |
| Cruising Range / at full throttle | 1.3 hr |
Fuel and Oil
| Fuel and Oil | WaveRaider 760 |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| Oil | 2-stroke outboard motor oil |
| Fuel and oil mixing ratio | 50 : 1 (at wide open throttle) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.2 US gal (50 L) |
| Reserve | 2.3 US gal (8.8 L) |
| Oil Tank Capacity | 1.0 US gal (3.8 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 four Yamaha WaveRaider models head-to-head in one chart:
| Specs | WaveRaider 700 | WaveRaider 760 Deluxe | WaveRaider 760 | WaveRaider 1100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 62T | 62T | 64X | 63M |
| Number of cylinder | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Displacement | 701 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 speed | 51.6 mph (83 km/h) | 50.3 mph (81 km/h) | 52.2 mph (84 km/h) | 56.5 mph (91 km/h) |
| Maximum Output | 80 HP | 80 HP | 90 HP | 110 HP |
| Maximum Fuel Consumption | 9.0 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) |
| Length | 112.6 in (2,860 mm) | 112.6 in (2,860 mm) | 112.6 in (2,860 mm) | 112.6 in (2,860 mm) |
| Width | 44.1 in (1,120 mm) | 44.1 in (1,120 mm) | 44.1 in (1,120 mm) | 44.1 in (1,120 mm) |
| Dry weight | 388 lb (176 kg) | 483 lb (219 kg) | 465 lb (211 kg) | 540 lb (245 kg) |
| Hull | GH1 | GH6 | GP2 | GJ1 |
| Hull material | Fiberglass | SMC | SMC | SMC |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 10.6 US gal (40 L) | 13.2 US gal (50 L) | 13.2 US gal (50 L) | 13.2 US gal (50 L) |
| Oil Tank Capacity | 1.1 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 760 For Sale
If you are considering purchasing one, you probably want to know where to find a Yamaha WaveRaider 760 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 to 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 760s 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 760!
What is a Yamaha WaveRaider 760?
The WaveRaider 760 was a vintage 2-stroke sit-down jet ski manufactured by Yamaha.
What Year Did Yamaha Make the WaveRaider 760?
Yamaha marketed the WaveRaider 760 from 1996 through 1997.
Was a Yamaha WaveRaider 760 a 2-Stroke Ski?
Yes, the Yamaha WaveRaider 760 utilized a 2-stroke twin engine.
What Size was the Yamaha WaveRaider 760?
The Yamaha WaveRaider 760 was 112.6 inches long, 44.1 inches wide, and 38.2 inches high.
How Much Did a Yamaha WaveRaider 760 Weigh?
The reported dry weight of the Yamaha WaveRaider 760 was 465 pounds.
What Kind of Engine Did the Yamaha WaveRaider 760 Have?
The engine of the Yamaha WaveRaider 760 was a 2-stroke, 701cc twin Yamaha marine engine featuring two Mikuni carbs, CDI ignition, open-loop cooling, and oil injection.
How Much Horsepower Did a Yamaha WaveRaider 760 Have?
The Yamaha WaveRaider 760 provided 90 HP at 6,350 RPM.
How Fast Did a Yamaha WaveRaider 760 Go?
The top speed of a Yamaha WaveRaider 760 was 55 mph under ideal conditions.
Did the Yamaha WaveRaider 760 Have Reverse?
No, the Yamaha WaveRaider 760 wasn’t equipped with reverse.
What Size Storage Compartment Did a Yamaha WaveRaider 760 Have?
The Yamaha WaveRaider 760 featured only a tiny under-seat storage box.
How Much Fuel Did a Yamaha WaveRaider 760 Hold?
The Yamaha WaveRaider 760 utilized a 13.2-gallon fuel tank.
What was the Fuel Range of the Yamaha WaveRaider 760?
Thanks to its larger, 13.2-gallon fuel tank, the WaveRaider 760 offered about 1.3 hours of play time.
How Much Fuel Did a Yamaha WaveRaider 760 Use?
The Yamaha WaveRaider 760 fuel consumption was about 10 GPH at WOT.
How Many People Could Ride a Yamaha WaveRaider 760?
Although the Yamaha WaveRaider 760 was rated for two riders, it became very tippy with two adults on board. Therefore, this ski was primarily recommended for solo rides.
How Much is a Yamaha WaveRaider 760 Worth?
It’s hard to tell the exact price of this vintage ski, as it strongly depends on its year, condition, and location. But as a rule of thumb, the price of a Yamaha WaveRaider 760 typically ranges from $500 to $2,500.
This is our short Yamaha WaveRaider 760 review; we hope you find it useful!
