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1997 Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Specs and Review [Video]

1997 Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Specs and Review [Video]

The 1997 Yamaha WaveVenture was the middle-sized model in the popular WaveVenture series. This ski shared its hull with its brothers, but it was powered by a 754cc, 2-stroke twin engine rated at 90 HP. Other members of this family were the entry-level WaveVentrue 700 and the most advanced model, the WaveVenture 1100.

If you want to learn all about this popular vintage Yamaha PWC, this post is for you.

We at JetDrift have compiled all you need to know into this Yamaha WaveVenture 760 review!

1997 Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Review

The first 3-seater Yamaha jet ski, the WaveRunner III 650, was revealed in 1990. Although this ski was rated for three riders, riding it with passengers was hard to impossible.

Because of this, Yamaha decided to design a full-sized 3-seater WaveRunner from scratch, and by 1995, the all-new WaveVenture series was born.

The WaveVenture family consisted of three models, including:

The first model in the series was the WaveVenture 700, followed by the Venture 1100 in the next season.

By 1997, the 700 models were replaced by the more powerful WaveVenture 760. Surprisingly, this model was only marketed in this model year.

The ski shared its platform and many features with the other Venture models. They were built on a stable and comfortable platform that was 124.0 inches long, 49.2 inches wide, and 41.3 inches high.

The large top deck housed a 10.4-gallon under-seat storage box and a removable 7.1-gallon bow storage. Under this box you could find another built-in storage compartment.

Unlike its siblings, the WaveVenture 760 was powered by a 754cc, 2-stroke, 2-cylinder Yamaha engine featuring two Mikuni carburetors, CDI ignition, open-loop water cooling, and oil injection. This unit was very close to the 701 engine but just came with a bigger displacement.

The power-valve twin engine delivered 90 HP at 6,250 RPM and offered a top speed of 48-50 mph out of the box.

Unlike the sporty WaveBlaster 1, the WaveVenture 760 was designed for families and novice riders. Its deep-V-shaped hull was predictable and stable, so the ski handled well even on rough waters.

Because of this stability and reliability, the Venture 760 was a popular choice among jet ski rental shops.

The WaveVenture 760 came with many advanced features as standard, which were as follows:

  • Sponsons
  • Electric start
  • Large two-piece seat
  • Bow eye
  • Tow hook
  • Side and rear grab handles
  • Mirrors
  • Bailer
  • Shut-off switch
  • Manual reverse
  • Digital gauge
The WaveVenture 760 utilized an innovative digital gauge that displayed a lot of useful information, including:
  • Speedometer
  • Tachometer
  • Engine hours
  • Warning lights for low fuel, oil, and high engine temperature
Surprisingly, the WaveVenture 760 was only marketed in the 1997 model year, as the Venture 700 made a comeback for the 1998 season.

After that year, Yamaha decided to retire the entire WaveVenture family.

1997 Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Specs Chart

For your convenience, we’ve compiled the Yamaha WaveVenture 760 specifications into these charts!

Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Dimensions

WaveVenture 760Dimensions
Length124.0 in (3.15 m)
Width49.2 in (1.25 m)
Height41.3 in (1.05 m)
Dry weight551 lbs (250 kg)

Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Engine Specs

WaveVenture 760Engine Specs
Engine type2-stroke
Number of cylinder2
Displacement754 cm³ (46.0 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke84 × 68 mm (3.31 × 2.68 in)
Compression ratioF: 7.2, R: 6.8
Carburetor typeFloatless type
Number of carburetor2
Carburetor starting systemChoke
Lubrication SystemOil injection
Cooling SystemWater-cooled

Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Performance

WaveVenture 760Performance
Maximum speed48-50 mph
Maximum Output66.2 kW (90 HP) @ 6,350 rpm
Maximum Fuel Consumption10.04 US gal/h (38 L/h)
Cruising Range / at full throttle1.3 hr.

Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Propulsion

WaveVenture 760Drive Unit
Propulsion SystemJet pump
Jet Pump TypeAxial flow, single stage
Impeller rotation (Rear view)Counter clockwise (Rear View)
TransmissionDirect drive from engine
Steering nozzle angle23 +/- 1°

Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Electrical Features

WaveVenture 760Electrical features
Starting SystemElectric Starter
Ignition SystemDigital C.D.I.
Ignition TimingF: 15 ~ 20 BTDC, R: 15 ~ 18 BTDC
Charging SystemFlywheel magneto
Battery Capacity12 V 19 Ah
Spark PlugBR8HS (NGK)
Lighting Coil2 ~ 4 @ 5,500 r/min

Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Fuel and Oil

WaveVenture 760Fuel and Oil
FuelRegular gasoline
Recommended engine oilTwo-stroke outboard motor oil
Fuel and oil mixing ratio50 : 1 (at WOT)
Fuel Tank Capacity13.2 US gal (50 L)
Reserve3.17 US gal (12 L)
Oil Tank Capacity1.00 US gal (3.8 L)
These charts are for informational purposes only! For exact specifications, please refer to the factory manual.

Vintage Yamaha WaveVenture 760 For Sale

If you are considering purchasing one, you probably want to know where to find a Yamaha WaveVenture 700 for sale. As this model vanished from the market in 1997, 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 used Yamaha WaveVenture 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 WaveVenture 760!

What was the WaveVenture 760?

The WaveVenture 760 was a popular 2-stroke WaveRunner manufactured by Yamaha.

What year did Yamaha make the WaveVenture 760?

The Yamaha WaveVenture 760 was marketed in the 1997 model year.

Did the Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Have Reverse?

Yes, the Yamaha WaveVentue 760 was equipped with manual reverse.

How Many People Could Ride a WaveVenture 760?

The large WaveVenture 760 was rated for three riders.

Was the Yamaha WaveVenture 760 a 2-Stroke Ski?

Yes, the Yamaha WaveVenture 760 utilized a 2-stroke twin engine.

Could the Yamaha WaveVenture Tow a Skier or a Wakeboarder?

Yes, the Yamaha WaveVenture was equipped with mirrors and rated for three riders, so it could legally tow a skier. Thanks to its 90 HP power source, it could tow a skier or a wakeboarder with ease.

Where is the Battery on a Yamaha WaveVenture 760?

The battery on a Yamaha WaveVenture was located in a battery case beneath the rear storage compartment.

How Much Did a Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Weigh?

The dry weight of the Yamaha WaveVenture 760 was a whopping 551 pounds.

What Size was the Yamaha WaveVenture 760?

The Yamaha WaveVenture 760 was 124.0 inches long, 49.2 inches wide, and 41.3 inches high.

What Kind of Engine Did the Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Have?

The engine of the Yamaha WaveVenture 760 was a 2-stroke, 754cc twin featuring two Mikuni carbs, CDI ignition, and oil injection.

How Much Horsepower Did a Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Have?

The Yamaha WaveVenture 760 provided 90 HP at 6,350 RPM.

How Fast Did a Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Go?

The top speed of the base WaveVenture 760 was about 48-50 mph in stock condition.

How Much is a Yamaha WaveVenture 760 Worth?

It’s hard to tell the exact price of a vintage WaveRunner, as it strongly depends on its year, condition, and location. But as a rule of thumb, the prices of a Yamaha WaveVenture 760 typically range from $500 up to $2,000.