Sea-Doo and Yamaha are set for a major showdown in the pint-sized personal watercraft class.
And Jet Ski buyers on a budget will be the big winners as both major brands double their efforts with two all-new models introduced over the past 12 months.
This time last year, the new-generation Sea-Doo Spark and Sea-Doo Spark Trixx were unveiled.
In the US overnight, Yamaha released an all-new line-up of models at the budget end of the personal watercraft category.
Above: 2025 Yamaha JetBlaster base model.
The headline act in the 2025 Yamaha WaveRunner line-up is the new JetBlaster series with a completely new top deck and hull.
If you think it looks like a Sea-Doo Spark, you’d be right.
While the new Yamaha JetBlaster hull is made from SMC fibreglass or lightweight NanoXcel depending on the model, the new top deck is made from similar plastic material used by Sea-Doo.
The 2025 JetBlaster series is the first Yamaha WaveRunner with a top deck constructed from reinforced polypropylene (plastic).
Above: 2025 Yamaha JetBlaster Deluxe model.
Data shows the weight savings on the new models are minimal, however there are likely some manufacturing cost-savings with the new material.
Yamaha says the use of plastic for the top deck enabled designers to come up with unique shapes – and a hollow centre section (similar to the Sea-Doo Spark layout).
It is the biggest change to the Yamaha WaveRunner line-up since the current-generation Yamaha FX WaveRunner arrived in 2019.
While the JetBlaster name was most recently used on the performance version of the Yamaha EX, the JetBlaster name is now used across all models in Yamaha’s budget series.
For the time being, the Yamaha EX name has been retired.
Above: 2025 Yamaha JetBlaster Pro two-seater.
There are now four JetBlaster variants – two with stunt mode and rear step wedges so the craft can briefly ride on its tail, and two without these features – designed to tackle the Sea-Doo Spark range head-on in the budget end of the personal watercraft market.
Data shows the 2025 Yamaha JetBlaster is slightly wider and slightly shorter than the previous Yamaha EX series.
One significant downside to the 2025 Yamaha JetBlaster versus its predecessor: there is less storage capacity than before (though it still has more storage than the new-generation Sea-Doo Spark).
Above: 2025 Yamaha JetBlaster Pro three-seater.
The previous Yamaha EX and JetBlaster series had a total storage capacity of 29 litres spread across three areas (7L bow, 14L centre console, 8L under-seat), which was way more than the Sea-Doo Spark.
The 2025 Yamaha JetBlaster series only has a modest centre console storage compartment of 5.5 litres, though the 2025 Yamaha JetBlaser Deluxe has an additional 7.8-litre ‘wet’ bow storage compartment (for a combined total of 13.3 litres).
In comparison, the first-generation Sea-Doo Spark had just 1.6 litres of centre console storage with the option of a 27-litre removable ‘wet’ bow storage compartment.
The just-released second-generation Sea-Doo Spark (introduced in the US this year and due in Australia later this year) has 2.68 litres of centre console storage and the option of a removable 42-litre ‘wet’ bow storage area.
All 2025 Yamaha JetBlaster models are powered by Yamaha’s 1049cc three-cylinder engine (codename TR-1).
The JetBlaster and JetBlaster Deluxe models have an estimated 90hp version of the TR-1.
The JetBlaster Pro stunt models have an estimated 110hp version of TR-1.
In comparison, the three-cylinder 899cc engine in the Sea-Doo Spark and Sea-Doo Spark Trixx is available in 60hp or 90hp configurations, depending on the model.
Other minor changes: Yamaha says all 2025 JetBlaster models are equipped with a new jet pump housing that is “lighter, more corrosion resistant and has improved serviceability”.
We have outlined highlights for each of the 2025 Yamaha JetBlaster models in the tables below.
Meantime, Australian prices for the 2025 Yamaha WaveRunner line-up – including the new JetBlaster series – will be announced closer to local showroom arrivals in late 2024 or early 2025.
We will publish the full price list once we have it.
2025 Yamaha JetBlaster highlights:
- Yamaha JetBlaster two-seater (90hp):
- SMC fibreglass hull
- Small LED instrument display
- 5.5-litre glovebox
- Rear deck mats
- Yamaha JetBlaster Deluxe three-seater (90hp):
- SMC fibreglass hull
- Small LED instrument display
- 5.5-litre glovebox
- 7.8-litre bow storage
- Two-tone rear deck mats
- Reverse trigger
- Side mirrors
- Rear boarding step
- Yamaha JetBlaster Pro two-seater (110hp)
- Lightweight Nano-Xcel 2 hull
- 4.3-inch digital instrument screen
- 5.5-litre glovebox
- Two-tone rear deck mats
- Rear boarding step
- Rear step wedges and adjustable trim to ride on the ‘tail’
- Yamaha JetBlaster Pro three-seater (110hp):
- Lightweight Nano-Xcel 2 hull
- 4.3-inch digital instrument screen
- 5.5-litre glovebox
- Two-tone rear deck mats
- Rear boarding step
- Rear step wedges and adjustable trim to ride on the ‘tail’
- Side mirrors
2025 Yamaha JetBlaster weights and dimensions:
- 2025 Yamaha JetBlaster two-seater
- Length: 3.0m
- Width: 1.14m
- Height: 1.12m
- Weight: 261kg
- Jet pump: 144mm
- 2025 Yamaha JetBlaster Deluxe three-seater
- Length: 3.0m
- Width: 1.14m
- Height: 1.12m
- Weight: 271kg
- Jet pump: 144mm
- 2025 Yamaha JetBlaster Pro two-seater
- Length: 3.0m
- Width: 1.14m
- Height: 1.12m
- Weight: 244kg
- Jet pump: 144mm
- 2025 Yamaha JetBlaster Pro three-seater
- Length: 3.0m
- Width: 1.14m
- Height: 1.12m
- Weight: 247kg
- Jet pump: 144mm
2024 Yamaha EX and JetBlaster weights and dimensions:
- 2024 Yamaha EX
- Length: 3.13m
- Width: 1.13m
- Height: 1.15m
- Weight: 262kg
- SMC fibreglass hull
- Storage capacity: 29 litres
- Jet pump: 144mm
- 2024 Yamaha EX Deluxe
- Length: 3.14m
- Width: 1.13m
- Height: 1.15m
- Weight: 272kg
- SMC fibreglass hull
- Storage capacity: 29 litres
- Jet pump: 144mm
- 2024 Yamaha EX JetBlaster
- Length: 3.14m
- Width: 1.13m
- Height: 1.18m
- Weight: 249kg
- Lightweight NanoXcel 2 hull
- Storage capacity: 29 litres
- Jet pump: 144mm
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