Severe stock shortages continue to delay arrivals of 2022 Sea-Doo, 2022 Yamaha WaveRunner, and 2022 Kawasaki Jet Skis in Australia – with most dealers not likely to receive the bulk of their new models until the end of summer, or even spill into winter.
The world’s leading analyst and commentator on Jet Skis and personal watercraft has this week warned the current stock shortages could get worse before they get better.
Demand for Jet Skis and personal watercraft in Australia is off the charts, as more people holiday at home amid international travel restrictions due to the coronavirus.
But ongoing delivery delays – with waiting lists stretching up to six months in Australia due to unprecedented demand – are now likely to be compounded by a reduction in production.
Kevin Shaw, the editor-in-chief of The Watercraft Journal, the world’s biggest Jet Ski website – who is plugged into the head offices for all three manufacturers (Sea-Doo, Yamaha and Kawasaki) – said in his most recent YouTube broadcast:
“I think we’re going to have a scarcity problem that’s going to make your head spin on its shoulders like The Exorcist. The stock situation will likely get worse before it gets better. It’s a little scattershot as to what units are coming in.”
He said all three brands are “honestly … doing their best to get the product out as fast as they can.”
However, Kevin Shaw noted economic uncertainty in the US – the world’s biggest market for personal watercraft and the manufacturing base for two of the three brands – plus ongoing supply-chain issues, were also slowing production of 2022 models.
“I have nothing to back this, except for my gut and my experience,” Kevin Shaw told his YouTube audience, after he interviewed representatives for all three brands prior to the broadcast. “But I expect all three manufacturers (Sea-Doo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki) to reduce their overall production numbers this year.
“If I’m wrong, I will be first person to say I’m happy that I’m wrong (because it means more customers will get watercraft). But I think the production numbers are going to be reduced, I really do.”
In The Watercraft Journal’s weekly video update, Kevin Shaw also said Sea-Doo was shipping some incomplete watercraft to US dealers, while awaiting parts such as dashboards, engine management computers, and other electronics to be fitted by dealers as components become available.
However, he noted, Yamaha and Kawasaki don’t want incomplete Jet Skis sitting in dealer stock – or in their warehouses.
“Only when they have all the pieces are they going to try to assemble watercraft,” said Kevin Shaw.
“In 2021, Yamaha had a whole warehouse full of their real nice boats waiting for product to finish them (but) they couldn’t ship them out to dealers. So they’re not going to do that again. Only when they have all the pieces are they going to try to assemble watercraft.”
After speaking with representatives for all three manufacturers – and several well-placed dealer sources – Kevin Shaw said customers should expect further delays throughout 2022.
He said long-standing repeat customers – who are well known to a particular dealership and on their second or third watercraft – will likely be ahead of the queue versus new-comers.
“If you are a regular buyer, you have a dealer you trust, and you’ve already given them a deposit, chances are you have nothing to worry about,” said Kevin Shaw. “They’ll let you know when the unit shows up, because you have that relationship.”
For buyers who are new to the sport – or want to jump the queue – he had this advice:
“If you have not put a dollar down on anything, I suggest you … hang out on social media non-stop, and have the trailer hitched to your truck at all times, and have cash in your pocket, ready to go pick it up right away.”
You can watch The Watercraft Journal’s video on stock shortages in full by clicking here. The above comments were made between the 40-minute and 60-minute mark of the 90-minute broadcast.
Kevin Shaw’s message from the front line in North America is echoed in Australia.
Numerous industry experts linked to Sea-Doo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki Jet Skis have told Watercraft Zone supply of new models will be extremely tight throughout the first half of 2022, and perhaps beyond.
Yamaha and Kawasaki dealers in Australia say they have only received a handful of 2022 models so far – despite initial shipments expected late last year. The choice of Sea-Doos is also patchy.
Dealers representing Yamaha WaveRunners in Australia told Watercraft Zone they have only received limited numbers of the entry-model Yamaha EX and Yamaha VX – both powered by the 1050cc three-cylinder engine.
As this article was published, Yamaha WaveRunner dealers in Australia were still waiting on the company’s most popular models such as the 2022 Yamaha GP1800R SVHO, 2022 Yamaha FX HO, and 2022 Yamaha FX SVHO.
Yamaha WaveRunner dealers in Australia say they hope to receive their initial allocation of these flagship models in February or March 2022, but in extremely limited numbers until at least the middle of the year.
Kawasaki Jet Ski dealers in Australia told Watercraft Zone they have received – or are about to receive – limited numbers of entry-level Kawasaki STX160 and Kawasaki Ultra LX, both powered by a non-supercharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine.
The highly-anticipated supercharged Kawasaki Ultra 310 series – with a completely new top-deck for 2022 – is due to arrive in display-stock numbers only in February or March, before full-scale customer supply ramps up mid- to late-2022.
Sea-Doo dealers in Australia have had more luck with showroom stock over the summer break – after ordering big last year, before the shortage struck – but their model mix is also patchy.
After initial arrivals of the supercharged 2022 Sea-Doo RXP-X300, 2022 Sea-Doo RXT-X300, 2022 Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300 – and a handful of 2022 Sea-Doo Fish Pro Sport 170s – in late 2021 and early 2022, Sea-Doo dealers in Australia are keeping afloat with limited supplies of the Sea-Doo Fish Pro Scout, Sea-Doo GTR 230, and the Sea-Doo Spark.
While some 2022 model-year Sea-Doo watercraft were due to arrive in time for the Australian summer in late 2021, many sought-after new variants have been pushed into this year, based on delivery estimates sourced by Watercraft Zone.
Representatives for all three brands – Sea-Doo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki – have advised Australian customers to get in the queue and place an order now to avoid missing out.
Sea-Doo and Yamaha have already released 2022 price lists for Australia, which can be found here: Sea-Doo, Yamaha.
Kawasaki is expected to release its 2022 price list soon, including for the new 2022 Kawasaki Ultra 310 Jet Ski range. As a guide, you can see the 2021 Kawasaki Jet Ski price list for Australia here.
Meantime, here is what we know so far about Australian showroom arrival times for 2022 model-year watercraft for Sea-Doo, Yamaha, and Kawasaki.
Sea-Doo
Sea-Doo dealers canvassed by Watercraft Zone ordered up big for the 2021/2022 summer season, after selling out of most stock throughout 2021 and being left with empty showrooms.
Supply was so tight in the first half of 2021, many Sea-Doo dealers didn’t know what machines they were getting until the truck turned up with a new shipment.
Sea-Doo dealers in Australia told Watercraft Zone they were hopeful of receiving about 40 per cent their annual allocation of 2022 models from December 2021 through January 2021.
Watercraft Zone recommends contacting as many Sea-Doo dealers as possible to check on individual stock situations. But don’t be surprised if there is still a lengthy wait.
Some models have shown to have better availability compared to others, with many Sea-Doo dealers able to meet strong demand for the “triple black” RXP-X300 and RXT-X300 (pictured above). However, many dealers have already sold out of their first shipment.
It means, in some cases, if you order a new Sea-Doo today you may not be able to take delivery until some time in the first half of 2022, which is why experts are advising customers of all brands to shop around and get in the queue early.
As a new variant, the first shipments of the flagship 2022 Sea-Doo Fish Pro Trophy edition (pictured below) are now not due in Australia until mid-2022.
Initial allocations of the 2022 Sea-Doo Fish Pro Sport 170 turned up in limited numbers but quickly sold out.
It is the same blue and white colour scheme with the same features and options as this year – but with a new ‘Sport’ sticker – and remains one of the watercraft industry’s most popular models, given its class-leading ergonomics and features.
Most Sea-Doo dealers have ordered good supply of the budget-priced Sea-Doo Spark and Sea-Doo Spark Trixx ranges, as well as the ever-popular supercharged Sea-Doo GTR 230 – which was in short supply throughout much of 2021.
But, as ever, stock levels vary from dealer to dealer.
Yamaha WaveRunner
Yamaha WaveRunner dealers in Australia have been hitting the phones and calling customers ahead of time – to get them on the list early – because supply of 2022 Yamaha WaveRunners is going to be very tight.
Dealers in Australia are reportedly only receiving about two-thirds of the stock numbers they sold last year, and have put in urgent requests for more.
Australian arrivals of 2022 Yamaha WaveRunners are patchy, so dealers are advising customers to get in the queue now.
At this article was published, most of the 2022 Yamaha WaveRunner range is yet to arrive in Australian showrooms.
Yamaha WaveRunner dealers in Australia are still waiting on supply of the 2022 Yamaha GP1800R SVHO, 2022 Yamaha FX HO, and 2022 Yamaha FX SVHO.
A small number of superseded 2021 Yamaha WaveRunners filtered through Australian dealers last last year but were pre-sold.
Most Yamaha WaveRunner dealers canvassed in Australia by Watercraft Zone had empty showrooms, or filled their showrooms with pre-delivery stock that was already sold.
Watercraft Zone recommends contacting as many Yamaha WaveRunner dealers as possible to check on individual stock situations. But don’t be surprised if there is still a lengthy wait.
The good news for performance fans, the race-bred 2022 Yamaha GP1800R SVHO (pictured above with a choice of two colour schemes for Australia) should be here in the first quarter of this year.
Initially expected to arrive in January 2022, the updated Yamaha GP1800R SVHO is now due in February or March unless there are further shipping delays.
More stock of the updated 2022 Yamaha VX Cruiser 1050 (now with speakers) and base model Yamaha EX and EX Deluxe are also due to arrive.
The first of the highly-anticipated 2022 FX series is not due in Australian showrooms until February or March 2022 at this stage, starting with the 2022 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser and 2022 Yamaha FX SVHO Limited.
Other models in the popular FX range – the FX HO, FX SVHO, and FX SVHO Cruiser – are not due in Australia until March 2022 – or later.
The 2022 Yamaha JetBlaster – due in March 2022 – is the budget-priced 2021 Yamaha EXR performance model but reimagined for the new model-year.
Still constructed with lightweight NanoXcel 2 hull and deck material, the 2022 Yamaha JetBlaster gains rear step wedges and an adjustable jet pump nozzle for “freestyle” riding.
Kawasaki
Kawasaki has a more simplified Jet Ski model line-up compared to Sea-Doo and Yamaha, nevertheless there will be a staggered rollout of 2022 models, say industry insiders.
Non-supercharged models such as the 2022 Kawasaki Ultra LX (pictured above) and 2022 Kawasaki STX 160 (pictured below) were due in Australian showrooms by the end of last year, but are now looking to arrive in limited numbers in late January / early February 2022.
Most of this stock is pre-sold, say Kawasaki Jet Ski dealers, having been ordered by customers last year.
The 2022 versions of the Kawasaki Ultra 310 Jet Ski are not due in Australia until April 2022 onwards, according to estimates by dealers canvassed by Watercraft Zone.
And even then, each dealer will only receive one or two demonstrator models before supply ramps up from mid-2022 onwards.
Kawasaki dealers told Watercraft Zone they will be restricted to just two examples each of the 2022 Kawasaki Ultra 310 model series (310X, 310LX-S, 310LX) between April and June 2022 – after the peak summer season – and won’t receive the new flagship in bulk until the Australian winter.
Watercraft Zone recommends contacting as many Kawasaki Jet Ski dealers as possible to check on individual stock situations. But don’t be surprised if there is still a lengthy wait.
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