Breaking new ground in PWC design
Yamaha has unveiled the CrossWave, a WaveRunner that challenges what we think a personal watercraft can be. At nearly 13 feet long and over 1.7 metres wide, it’s far bigger than the FX luxury series — and designed with purpose. The focus isn’t top speed, but space, stability, and all-day utility.
“This isn’t about going faster or carving harder,” said Bryan Seti, Yamaha WaterCraft’s General Manager. “The CrossWave is about going farther and doing more — with the space, flexibility, and purpose that a growing segment of the PWC industry has been waiting for.”
The centrepiece is its walkaround layout, allowing 360-degree mobility from bow to stern. That makes it the first PWC where you can truly move about, fish off the bow, or stretch out without compromise. Yamaha has deliberately blurred the line between tender, utility boat, and personal watercraft.
Space, storage, and versatility
The CrossWave carries up to four people, but its third and fourth seats can be removed in seconds, leaving a wide, open stern deck. That flexibility makes it equally suited to family cruising, solo fishing missions, or hauling gear to the bach.
With 310 litres (82 gallons) of storage onboard, this is no ordinary PWC. There’s a dedicated anchor locker, rod storage, and twin stern compartments — plus room for a 52-litre (55-quart cooler (included standard)). Yamaha’s integrated T-Track system runs throughout the deck, so you can clip on rod holders, trolling motor brackets, washdown kits, or even shallow water anchors. It’s a layout designed to be customised for each outing.
Tech that works on the water
The helm is unlike anything seen on a PWC. A floating console houses dual 7-inch displays: Yamaha’s Connext touchscreen and a Simrad NSX chartplotter/fishfinder. Together, they give skippers intuitive control, full marine navigation, and fishing functions in a familiar horizontal layout.
Factory-installed Bluetooth speakers pump sound from the footwells, and the platform is prepped for more audio if desired. Powering it all is another industry first — the CrossWave is wired for a Group 24 deep cycle marine battery, managed with an integrated battery switch to prevent drain between rides. For fishers adding trolling motors, or adventurers running lights and gadgets, that’s a game-changer.
And because Yamaha knows real-world boating, it has added its patented cleanout port, borrowed from its jet boat line. That means you can clear debris from the jet pump without diving in — a small but important safety and convenience feature.
Power and performance
Under the seat sits Yamaha’s proven 1.9L High Output Marine Engine, the largest displacement motor in the PWC industry. It delivers the responsive punch Yamaha is known for, while also providing efficiency for long-distance cruising. With a 26.4-gallon fuel tank, the CrossWave has the range to back up its adventurous spirit.
One model, infinite uses
Unlike most PWC ranges, the CrossWave comes in a single, fully equipped configuration. Buyers then personalise it through Yamaha’s growing catalogue of modular accessories — casting decks, leaning posts, extra seating, and more. Every unit ships with a Yamaha trailer and cooler included.
The CrossWave is more than a new model. It’s Yamaha’s attempt to create an entirely new Adventure PWC category, bridging the gap between traditional WaveRunners and small multipurpose boats.
We are in no doubt that the CrossWave will find a strong following. With its fishing-first design, modular deck, and long-range cruising ability, it might just be the PWC that bridges the gap between fun on the water and practical utility.
For beach house owners, fishers, or those who want one craft that does it all, Yamaha’s CrossWave is worth watching. It could well redefine how we see personal watercraft — not as toys, but as adaptable platforms for adventure.
