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2025 Yamaha JetBlaster Pro

Boat Reviews

Boat Review by: Rick Layzell

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Yamaha enters the 2025 model year with an all-new series of WaveRunner models aimed at an emerging market segment. The JetBlaster lineup offers a total of four unique models each with its own set of standard inclusions targeted at a younger demographic – the next consumer for the boating industry. The JetBlaster, JetBlaster DLX, JetBlaster PRO and JetBlaster LTD each carry unique features to meet individual consumer demands.

Yamaha positions these models as the ‘All-New Rec-Lite Platform’ and other than the use of their proven and reliable TR-1 engine, everything about the JetBlaster is indeed all new.

The JetBlaster PRO will be one of the most in-demand models in the series as it’s squarely aimed at an audience that thrives on experiencing freestyle riding. Featuring aggressive styling and what can only be called loud and bold colour schemes, the PRO model is all about you and your style. Out of the box she comes standard with Yamaha’s Connext digital gauge pack, RiDE system, custom trim and wicked cool stern mats, foot chocks, and a naked steering setup. And is she ever a blast to ride!

Yamaha chose to utilize their proven SMC hull design which gives the confidence and durability of fiberglass construction to all JetBlaster models. SMC is also readily repaired by most fiberglass shops if there’s ever a need – a definite owner benefit. It’s up on the deck where Yamaha has completely changed the game with the use of their first ever Polypropylene 3-part deck. This significant manufacturing shift gave design teams free reign to create aggressive styling cues while adding the benefits of reliability and durability of in-mould colour that’s user-friendly and easy to clean.

The awesome TR-1 engine gets a HP bump in the PRO model to 110 HP and is re-badged as the TR-1 HO. There’s an all new jet pump throughout the JetBlaster series and this too has been designed and purpose built for this series. Featuring a new transom plate, new impeller and impeller housing, new nozzle and new aluminum deflector and trim ring, the design adds exceptional playfulness to the ride experience. The PRO model impeller design delivers improved acceleration and the trim angle extends to 25.5 degrees opening the door to your freestyle experience.

A small but functional – and yes, I dumped the machine while learning and made use of this – reboarding step is mounted on the right side of the transom. After flipping the machine back over, I reboarded with ease thanks to the step and the notched grab handles. And then I shed a little tear and wished I had worn sunglass straps which would have saved my Maui Jim’s!

Another awesome feature is Yamaha’s RiDE technology – Reverse Intuitive Deceleration Electronics which has been featured on many of their larger WaveRunner models for several years. RiDE is easily activated from any speed by grabbing the lever on the left side of the handle bar. This drops a bucket over the jet nozzle and decelerates your forward motion with a sense of total control. I had the opportunity to test RiDE from a variety of speeds and it works exceptionally well. Need to back the machine up or use reverse while docking? No sweat, just grab a handful of that lever and you’re in reverse. I would encourage any owner to take a few moments to learn the benefits and applications of RiDE.

The Connext gauge package is user friendly and the 4.3” gauge is easy to see at all speeds. At start up, the system comes to life with the Yamaha logo and moves to the home screen which displays speed, RPM, trim, fuel, and voltage readings. Flip to the next screen to find trip and fuel burn info, hours, distance traveled, fuel burn, miles per gallon (MPG), and gallons per hour. Next tab takes you to a clever drive control screen which allows owners to control the amount of horsepower available to your guest riders. Factory default setting is full power and there’s a middle and low setting for less experienced riders. Yamaha makes securing the machine when not in use a breeze thanks to the Connext lock screen – just plug in your own secret passcode to lockout the machine. Awesome security.

The JetBlaster PRO is all about creating, experiencing, and challenging yourself to make the machine do more and, of course, ride in style. Our test day on a small lake had limited boat traffic, near zero wind or waves, and air temperatures hovering in a sweaty +30 C (90 F). I hopped on the PRO with confidence, eased away from the dock immediately embraced the aggressiveness of the hull shape. I smiled when a modest body lean was met with a machine ready to play. Safely away from the dock, I smashed the throttle to exhilarating results with nanosecond hole shots and an easy top speed of 84 km/h (50 mph) while the TR-I HO purred along at 8,000 RPM. As is typical with WaveRunner models, cruising speeds are seemingly endless and on our test day with just me and a half tank of fuel on board, I found 40 km/h (25 mph) and 47 km/h (29 mph) at 5,000 and 5,500 RPM to be ideal.

The trim system on this PWC is key to freestyling, and I smiled while cruising as running through various trim angles did yield modest changes to the ride. This will certainly be an important feature when carrying passengers. It’s also very easy to use (touch of an up/down button) and easy to read on the Connext gauge.

An experience I have admittedly never had is ‘standing up’ a WaveRunner but the JetBlaster PRO makes it super easy and crazy fun. Start by putting the trim all the way down, move your feet on to the foot chocks, prepare your body mass to move towards the stern as you smash the throttle and experience the rush as she begins to lift. With the bow up and out of the water and your body now in a standing position with your feet planted in the chocks, the PRO begins to dance across the water. What an adrenaline rush! I could have played all day.

The new JetBlaster series from Yamaha is going to smash retail results, deliver a younger audience to the WaveRunner lifestyle, and create smiles for all ages on waterways across the country. The PRO is a ton of fun to ride and an absolute blast to experience.