2018 Yamaha WaveRunner VX Cruiser/Limited

Standard Yamaha amenities don’t need the Limited moniker to further enhance the craft. Cruise control and no-wake mode are beneficial for extended cruising or slow-speed zones. Cruise control is also a relationship saver when towing, as it maintains a steady speed and eliminates surges, something most drivers will be hard pressed to duplicate on a PWC. Other features include a tiered Cruiser saddle, grooved traction mats, 24.6 gallons of storage capacity split between three storage compartments (bow, glovebox, and under-seat locker), and flip-down boarding step.

And then, of course, there’s RiDE, Yamaha’s dual throttle system. Think of RiDE as adding a secondary throttle to the lefthand side of the handlebars. That throttle serves dual purposes. When applied under significant power it acts to rapidly decelerate the craft, avoiding potential problems or just scrubbing off speed before a turn. At slower speeds it applies reverse thrust, making forward a simple pull of the righthand throttle, reverse a pull of the lefthand throttle, and neutral a release of both. RiDE has proven quite intuitive over the years, with riders getting the hang of the system after just a brief learning curve. It truly enhances the craft’s overall control and makes docking, launching, pulling up to the marina, etc a breeze.