2016 Yamaha FX Cruiser SVHO Review

Flagship WaveRunner impresses

The FX Cruiser SVHO sits at the very top of the Yamaha food chain. It both looks and feels the part. With the brand’s biggest engine, one of Yamaha’s best-ever hull designs, and a long list of amenities that only enhance both of the above, the Cruiser SVHO is a formidable competitor.

Especially considering it remains one of the most economical flagship cruisers on the market.

Precision and Power

As the marquee craft of Yamaha’s lineup, expect plenty of performance and handling from the FX Cruiser SVHO. The latter part of that name reveals the engine within. It’s the most powerful variation of Yamaha’s 1.8-liter engine, with both a supercharger and intercooler to boost the power potential. No, we can’t quote a horsepower number – that’s fallen out of fashion in recent times. But we can tell you it’s over 250, and on the water feels like much more.

The FX Cruiser SVHO benefits from Yamaha’s powerful 1.8-liter engine.

Squeeze the throttle and the craft – lightened by the use of Yamaha’s second generation NanoXcel hull material – instantly responds. A long-awaited top-loading scoop grate instantly puts the engine’s potential to the water. Acceleration is impressive, with the craft leaping from a standstill to quickly pass the 30 mph mark in well under two seconds and continuing on past 65 mph. How much past? With my light weight, light fuel load and smooth water conditions, quite a bit past. We’ll call it 67 mph in less ideal conditions and maybe more should you play your cards right.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2016 Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300

The hull handles the power with precision. Calm conditions had me racing into corners at full throttle with total confidence, cranking the handlebars and shifting my weight to the inside of a turn, and roosting up a wall of water as the boat sliced turns worthy of a competition slalom skier. Electric trim significantly enhances these manners. Previous generations had the driver fighting the pump thrust trying to manually pivot the nozzle up or down for best performance. Now, just push a button and angle that nozzle anywhere you want, dropping it lower to plant the bow through the corners and raising it to get more of that hull out of the water and enhance top speed.

Kicking up a giant wall of water is simple thanks to the precise hull on the FX Cruiser SVHO.

Rougher waters also continue to be a strong suit. Yamahas have always been a standout in lousy conditions, tracking through waves and chop with authority and never getting kicked unexpectedly off their line. The FX Cruiser SVHO continues that legacy.

A Better RiDE

While performance and handling are certainly newsworthy, last year brought a long list of improvements to the FX SVHO platform that truly enhance the craft beyond the normal bells and whistles. Foremost among these features is RiDE, Yamaha’s “dual-throttle” concept. Yes, Yamahas now have two throttles, one on each side of the handlebar. To starboard it’s business as usual, but to port the new RiDE throttle controls reverse, as well as uses the reverse bucket for stopping power.

Thanks to Yamaha’s RiDE throttle controls, maneuvering the craft at slow speeds and confined spaces is much easier.

Like Sea-Doo’s iBR concept, RiDE-equipped models start in a neutral mode. That means the boat will stay stationary at the dock or ramp, rather than surge forward as the pump spins to life. Applying the normal throttle lever puts the boat into forward and ramps up speed. Applying the RiDE throttle drops the bucket and redirects thrust to put the boat into reverse. Yamaha provides quite a bit of power in this mode, enabling you to quickly back away but respect the power. The system requires the briefest practice session before you truly know what to expect. Releasing either throttle puts the boat into a neutral mode.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2015 Kawasaki Ultra 310LX

While Yamaha stops short of calling it a brake, RiDE also provides quite a bit of stopping power when underway. Use it to avoid sudden obstacles, or just to rapidly slow your momentum before setting up for a turn. Thrust is redirected to the sides, keeping the driver totally in control and the craft level. There’s no sudden drop at the bow, just a controlled, level deceleration.

RiDE also helps the FX Cruiser SVHO slow down in a hurry without the nose diving into the water.

Cruise in Comfort

With all the boat’s performance and features, it’s possible to overlook the fact that this is still a cruiser, albeit a powerful one. Yamaha’s saddle is both bolstered and tiered, offering excellent back support for each individual passenger, while also positioning each one higher than the last. This theater-style approach keeps passengers from simply looking at the back of the head of the rider in front, producing a far more enjoyable ride for those not in control. Tilt steering further dials in the comfort and control for the driver.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2016 Yamaha VX Cruiser HO

Other standout features? Cruise control and no-wake mode are now almost expected in a flagship cruiser. Both take the fatigue and monotony out of holding the throttle in one position over an extended period of time, but don’t forget cruise control’s advantages for towsports as well. Lock in a speed, give your rider a consistent, steady pull, and concentrate on the water ahead, not your fluctuations in speed.

Other features of note include Yamaha’s remote security system, which uses an automotive-style key fob to lock the ignition, as well as activate a low-rpm mode; grippy Hydro-Turf brand traction mats; and a well done aft platform. It’s big, and features a flip-down boarding step that’s not a round bar, but instead a more comfortable flattened step. You also get metallic paint and 33.2 gallons of storage capacity.

That’s a lot of stuff to cover. But the FX Cruiser SVHO is truly a lot of boat. Power, handling, innovative features, and yet a comparatively low price tag.

Yamaha has reason to be proud.