2011 Yamaha WaveRunner® VX Deluxe

Fun but...

The 2011 VX Deluxe runs great for an entry level waverunner. The pick-up is decent and the stearing is very responsive. It lacks on storage space but still has room for a dry bag up front. My largest complaint has to be the ammount of water that gets thrown directly into your face any time you hit t...he smallest wave. You can only jump a few waves/wakes at a time before you have to stop so you can see It is so annoying infact that instead of giving this to my wife when I decide to trade her older model in for a newer one, I will probably end up trading it in for another brand. (unless I can determine that this is the only Yamaha model that throws water in your face so frequently.) Read Full Review

Great all-around waverunner!

I have (2) 2011 VX 1100 series waverunners. One has ~87 hours and the other ~62 hours now (bought low-hours on both). Both have been mostly worry-free. I have them serviced at my local Yamaha dealer (runs about $195/season for BOTH) and we clean them immediately after bunk at the car wash/home. They...'re always with new oil/filter seasonally, cleaned out inside, treated with marine spray 3x season as necessary...basically well-maintained per the manual and preventative.

I had to replace the battery on one (but it was about normal time) and there's a slight slice in the seat, but otherwise good. Caution, though, the polarity on the newer batteries is now reversed for some reason, so mounting properly you'll be adjusting the cables to the opposite side. They other has a dilapidated seat needing new upholstery due to the previous owner leaving it uncovered in the sun with some fading of its paint/gelcoat. The deluxe seat is the way to go for back support and a two-up with towable scenario, but for multiple passengers the cruiser is the better seat for comfort, I'd say. The deluxe seat also puts the rearmost passenger higher. I've also replaced all drain plugs on both being they gaskets were dry-rotted, but no big deal and cheap.

They both have plenty of power to get out the water, even loaded with passengers, tough they sit quite low when fully loaded and you'll need to pull 20+ mph to rise out the water in back. Singly, they're quite nimble and stable; you can climb right up the side without fear of overturn. I'll soon to be adding a rack and doing some fishing. Storage is okay, but there is an option of the underseat dry bucket if you need more...I'd suggest having a welding shop fab a SS one at that price, though. The deluxe also gets a self- retracting step bar out back and I'd love to add one to my cruiser, but not necessary if you're strong enough to lift your own weight from chest deep out the water; both 'runners have a handle out back. The mirrors tend to look downward toward about 30+ ft behind the ski so I tend to have to lean down to actually see behind me, with is about 50% useful anyway due to the impeller spray back there; you'll be doing a lot of owl-heading to keep awareness of other boaters.

The sponsons on the rear sides are real corner-carvers at ~3/4-to-full turn for such a big 'runner, but you'd better hang on at speed or be thrown...typical of most 'skis anyway. It does a gradual lean until that sponson bites then carves hard, takes a little getting used to, but I find it a nice feature if you're in a dodging situation or just goofing around in a cove/lake. The splash is a little excessive in waves when it comes to the operator's face, so I'd invest in strapped, floating shades or goggles if you'll be in anything above a light chop for an extended period of time; see: fishing polarized shades on the cheap.

Top speed on smooth water (lake) was 56 mph for me solo on the cruiser or deluxe, though I typically ride in a bay/sound cruising around 6k rpm pulling 35 mph for distance. I'll be buying the throttle extension so can keep my hand from going numb; the cable is a firm pull and the grips are like a cheap bicycle rubber style. The aquaturf is decent and has yet to peel and the molding of the footboards has the feel of a cruiser motorcyle...pretty comfortable after a solid 30 minutes of riding. I've also seen 6+ hours of riding pulling only half the tank of fuel (87 octane).

Overall, a great waverunner with modest features, though the newer ones are very tempting with all their featurs of cruise control, tilt column, even left-hand lever-style reverse which I'm told can somewhat strafe the 'ski under throttle with some learning, even options for retractable cleats, breatheable seating, and a LOT more power. I think this one is about 110 hp, some of the new ones are up to around 180 hp, though this one has plenty of power unless you're a speed demon or charging up rapids/the like. Read Full Review