The SuperJet is a stand-up type personal watercraft (PWC) made by Yamaha Motor Corporation. Part of Yamaha's WaveRunner line of watercraft, it was introduced in 1990 and has become one of the most successful stand-up personal watercraft ever made. All SuperJets, including the engine, are hand-built in Japan. Credit for the design is given to Clayton Jacobson II.
Prior to the introduction of the new Kawasaki SX-R 1500 four stroke on October 6, 2016, it has been the only stand-up sold by a major manufacturer since the Kawasaki SX-R 800 was discontinued in 2011.
There are three engine generations spanning 1990-1993, 1994-1995, and 1996-2019, and three hull generations spanning 1990-1995, 1996-2007, and 2008-2019. 2019 marks the 30th year of production for the SuperJet.
The current model SuperJet is powered by a 701cc inline two-cylinder, two-stroke engine.
All generations have an upper and lower hull constructed from SMC (sheet molded compound). SMC is a compression moldable composite material made of long strands of glass fibers suspended in a polyester resin.
The Yamaha FX-1 is the only other stand-up personal watercraft produced by Yamaha, and was produced in limited numbers from 1994-1995.
Yamaha numbers its models according to their make (in the case of the SuperJet, all models begin with the letters SJ) followed by the engine size (given in approximate cubic centimeters— the 650cc referred to as 650 and the 701cc referred to as 700) and the year in which the vehicle was made, given as either a one or two letter designation and increasing by one ‘letter' each full year, with an optional letter placed before the year letter as an amendment code.
For example, the letter year designation for the year 1994 for the SuperJet was the letter S, so a SuperJet manufactured in 1994 would have the designation SJ700S.
However, Yamaha made engine and chassis changes to the SJ700 for 1996, so appropriately an amendment code was added and a 1996 model has the designation SJ700AU, and in 2002 they increased the amendment by one to ‘roll over’ the letter years so the designation is SJ700BA. The model year 2018 has the designation SJ700BT. There was not a specific amendment code associated with the 2008 hull refresh.
The 1990 SuperJet was the first year of Yamaha's stand-up PWC offering.
The 1995 SuperJet received an all-new 701cc two-cylinder engine. The body remains the same as the previous generation with a "Square nose" top deck and standard SuperJet bottom deck.
The body consists of a new "Round nose" top deck (or hull) and the same standard SuperJet bottom deck as the previous "Square nose" model.
The current SuperJet (produced by Yamaha Motor and hand-built in Japan) has been visually the same since 1996. The 2008 model was the first year of a new bottom deck, changed for the first time in the history of the SuperJet.
This watercraft no longer meets California or New York two-stroke emissions standards as a new vessel (however, previously titled vessels can still be registered in CA).
Purchasing a SuperJet new from a dealer will usually require a license from IJSBA as they are classified as a "competition use only" watercraft, partly due to stringent EPA regulations for two-stroke engines. An annual membership from IJSBA is $65 for the first year as of May 2018, with renewal at $60 per year, if desired. These memberships can be purchased from the dealer in most cases.
The new 2008 has the same Roundnose top deck that was introduced in 1996, with a new bottom deck (or hull) incorporating the first changes since 1990 when the SuperJet was released.
The new bottom hull has incorporated side sponsons (similar to adding "Blowsion tubbies") onto the hull. The rear of the hull is also slightly narrower and has deeper strakes for improved tracking.
The handle pole on the 2008 SuperJet is 50 mm shorter than previous generation Roundnose SuperJets, which moves the rider forward slightly in the tray.
The intake grate, pump, and ride plate are all set back 50 mm rearward compared to the past year SuperJets.
The engine remains as the same reliable two-cylinder twin carb as the previous 1996+ years, with no noted mechanical changes.
The impeller was updated to a newly designed geometry and made from stainless steel for the first time, in comparison to the previous aluminum design that remained the same throughout 1990-2007. The new impeller design offers large improvements in hookup as well as reduced pump cavitation. The prop driveshaft was changed to a constant diameter over the entire length to increase stiffness, versus previous years in which it is necked down to a smaller diameter in the center section. However, the impeller is backwards compatible with all older models and can be installed on any year SuperJet to replace the original aluminum impeller design.
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