Yamaha Introduces the All-New WaveBlaster® WaveRunner®
Built to Lean In, Carve Hard, and Push Every Ride like a Session. It’s the Closest Thing to Riding a Dirt Bike on the Water
KENNESAW, Ga. — August 23, 2026 — More than thirty years after the original earned its following, one of the most iconic personal watercraft in the sport is back. Yamaha WaterCraft today unveiled the all-new WaveBlaster WaveRunner, a single-rider PWC built for riders who want to lean in, carve hard, and push every ride like a session. It’s as close to riding a dirt bike on the water as it gets.
Lightweight and compact, the WaveBlaster brings a new kind of sit-down riding experience to the Yamaha WaveRunner lineup. Where today's runabouts stay flat through a turn, the WaveBlaster leans into the corner like a motorcycle. It rewards short, high-energy runs where line choice, body position, and throttle control matter as much as speed.
The WaveBlaster also leads the launch of Yamaha's new Sport class, which brings together Yamaha's most rider-focused WaveRunners. The new class includes the WaveBlaster and the stand-up SuperJet, two single-rider machines built for feel, control, and repeatable fun.
"A lot of people have been waiting a long time for this name to come back," said Martino Ruggiero, Yamaha WaveRunner Product Manager. "But we didn't build it for nostalgia. We built it so the next generation of riders can find out what made the original worth remembering.”
A New Way to Ride
The WaveBlaster is built for riders who think in sessions: hook up, head out, ride hard for an hour or two, then come back and do it again. On the WaveBlaster, every turn, transition, and throttle input changes how the craft responds.
Heritage Roots. All-New Ride
The original early-'90s WaveBlaster built a cult following with a playful, aggressive ride that rewarded skill and body input.
The new WaveBlaster draws from that spirit, but this is not a reissue. It is an all-new WaveRunner built on a modern hull, with the durability and reliability expected from today's WaveRunner lineup.
Neon yellow, splatter graphics, and the hand-lettered WaveBlaster script carry the early-'90s original forward, while a black hull and navy deck give the classic a modern refresh.
Engineered to Lean In
The WaveBlaster is built around inside-lean handling. As the rider turns, the hull rolls inward, letting body weight drive through the corner instead of fighting it. The craft digs in and holds a line rather than sliding through the turn.
That handling starts with the hull. It is constructed using VARTM (Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding), the same advanced composite process used on the SuperJet®, for a stiff, light structure built for aggressive riding. A 144mm jet pump and the same intake grate as the SuperJet drive the package, paired with a new ride plate developed specifically for this model.
There are no sponsons, a deliberate choice that keeps the hull clean and puts the rider in charge of the turn. A centered rider position and molded-in foot chocks keep the rider locked in to do exactly that.
Power & Performance
Power comes from Yamaha's 1049cc TR-1® HO marine engine, a fuel-efficient three-cylinder, four-stroke powerplant that produces 110 horsepower.
At 99 inches long, 38.6 inches wide, 42 inches tall, and a dry weight of 425 lbs, the WaveBlaster is the most compact, lightweight runabout WaveRunner in decades. With a target top speed in the mid-50 mph range, it is tuned for punch and quick response.
The WaveBlaster also includes Yamaha's L Mode®, which can reduce engine output for newer riders or controlled riding environments.
Everything You Need. Nothing Extra
The WaveBlaster keeps the feature set simple by design. A compact SuperJet-style gauge gives the rider key information without adding clutter, while a small glovebox provides room for essentials like a wallet, keys, or phone. A hinged top deck gives quick access for service and maintenance.
A Category Shift
Most watercraft are sold on capacity: passengers, storage, range. The WaveBlaster is built on a different premise.
The best day on the water is the one you can repeat tomorrow. Whether it is a quick session after work or repeated laps all weekend, the WaveBlaster is made for riders who treat the dock like a starting line.
Availability
The 2027 Yamaha WaveBlaster will be available through authorized Yamaha WaveRunner dealers nationwide in Q1 2027.
Specifications
Visit www.yamahawaverunners.com for model specifications.
About Yamaha WaterCraft
Yamaha's WaterCraft, based in Kennesaw, Georgia, is responsible for the sales, marketing, and distribution of Yamaha boats and WaveRunner watercraft in the U.S. Supporting more than 800 marine and powersports dealers nationwide, Yamaha is the industry leader in reliability, performance, technology, and customer service.
