Honda AquaTrax F-15X PWC Preview
Honda AquaTrax F-15X gets Honda back in the game.
November 20, 2007
Distinguished by its Candy Red color, the 2008 Honda AquaTrax F-15X GPScape features a standard GPS navigation system. A flip-down boarding ladder and two-tone seat are also specific to this model, which is powered by a 200-hp turbocharged/intercooled engine.
Editor's Note: Honda ceased production of PWCs after the 2009 model year. However, since there's always interest in used models we have retained this article for interested parties.
Honda is showing renewed interest in its AquaTrax watercraft line in 2008 with the launch of the F-15X, the first really all-new AquaTrax model from Honda since it entered the PWC market in 2002. The three-passenger AquaTrax F-15X features longer hull designed to deliver a smoother and drier ride, and more displacement and power from a turbocharged, 1470cc engine. The new model was introduced at the Honda dealer meeting last month, but has not been offered to the media for testing, so we are left for now to look at pictures and the spec sheet.
The new fiberglass hull is 11 feet 2 inches long, or about 8 inches longer than the hull of the AquaTrax F-12X, and shares that boat's beam of 4 feet 1 inch. It's impossible to make a weight comparison from the specs, because Honda has gone from listing a dry weight to listing a more realistic "curb" weight of 961 pounds, which includes the weight of fuel and oil.
Consider that the Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 250X has a dry weight of 904 pounds, and an estimated weight of 1,024 pounds with a full tank of fuel, and it seems that the new Honda will be on the light side in this class. Fuel capacity of the F-15X is 18.5 gallons, or about 2 gallons more than previous AquaTrax models. But storage capacity decreases by the same 2 gallons, to 23.1 gallons, so I would assume the larger fuel tank is displacing some storage space in the bow. Storage opportunities include a 19.8-gallon bow compartment below the forward cowl, a 1.7-gallon glove box, and a 1.6-gallon compartment below the seat.
The new engine offers 19 percent more displacement than the previous 1235cc mill, and retains that engine's four-cylinder, double overhead cam design. The engine is fuel injected and is fitted with a turbocharger and air-to-water intercooler to boost performance. Honda says a new gear-driven dual engine balancer system virtually eliminates high-frequency engine vibration. A crankcase breather system featuring three breather chambers prevents oil loss or breather system clogging if the PWC is accidentally overturned. The Honda Ignition Control System (ICS) protects the engine from abnormal operating conditions (such as overheating) but can allow the rider to operate the PWC in reduced-power mode. Honda rates the engine at 200 hp, a nice boost over the 165 hp produced by the previous engine, but far short of the 250-hp benchmark established by Kawasaki, Yamaha and Sea-Doo for its high-performance models this season. Honda did tell me they expect the new F-15X to offer "competitive performance."
Some carry-over features include a selectable Limit Mode that electronically limits engine power and thus top speed, ideal for beginning riders. The system displays "Limit Mode" on the multifunction display when activated and can be reset with push-button controls. The electronic keyless ignition system (ID mode) allows the operator to select from 999 possible identification numbers to effectively deter unauthorized use. Waterproof instruments feature a digital LCD for speed (mph), trip distance (miles), travel time (hours and minutes), clock and engine hour meter. An LCD analog bar-graph display for engine speed and fuel level now also indicates remaining minutes left to ride.
As in previous seasons, Honda will offer the AquaTrax F-15X GPScape as a separate model, with a built-in GPS unit with an easy-to-read LCD display. GPScape is contained within the standard meter assembly and features storage for up to 100 waypoints and a digital compass function indicating travel direction. When traveling or returning to a designated waypoint, GPScape will list distance and direction from present location.
The standard F-15X will be offered in Pearl White/Metallic Silver and Bright Blue Metallic colors, while the F-15X GPScape is Candy Red with a Black hull and lower deck and red -and-silver two-tone seat upholstery. A flip-down boarding ladder is standard on the F-15X GPScape, and an option on the F-15X.
Honda has not released pricing information for the AquaTrax F-15X models. It will not produce is the F-12X/GPScape models in 2008. But a Honda spokesperson told me that Honda dealers will have a ready supply of 2007 F-12X boats available "for customers looking for a value priced four stroke personal watercraft." I don't know how much carry-over AquaTrax inventory is out there, but last summer Honda dealers were blowing out non-current AquaTrax models at big discounts. A friend of mine paid only $7,925 for a brand new 2005 F-12X from a Honda dealer in Pennsylvania, or about $2,000 less than the list price.
I'll be curious to see how the F-15X feels on the water. Previous Honda AquaTrax models were well-made and dependable, but are also at least a generation behind the competition in terms of performance, ride and handling. Honda will have to make a big leap forward to keep pace. I'll post a test-ride report as soon as possible.
