Honda AquaTrax F-12X: Turbocharged
Honda AquaTrax F-12X: Four-stroke personal watercraft boasts turbocharger.
March 17, 2002
Featuring motorcycle styling, the Honda AquaTrax F-12X personal watercraft is based on a four-stroke turbocharged powerplant.
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.
MIAMI — Though various members of the marine press had tested Honda's AquaTrax F-12X four-stroke personal watercraft in fall 2001, the new model made its official large-scale public debut at the Miami International Boat Show February 14-20. The three-rider Honda model, which boasts distinctive motorcycle styling (particularly in the podium/console ahead of the saddle), will go head-to-head with four-stroke three-up watercraft from Sea-Doo and Yamaha.
The 165-horsepower, turbocharged intercooled engine features electronic fuel injection and water-jacketed exhaust.
Like its competitors, the 165-horsepower AquaTrax F-12X boasts low emissions and superior fuel efficiency over comparably powered two-stroke watercraft. According to press material from Honda, it also meets 2004 California Air Resources Board and 2006 Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards.
The AquaTrax F-12X is the only turborcharged, intercooled watercraft on the market. Honda also offers a non-turbocharged (naturally aspirated), non-intercooled 125-horsepower version, the AquaTrax F-12.Both models are based on a liquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder 1,235cc powerplant with water-jacketed exhaust electronic fuel injection.
Complete instrumentation is standard.
Standard features for both models, which weigh 688 pounds (dry) and measure 125.9 inches long and 49 inches wide, include an off-throttle steering system, selectable Limit Mode operation that restricts speed and a crankcase breather system that stops oil from flowing out of the engine if the watercraft is capsized. Stowage capacity is 25.6 gallons and fuel capacity is 16.6 gallons.
Editor's note: A complete hands-on review of the Honda AquaTrax F-12X will appear this spring on boats.com.
