Boating

YAMAHA FX LIMITED SVHO

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SPECS: LOA: 11'8.9" BEAM: 4'2" DRY WEIGHT: 877 lb. SEAT/WEIGHT CAPACITY: 3/530 lb. STOWAGE CAPACITY: 44.5 gal. FUEL CAPACITY: 18.5 gal.

HOW WE TESTED: ENGINE: 260 hp 1,812 cc supercharg­ed Super Vortex High Output Yamaha Marine Engine PUMP/IMPELLER: 160 mm high-pressure/stainless steel FUEL LOAD: 15 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 155 lb.

The FX Limited SVHO combines an extremely agile, three-passenger hull with Yamaha’s most potent 1.8-liter supercharg­ed Super Vortex High Output marine engine. Mix in a large offering of upscale standard features, and you’ve got a craft worthy of the builder’s flagship title.

The FX hull has long been impressive in the roughest conditions, even busting through ocean chop with predictabl­e accuracy. A minor change for ’22 relocates the hull sponsons to produce a noticeably drier ride, with little splash coming off the hull. The powerful SVHO engine gets this nearly 12-foot, 877-pound three-seater to 30 mph in as little as 1.5 seconds and peaks at an impressive 68 mph. Toggle down the electric trim and power into a corner, and you’ll slice through the water with a slalom skier’s precision. Performanc­e, however, is not the lone goal. For those into touring, luxurious touches include a three-tier, well-bolstered saddle; abundant storage, including an extra-large, watertight glove box with LED lighting, USB and 12-volt power, and a dedicated spot for a smartphone; tilt steering and pull-up cleats; and cruise control and no-wake modes—both vital to eliminatin­g throttle-finger fatigue on extended rides.

A number of all-new features debut for 2022. Most prominent is the large 7-inch Connext Infotainme­nt color touchscree­n display. Featuring a glass surface for better touch sensitivit­y and vibrancy in bright sunlight, it features an intuitive mix of info and controls, with groupings accessed via tabs at the top of the screen. GPS mapping is a welcome addition, as is the option to add region-specific detail. Primary operators can also establish a geofence to alert

riders should they venture outside an establishe­d perimeter. The system seamlessly integrates with a rider’s smartphone, allowing riders to take and make calls, use a smartphone assistant like Apple’s Siri, and even view text notificati­ons. A Bluetooth-capable smartphone also serves as the music library for the Limited’s standard audio system; for 2022, a pair of 4.5-inch speakers neatly integrates into the footwells adjacent to the console.

There is a collection of new accessory packages worthy of considerat­ion. Many build upon the 6-foot-square RecDeck, which mounts atop the aft platform. Easymount additions include a multiuse rack that serves as a base for either a trio of fishing coolers or a 25-inch-wide bench seat.

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