[dropcap]L[/dropcap]eg lamps notwithstanding, Yamaha WaterCraft Group, a division of Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., has received a couple of major boating industry awards for its WaveRunner product line recognizing excellence in design.

In January, the Yamaha FX SVHO WaveRunner was named the 2015 Watercraft of the Year. The annual award is presented by Watercraft Journal magazine, and is bestowed on the personal watercraft that exudes innovation, technology, attractiveness and ultimately, the watercraft’s impact on the industry.

According to Watercraft Journal publisher and editor Kevin Shaw, “Awarding the Yamaha FX SVHO the honor of Watercraft of The Year award was almost a foregone conclusion the minute that Yamaha introduced the model with its new RiDE dual throttle system.”

Then in February, Yamaha WaterCraft was honored for innovation by the National Marine Manufacturers’ Association (NMMA) in the Personal Watercraft category for its new TR-1 High Output marine engine that is featured in Yamaha’s 2016 V1 and VX Series WaveRunners.

The Yamaha TR-1 HO marine engine is the pinnacle of PWC engine innovation. The TR-1 is 13 percent more powerful than the Yamaha MR-1 engine that it is replacing while being 40 percent smaller in size and 20 percent lighter in weight.

Yamaha achieves this by eliminating a reduction gear, integrating the oil tank, and using fewer and smaller parts. The result is quicker acceleration, higher top end speeds, with better fuel economy and more fun for the rider.

This is the second time in as many years that Yamaha WaveRunners have been honored by the NMMA for innovation. Last year, Yamaha’s RiDE system received the innovation award in the Personal Watercraft category.

“Receiving this coveted award two years in a row reflects our commitment to constant innovation and bringing all new technologies and features to market that make our customers’ experiences with our products even better every time they are out on the water,” said Bryan Seti, general manager of Yamaha’s Watercraft Group.

The NMMA Innovation Awards are presented annually at the Miami Boat Show. Selected and judged by Boating Writers International. The Innovation Award honors manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products for the boating industry to market.