Boat Test: 2026 Yamaha CrossWave

Overview

If Yamaha’s new CrossWave WaveRunner wore clothes, it would sport an AFTCO fishing shirt over Gill boardshorts and Grundéns flip-flops. The CrossWave challenges the very notion that PWCs must be confined to the traditional sit-down or stand-up experience. This isn’t about going faster or carving harder. While it is designed to fish like no other watercraft, it’s unique characteristics still fulfill Yamaha’s mission to bring safe, exciting, maneuverable and versatile vessels to the water.

At 12 feet,11 inches long and 5 feet, 7 inches wide, the CrossWave looks like a mini-flattop aircraft carrier, but with the command station in the center. Deep footwells are kept dry by its generous freeboard. The walkaround layout features Marine Mat decking that flows uninterrupted from bow to stern, allowing true 360-degree mobility that makes boarding from any direction feel natural—and you can step on the gunwale without losing your balance or taking on water.

Before the test I wondered, “Should I wear a neoprene wetsuit or Gore Tex Windstopper?” But no, I wore typical fall-weather fishing clothes and stayed absolutely dry. The only time I took enough spray over the bow to spot my polarized sunglasses was when I made a remorseless assault on an oncoming wake.

The CrossWave proved sporty, reaching 55 mph with nearly a full tank of fuel, and the 26.4-gallon capacity gave us a range of over 100 miles with a generous safety reserve. Acceleration was typically Yamaha head-spinning. I couldn’t work the throttle and stopwatch fast enough to get an accurate time to plane but I’d put it at under 2 seconds. Time to 30 mph was under 4.

Let’s get back to fishing. Yamaha says the CrossWave’s draft is about 6 inches, and I did skim over some rocky draught-exposed reefs on Lake Allatoona. So, skinny-water guys or impoundment fishermen plying a creek for spring bass can pursue their game relentlessly. And, for those stumpy impoundment waters, there is no underwater running gear to impact.

Our test day was breezy and we had a moderate chop. At rest, the CrossWave let the chop slide beneath it without bucking or experiencing significant roll. When I stepped from behind the handle bars to the bow deck and stood to cast, it was with confident balance and stability.

Yamaha says it can carry three anglers or four passengers, and it can, but angling would be more practical with two. Additionally, Yamaha says—and we believe it—four full-grown adults can stand on one side without taking water over the gunwales.

Features and Accessories

The helm design breaks new ground with dual touchscreen displays—a 7-inch Connext control interface paired with a 7-inch Simrad NSX chart plotter/fish finder—creating a “glass cockpit” that would look at home on vessels twice the length. The displays are mounted above the handlebars on pipe-work rails and the upper rail doubles as a handhold for moving from saddle to bow. Audio comes standard with two integrated, waterproof 8-inch EcoXGear speakers delivering Bluetooth connectivity. For the sandbar, Ecocast allows you to link your audio with other EcoxGear speakers in the vicinity so everybody can sing from the same song sheet. A pair of 12-volt power outlets stand ready to power phones or the livewell.

On top of all that, I thought the CrossWave was well-equipped for a day-long fishing adventure. Storage capacity is 82 gallons spread across dedicated compartments, including a specialized rod storage locker, located starboard aft; an anchor locker at the bow sized perfectly for a 5-pound Danforth S600 anchor and a 3.5-gallon bucket; plus a portside aft locker that can be accessorized with a tackle and bait-bucket storage inside.

There is approximately 16 feet of integrated T-Track system around the vessel giving anglers an unlimited ability to add a universe of accessories from rod holders to tool holders, or a stand-up leaning bar for a handy grip when moving about or to actually stand for a better view of the fish. Even the standard removable (to add deck space) custom 55-quart cooler attaches to T-Tracks.

Yamaha pre-wires the CrossWave for a Group 24 deep-cycle marine battery and has an optional integrated trolling-motor bracket. This feature ensures dependable power for trolling motors and advanced electronics, while an industry-first built-in main battery switch prevents parasitic drain during storage. For shallow-water angling, it can even utilize a mini-Power-Pole.

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Yamaha’s patented inboard jet-pump cleanout is accessible under the custom cooler and allows access to the impeller chamber to remove debris—something that can only be done with competitors’ models by entering the water.

Interest in fishing from a PWC has grown rapidly for the past five or more years and both Sea-Doo and Kawasaki offer vessels geared toward anglers. Sea-Doo’s Fishpro Angler 170 builds from a base of $22,649 with basic equipment, electronics, and a cooler—which are all optional—to $24,522 without EVA foam decking or an extended aft deck for fishing. Kawaski’s Ultra 160LX-S Angler starts at $18,999 and includes one 7-inch Garmin, an Orca cooler with rod holders and a forward rod holder. Strap-on storage options are available for both models, but neither provide the blended DNA of PWC and fishing rig like the CrossWave, which incidentally comes standard with features such as the cooler and audio equipment

The CrossWave creates an entirely new category of boat that’s part utility vessel, part explorer, and 100 percent fishing machine. Plus, it’s easy to launch, tow and stow in the garage on its standard custom trailer.

How We Tested

• Engine: Yamaha 1.9L HO Engine, 200 hp
• Impeller: 155 mm stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1:1 Fuel Load: 24 gal. Water on Board: NA Crew Weight: 225 lb.

High Points

• Full walkaround design with 360-degree mobility.
• Storage capacity is 82 gallons, with dedicated rod and anchor compartments.
• Pre-wired for a deep-cycle battery.
• Integrated T-Track system throughout allows for endless accessory customization.

Low Points

• If the helm grab bar over the electronics were 6 inches higher, it would provide a better grip for moving forward.
• Main battery access is helpful, but the round-pie-plate design doesn’t offer optimum access to the terminals or allow battery removal without removing surrounding trim.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation