Boats

2021 Yamaha GP1800R SVHO

This PWC is certainly a speed and performance machine, but you’ll find it’s even more than that.

By Boating Tech Team

Updated: December 4, 2020

You may have heard of the Yamaha GP series of WaveRunners thanks to the fact that they’ve won just about every major competition there is to win in the high-speed world of personal-watercraft racing. The GP1800R SVHO is cut from the same cloth. With plenty of creature comforts, this should prove a well-rounded member of the WaveRunner fleet that’s as comfortable as it is fast.

The GP1800R SVHO is a rocket ship. Courtesy Yamaha

With the same 1.8L SVHO marine engine that has claimed so many checkered flags, the GP1800R SVHO is a rocket ship. Add to that a redesigned hull with an ultralight deck and an upgraded jet pump, and you may have to bring an extra pair of shorts. With an effortless top speed of 68 mph, there’s no denying the GP1800R SVHO has the top-end covered, but consider the fact that the ride at just under 70 is buttery-smooth, and you start to understand all the design and development that Yamaha’s team put into the running surface of the GP.

The GP is equipped with the 4.3-inch Connext display. Courtesy Yamaha

But performance is about a lot more than just top speed and hookup; you also need a healthy dose of ergonomics and engineering to really get the PWC to dig into turns. The GP has that in spades, with a narrower saddle that allows even smaller riders to tuck their inside knee in, and wider, self-draining footwells that let the rider brace better with their outer foot. Four different tilt positions put the handlebars at the perfect height whether standing or seated, and the Auto Trim function—one of our favorite features—keeps the GP1800R SVHO at a perfect running attitude whether you’re cranking through a turn, or hammering out of the hole and disappearing across the water.

A narrower saddle means comfy operation for a wide range of riders. Courtesy Yamaha

Not neglecting modern amenities, the GP is equipped with the 4.3-inch Connext display, which houses all your engine data and main functionality, with intuitive menus and a bright display. TDE slow-speed maneuvering lets you dock with total confidence, and the RiDE system decelerates or reverses the GP. There’s even a No Wake function that keeps the PWC at the perfect speed to give your thumb a break until you can open the GP back up. RAM accessory mounts, three spacious stowage compartments and an available factory-installed audio system round out the GP’s amenities. There are too many comfort and convenience features to list here, which gives you an idea of why the GP1800R is so much more than a racing PWC.

The 1.8L SVHO marine engine offers world-class acceleration and cornering. Courtesy Yamaha

High Points

Top-end, acceleration, and cornering are all world-class.
Hop on the GP1800R and you’ll soon be riding like a pro thanks to Auto Trim.
RiDE and TDE let you reverse, decelerate and maneuver at slow speeds without prior experience.