With summer season right around the corner, Honda presented its new AquaTrax F-15X series of personal watercraft. Engineers clearly understand that motorized water sports can be fun not only for singles and couples but also for the whole family. For 2008, the Japanese manufacturer is therefore offering 3-seater machines.

The F-15X is larger than virtually anything on the market right now.

The first thing that strikes you about the F-15X models is the unique styling, sort of a cross between the Batmobile and James Bond's car, especially with that sleek blue, white and black combination. Overall, the design is a complete success; the machine looks superb and has a lot of presence.

Another thing that stood out in my mind was the size. The F-15X isn't big; it's huge. At 124-cm wide and 340-cm long, this Honda is larger than virtually anything on the market right now.

One benefit is obviously high stability and, consequently, enhanced safety for all passengers. Moreover, the raised bond-line design aids in docking and provides excellent splash protection. The sponson design further contributes to the AquaTrax's low-speed manoeuvrability. So, whether you hit big waves or perform sharp cornering maneuvers, the F-15X remains unruffled and surprisingly composed.

Both the inner and outer hulls are made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP). Despite the extensive use of lightweight materials, the machine still weighs 961 pounds (436 kg). Thanks to the size of the AquaTrax, abundant storage is available in three sealed compartments totalling a little over 100 litres.

It's great to see that Honda's AquaTrax lineup is family-oriented, but having to move three people requires a very powerful engine. With that in mind, engineers developed all-new inline four-bangers. The 1,470-cc, 16-valve, DOHC engine of the F-15X is remarkably potent. Just to make sure, Honda even added a turbocharger!

In addition to delivering a strong performance, this powerplant is very clean. It meets CARB three-star and EPA emission standards for personal watercraft.

Bottom line
The new Honda AquaTrax series targets active families while making no compromises in terms of styling and performance. The incredible width of these machines makes them even more safe and accommodating.

Both the inner and outer hulls are made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic .

Photo Credit : Philippe Champoux