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| Category | PWC |
| Length | 11ft 2in / 3.35 m |
| Beam | 4ft 1in / 1.22 m |
| Engine Make | 1283 |
| Horsepower | 200 |
| Fuel | Gas |
| Fuel Capacity | 18.5 gals |
| Weight | 965 lbs |
| Dealers | Contact Honda PWC Boats Dealers |
| Buyers Guides | Search For Honda PWC Boats Buyers Guides |
| Boats For Sale | Search For Honda PWC Boats For Sale |
By: Mike Milne
Already well known for reliability (and with plenty of racing credibility) in automobiles and motorcycles, Honda was also a pioneer in four-stroke outboards and has built a reputation for reliability there too.
But the builder was slow to join the world of personal watercraft, introducing its first to the U.S. market about eight years ago. The Honda AquaTrax came to Canada a couple of years ago. While the Americans get their choice of turbocharged or naturally aspirated versions of the F-15X, Canadians only have the turbo. Not that theres anything wrong with that.
With 200 hp under the hood, the AquaTrax F-15X GPScape will keep up with the muscle craft from Yamaha and Sea-Doo. And the hull delivers precise handling, stability and a dryride.
For all its performance, including lightning-fast acceleration and great mid-range response, the three-seat F-15X remains a good bet for family cruising and watersports.
The built-in GPS will come in handy for dedicated cruisers, providing precise speeds and travel directions, along with distance and direction to a waypoint.
The hull carves through waves and corners with confidence. The raised deck profile also contributes a dry ride. Theres 87.4 litres of storage space, mostly in the forward compartment, and a glovebox big enough to hold cameras, car keys and cellphones.
My first impression, though, centres on the PWCs power, acceleration and speed. The AquaTrax felt very fast, so I had to verify exactly how fast with my own GPS. The definitive answer: fast enough. Few PWCs surpass 60 mph yet remain fun to drive and suitable for family boating. The AquaTrax is one of them.
There is room for improvement, of course. I found the seat a tad stiff during long runs and the narrow finger-operated throttle likewise loses its charm after an hour or so.
To get a toe-hold on the market, Honda should consider offering the regularly aspirated (and cheaper) F- 5X north of the border. The Turbo F-15X is fun and fast, but far from affordable. For those who want to go fast and must have a Honda, though, its just the ticket.
TEST BOAT ENGINE
Honda 89.7 ci / 1.47 L, inline turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder, four-stroke gasoline inboard with fuel injection producing 200 hp, driving a 155-mm jet pump.
TOP SPEED (rpm/mph)
6500 / 63.3
CRUISING SPEED (rpm/mph)
4000 / 32.2 ; 4500 / 43.5
