The Two-Stroke Era — A Guide to the Yamaha SuperJet

The two-stroke Yamaha SuperJet has a character all its own: compact, hands-on and rewarding for a rider willing to learn its rhythm. In this installment of Harry’s From Rookie to Racer Series, Harry “Haulin’ Harry” Goatcher takes us around a round-nose SuperJet and explains the details that shape the experience, from the handle pole to the mats beneath your feet. His approach is straightforward: look closely at the equipment, understand what you are buying and learn the fundamentals before chasing more power.

Watch the video above, then use this guide to revisit the points Harry highlights. The episode introduces a wider Team Goatcher Racing conversation about getting involved in jet ski racing: where to ride, what safety equipment to consider and how to choose a first ski. This opening walk-through concentrates on one machine rather than trying to answer every beginner question at once. It is a practical introduction, not a promise that the same Yamaha will suit every rider.

Meet the SuperJet in Harry’s first walk-through

The black Yamaha featured in the video belongs to Thomas Ferretta, owner of Cart Addictions. Harry introduces Thomas as a good friend and mentions that there are plans involving Cart Addictions for the coming season. He does not announce the details, so we will leave that story for a future update. Here, Thomas’s ski gives viewers a real example of the equipment Harry wants beginners to notice.

Harry is not certain of this particular SuperJet’s model year, and the video does not establish it. That is worth remembering when looking at used listings: identifying a round-nose hull is not the same as confirming a year, engine specification or complete modification history. This machine already has aftermarket equipment fitted. Harry’s tour therefore shows a particular setup, not a claim that every two-stroke SuperJet comes from the factory with the same parts.

The appeal is in the details. Instead of simply pointing at a ski and calling it beginner-friendly, Harry moves from front to rear, explaining what the rider touches and what contributes to the feel of the machine. The handle pole, mat kit, ride plate and sponsons all become part of the conversation. For somebody new to the sport, that is a useful way to start learning the vocabulary without losing sight of the rider.

A manageable engine that asks you to participate

In stock form, Harry explains, this two-stroke SuperJet has a 701 cc engine. He describes that power as manageable. However, manageable power does not mean that riding is effortless, and engine displacement alone cannot determine whether a ski is a suitable first purchase. Balance, experience, physical comfort, water conditions and the condition of the actual machine all belong in that decision.

Harry compares the SuperJet’s initial stability with the larger 1500 model he mentions during the episode. His point is that this smaller Yamaha does not provide the same settled feeling when a rider is sitting on it. It asks the rider to participate rather than rely on the machine to supply all the stability. That distinction helps explain why his recommendation comes with a discussion of who will be riding it and how they will learn.

In the video, Harry directs his entry-level recommendation mainly toward younger riders learning with parental supervision. That is his perspective on this style of ski, not a universal age rule or approval for a child to operate one. Local operating laws, organizer requirements, appropriate supervision and individual readiness still apply. Nor should an older beginner take the discussion as a prohibition: the important question is whether the machine’s demands fit the person, with qualified guidance rather than assumptions based on age.

Two-stroke ownership starts before the first ride

Harry also flags a basic ownership difference: this is a two-cycle engine, and the fuel requires oil mixed into it. He says he will explain that further, but this episode does not provide a mixing ratio or a complete fueling procedure. We should not turn that passing reference into a specification that the video never gives.

For a buyer, the useful takeaway is to establish the requirements of the actual engine before operating it. Confirm the engine configuration and consult its applicable manufacturer or builder guidance for the correct fuel, oil and preparation. A modified used machine deserves particular care because its setup may differ from what a general model description suggests. If anything is unclear, ask a knowledgeable technician rather than guessing.

This is part of choosing a first ski responsibly. The purchase is not only about whether the Yamaha looks good or has an attractive list of upgrades. It is also about understanding the routine needed to use and maintain it. Our How to Get Into Jet Ski Racing guide puts this equipment conversation alongside the wider questions about preparation, safety and taking those first steps toward a race weekend.

Start up front: the handle pole

Harry begins his equipment tour with the handle pole, a part the rider interacts with constantly. Thomas’s Yamaha has an aftermarket RRP pole, which Harry clearly admires. He also mentions that several aftermarket options exist and that the team prefers Blowsion. Those observations describe the featured machine and the team’s preference, rather than establishing that only one brand can work.

To explain why this part matters, Harry shows a stock pole for comparison. He describes it as heavy and approximately three inches longer than the aftermarket poles he is discussing. He also points out the angle of the stock handlebars, which he finds less comfortable. These are comments from his hands-on comparison, not a dimensional guarantee for every pole sold for every SuperJet.

Importantly, Harry does not say that a stock pole makes the ski impossible to ride. His advice is more practical: when searching online for a used round-nose SuperJet, pay attention to whether an aftermarket pole is already fitted. An adjustable setup may make it easier to find a position that works for the intended rider. That can be a meaningful consideration when comparing otherwise similar listings.

Condition still matters more than a label. Identify the installed pole, understand its adjustment and ask about its installation and history. A desirable brand name is not a substitute for confirming that the assembly is sound and suitable. Harry’s comparison encourages a better buying question: not simply “What upgrades does it have?” but “How will this setup work for the person learning to ride it?”

Mats, rear kickers and finding your footing

Next, Harry highlights the Jet Trim mat kit. He recommends having a mat kit and draws particular attention to the raised rear sections, known as kickers. When a rider moves a foot toward the back of the tray, the raised edge provides a physical reference. Harry explains that feeling this rear kicker helps the rider know where to plant the back leg.

That small detail connects the equipment directly to technique. Beginners are learning more than how to hold the bars and apply power. They are also learning where their feet are, how their weight is distributed and how to repeat a useful position. A tactile reference can help make that process more consistent without requiring the rider to look down continually.

The mats therefore belong in a used-ski inspection, not just a discussion of appearance. Look at their condition and whether the rear references Harry describes are present. Ask whether the installed kit suits the intended use and rider. The company’s background is covered on our Jettrim partner page, but the episode’s central message is about function: the surface beneath your feet is part of how you connect with the machine.

The ride plate and the sponson setup

Moving toward the back of the Yamaha, Harry identifies a Works ride plate and gives a friendly mention to Tanya and Kyle Kennedy. It is another example of the relationships running through this equipment walk-through: the ski contains parts from people and businesses familiar to the team. Our Works H2O partner page provides more context about that partner.

The video does not give a ride-plate model number, installation specification or measured performance comparison. It would be misleading to add a promised speed increase or handling result that Harry never demonstrates. Instead, the plate belongs in the complete picture of the featured setup. A prospective buyer should identify what is fitted and have its condition checked alongside the rest of the machine.

Harry then points out Pro Watercraft rear sponsons, describing them as a popular choice for two-stroke and four-stroke SuperJets. At the front, he shows another set of sponsons but is not certain of their manufacturer. He suggests they may be Blowsion parts while acknowledging that several companies make them. That uncertainty should stay visible in the written guide rather than becoming a definite brand claim.

His explanation centers on stability. Sponsons are among the parts he wants beginners to notice when comparing used skis, particularly alongside an aftermarket pole. However, the presence of those parts alone cannot establish that a particular Yamaha is ready for a beginner or a race. Verify the equipment, its condition and its suitability rather than treating a photograph or an upgrade list as a complete assessment.

What Harry’s buying advice really means

Harry suggests that a used two-stroke SuperJet with an aftermarket handle pole, sponsons and a good-running engine could be worth considering as a starting point. He mentions approximately $5,000–$6,000, then immediately cautions viewers not to hold him to that range. He also notes that moving to a different cylinder configuration can make the purchase more expensive.

Treat those numbers as the rough context given in the video, not a live valuation, team offer or guaranteed market price. A listing’s value depends on its actual condition and configuration. The important comparison is between complete machines, not between one seller’s asking price and an estimate from a walk-through. An attractive price cannot answer questions about maintenance, installed parts or whether the ski fits the rider.

Keep these checks in mind when looking at a used SuperJet:

• Identity and history: Confirm the model year, engine configuration and modification history rather than inferring them from appearance.
• Engine and fuel: Establish how it runs and confirm the correct fuel-and-oil requirements for the actual engine before operation.
• Handle pole: Identify the assembly, check its condition and understand how its fit and adjustment relate to the intended rider.
• Mats and kickers: Inspect the foot-contact surfaces and the rear references Harry points out in the video.
• Ride plate and sponsons: Verify the installed parts and their condition, including any components the seller cannot confidently identify.
• Overall suitability: Seek a knowledgeable inspection and consider supervision, safety equipment and applicable rules before deciding it is a first ski.

This is a starting checklist, not a replacement for a proper inspection. Two Yamahas carrying the SuperJet name can have very different histories. Harry’s walk-through helps viewers notice those differences and ask more informed questions before committing.

Foot placement, body position and the reward of learning

At the end of the episode, Harry explains why the two-stroke SuperJet remains one of his favorite skis to ride: it requires a fundamental rider. In his words, you have to make it work. Foot placement and body positioning are not extras added after learning the machine; they are central to learning it in the first place.

That is the thread connecting every part of the tour. The pole influences the rider’s contact with the controls. The mat kit helps establish where the feet are planted. The sponsons enter Harry’s discussion of stability. Together, these details create a machine whose character becomes clearer as the rider develops experience. The point is not to collect modifications for their own sake, but to understand how setup and technique relate.

This episode is not a complete on-water lesson, and it does not demonstrate every riding maneuver. New riders should develop those skills with appropriate instruction, suitable equipment and safe conditions. What Harry offers here is a useful foundation for that conversation: begin with the rider, understand the ski and let the fundamentals guide the next step.

From this first episode to the wider team story

Harry closes by promising more segments, including discussion of four-stroke SuperJets. This opening video gives the series a clear starting point without pretending to cover the entire sport. It introduces a real Yamaha, explains the equipment viewers can see and shows how an experienced enthusiast thinks about helping somebody get started.

Harry’s role is to share experience and support the team, not to announce a return to racing. Explore Haulin' Harry Goatcher: A Life Built Around Racing for his background, then visit The Riders. The Machines. The Passion. to meet today’s TGR Riders. The enthusiasm behind the lesson belongs to a wider community of riders, families and partners who keep jet ski racing moving forward.

For related reading, explore Inside the Pit: How a Race Ski Is Prepared for Battle and New Partners Rolling In: Competitive Crankshafts and Cart Addictions Join Team Goatcher Racing. Then return to Harry’s video with those equipment details in mind. The best first ski is not necessarily the most powerful or the most modified. It is a sound machine whose setup and demands fit the rider ready to learn.