You've always been a fan of personal watercraft (PWCs). They present a modestly priced way to get on the water with your family, and you can use them to cruise or enjoy watersports. And that's not even taking into consideration the thrill factor. But with manufacturers focusing on building faster and faster high-end models, your choices have been limited to entry-level models that have been around for years and given the lowest priority by boatbuilders. What to do?

Meet the new Yamaha VX110 Sport. Priced less than $7,000, 4-stroke powered and comfortably seating three, it's a promising new craft in the entry-level, family-oriented market. But with a modest 110 hp of power, can it deliver the thrills you expect from a PWC?

On a summer day on Lake Allatoona, Georgia, you put the VX110 through the paces in search of some answers. Idling out of the marina, you get your first impression of the VX's unique 'cab forward' design. By moving the operator position forward, Yamaha claims it provides maximum room and comfort for the driver and passengers. Initially, though, you're concerned that this 'cab forward' feel may leave you pinned to the handlebars and in an awkward riding position.

As it turns out, your concerns quickly melt away. The seating arrangement is as comfortable as advertised, and the comments from the various passengers who hitch a ride during the day are positive as well. It's a long seat that provides welcome cushion during a lengthy ' albeit calm-water ' day of riding.

Now that you're past the no-wake zone, you squeeze the throttle down, looking to air it out in a hurry. The 110-hp, four-cylinder, 1052cc Yamaha MR-1 4-stroke engine easily exceeds expectations for an 'entry-level' craft, boasting a solid hole shot and causing your passenger to hold on tight. You put the VX through some tight turns and figure-8s and find the handling thoroughly impressive. Again, the water is admittedly calm, but the VX certainly doesn't seem like a beginner ride. Just to make sure, you test the top speed and find yourself sailing along in the low 50s. True, it's well below what the leading musclecraft can deliver, but for those looking to enjoy some fun riding with the family, how much faster do you really need to go?

Speaking of family fun, one of the VX's premier features is a roomy boarding platform, also the result of the 'cab forward' design. It's a trait that families looking to ski or wakeboard will thoroughly enjoy. Sure enough, it doesn't disappoint ' the VX's boarding platform is eas-ily the biggest you've seen on a PWC. On this day, it's an easy way to get into the water for a quick swim to escape the hot summer sun.

For all its perks, the 'bow forward' design does come with one drawback ' an overall lack of storage. The VX's front storage space is on the small side, as is the glove box. On a family-oriented PWC, it'd be nice to have some more room to store gear.

The VX110 also comes in a 'Deluxe' model. For an additional $700 more than the price of the Sport version, you get a variety of interesting features, including what Yamaha bills as the industry's first self-draining, insulated beverage holders. Also of note is a remote-controlled transmitter, which operates the PWC's security system from up to 30 feet away. It also controls the Deluxe's Low RPM Mode, a family-friendly feature that lowers the VX's top speed and maximum rpm levels, thereby enabling a parent to ensure that their child doesn't exceed a safe speed for their skill level. Rounding out the Deluxe's line of bonus features are dual concave mirrors and reverse gear.

And what about the price? By offering the VX110 Sport for just $6,999 (and the Deluxe version for $7,699), Yamaha has presented prospective buyers with a price point that's a lot less intimidating than the $10,000-range that the higher-performance models retail for. But most impressively, the company has managed this feat while making a boat that looks and feels more 'high-end' than 'entry-level.' And as you idle back to the marina after a few hours of cruising, a noticeable feeling of fatigue and a wide smile on your face supports the notion that the VX has supplied the requisite excitement and thrills you expect during a day of riding.

According to Yamaha, the VX is named after an aeronautical formula and represents the best rate of climb to overcome obstacles. In this case, the company is hoping to entice casual enthusiasts to purchase a new PWC. So does the math add up? After a day of rigorous testing, the VX110 looks like a winning formula, scoring high marks as a great option for families wanting to have fun on the water without breaking the bank.