2007 SX230 HO or 2010 AR210

[seed_81]

Need help from the more experienced boaters out there.
I'm totally new to Jet Boats and have never driven one. All research I've done tells me I'll love it but now I'm stuck.
I've found a couple boats as listed in the title and there's about a 6,000 dollar difference between the two.

One is older, bigger, and cheaper with 330hrs
The other is newer, smaller, and sportier with less than 100 hrs.

At this point I don't know what questions to ask and totally realize it comes down to personal preference in alot of areas. just hoping for some guidance. What would be some considerations maybe I'm not thinking of.

Would the SX230 cost that must more in gas to operate?
Will the SX230 handle better since its bigger/longer/heavier?

Family of 4 for reference.

 

[Gym]

Welcome aboard @seed_81. It would be a little easier to answer your questions if we knew what part of the country you live and whether you will be fresh or salt water boating. If boating in the ocean I would go with the bigger, heavier boat for a better ride. The difference in seating is only 1 seat, 10 vs 9 seats. If your kids are pre teen they may want to invite friends if they are teens they defiantly will want to invite friends cause parents just aren't cool.

Check both boats over well. If you put your location in your profile you will likely find one of our members in your area who may be able to help you look over the perspective boats. In either event, you will be making a good choice and a better one by being here.

 

[Trevor Shipman]

Personally, I hope I don't piss off any 230 owners out there , I've never really liked the styling of the older 230's. They look outdated to me. The pointed nose, the stitching in the seats, and the biggest thing for me is the lack of a bench seat. I've had 2 captian chairs before and I kind of think it's a waste of space. Very rarely do you sit on a boat the way you do in a car. Both people in seats facing forward. I think the long bench seat is such a huge plus for me. We are a family of 4 ourselves and often have 8 on the boat. 210 is perfect for us. As far as the difference in gas? I'm not sure. But I know these boats sip compared to 90% of the other boats out there. I would take the 210 over the 230 no questions asked.

 

[seed_81]

We moved back to Branson, MO in August so it'll be used in TableRock Lake. Seems almost sinful to live this close to the lake, able to buy a boat and not have one.

We are a family of 4 ourselves and often have 8 on the boat. 210 is perfect for us.

That helps, as I was a bit concerned about the size. Dad owned a 19.5 growing up and it would get a little cramped when others where onboard.

I would take the 210 over the 230 no questions asked.

Thanks for the input.

This is the 2007 and it appears the layout provides the option of sitting normal or using as a bench
http://springfield.craigslist.org/boa/5567115911.html

 

[bronze_10]

i have a 2008 230 which is the same body style as the 2007... i have a bench seat in mine... no double capt chairs over here!!!! i can sit the beach seat up and use it as a forward facing seat but i dont.. i leave it as a bench..

 

[Gym]

In looking at the pictures on the craigslist adv. I noticed an after market, inductive hour meter on the port motor. Do not use this as proof of hours on these motors as this could have been added at anytime during the boats life. Have the hours on each engine read by a local dealer or possibly a local member who has the YDS system. You can also buy the YDS on Ebay for about $75 which would be less than a dealer would charge you.

 

[Bruce]

@Trevor Shipman is referring to the 2003 to 2006 230 design which some people prefer.

The 210 has normal MR1 engines, the 230 has more powerful high output engines.

The larger boat has more room, a useable head compartment, better fuel economy and is faster. A no brainer for me.

 

[Volffas]

I've never heard a 230 owner say they wished they had the 210. I've seen plenty of 210 owners say they need a bigger boat. We have a 230 and absolutely love it.

 

[mark_m]

Go for size, go for the power. You will not regret the larger boat. Gas isn't a factor. Keep the extra money saved for additional mods or other accessories (tubes, stereo, etc.)

 

[bronze_10]

The only thing is the 23 footer he is looking at has a lot more hours than the 21 does... however.. with all things being the same.... alway go for the larger boat... we did the Charleston run with our 23 footer with 8 people on it and no one was crowded.... plenty of room... love it..

 

[Trevor Shipman]

@Bruce ahhhh yes you are correct!

And I think I've been out voted on the 21'! Haha. I can say this, these boats with the rear deck are just amazing. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Good luck!

 

[robert843]

If your willing to travel this is an awesome sx230 that a well known member traded in. It has lts of extras such as led lights on the interior and exterior of the boat and is super well maintained. I would bet you could get this for around 22k knowing what the dealer has in it.

http://www.ccmarine.com/Boat-For-Sale/13804/2007-Yamaha-SX230/

 

[OCMD]

All commercial advertisers display prices that are too high for the savvy buyer. You are on the road to being savvy, by inquiring here. The used boat market is a buyer's market. Take your time. If you rush you will be sucked in on a poor deal. This general rule also applies to many but not all asking prices in the forum(s). Everyone believes their boat is worth more than what it is truly worth.

Put it this way. I bought a 2008 SX230 in spring 2013 for 23,900 with 2 years left on the 5 year warranty. That's 3 years ago. Don't tell me that boat prices increase over time. So the asking prices you see around town are just that - asking prices. That 2007 above in SC no doubt could be had for 21-22K cash. Remember - they don't call them stealerships for nothing. Anyway, my boat was purchased new in 2011 as a dealer left over, with 26 verified hours on it. The original owner never used it. If I wanted to sell it now (and even if I did not) I would be happy to take some of the prices that I see out there on the commercial sites, such as that one posted above in the SC ad. Someone offers me 25 K cash on mine? Sold. And mine is a year younger, and looks to be in alot better shape than the one posted, with less than 100 hours.

As for the 210 vs the 230? A wise man once said (maybe he is a member of this forum?) "Buy your second boat first." Folks say the 210 is plenty powerful but until you have driven a 210 and a 230, there is no point of comparison. Take a 210 out and you will think it is a powerful boat. Then drive a 230 and feel the difference.

Take your time.

There are plenty of boats for sale. Here are a few:
overpriced but appears to be a nice boat:

http://yamahajetboaters.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=109&t=67704

I'd snatch this one up in a heart beat for 23K

http://yamahajetboaters.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=109&t=67704

There are a ton of boats for sale. Be prepared to travel if you have to. You can't go wrong with a bulletproof Yamaha, whatever model you select.

And if you want to take a ride on a 2008 SX230, here you go....

 

[seed_81]

In looking at the pictures on the craigslist adv. I noticed an after market, inductive hour meter on the port motor. Do not use this as proof of hours on these motors as this could have been added at anytime during the boats life. Have the hours on each engine read by a local dealer or possibly a local member who has the YDS system. You can also buy the YDS on Ebay for about $75 which would be less than a dealer would charge you.

Nice Catch!! Thank you.

OCMD,
Unfortunately, GA is 10hrs from where I am. Not willing to travel that far although I will admit that's nice.

 

[robert843]

I do agree with @OCMD I paid $23,500 for my 2011 sx240 about 8 months ago with 67 hours and a year of warranty left. One thing to consider is that the average model cycle appears to be about 3-4 years 2003-2006, 2007-2009, 2010-2014, so likely 2015-2018 or 2019 before the next change. If you buy a 07-09 now it will likely be 3 model cycles out by the time you are looking to sell it and will likely only be valued in the 10-15k range like the current 2003-2006 models are going for now. I'm sure someone will come back and correct my model years lol I did not go back and verify that is correct but it looks vaguely correct. If I had a 2007-2009 and planed on upgrading at all now would be my time to sell not buy in that year range. There are very mixed emotions on the 2010-14 models though so many people with the 07-09 model want to upgrade to the 15+ model but are waiting for prices to fall. I do agree that anything over 21k on a 07-09 I feel is excessive but some people are getting it. I know the one I posted above was traded in for $19k I would have to go back and look at his post to verify that though.

 

[Devildog]

Good comments from everyone. Lots of things to consider. The two-foot-itis syndrome is a common disease that most of us get. A few members mentioned buying your second boat first. If you can do that, it is highly encouraged. I bought my very first boat two years ago - 21' for three people. We quickly realized that when we brought guests or my daughter brought friends, space was tight. So we upgraded this year, but lost around $7000 when I sold my 21'. So go bigger if you can as long as the boat is in good physical and mechanical condition. Especially for a family of 4.

Good luck!!

 

[Chillypilot]

A boat is a big purchase. I wouldn't think twice about traveling 10 hours to get what I wanted. Seriously I just drove 10 hours each way to purchase a tower.

 

[Trevor Shipman]

I drove 9 each way to get mine

 

[Bruce]

I drove the family 8 hours to get mine. Didn't think a thing about it.

 

[96Pirate]

@seed_81 I was in your position a few years ago. I weighed the 210 vs 230 but ended up going with the 230 and I have not looked back. Love the boat. The big difference was the size, storage, head option for the girls, the flexible bench/forward seating. But I was comparing relatively the same years. So the newer 2010 210's might be different.

Another thing to think about based on the title is the 230(SX) has no tower whereas the 210 (AR) has a tower. I didn't look at the pictures so maybe the 230 has an aftermarket. Just something to think about if you want a tower. We use ours all the time.