2019 Yamaha ar242x questions

[Travp]

Looking at purchasing a 2019 yamaha ar242x. This will be the first boat I have ever owned. It will be used for chilling on the boat, tubes being towed, wakeboarding and surfing. No little kids will be on it. Boat is costing 70k, is there any other new boat comparable in price that will offer the same?

Thanks

Big T

 

[haknslash]

See this recent thread https://jetboaters.net/threads/talk-me-into-this.21170/

 

[OrangeTJ]

Yes there are. Wakeboading, surfing, tubing - that spells v-drive to me. Look at Moomba, Supreme, Axis, MB. $70K might be tough but you can get close. Keep in mind that a 24 foot Yamaha is about the same overall length as a 22 foot anything else, since Yamaha includes the swim platform in the length (it's integrated so that makes sense) where most other manufacturers don't. The use of space will be significantly different. With a v-drive you gain considerable towsports performance and give up some top speed. There are other puts/takes that are significant but in my opinion most of them favor the v-drive for the use case you summarized in your post. Caveat would be if you regularly boat in very shallow water, where jets have an obvious advantage (as long as the water doesn't have much in the way of surface vegetation or floating debris).

 

[Travp]

Yes there are. Wakeboading, surfing, tubing - that spells v-drive to me. Look at Moomba, Supreme, Axis, MB. $70K might be tough but you can get close. Keep in mind that a 24 foot Yamaha is about the same overall length as a 22 foot anything else, since Yamaha includes the swim platform in the length (it's integrated so that makes sense) where most other manufacturers don't. The use of space will be significantly different. With a v-drive you gain considerable towsports performance and give up some top speed. There are other puts/takes that are significant but in my opinion most of them favor the v-drive for the use case you summarized in your post. Caveat would be if you regularly boat in very shallow water, where jets have an obvious advantage (as long as the water doesn't have much in the way of surface vegetation or floating debris).

Thank You, will look in those boats, appreciate the reply and input as i am new to this.

 

[OrangeTJ]

Before you get too far down the path on any one boat, I'd also strongly recommend getting an on-water demo of any you're interested in. That's standard procedure on wake boats for serious customers. I've heard less consistency regarding Yamaha dealers being willing to demo. Actually getting these boats out on the water tells you WAY more than you can gather by looking at them and sitting in them at the dealership or online.

 

[jcyamaharider]

Yes there are. Wakeboading, surfing, tubing - that spells v-drive to me. Look at Moomba, Supreme, Axis, MB. $70K might be tough but you can get close. Keep in mind that a 24 foot Yamaha is about the same overall length as a 22 foot anything else, since Yamaha includes the swim platform in the length (it's integrated so that makes sense) where most other manufacturers don't. The use of space will be significantly different. With a v-drive you gain considerable towsports performance and give up some top speed. There are other puts/takes that are significant but in my opinion most of them favor the v-drive for the use case you summarized in your post. Caveat would be if you regularly boat in very shallow water, where jets have an obvious advantage (as long as the water doesn't have much in the way of surface vegetation or floating debris).

I hate to do it but I am going to be " that " guy for a second. Keep in mind this is nothing personal and I do find value in what you say BUT remember YOU are on a jetboat forum. Not every post needs to have V-drive in it. I get it that you USED to own a Yamaha and you love this board but if the OP had a question about a tomcat then he would post it on that forum. We are not over there posting " Everything you say sounds like a Yamaha to me" Just because you switched to a v-drive doesn't mean everyone wants a v-drive. We are here to help current owners and people currently looking to own jetboats.

rant over.

 

[tabbibus]

To be fair, OP asked what other boats he should consider

 

[jcyamaharider]

To be fair, OP asked what other boats he should consider

He did......but this is the straw that broke the camels back......let the jetboaters answer the question, we are all fair and we are quick to suggest different boats. It is almost every single thread. Like I said no ill will but I do get tired of seeing it come up ALL the time.

*Edit* Come to think of it, isn't that the typical V-drive owner comment. I want to do XYZ........V-DRIVE.....blah blah. Even when you see them on the water they act like they are much better then you are because they have an "ABC boat and I am awesome" complex. ( not all, and I am just venting frustration now towards stuck up inboard owners )

I guess I could blame it on cabin fever or not having my boat in my garage right now.

 

[OrangeTJ]

No worries. I get it. Cabin fever here too! My apologies.

 

[ripler]

He did......but this is the straw that broke the camels back......let the jetboaters answer the question, we are all fair and we are quick to suggest different boats. It is almost every single thread. Like I said no ill will but I do get tired of seeing it come up ALL the time.

*Edit* Come to think of it, isn't that the typical V-drive owner comment. I want to do XYZ........V-DRIVE.....blah blah. Even when you see them on the water they act like they are much better then you are because they have an "ABC boat and I am awesome" complex. ( not all, and I am just venting frustration now towards stuck up inboard owners )

I guess I could blame it on cabin fever or not having my boat in my garage right now.

In all fairness, how many others on this forum can provide feedback on both a Yamaha and a V-drive boat? If I were going to spend over 75K on a boat it certainly would not be a Yamaha.

 

[haknslash]

I don’t see v drives coming up in every thread. I do see them mentioned where someone is asking for advice on the sport and if there are perhaps other boats to think about. I don’t think anyone is pushing an agenda and I would hope that I’m still welcome to post my honest opinions when I trade in my Yamaha this weekend. I think this is a great forum with a ton of knowledgeable people even those that no longer have Yamaha or jet bots still hang around to contribute and share thoughts, no matter how much it might not be jet-centric if OP is looking for honest opinions.

Yes cabin fever is in full effect for me as well. Let’s not let that stifle anyone’s opinions just because they have moved on to a different drivetrain and propulsion. I think having this kind of open community is what separates it from others. It would be a shame for it to be anything other than honest feedback or opinions. I think having people on here who have gone both directions is invaluable and an asset.

 

[jcyamaharider]

No worries. I get it. Cabin fever here too! My apologies.

This is why I hate to even say anything at all because you always have something positive to say because you have been on both sides and I enjoy reading your posts.

(Building house stress also in there)

Back top the OP question.

There are many brands of boats out there that will fit the bill for less money, and honestly if it is your first boat i wouldn't go new. I would find a great used boat with plenty of mods for far less.

 

[AlphaKap]

Two suggestions.
First, see if there is a boat show close to you and make a visit.
Second, even though they are really advertisement vs reviews, check out the videos in Boattest.com

Its almost like asking someone to pick it your clothes for you. Everyone's tastes are different.

 

[Scottintexas]

There are applications where jet boat isn't a good fit,

Where are you located?
where will you primarily be boating?
When you say you want to surf are your talking about just as a passing hobby or as a serious endeavor?
Will you do your own maintenance?
Will you have plenty of additional money after the purchase for modifications and tubes and boards and....

Dont' buy anything without a test ride or don't complain about your $75k mistake,


.

 

[jcyamaharider]

I guess having a jet boat forum is a thing of the past..... I guess we should call this generalboaters.net now.

 

[jcyamaharider]

In all fairness, how many others on this forum can provide feedback on both a Yamaha and a V-drive boat? If I were going to spend over 75K on a boat it certainly would not be a Yamaha.

I can.... I have surfed behind most major inboard boat manufactures out there and probably posted about it here.

This isn't fair to the OP.....I am starting my own thread.

 

[swatski]

In all fairness, how many others on this forum can provide feedback on both a Yamaha and a V-drive boat? If I were going to spend over 75K on a boat it certainly would not be a Yamaha.

Plenty. If not most.
Many, if not most, members here owned a non-jet boat before a jet boat first.

And most of those who surf have done it first behind a “proper v-drive wake boat”!
(being facetious of course)


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[Jakester1967]

Looking at purchasing a 2019 yamaha ar242x. This will be the first boat I have ever owned. It will be used for chilling on the boat, tubes being towed, wakeboarding and surfing. No little kids will be on it. Boat is costing 70k, is there any other new boat comparable in price that will offer the same?

Thanks

Big T

Everyone has their opinion and mine would be to check out the Chaparral Vortex!!! I have the 2430 VRX...Amazing boats...High quality finish and ride amazing in the water. Closed loop cooling system on twin 250HP Rotax engines...I got mine brand new with less than 2 hours (2017 left over) for 67K OTD!!! Dealer is doing the first 2 services for no cost and many other things for me...I had a Yamaha but had issues with the engines as I ran in salt and brackish alot...I always rinsed the engines after going out and that did not keep one from failing...I love the closed loop cooling system.

 

[swatski]

Everyone has their opinion and mine would be to check out the Chaparral Vortex!!! I have the 2430 VRX...Amazing boats...High quality finish and ride amazing in the water. Closed loop cooling system on twin 250HP Rotax engines...I got mine brand new with less than 2 hours (2017 left over) for 67K OTD!!! Dealer is doing the first 2 services for no cost and many other things for me...I had a Yamaha but had issues with the engines as I ran in salt and brackish alot...I always rinsed the engines after going out and that did not keep one from failing...I love the closed loop cooling system. View attachment 89486

I think those big chaparrals are the best looking jet boats, and that color scheme is just outrageously cool!!!

Yamaha 1.8 engines have had the timing chain failures but that’s not related to salt. BRP drivetrains still have raw water cooled exhausts that are vulnerable. I think few here would pick a BRP jet boat over a Yamaha for reasons of better reliability, as the track record still favors Yamaha. At least for now.

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[jcyamaharider]

Everyone has their opinion and mine would be to check out the Chaparral Vortex!!! I have the 2430 VRX...Amazing boats...High quality finish and ride amazing in the water. Closed loop cooling system on twin 250HP Rotax engines...I got mine brand new with less than 2 hours (2017 left over) for 67K OTD!!! Dealer is doing the first 2 services for no cost and many other things for me...I had a Yamaha but had issues with the engines as I ran in salt and brackish alot...I always rinsed the engines after going out and that did not keep one from failing...I love the closed loop cooling system. View attachment 89486

That's a good looking boat!