210 FSH - Problems? - Upgrades?

[Foobar]

So, I will be buying a new 210 FSH at the local boat show in Charleston, SC in January 2018. I have read about a number of issues here on the forum with the 190 mainly around leaks and poor craftsmanship. Have any 210 owners seen these issues as well? I hope Yamaha has taken note.

These problems will not deter me from buying the boat as they all seem to be relatively easy fixes. The engines and hull design seem to be solid. It just seems the people putting it together might not be the most serious of craftsmen. My plan is simple: reseal and check every common issue before I ever put it in the water.

Some questions:

- Anyone tried a windlasses solution yet? From the pictures I have seen, there does not look like there is much room to add that system.

- The white gel coat seems brighter on the slate blue boat. True? My dealer has no 210 boats yet.

- What's the deal with those backless passenger seats to either side of the helm? Anyone have someone roll out of the boat yet?

- Suggestions?

Before it ever hits the water:

I have already had ideas rolling around my head for immediate upgrades:

- reseal everything
- teak platform for the changing room
- replace anchor drain hardware
- add freshwater system ... somewhere
- lateral thrusters from jet boat pilot

Thoughts?

 

[ClemsonTiger]

I would not install a windlass on the boat. It has very low freeboard and the bow does not sit high off the water line. The added weight may cast the bow down when at rest.

The most likely windlass system would not be a thru hull as that would require too much effort. So I assume you would want a top mount with an anchor roller. I'm not sure there is enough real estate on the bow to install a top mount windlass. Add in the electrical wiring, solenoid, time/effort and cost....does not lend itself to being more beneficial than your typical pitch anchor.

But if its what you want then its what you want...thats all the really matters.

 

[Foobar]

Yeah, I was just curious if anyone had come up with something for the windlasses. I can live without one, but it sure would be nice not to have to haul that anchor in manually. I don't think the weight would be an issue, but mounting would be. The only viable solution I see right now is a through-hull with the windlasses in the anchor locker on a custom mount.

And I am not real excited about cutting a hole in the hull of a new boat.

 

[Frank Marshall]

I have only had our boat in the water once on very nice calm day. So I can't say for sure, but it looks like Yamaha reads this website or listens to dealers, as the water leaks seem to have been addressed. However even with changes to the anchor drain, I did add more silicone there. All the other drain joints look to be fully sealed.

 

[Scottintexas]

Glad to have you on board!

Do you have boating experience?
Have you ever ridden/drove a jet boat before?
How will you use it mainly, family fun, cruising, fishing?
Lake or Salt use?

It's just my suggestion but I wouldn't buy a boat before taking a test ride or knowing how it will perform or handle the water. It's to big of an investment both time/money/emotionally to guess at.

 

[swatski]

@Foobar I'm relatively new to jet boating myslef, and what I've found was - with these boats going strait can be the biggest challenge, at least when you are learning the boat!

I would personally consider fins before anything else, after you take the boat out or at least run a sea trial.

If you think of fishing, being able to go in strait line (without too much work) is kind of a plus - I would strongly suggest looking into the Cobra steering systems that would help driving the boat both forward and in reverse. @Cobra Jet Steering LLC Jeff can hook you up with what you need, he is quite wonderful.

I'm actually curious why you are thinking of getting the lateral THrusters first? That would help you move the stern sideways, but the way I understand it - will not help the reverse (or going strait). There are some scenarios, around various docking circumstances, where the LTEs would be fantastic, I think. But for me - improvements in forward and reverse at all speeds come first.

If you are like me - coming from outboards (or stern drives) - I think you will be shocked how easy these boats are to turn, versus keeping them in strait line going in reverse or forward, at least initially when one is not used to steer with thrust.

I have not driven any of the Yamaha 21ft hull twins, yet, but in my experience with both 19 and 24fters - getting used to steering with thrust is the biggest hurdle, followed by an almost non-existent reverse in the new twins - which can be very frustrating. Cobra MEGAs cure the reverse - to a large extent.

My only debate with FSH would be whether to go with:
1. all-time-down fin system (either Ultimates or AKs) plus MEGAs and (eventually) considering adding trim tabs
or 2. the CObra Viper system - which combines the functionality of fins, fangs, and tabs; people here RAVE about the Vipers in 190 FSH however, I don't know how extensively the VIpers been tested in the twins.

--

 

[Foobar]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

- I currently have a 20ft stern drive, so I am very familiar with not going straight at slow speeds. In fact, I consider myself a fully qualified NASCAR driver with all that weaving I did. On my current boat I addressed the bow wander with Nauticus trim tabs and a 4 blade prop. It also helped to not have the bow point at the moon when coming out of the hole. Getting up on plane is almost instant. (Previously it took forever.) I lost about 4mph on the top end, but the low speed handling is night and day from before.

- I boat in salt in and around Charleston, SC. The only way you will find me on a lake is if my wife squawks me to death first and drags my corpse out to a lake.

- First time for a jet boat. What sold me was the lower draft, less moving parts, less maintenance, and high reliability of Yamaha engines. I like the rear deck layout for fishing as well. Also, I am told the boat has zero wood anywhere. I was going to buy a new Sea Hunt Gamefish 25, but I saw this boat and decided to save myself a $100k for other things like the strip club. (Strippers gotta eat too.)

- Going with the Yamaha over the Gamefish 25 also means I don't have to buy a bigger truck to haul the boat. I like my Tacoma!

- I use my boat mainly for fishing. However, my wife squawks fairly well, so there are family days too. The changing room is nice for a head. On family days there are 4 women on the boat and for some reason they don't like going over the side.

- I want the lateral thrusters for better low speed handling and maneuverability. I fish mostly for sheepshead, so I am always maneuvering the boat into position around rocks, poles, etc. The lateral thrusters from Jet boat Pilot seem to be what I am looking for.

- I will add fins in the event that low speed handling is too sluggish. I want to try it out without fins during the first sea trial to get an idea before adding that system. If the articulating keel is enough, then I will not add that system. I have researched the ones from Jet Boat Pilot. I have not taken a hard look at the Cobra system yet, but I will.

 

[Foobar]

One other note ...

I think the only regret I would have with the 210 FSH is if Yamaha comes out with a 24 foot version next year because, well, I would I probably go buy it.

 

[swatski]

I currently have a 20ft stern drive, so I am very familiar with not going straight at slow speeds. In fact, I consider myself a fully qualified NASCAR driver with all that weaving I did.

If you think your current boat is prone to weaving... oh boy, better brace yourself! LOL.

Also, I am told the boat has zero wood anywhere.

Very true and really great feature of these boats, along with low low maintenance.

I will add fins in the event that low speed handling is too sluggish. I want to try it out without fins during the first sea trial to get an idea before adding that system. If the articulating keel is enough, then I will not add that system.

I would be surprised if you find the handling "sluggish", it is kind of the opposite. Keeping these boats running in strait line with minimum effort can be a chore albeit the keel does help a lot.

--

 

[Tailwaters]

I purchased my FSH 19 last year with no prior boating experience with jet drive. If I recall correctly this is my 9th boat I've owned. My first day out was a bit frustrating and disappointing in respect to the low speed maneuverability of the boat. However after adding the Viper steering fins and a little more seat time I grew a bit more comfortable at low speed in a rather short period of time. One huge plus in my book with the jet and fishing, is the fact when you mark fish you can stop and turn the boat on a dime. Meaning literally turn on a dime . Where as a traditional boat you have large turning radius like driving a truck. The other most noticeable difference is, on and off the throttle. When you come off its as if you are hitting the brakes. The boat does not coast before coming to a stop. Again a learning curve when coming off plane. I'm very happy with my purchase and for a 19ft boat I really don't think there's anything out there that has all the features and useable space as the FSH. If I were to have complaint that would be more power would be nice. Not so much to have more top end speed but the ability to maintain speed with the boat loaded up.

 

[Grover70]

I was on one the other day while at the dealer and they seem to have gotten the memo on the anchor drain. It was through and through.
Also, unless they changed something, I removed what looked to me as balsa wood when I drilled through the deck for a drain. I think it is a very thin slab used as a sound or vibration absorber sandwiched between fiberglass. Water got under the decking through the screw holes holding the battery system down. I have since drained it and dried it and will be siliconing the screw holes when I reinstall the battery trays. There's a forum post on this adventure I started a few months back with pics. Thumbnail example provided.

 

[DrGamecock]

One other note ...

I think the only regret I would have with the 210 FSH is if Yamaha comes out with a 24 foot version next year because, well, I would I probably go buy it.

Exact reason I didn’t trade my 19 for the 21. My 19 did fine around Edisto Island and the Atlantic this past summer. I’ll get the first 24’ my dealer has when they come out in the future.

 

[Foobar]

Exact reason I didn’t trade my 19 for the 21. My 19 did fine around Edisto Island and the Atlantic this past summer. I’ll get the first 24’ my dealer has when they come out in the future.

What dealer do you use? Charleston Power Sports?

 

[ClemsonTiger]

MOST people go from jets to outboards....not the reverse. Just keep that in mind!

(Of course there will be a few that will respond stating that they switched from an outboard to a jet and its the best decision they ever made)

 

[DrGamecock]

What dealer do you use? Charleston Power Sports?

No, I’m in the upstate and use Hall Marine Lake Wylie. Usually trailer the boat to the low country once a year.

@ClemsonTiger , I’ve thought about going back to an outboard but all the moving parts and maintenance requirements make me think twice. When I had outboards on 19-21’ boats it was usually not that bad, as I think about getting a 24-27’ with a big outboard I know it will get expensive if something fails.

 

[p montgomery]

Yeah, I was just curious if anyone had come up with something for the windlasses. I can live without one, but it sure would be nice not to have to haul that anchor in manually. I don't think the weight would be an issue, but mounting would be. The only viable solution I see right now is a through-hull with the windlasses in the anchor locker on a custom mount.

And I am not real excited about cutting a hole in the hull of a new boat.

I am surfing around trying to decide what to buy and seen this post. If I do end up with the FSH one of the things I liked is the power pole option. If you have ever had one you will love it. If you come up to a dock you can out it down and tie off the front all by yourself. We had a Talon on our other boat loved it

 

[p montgomery]

Yeah, I was just curious if anyone had come up with something for the windlasses. I can live without one, but it sure would be nice not to have to haul that anchor in manually. I don't think the weight would be an issue, but mounting would be. The only viable solution I see right now is a through-hull with the windlasses in the anchor locker on a custom mount.

And I am not real excited about cutting a hole in the hull of a new boat.

Minn Kota Talon

 

[Foobar]

Minn Kota Talon

Yeah, it would have to come with a long ass pole because I fish in the ocean.

 

[p montgomery]

Yeah, it would have to come with a long ass pole because I fish in the ocean.

OOPS That would be a long pole indeed !!