24 ft yamaha AR 240 on Lake Michigan

[Tom Kaniewski]

I am new to the thread and need some opinions. My wife and I are considering purchasing a 2016 Yamaha AR240 to use on the Southern end of Lake Michigan. We have some great beaches and dunes and have a group of friends that love to buzz the shoreline, do a little watersports, and hang the beaches with us. We have been doing it for several years in a 2002 Bayliner Rendezvous 21 ft with a Merc 5.0 stern drive. The Bayliner has handled the lake great for us. We are careful to watch the forecast and don't go out on rough days(anything above 2.5 to 3.0 feet). The specs show the Yamaha to have a dry weight of 3600 lbs which is about what the Bayliner is. On choppy days we can trim the bow up and run real slow with the Bayliner. I have read that jet boats are rough riders even in small chop. I am hoping this new 24 foot platform is a good boat for big water. Any suggestions ? We only know the Bayliner so that is all we really have to compare. We also have slightly considered the Chaparral Vortex Jets or even another 21-23 ft stern.

 

[robert843]

It will do OK by the standards you are mentioning the biggest difference is no engine trim to bring the bow up. This still can be done on a jet boat it just is done through throttle control instead. You basically throttle up to a pace where the bow stays up and the boat doesn't come on plane.

 

[JTC1016]

Hi Tom
I can't answer with first hand experience but what I've read on here and other sites convinced me and I've ordered a 2016 AR240 that my family will regularly use on lake Michigan. We are moving up from an 18' Bayliner. We also boat on connected inland lakes so we can be protected on windy days. But many people on here boat in big open water with these boats. Seems like judgment is key. Sometime after April 27 I can update you on our experiences.

 

[Tom Kaniewski]

It will do OK by the standards you are mentioning the biggest difference is no engine trim to bring the bow up. This still can be done on a jet boat it just is done through throttle control instead. You basically throttle up to a pace where the bow stays up and the boat doesn't come on plane.

It will do OK by the standards you are mentioning the biggest difference is no engine trim to bring the bow up. This still can be done on a jet boat it just is done through throttle control instead. You basically throttle up to a pace where the bow stays up and the boat doesn't come on plane.

 

[Tom Kaniewski]

Thanks, it helps to know that it is possible to raise the bow if we ever need to. We are probably going to go the AR240 route because of the value and ability to get close to the beaches.

 

[Tom Kaniewski]

Hi Tom
I can't answer with first hand experience but what I've read on here and other sites convinced me and I've ordered a 2016 AR240 that my family will regularly use on lake Michigan. We are moving up from an 18' Bayliner. We also boat on connected inland lakes so we can be protected on windy days. But many people on here boat in big open water with these boats. Seems like judgment is key. Sometime after April 27 I can update you on our experiences.

Thanks for the response. We are leaning toward the AR240. Any idea if the stereo can be upgraded since there is not a dedicated head unit but rather the connext touch screen ?

 

[JTC1016]

Thanks for the response. We are leaning toward the AR240. Any idea if the stereo can be upgraded since there is not a dedicated head unit but rather the connext touch screen ?

It definitely can be upgraded with added amps and speakers. Not sure about replacing the head unit though if that's what you are thinking.

 

[GTBRMC]

Welcome aboard, @Tom Kaniewski !

For how you describe your boating needs, I think a 240 will suit you very well.

Interestingly, some of this territory was covered in another thread earlier today:

https://jetboaters.net/threads/ar190-and-sx190-on-great-lakes.8542/page-2

 

[OperationROL]

I am new to the thread and need some opinions. My wife and I are considering purchasing a 2016 Yamaha AR240 to use on the Southern end of Lake Michigan. We have some great beaches and dunes and have a group of friends that love to buzz the shoreline, do a little watersports, and hang the beaches with us. We have been doing it for several years in a 2002 Bayliner Rendezvous 21 ft with a Merc 5.0 stern drive. The Bayliner has handled the lake great for us. We are careful to watch the forecast and don't go out on rough days(anything above 2.5 to 3.0 feet). The specs show the Yamaha to have a dry weight of 3600 lbs which is about what the Bayliner is. On choppy days we can trim the bow up and run real slow with the Bayliner. I have read that jet boats are rough riders even in small chop. I am hoping this new 24 foot platform is a good boat for big water. Any suggestions ? We only know the Bayliner so that is all we really have to compare. We also have slightly considered the Chaparral Vortex Jets or even another 21-23 ft stern.

Tom-

I have had my boat (both my former SX230 and current 242LS) on Lake Michigan on good days as well as bad days. The boat will handle ok. It really will have nothing to do with it being a jetboat, particularly since it now has a rudder that adds stern drive type stability. The way the boat handles is more affected by the degree of the "V" hull and the weight of the boat. While we have a deep V, there are many other choices that have deeper V's. Also, there are many other boats that weigh more at our size. Those boats would fair better but the Yami 240 will definitely handle better than your Bayliner.

I will be attending the Chicago Loop Cruise and expect to run on Lake Michigan that day (April 30th I believe). You are welcome to ride with us and check things out first hand. It is usually me and a couple other forum members aboard. The wives usually go shopping because the weather can be so unpredictable. If you want to check it out before that, I am sure I could meet you up at Lake Geneva sometime before that.

 

[Tom Kaniewski]

Tom-

I have had my boat (both my former SX230 and current 242LS) on Lake Michigan on good days as well as bad days. The boat will handle ok. It really will have nothing to do with it being a jetboat, particularly since it now has a rudder that adds stern drive type stability. The way the boat handles is more affected by the degree of the "V" hull and the weight of the boat. While we have a deep V, there are many other choices that have deeper V's. Also, there are many other boats that weigh more at our size. Those boats would fair better but the Yami 240 will definitely handle better than your Bayliner.

I will be attending the Chicago Loop Cruise and expect to run on Lake Michigan that day (April 30th I believe). You are welcome to ride with us and check things out first hand. It is usually me and a couple other forum members aboard. The wives usually go shopping because the weather can be so unpredictable. If you want to check it out before that, I am sure I could meet you up at Lake Geneva sometime before that.

Thanks for the information. It is a big help to me. We are strongly considering valet boating out of New Buffalo MI so the boat would be primarily used on Lake Michigan. While we have some great beaches there are really no inlets to speak of. We are safety conscious and follow the NWS Weather forecasts for our area but don't want to buy the boat and have it sit on nice days because we aren't sure how it's will handle 2-3 footers and/or some chop. My wife will be at the helm often and has only ever steered a stern drive. We respect the water but also are not afraid of a little rough seas from time to time. Our area is very good at putting out small craft advisories and we would never even consider going out on those days. I just read some bad reviews(jetboat haters I'm sure) about jets taking being terrible big water boats and most owners being unhappy with them. It seemed that most of the bad reviews were older models though. I am glad you have experience out there with the newer hull design and the the articulating keel. Should I assume the 242LS is a big improvement over previous models since you have had both ? Yamaha touts the higher freeboard, raised bow lines, and better tracking. If it handles like the Bayliner 21 ft I would be happy. I will let you know if we can make the Chicago Loop Cruise.

 

[octavio3311]

Weight will be a factor, but I do believe the shape of the hull, especially the shape of the bow has more to do with a softer ride. Look at - lets say a Scout 210xfs center console. It weighs 1,980lbs - lets throw a 200hp Yamaha on the back - its weight still hovers around 3,000lbs - much less than your 242. Yet it cuts thru the water like butter.


I can't speak for the Great Lakes - but I do boat in a very very busy Ct lake. It can get extremely choppy on certain weekends. 2'-3' are not a an everyday thing, certainly not a welcomed site, but they are not uncommon. Those days are for coving out with friends, calm days are for playing.
My Yamaha handles big chop better than some, but not as good as others. Better than my buddies Crownie, much better than a friends big $$$ Malibu, but not as good as a Cobalt or a Bryant. And yes, as others have mentioned, we don't have trim, but you can ride the bow high using the throttles.

 

[Speedling]

I boat out of Portage often. Just gotta respect the lake and not go out in the 3 footers. I ha e been out in worse, but it isn't fun.
And this with the 21 foot boat but I have had the exciter out there as well!
Lake Michigan is awesome beaches and clear water. Can't be beat unless you plan on travelling a lot.
Message me if you need more info for sure and watch for any posts of groups heading out.
For sure hit up the warm water discharge by the portage steel mills. Great sheltered spot with warm water and ends up being a party cove more for families. You go to portage around noon on a weekend and you're going to see the boats!

 

[OperationROL]

Weight will be a factor, but I do believe the shape of the hull, especially the shape of the bow has more to do with a softer ride. Look at - lets say a Scout 210xfs center console. It weighs 1,980lbs - lets throw a 200hp Yamaha on the back - its weight still hovers around 3,000lbs - much less than your 242. Yet it cuts thru the water like butter.
I've experimented with filling my ballast tanks

I can't speak for the Great Lakes - but I do boat in a very very busy Ct lake. It can get extremely choppy on certain weekends. 2'-3' are not a an everyday thing, certainly not a welcomed site, but they are not uncommon. Those days are for coving out with friends, calm days are for playing.
My Yamaha handles big chop better than some, but not as good as others. Better than my buddies Crownie, much better than a friends big $$$ Malibu, but not as good as a Cobalt or a Bryant. And yes, as others have mentioned, we don't have trim, but you can ride the bow high using the throttles.

It is definitely a combination of the 2. Before purchasing a jetboat, I was hot about Cobalt. Their hulls are designed to slice through water and therefore provide a comfortable ride even in less than ideal conditions.

 

[OperationROL]

I boat out of Portage often. Just gotta respect the lake and not go out in the 3 footers. I ha e been out in worse, but it isn't fun.
And this with the 21 foot boat but I have had the exciter out there as well!
Lake Michigan is awesome beaches and clear water. Can't be beat unless you plan on travelling a lot.
Message me if you need more info for sure and watch for any posts of groups heading out.
For sure hit up the warm water discharge by the portage steel mills. Great sheltered spot with warm water and ends up being a party cove more for families. You go to portage around noon on a weekend and you're going to see the boats!

Lee, you need to organize a gathering this summer down there by you. I'm in!

 

[buckbuck]

Lee, we are in also. Just make sure it's WARM water!

 

[Speedling]

Lee, we are in also. Just make sure it's WARM water!

Lol
Well, my wife and I are talking about it but nothing is coming together 100% yet. We even talked about if the Chicago loop was early enough to have everyone hang out over in portage after and break out the grill but I think that would be a ton of gas burned for everyone in one day. Portage to navy pier and back is a full tank if fighting waves.
Message me suggestions if u have any but it will be after July 4th most likely so perhaps after Shelbyville?

 

[GTBRMC]

Lol
Well, my wife and I are talking about it but nothing is coming together 100% yet. We even talked about if the Chicago loop was early enough to have everyone hang out over in portage after and break out the grill but I think that would be a ton of gas burned for everyone in one day. Portage to navy pier and back is a full tank if fighting waves.
Message me suggestions if u have any but it will be after July 4th most likely so perhaps after Shelbyville?

Late August (but before Labor Day weekend) end-of-summer bash?

 

[dan144k]

We launch an AR240 in Waukegan Harbor and go down to Navy Pier at least once a year and usually to watch the Chicago Air and Water Show (awesome view from the water). We have never had any problems, just always adjust boat speed to wave conditions and crew.

The lightness off the Yamaha does kinda of bounce off the waves compared to going thru them like heavier boats. I added Volvo trim tabs and push the nose down, and it makes a huge difference for comfort and speed.

I usually let my friends drive out on the lake so everyone in the boat can blame them for the rough ride.

 

[Tom Kaniewski]

Weight will be a factor, but I do believe the shape of the hull, especially the shape of the bow has more to do with a softer ride. Look at - lets say a Scout 210xfs center console. It weighs 1,980lbs - lets throw a 200hp Yamaha on the back - its weight still hovers around 3,000lbs - much less than your 242. Yet it cuts thru the water like butter.


I can't speak for the Great Lakes - but I do boat in a very very busy Ct lake. It can get extremely choppy on certain weekends. 2'-3' are not a an everyday thing, certainly not a welcomed site, but they are not uncommon. Those days are for coving out with friends, calm days are for playing.
My Yamaha handles big chop better than some, but not as good as others. Better than my buddies Crownie, much better than a friends big $$$ Malibu, but not as good as a Cobalt or a Bryant. And yes, as others have mentioned, we don't have trim, but you can ride the bow high using the throttles.

 

[Tom Kaniewski]

I boat out of Portage often. Just gotta respect the lake and not go out in the 3 footers. I ha e been out in worse, but it isn't fun.
And this with the 21 foot boat but I have had the exciter out there as well!
Lake Michigan is awesome beaches and clear water. Can't be beat unless you plan on travelling a lot.
Message me if you need more info for sure and watch for any posts of groups heading out.
For sure hit up the warm water discharge by the portage steel mills. Great sheltered spot with warm water and ends up being a party cove more for families. You go to portage around noon on a weekend and you're going to see the boats!

Thanks, we might have to hit you up to check out the Portage side of the lake. Sounds like fun !