255XD vs. 255XE vs. 252XE

[BrentH]

We have a 255XD on order but are concerned about production delays. We are revisiting 255XD vs. 255XE vs. 252XE based on availability of new and used versions of each model.

(1) for the 255XD owners...are you using the Drive system and your paddles, or is the boat handling fine without them? Hypothetically we opted for the XD because my co-captain could use a little...assistance...around the dock and on / off a trailer. Interested in feedback on usefulness of XD - "can't live without it" vs. "kind of forget about it, rarely use it."

(2) for the 255XE owners...how important are the integrated wakeboard features. Assume we might use a wake setup maybe...1/3 of our excursions. The balance we are water skiing or using inflatables or cruising around. Are you having to enhance your wake with ballast bags and other attachments anyway, or are you really pushing buttons and voila! Great wake. If you've had a 242X or a more manual wake setup in the past and can compare your experience then vs. with a 255XE...that would be helpful.

(3) for the 252XE owners...now that you have it, do you wish you had the 255XE or XD or happy with what you have?

Any insight on the pros / cons of these three is appreciated. Looking to make a decision ASAP. Thanks.

 

[Tony Prwivo]

Good evening sorry it took so long to get back to you I work shiftwork. My personal opinion on the 255XD it really is an amazing boat we don’t really use or see ourselves using any of the surfing ballasts we bought the boat mostly for the color combination and the supercharged engines. We are definitely going to use it to tube and possibly wake board. To answer your question above my wife was the one that wanted the paddle shifter option on the boat for docking in low speed maneuverability. I can honestly say it makes docking and maneuvering super super easy having both hands on the wheel and controlling the forward and reverse throttles makes the boat super easy to maneuver. I did install the trust vectors as well just as a little extra help. We ordered our boat in September 2020 and didn’t receive it until June 2021. It definitely was worth waiting for in my opinion. I hope this helps.

 

[BrentH]

Thank you that's very helpful.

 

[Jim Davis]

We are loving the 255XE. Never used the paddles so don't know what i'm missing but it seems to handle fine if you don't mind one hand on the throttles and one on the wheel. Wife only drives the boat out on the water at the dock she backs the trailer down and has gotten really good at it. She really does not like driving the boat in tight places but not sure the paddles would solve that.
For wake boarding yes it's a simple push of the button for a decent wake. For wake surfing you will want some weight either in ballast or people.
We had a 242xe and loved it as well. It is definitely nice to push a button and deploy the wake booster but you only need that for surfing.
Love the supercharged motors. Hope this helps and have fun!

 

[WaTeRMaNiaC407]

I have the 212XD and use the paddles all the time. I didn't buy the boat for that feature, but now I wouldn't want to give it up.

 

[BrentH]

I have the 212XD and use the paddles all the time. I didn't buy the boat for that feature, but now I wouldn't want to give it up.

Thank you - that's good to know.

 

[typhoon]

(3) for the 252XE owners...now that you have it, do you wish you had the 255XE or XD or happy with what you have?

The only thing I miss from the other boats is the larger bimini top. We cruise up and down the crowded intracoaster, so I have no real need for the supercharged engines. Other than that, I am more than happy with my boat.

 

[Jmoore]

This thread is over 2years old now. We are split between a 255 xe or xd.

Those that have either, any comment now that you have had the boat for some time. Are the paddles with the xd worth the extra bucks?!

Thanks for your time!

 

[TommyMcK]

The 255XD actually has DriveX. This is more than just DRiVE with the paddles. It also has the lateral thrust and spin capability. That wasn't a factor so much for me.... I got the 255XD because of the color options. In any case, for me at least, I do find the features useful sometimes, but not necessary. I never use the spin mode (just not needed) but there are times when the lateral thrust is useful. It's not dirt stupid though because you usually have to combine it with forward or reverse thrust to make it do what you need it to do. I think that the joystick interface that comes with the fsh models is more intuitive.

 

[Jmoore]

The 255XD actually has DriveX. This is more than just DRiVE with the paddles. It also has the lateral thrust and spin capability. That wasn't a factor so much for me.... I got the 255XD because of the color options. In any case, for me at least, I do find the features useful sometimes, but not necessary. I never use the spin mode (just not needed) but there are times when the lateral thrust is useful. It's not dirt stupid though because you usually have to combine it with forward or reverse thrust to make it do what you need it to do. I think that the joystick interface that comes with the fsh models is more intuitive.

You gave me just what I was looking for, thank you. In the market now, hoping these winter prices drop just a little lower!

 

[Jim Davis]

I had the 255XE so no experience with the XD. I never felt I needed the XD features but I do think it might be a nice to have type thing. You can split the throttles and accomplish a lot around the dock. One in forward and one in reverse if you want it to spin. I don't think you can go wrong with either boat. Enjoy it!

 

[Jmoore]

How’s the “no wake” mode I read about. Can you really cruise a little faster with minimal to no wake?

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

People are asking for and purchasing the custom made cobra x drive system to get even more control with the drive X boats. They order directly from me.
I also get a ton of people adding the super ultimate AK 19 deluxe or super magnum ak-19 deluxe systems to the rudder equipped boats so they can have redundancy with the second tie rod setup and faster hole shot , smoother ride in chop and steering that does nor get bow wander or loose speed in turns as well as maintains steering even off power or when rapidly decelerating in a turn. A recent post on the X drive from a very happy customer.
New post from a customer who added the new Cobra Jet custom designed steering system to his H series Yamaha jet boat.
Rick F.
Top contributor
2024 FSH Sport H Cobra Jet Steering.
I installed the Cobra Jet steering fins and tested on the lake yesterday. One word….Amazing!!
The install is simple but I did spend time ensuring the fin was aligned (clocked) perfectly with the nozzle.
I noticed the difference the moment I backed off the trailer. Low speed control was much better. Obviously the helm control is the the way to go around a dock, but the Cobra fins provide more control in the absence of the articulating keel.
My complaints with this boat from the first day on the water were …constant drifting at trolling speed (3-5mph)…left turn every time you cut the throttle and come off plane…drifting when on plane at speed.
Tested yesterday with 10-15 mph winds with moderate rollers from wake boats and bass tournament. Trolling speed required very little to no input to maintain course! As a fisherman this was my primary concern. Problem eliminated!! The left turn dive also eliminated. Drifting at speed reduced significantly.
Is it worth it?? Absolutely!!
I hope this helps the others that have been asking about this system.


recent feedback this feedback from a customer that just installed and tried out the super magnum ak-19 deluxe system on his Yamaha 2024 252 FSH for the first time.
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for the quick shipment. I was delayed installing due to vacation however I finally got it done this weekend. Install was easier than expected.
My main goal was to hopefully improve the boats tracking while trolling. Prior to the install I needed three people in the boat to troll in less than one foot waves. The boat would quickly circle the minute someone was not steering.
After the install I was able to hit Lake Erie alone in 2-4 footers. I managed trolling with three rods out without tangles. No issue taking my hand off the controls for a few mins to land fish.
Great product. Thank you!

 

[Jim Davis]

How’s the “no wake” mode I read about. Can you really cruise a little faster with minimal to no wake?

I used the no wake mode at mode 2 or 2 pushes of the button. That setting seemed to be a good compromise between speed and wake for no wake zones.

 

[TommyMcK]

I used the no wake mode at mode 2 or 2 pushes of the button. That setting seemed to be a good compromise between speed and wake for no wake zones.

I always figured that people used no-wake mode with boats with throttle cables. With throttle by wire, what is the advantage of using no-wake? You have continuous control of speed that's rock steady with electronic throttle. It's not like you generate less wake for any given speed when you use the no wake mode.

 

[Jim Davis]

You are correct. Throttle by wire makes it easy. I just found 2 presses on the button to be really convenient. Just personal preference on how to use a system

 

[D3nN1s]

do you lose the "power steering" with the XE's as well?

 

[Jim Davis]

Yes. Cable steering. Throttle by wire.

 

[Coult45]

I always figured that people used no-wake mode with boats with throttle cables. With throttle by wire, what is the advantage of using no-wake? You have continuous control of speed that's rock steady with electronic throttle. It's not like you generate less wake for any given speed when you use the no wake mode.

My experience...No Wake mode operates at the first detent in forward or reverse, which means your gates are not fully open. So, your speed at 2000 RPMs in No Wake is actually a hair slower than your speed at 2000 RPMs in full forward, but your turning is way more responsive. If you just want to go in a straight line for a while, skip the No Wake mode because it's actually harder to stay straight without constant adjustments. Two different use cases.

 

[TommyMcK]

My experience...No Wake mode operates at the first detent in forward or reverse, which means your gates are not fully open. So, your speed at 2000 RPMs in No Wake is actually a hair slower than your speed at 2000 RPMs in full forward, but your turning is way more responsive. If you just want to go in a straight line for a while, skip the No Wake mode because it's actually harder to stay straight without constant adjustments. Two different use cases.

I know that this is an old response to an even older thread, but it's top of mind for me at the moment. When in neutral, my 255XD (and others apparently) provides a bit of reverse thrust. Just enough reverse thrust so that the helm behaves as if the engines are reversed (port helm input causes the stern to swing to port for example.) This is a bit of a drag because it requires constant control reversals when you add puffs of forward thrust when docking. My brain has compensated and it's second nature now, but in the process of trying to sort it out, I've read up more on the 255XD's control modes.

It turns out that 255XD boats have an algorithm in place where when the throttles are in the TDE position, engine RPM and gate position are automatically controlled as a function of the extent of the steering input. It's subtle, but real. I think that this was a "feature" that was included because it doesn't have the articulating keel. Anyway, the moral to that story is that on the 255XD at least, I'm not sure that the best low speed approach is to use the no wake mode.

I find that the human brain calibrates itself to a wide range of situations though, and on my 222XD (which does not have this "feature") I have plenty of control authority when just using the throttles and steering input at any speed, but it makes sense that having a higher engine rpm with the gate set in partial forward might be a help. On the other hand, if the goal is to reduce wake, having all that water stirred up might not be the best approach either.