275 SD

[Jblocker]

Hello all, I’m new to the Forum and currently have a 2013 yamaha 242 that I purchased new.....we live on the water in Fla in a shallow inlet that leads to the bay, so the jet boat has worked perfectly for us with no issues . ...we are retiring this year and plan on spending more time on the water and want a bigger boat, which leads us to the 275 SD.....we fell in love with a cobalt R7 but concerned about the shallow water (2ft for about 100 yards) and I/O maintenance on the salt....my wife is absolutely opposed to an outboard because of our use of the swim platform, which leads us back to the 275...

Any thoughts on the 275? Anyone here own one? We love our Yamaha but not a big price difference with the cobalt and I’m struggling with that....Although at the EOD, the jet boat might be our only option with the shallow water.....we recently looked at one at a boat show and it looked much better in person than in pics, my local dealer said he would install an automatic windlass for me, but I am most concerned about taking on water in the rear and fuel mileage ...

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[Andy S]

I own a Cobalt R5 with a Volvo Penta engine/outdrive and have taken it to many places in the Bahamas but most of my boating has been on our local fresh water lake, Lake Murray, SC. Like you we love the swim platform on our Cobalt and also on my previous Yamaha, huge selling point for us based on how we use our boat.

For me if my boating was in saltwater and especially in shallow areas I would not own an I/O, it would be an outboard or a jet. The big reason is how low the outdrive hangs below the boat and the fact that you can't raise the outdrive above the bottom of the hull. I have been stuck twice in shallow areas in the Bahamas and if I had an outboard or a jet I would have been able to either get through the area or easily push myself off.

At least for Cobalt's with Volvo Penta engines, they have a radiator to cool the engine, the radiator is cooled by raw water, so the engine doesn't get exposed to saltwater. However the high pressure fuel pump is water cooled but for reasons that I can't figure, the fuel pump is cooled by raw water not from the radiator. To me the fuel pump being cooled by raw water will be the part that fails due to salt water corrosion and it is not a cheap part to replace. I had one replaced under warranty and was told it would have cost me about $3500, thank goodness for the warranty.

Hope this helps.

 

[Jblocker]

Thanks Andy.....I’m thinking the 275 will be our best option, even though the R7 was really nice....have you or others heard much regarding the 275? I haven’t found anyone that owns one yet.....I did hear they made some quality upgrades on the 2020 model, such as better enforcing of the tower....the 275 looked better in person than pics, but it’s still cobalt priced.

 

[Andy S]

No I haven't seen a 275, other than pictures. One thing to think about is that the Yamaha pricing is what it is, they don't negotiate but every other manufacture will. When I bought my 2016 R5 it was at the local boat show and I paid $28k below MSRP which put is about $10k to $12K above the top of the line Yamaha 24'.

 

[tabbibus]

I've seen the 275 in person. It is VERY nice. But still a Yammie with yammie "luxury" finishes. Cobalt will likely be much nicer. But can't beat the shallow water capabilities of our yammies!

 

[AmesJainchill]

No I haven't seen a 275, other than pictures. One thing to think about is that the Yamaha pricing is what it is, they don't negotiate but every other manufacture will. When I bought my 2016 R5 it was at the local boat show and I paid $28k below MSRP which put is about $10k to $12K above the top of the line Yamaha 24'.

I had no issues negotiating the price for my 2019 242 LSE in Dec '18. I thought it was Vortex (Chap jets) that had the "NAP" non-negotiable pricing?

Far as Cobalts, I love those boats! Looked at an R5 for the past couple years at the boat shows here in SE MI. Unfortunately, they start around 118-120 if I remember and quickly can option up in to the 140-150k+ range iirc, at least when I'm clicking the options list, lol. Of course you can negotiate down on those, but still a bit out of my reach.

Saw the 275 SD at the Detroit Boat Show last week and really liked it, though it's also out of my price range currently. Lots of room and seemingly more solid than it appeared on the early videos I saw from the florida shows. The dealer I bought my 242 from said that they've sold 4-5 so far between the fall and winter shows (maybe more outside the shows, don't know), so might see one out on St. Clair this year...

*edit* fixed irrc->iirc

 

[RACCAP]

I just put a deposit on a 275 SD. I live in Clearwater and plan on using it mainly on the intracoastals going to the islands for day trips.

Is this a good salt water boat?

 

[Troch1]

I just put a deposit on a 275 SD. I live in Clearwater and plan on using it mainly on the intracoastals going to the islands for day trips.

Is this a good salt water boat?

As long as it's not wet-slipped or moored in salt water, and can be flushed after every use , it's a great salt-water boat.

 

[anmut]

I just put a deposit on a 275 SD. I live in Clearwater and plan on using it mainly on the intracoastals going to the islands for day trips.

Is this a good salt water boat?

Sorry bud, but I have to chuckle a little. You just put a deposit on a 100k+ boat and now you're wondering if it's good in saltwater.
So anyway, welcome, and yes, people on the ICW seem to run Yamaha's of all different lengths. Always depends on usage.

 

[AmesJainchill]

As long as it's not wet-slipped or moored in salt water, and can be flushed after every use , it's a great salt-water boat.

Agreed. Dunno how possible it is, but sounds like avoiding running over a bunch of Sargassum is a good idea too, not that you can't clean that stuff out with the ports, but seems like it can stick in the jets from time to time.

Think I read that there were often scheduled mid-way stops on the group bimini runs to do clean outs of this stuff. ?

 

[RACCAP]

Sorry bud, but I have to chuckle a little. You just put a deposit on a 100k+ boat and now you're wondering if it's good in saltwater.
So anyway, welcome, and yes, people on the ICW seem to run Yamaha's of all different lengths. Always depends on usage.

lol

 

[Jblocker]

I just put a deposit on a 275 SD. I live in Clearwater and plan on using it mainly on the intracoastals going to the islands for day trips.

Is this a good salt water boat?

Just curious, were you able to sea trial the boat? I’m looking at the 275 also but local dealer doesn’t have one....looked it over at a boat show but very curious how it handles the chop and noise?

 

[RACCAP]

Where are you located?

No, they did not have one either. but they are getting one in March/April.

Had to go away for a week, so to hold it for me I gave them a refundable deposit till I drive it.

When I get back they do have a 275 SE for me to test drive for now though

 

[RACCAP]

I am coming up with my checklist of questions and drive tests

 

[Jblocker]

Where are you located?

No, they did not have one either. but they are getting one in March/April.

Had to go away for a week, so to hold it for me I gave them a refundable deposit till I drive it.

When I get back they do have a 275 SE for me to test drive for now though

Fla panhandle, FWB/Destin area

 

[Jblocker]

I am coming up with my checklist of questions and drive tests

I would be most curious about ride, engine noise, heavy water coming into boat from rear when slowing down (does it come into the boat), and how flimsy is the wind blocker pull down screen......

 

[swatski]

I am coming up with my checklist of questions and drive tests

Keep us posted!

—

 

[RACCAP]

Agreed. Dunno how possible it is, but sounds like avoiding running over a bunch of Sargassum is a good idea too, not that you can't clean that stuff out with the ports, but seems like it can stick in the jets from time to time.

Think I read that there were often scheduled mid-way stops on the group bimini runs to do clean outs of this stuff. ?

Anyone have any input on this

The Repeller Grate | Designed for Jet Drive Watercraft

To function properly, a jet boat must have a continuous supply of clean, debris free water. Any blockage of this flow results in a dramatic reduction in thrust. With the Repeller Grate installed, there is no stopping or back flushing. Fouling can be removed at any time and at any speed

repellergrate.com

 

[Speedling]

Anyone have any input on this

The Repeller Grate | Designed for Jet Drive Watercraft

To function properly, a jet boat must have a continuous supply of clean, debris free water. Any blockage of this flow results in a dramatic reduction in thrust. With the Repeller Grate installed, there is no stopping or back flushing. Fouling can be removed at any time and at any speed

repellergrate.com

There has been talk about it but don't know if anyone ended up contacting them to purchase. I think someone from the company actually made an account and chimed in if i recall.
Call them and see what they say!

 

[RACCAP]

Called them today but they were closed

Will call then next week and report what they say