Advice: 190/195 changes through the years.

[flowjet]

Hi all. I am wanting to buy a 19' Yamaha boat. Are there any changes through the years of 190/195 production? Any years to avoid? Or, are they all the same?

 

[white2kstang]

Not sure about the older years, but the 2019 models did get a hull redesign and some refinements. They are also the first year compatible with the new 19ft wakebooster if you're looking for that for surfing.

 

[Compatico]

Hi all. I am wanting to buy a 19' Yamaha boat. Are there any changes through the years of 190/195 production? Any years to avoid? Or, are they all the same?

Hi @flowjet I'm not that well versed with older models as I didn't even think about or look at jet boats until a few years ago. So my info may not be 100%. I'll try to stick with recent technical changes to the boat design itself and leave accessories to those in the know.

So as with any vehicle, for the road or the water, there are often changes over the years - mostly good where small improvements are made. I'll tackle it in reverse. For 2020 Yamaha added a new model, the 195s with upgraded features over the AR195 model, yet the hull and deck design remains the same. And as white2kstang stated, 2019 brought a longer, wider hull with softer strakes and less bowrise. Interior was changed to improve center walk through flow and moved the table to the starboard side - out of the way (some like this, others don't). 2019 also added a redesigned reverse bucket with lateral thrust to improve low speed handling in reverse and around docks, etc. There were a few electrical upgrades as well. 2017 brought the AK or Articulating Keel which is essentially a rudder linked to the jet nozzle for additional steering control on and off power. I think the interior was improved with better/softer materials and more fluid colour lines inside that year as well. Add to that a switch from analog gauges to digital display on some models. 2015 (I think) is the year Yamaha changed the series from 190/192 to 190/195 and went with a forward swept tower on the 195 for wake sports and the bimini. This is about the time the supercharger system was improved with a larger intercooler and some other tweaks (hence the dramatic 195 number change) to improve "heat soak" issues and more performance. Around this same time the jet pump venturi size was increased to 160mm for improved thrust and performance to help get the improved power to the water. This may have been the year Yamaha changed their source to Shoreland'r trailers too. And in the last few years several improvements or design specs have been improved on these trailer specs (not counting the bow roller for power-loaders) such as a redesigned winch tower with more strength/rigidity.

Depending on year and model, there are some other minor changes. But if you're looking at more recent model years, to purchase, I think anything from 2017 up is a good choice as that's where you get the AK, nicer interior and fluid design lines. 2019 just made all that better with lateral thrust, bigger and wider hull with more room.

So I guess it all depends on what you want, or what you're looking for in a boat.

 

[haknslash]

2016 was first year of AK and also first year of timing chain upgrades. I think 2015 was first year of bow center back cushion. Mainly anything prior to the 2019 models was minor improvements to graphics, interior vinyl, etc. 2019+ is the hull redesign and revised reverse bucket. 2017 is when the SVHO engine was introduced to the boats effectively turning the model into a 195 from 192.

 

[d_coyne1984]

There have only been a few major changes since the models introduction. I believe the first model year was 2013. The first major change was the change from the over-the-windshield style tower to the arch style tower for the AR192 in 2016. The next big change was the replacement of the SHO engine with the SVHO engine in 2017 and they renamed the model the SX/AR195. The most current big change was the model redesign for 2019.

The only major thing you might want to be aware of is affecting the 2013-2015 engines which have a very minor occurrence of timing chain failures, but if it fails, the engine is toast. I think somebody did the math once and it affects like 1% of the 1.8l Yamaha motors. One thing that is good to note is that the AR192 only uses regular 89 fuel. The 195 requires premium and these are relatively thirsty boats when supercharged. That said I would take the supercharged engine over the NA engine every time. You will be very glad you have the power if you want to tow anything.

I loved my AR192, but they really nailed it with the redesign. The wider beam makes a huge difference in the interior. They made a lot of subtle but very functional improvements. Hinged seats for example. The only thing I wish they would have kept was the seat in place of the table spot, but that area would be very nice for a cooler. I always kept two soft sided coolers in the floor space of my AR192 so that nobody needed to get moved from their seat to get at them. I am a huge fan of the port bench seat over the captains chair personally. The extra seating space is ideal since most people will want to sit in the back with the group and the space underneath is ideal for shoes and the ladies purses/ beach bags.

My vote would be to go for the 2019+ model if you can afford it. You may be able to find a deal on a left over 2019 model. Quite often people will buy a 19' boat and then quickly realize that they really need a 21'+ to fit their needs and sell the next season, so that can be great for people who want a 19' boat. Make sure you consider that though before you buy. 6 adults is about the most you will want comfortably in the 190/192/195.

 

[Maccam26]

My family uses a 2019 SX190 and love that it uses regular 87 octane and its really fairly economical. We are usually only the 3 of us so size for us was excellent and it fits in my garage. We use the tow hook for wake boarding as none of us are looking to jump waves. Plenty of towing power for us but all of us are small in stature. We love the storage capacity and layout.

 

[Jonnyspeed]

A couple things to note that were important to us: 1. the 2017-2018 SX195 are the fastest stock 19' boats. The redesign in 2019 changed the hull design. It gained some interior space bust lost about 4-5mph top end speed. Also, it is a few inches longer on the trailer which was a problem for us with our garage. For those reasons as well as a lower price we bought a left-over 2018 last year. We are very happy with it.