Hicklin’s Marine Boat Show - Polk City, IA

[Acard7]

We made the trip to the only Yamaha Dealer in Iowa, which I didn’t know existed, and it’s only 2 hours from us. So we finally got to look at the 25ft models. Man was I blown away by how much room those new hulls have. Felt like a monster compared to our AR230 and it’s only 1.5ft longer, but the beam is much wider throughout the entire length of the boat.

We looked at a 222S, 222XD, SX250, 252S, and a 252SD; also looked at the floating living rooms they had, but we will let my wife’s mom continue owning a tritoon. The 22’ models definitely felt like they had more room than our AR230, but we knew we wanted the 25s. I had looked online at all features long before and felt the 252S fit us, because I didn’t feel the price jump for the SE or SD was worth it. Kept telling the wife the more technology the less likely I can fix it on my own.

As we left the wife then started getting boat fever…… Told her it was between saving for a lake house (Fall 2026) and Mexico trip (Feb 2026) or we buy a boat and both get pushed back a couple years. Ofcourse she didn’t take long to decide that We just paid off the AR230 too

So now I will be calling Monday to inquire on financing, trade in possibility, and the price because they are way too high for a 2024 252S when they want to get rid of it. They want 91k, I’ve seen a 25 252S at wonderland marine for the same price and a 24 252S at river valley for 80k. So target price would be less than or equal to 80k. A drive to Michigan or Minnesota would be worth it if we can’t get the price down.

Below are some pics, the girls were excited to go to the boat show for sure. Our oldest told me, “Dad, why did we bring the jeep up here, we can’t pull a boat home with it.”

 

[tdonoughue]

Smart kid...

 

[Acard7]

Update…. Contacted a River Valley Marine out of Rochester, MN, today since they were the best price of the three that had the boat we’d like. Talked on the phone first and then had a video call to go over the boat, although the one we’d buy would still be wrapped. Happy I called though, seems like a good deal for this 2024 252SE we looked at. If buying new (whether it be 2024 or 2025) Yamaha extended their engine warranty to 3 years instead of 1, and then components warranty was also 3 years at no extra charge. A cover would be included with a purchase of a new boat. No prep or freight fee, just a documentation fee. They’d store it for free as well until we were ready to get it too.

I’ll be interested to see more pricing documents because I questioned (almost interrogated) the dealer guy over and over about how isn’t there other fees (other than tax, title, license). We put a deposit down so here go everyone Told the wife if we don’t like what we see we can always walk away, much harder for her than me though!

 

[jcb1977]

The big surprise is usually the dealer prep and freight number. The 3 year warranty is nice. Only got one when I bought mine a year ago. I purchased the additional 4 years for a total of 5 on the yes warranty.

 

[Acard7]

The big surprise is usually the dealer prep and freight number. The 3 year warranty is nice. Only got one when I bought mine a year ago. I purchased the additional 4 years for a total of 5 on the yes warranty.

How have you enjoyed the new 1.9L engines? Not a ton of videos online, I’ve read most of the threads on here though about them being quieter. Coming from MR1s I know it will be very noticeable in noise reduction.

 

[jcb1977]

How have you enjoyed the new 1.9L engines? Not a ton of videos online, I’ve read most of the threads on here though about them being quieter. Coming from MR1s I know it will be very noticeable in noise reduction.

the 1.9L's are great.....I came from the TR-1 and noticed a significant reduction in noise while also significant more HP. I was only able to see about max 7,200 rpm's in the first season. I played with oil levels and throttle adjustment a little last year but need to do more this coming season to see if I can find the extra 500RPM's or so. even still, i was seeing about 48/49mph top end with full tank and 2 adults/2 kids.

 

[MNJets]

My wife & I upgraded from a 2019 212X to a 2024 222XD about a year ago. We put quite a few hours on the new boat this past summer. Although we didn't purchase the new boat at River Valley Marine in Red Wing, MN they did provide the recall services (Trailer bunks & Connext screen issues). I was very happy with their service and I hope you have similar experiences. The 1.9L's are quieter and provide a bit more A$$ to pull me out of the water when slaloming. The amount of additional room in the 222XD compared to older 212X is significant with the new hull design. I'm only touching on a few of the significant items and we're overall happy with the upgrade.

 

[Acard7]

My wife & I upgraded from a 2019 212X to a 2024 222XD about a year ago. We put quite a few hours on the new boat this past summer. Although we didn't purchase the new boat at River Valley Marine in Red Wing, MN they did provide the recall services (Trailer bunks & Connext screen issues). I was very happy with their service and I hope you have similar experiences. The 1.9L's are quieter and provide a bit more A$$ to pull me out of the water when slaloming. The amount of additional room in the 222XD compared to older 212X is significant with the new hull design. I'm only touching on a few of the significant items and we're overall happy with the upgrade.

Ya I was very leery contacting River Valley Marine, based off online reviews you basically have a 50/50 chance whether it will be good or bad. I did seek out David who has had great reviews as part of their sales team, and he has been awesome when it comes to communication. We will see numbers tomorrow I believe, since their boat show was last weekend and the finance dept has been busy. And I will make sure the connext screen issue has been resolved before we pick up, one would assume it has! The wife and I have outstanding credit and great debt to income ratio so not really worried about not being able to purchase, but more worried about what will be all included and what I have to make sure is in writing for the initial agreement with the sales guy. The new hull design is amazing how much more room you get, the 252 we sat in felt massive compared to our AR230 for sure. I will say we won't be using River Valley for service or recalls though, we have two dealerships closer with the closest being 2 hours away, and River Valley is 5 hours from us!

 

[MNJets]

Agree on service at River Valley Marine - makes no sense with the relative convenience you have in WI. I negotiated a few items when I purchased the new boat - a new fluke anchor that fits the locker, stainless chain and 100' of rope was one of the better items I received. Certainly verify the Connext screen has been updated / software fix because that truly is a safety concern. The screen would shut off causing a full loss of control - no engines, no steering. I had it occur 5-7 times last year but fortunately we were only surfing. But an inexperienced surfer could easily hit the boat when it stops unexpectedly. I cannot remember if the trailer bunks on the 25' boats were covered under a repair service (not a recall due to no immediate safety concern). Sorry I don't have the details on the 25' trailers; I was upset enough over the above 2 items that needed fixing last year on the 22' boat.

 

[Igetwet]

Congrats. Smart wife and kids! It really is a blessing to have a family that loves the boating lifestyle. We’ll hands down take the relatively short WI summer on a boat over a week vacation

 

[Acard7]

Congrats. Smart wife and kids! It really is a blessing to have a family that loves the boating lifestyle. We’ll hands down take the relatively short WI summer on a boat over a week vacation

I know for sure the kids will look back on all the time we spent on the boat for sure. The oldest thinks we should keep the AR230, which I’m sure it’s sentimental to her since we’ve had it since she was 3 and now she will be 8 this year. Time is definitely a thief, because the kids are growing up way too fast.

 

[IA_210SX]

If you are in SW Iowa, give All Seasons PowerSports in Yankton, SD a shot. They were always fair with me and even though I went back to a prop I’d give them first chance for a jet boat.

 

[Acard7]

If you are in SW Iowa, give All Seasons PowerSports in Yankton, SD a shot. They were always fair with me and even though I went back to a prop I’d give them first chance for a jet boat.

I looked at their prices and they were about 8-10k more than river valley, definitely inquired there but river valley was willing to give the best deal! Thanks though!

 

[Madman]

I looked at their prices and they were about 8-10k more than river valley, definitely inquired there but river valley was willing to give the best deal! Thanks though!

Congrats on the new boat. We bought our first boat from River Valley in 2010. Since that boat was so reliable and easy to maintain, I don’t have any experience with their service department. However, when I had a question or request, they took good care of us. Saw them last weekend at the MN Boat Show and learned our new boat arrived! Looking forward to spring!

 

[Acard7]

Congrats on the new boat. We bought our first boat from River Valley in 2010. Since that boat was so reliable and easy to maintain, I don’t have any experience with their service department. However, when I had a question or request, they took good care of us. Saw them last weekend at the MN Boat Show and learned our new boat arrived! Looking forward to spring!

They have been nothing but great so far for the process of buying a boat from them. David from sales told me they sold over 10 million dollars worth at the boat show this year!! We can't wait for Spring as well!!