Looking at Yamaha and scarab. What size 19' 21'

[Brad Dunn]

We are new to boating. Have a old 17 Larson with 3 litre. Want to upgrade. Looking at scarab and Yamaha. Leaning towards scarab. We would like to go on long day boat rides on a large lake once in a while plus go enjoy water sports on our small lakes. Would like to beach boat sometimes. We have not wake surfed but seems to be the in thing so would be nice to beagle to do that. Found a great deal on a 2016 195 impulse with ballast. But will this boat do the trick or do we need to get the 215. Will the 195 still get the job done with a full load. ? We won't always have it loaded up but want it to do the job when needed. Thanks for any opinions. The 195 is 52000 and the 215 is about 80000. Found a 2015 Yamaha 212 for $75000.

 

[captras]

Those prices are high. Just bought a 2016 242 Limited SE with a galvanized trailer for $69000 (drive out $75,000) with 4 year bumper to bumper warranty! A 242X was about $5000 more, only difference was the ballast. I believe the Yamaha, Chaparral, and Scarab are all good boats, but have read more negatives about the Scarab than the other 2. Scarab and Chaparral have the same engines and more engine options. I didn't want to have to do turbocharger rebuilds after 200 hours, and was part of my decision, plus Yamaha has been in the jetboat business longer. These are my opinions, not a slam on any of them....they are all beautiful boats!

 

[Bruce]

MSRP on a 2016 212X is $50K.

Many suggest buying your second boat first. My family bought an inexpensive 19' older Yamaha to try out jet boating then a year later we sold her and upgraded to a 23' Yamaha. We were not hurt financially in that exchange as we had purchased a much older boat and did not loose out in the sale. But many buy a new smaller boat then decide to upgrade a year or two later which becomes painful to the wallet.

 

[OrangeTJ]

Are you in Canada? That's the only way those prices might make sense.

I have no experience with the Scarab, but based on my Yamaha experience I do not hesitate to recommend a Yamaha. Given what you want to do with the boat, I'd lean heavily toward a 21 footer if the financial side of the equation doesn't hurt too badly. You might also want to look at the Chaparral 223, either VR or VRX. Beautiful and classy boats.

 

[Sean Clements]

I recently bought a 2016 Scarab 215 HO Impulse Wake Edition. It is a nice boat but I wish I would have bought a Yamaha. I think the features, clean out ports and fit & finish are better on the Yamaha's. I am looking to upgrade to a 242X...

 

[Bennie]

@Brad Dunn - I must concur with everything stated above.

1. Those prices sure do seem high - where are you located
2. You mentioned "beach boating" are you referring to open water boating? If so I highly recommend the larger boat. We have a 24' and still get that "small boat, big ocean feel" (we boat in the Gulf of Mexico)
3. I have zero experience with Scarab, and only know of Chap from when we checked them out (quite extensively) prior to deciding on our Yamaha. A few things leaned me towards the Yam: apr of 2.99%, extended warranty, clean out ports, ease of self maintenance.

Hope this helps out some. Anyway it goes - you're going to have a blast. Enjoy!!

 

[Brad Dunn]

Yes they are Canadian prices. Out the door. Yes the 25000 extra for a a the bigger boat will hurt but don't want to buy a boat that won't work well for me as well. What have you not liked about the scarab that makes you wish you bought a Yamaha ?

 

[Rob9550]

I started with an AR192 for 3 months and then bought an AR240. I also didn't lose any on the deal but wished I would have bought my 2nd boat 1st.

 

[Sean Clements]

Yes they are Canadian prices. Out the door. Yes the 25000 extra for a a the bigger boat will hurt but don't want to buy a boat that won't work well for me as well. What have you not liked about the scarab that makes you wish you bought a Yamaha ?

My center section of my windshield shifted the second day out. The dealer has fixed it twice temporarily while waiting to hear back from Scarab. No word after two weeks...While I am comparing the larger 242x to the 215, I just feel they are built better. They feel more substantial, better features, hinged cushions, included touch screen, much nicer bimini, dual batteries, locking glove box, articulating keel, clean out ports. If my marina sold Yamaha's I never would have considered the Scarab.