Looking to buy

[Chuck Lukas]

Saw the new Yamaha 190XS at the St Paul Sportsman Show. My girlfriend and I are thinking it would be a great recreation boat for local smaller lakes and rivers, and occasionally on larger lakes in Northern MN. My biggest concern is low-speed handling. Is this still a big problem with jet boats? I've driven an older Sea-Doo that was very difficult to load onto a trailer.

 

[Speedling]

Yes and no.
If you feel it is still an issue there a couple excellent solutions out there for you now.
The newer larger Yamaha boats have an articulating keel which works great. They also have slow speed something or other which helps.
Either way they have improved and for models without these enhancements like mine aftermarket fins from Cobra Fins and Thrust Vectors are both excellent choices. Both do similar things and both would have their own pluses and minuses. There is a fairly even split between the two so don't ask which is better. It's a matter of which YOU want.

Have fun with the boat!

 

[Bill D]

The low speed maneuvering of our boats takes some practice and some thinking, but I doubt any here would say it's difficult. Many owners add steering fins to help. The 190 would be great for the lakes and rivers.

 

[MrMoose]

My current jet boat is my first. I came from i/o and outboards. I'm speaking from the perspective of the new 24 foot hull, so I'm not sure how much of it translates to the shorter lengths. In some ways the new Yamaha jet boats can easily out maneuver prop boats: very tight turns at WOT where a prop would easily cavitate, extremely tight turning radius at no-wake such that the bow becomes the center of the circle. The big negative is that reverse is only useful for stopping forward motion. Steering in reverse is minimal. Steering without forward thrust is also minimal.

 

[Ronnie]

I think all new Yamaha jet boats have an articulating keel / rudder now (which were first introduced on the 240s and fsh a few years ago). This supposedly greatly improved straight line tracking and low speed maneuverability. If you still want better performance, as others have already stated, you can purchase fins which attach to the steering nozzle from Cobra jet (which help in reverse as well if you get the optional "fangs") or jet boat pilot for about $200 (not even a rounding error where boat related purchases are concerned).

 

[haknslash]

In regards to slow speed handling, it all depends on the year boat. The new Yamaha's now all have the articulating keel or rudder systems which for my 192 has been pretty easy to get used to. Older boats you can get fins to help. I don't have a hard time loading the boat and I boat solo quite often so there is no helping hand. I usually boat on a river which has dams and current at times. Best thing I did was get some trailer guides because there isn't much draft on these boats and current or wind can move them around even with fins, so having the extra help from the trailer guides is a big plus but that goes for any boat. I use No Wake Mode if there is some current and simply use the first detent on Forward and Reverse to keep the boat in check without a lot of work as it still keeps No Wake Mode engaged. These boats need thrust to maneuver so using No Wake Mode helps IMO and keeps things at a sensible speed with control. Best of luck in your boat searching!

 

[Julian]

Best bet....try before you buy so there are no surprises. All of the long time members here are well versed in driving a jet boat....so of course we'll say....."No problem!". I honestly don't recall anyone that posted that they were getting an outboard or Sterndrive because of the difference in steering.....the primary reasons I've heard were:

1. My lake was too weedy for a jet
2. I want to boat in the ocean or wavy conditions
3. I want a wake boat that throws a massive wave and has wave tuning add ons

 

[Bruce]

The current 190 model has a rudder. You will not have any issues with low speed steering. If you want even greater low speed steering add a set of fins to the rudder.

 

[Chuck Lukas]

Thanks to all for your replies. Sounds pretty much like the saleman was saying about the steering; but it's nice to get some affirmation. You are correct that I need to try it out before I buy, but that's tough to do in MN this time of year! Looks like I'll have to wait few months ...or head down south for a test drive!

 

[stever40]

What lakes are you looking at locally? River Valley is a great dealer. Were you working with Garrett?

 

[Chuck Lukas]

We talked to Nate at River Valley, nice guy. Probably Coon Lake, Ham Lake, Lake George, Martin Lake, etc. I know Coon might be too weedy for a jet boat though.We also like the Forest Lake / White Bear areas.

 

[blacksapphirez]

19 practically skims on top of the water... its light, fast enough(upper 40's), and fits in the garage.

downside is in any moderate chop(bay or ocean) it will be a rough ride...

 

[Devildog]

We upgraded to a jet last year from an i/o, so I'm not a long time jet boat owner. Honestly, we could hardly tell the difference in steering, etc. Very happy with our purchase and can't wait to get it out of storage in the Spring .

 

[haknslash]

My father drove my boat when I first got it and he has never had jet boat experience or hardly any PWC experience. He comes from an outboard and had zero issues driving my boat.

 

[JTC1016]

Last summer was my first full summer with my '16 AR240 coming from i/o. I had no issues with handling. Like anything else, you have to practice a little and get used to it, but by the middle of the summer I was docking at restaurants in places others with similar sized boats turned down because they were too tight. I do use the two jets for maneuvering a lot though. I think the 190 is a single so that might make a difference. I would definitely try to test drive it first.

 

[OCMD]

Buy a used twin engine. More boat (much more boat); more room, and more power for the same buck and you won't regret next year when you realize "Damn, I need more room" or "Damn, I should have purchased a twin engine." Yamaha's are bulletproof so don't sweat a used one. Over the years I have purchased 2 used ones and have not looked back. Let someone else eat the depreciation. There are plenty for sale on this forum or the other. Just be patient. A smart boat shopper (and there are plenty on this sight) once said "Buy your second boat first." Pay the top freight for a brand new single engine and one year from now you will be saying..."Yep. I should have bought my second boat first" as you are stuck trying to sell a one year old 190.

 

[Earfixr]

If you understand vectored thrust and with a little practice you'll look like a pro in no time. I have the 190FSH which I believe is the same hull as the boat you're looking at. I find it easier than my old outboard because of less prop torque especially in reverse. Its also much easier and faster with forward-reverse changes with no gear box to get in the way. I'd suggest a test drive for sure before buying anything.

 

[Eric Ballard]

For me I hate the CLUNK sound of a non jet boat going into and out of gear. It just sounds like it hurts something.

Love my 2016 SX190 - especially with Thrust Vectors!

 

[Master-Spud]

Buy a used twin engine. More boat (much more boat); more room, and more power for the same buck and you won't regret next year when you realize "Damn, I need more room" or "Damn, I should have purchased a twin engine." Yamaha's are bulletproof so don't sweat a used one. Over the years I have purchased 2 used ones and have not looked back. Let someone else eat the depreciation. There are plenty for sale on this forum or the other. Just be patient. A smart boat shopper (and there are plenty on this sight) once said "Buy your second boat first." Pay the top freight for a brand new single engine and one year from now you will be saying..."Yep. I should have bought my second boat first" as you are stuck trying to sell a one year old 190.

Hint hint lol

https://jetboaters.net/threads/2014-212x-for-sale.12167/

 

[OCMD]

@Chuck Lukas you just found your boat, above. Again, this is a forum for extremely knowledgable jet boat owners (mainly Yamaha) and we are not here to sell other member's boats. But when we see a deal we will let you know. This 212X is a great buy and you will not look back. Compare to a new 190, which you will be looking to sell after one season at a huge loss because you will regret not buying your second boat first? It would be worth it to ship it (I bought 2 Yamahas and shipped them) or make the long haul. You won't regret a 212X.