Our new '17 212X fits in the garage!

[GoVols01]

Big shoutout to Tims Ford Powersports! This baby just barely fits the garage! I worked very hard with the dealer to ensure it would fit before we bought it. The dealer disconnected the tower's retention straps and then made me a custom height stand to rest the tower on while it's collapsed. As a result, I have about 2.5" of height clearance to spare from the 95" opening!

The boat is produced at Yamaha's plant in Vonore, TN. Our tow vehicle, a '17 Pathfinder, is assembled in Smyrna, TN while it's engine is produced in Decherd, TN. Our dealer is located in Winchester, TN, which is where Tims Ford Lake is located as well. So, we're doing our part to support Tennessee's economy!

 

[haknslash]

Is that an 8' garage door?

Did they not have a cable instead of strap? If it's a cable with threaded end like on the 19' towers you can make an extension for it basically removing the need for a stand. This is how I did it on my boat https://jetboaters.net/threads/how-to-get-your-2016-ar192-or-ar195-in-a-garage-less-than-7.10369/

 

[GoVols01]

You're right, it is a cable, but Yamaha technically refers to it as a strap. Eventually, I may get around to putting and extension on it, but I'm just happy to finally have the boat and have it in the garage at this point. Thanks for the instructions!

 

[haknslash]

I'm not familiar with the design of the larger boat towers. I used a stand on mine for a while and eventually got around to doing the extension. As long as it fits in the garage is all that matters !! Garage boating is great!

 

[Nauticajetter]

@GoVols01 , sorry for being off subject but you mentioned you towed with a 17 pathfinder. How does she do pulling the boat? We have a 24 footer but it sits under the 6K rating they give the vehicle. We have a trip coming up where the diesel will have to pull the trailer so the pathfinder might be on boat duty and I am still concerned pulling on a vehicle with a CVT so close the the max tow rating. Any thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated.

Nice looking boat btw!

 

[GoVols01]

I was weary of towing with the CVT as well, but it does a good job. Hell, it gets better fuel mileage than my ’09 Titan did when towing the boat! For the ’17 model year, Nissan increased horsepower and tweaked the suspension to increase tow rating from 5.5K up to 6K pounds. My 19’ Regal was only 400 pounds lighter than my 212X and I pulled it with a 15 Pathfinder with no problems. I trailer the boat to 4 different lakes throughout the season, but our 2 favorite lakes are a little over an hour’s drive - 1 by interstate, the other is mixed interstate and backroads. What’s more, both of our Pathfinders have been front wheel drive and I’ve had no problem at any of the boat ramps, even the steep ones. If you’re going to tow your 24’, I’d highly recommend doing so with the boat’s fuel tank empty and cleaning out most of the clutter from the boat’s storage lockers. I think you’ll be fine.

 

[Blenderhead]

@GoVols01 - nice to see you pulled the trigger on the 212X!!

 

[GoVols01]

We took the boat out and tooled around on it a bit Saturday after we just bought it. We cruised for a bit and then just floated while watching the kids swim. At that point we really appreciated the stern layout of the boat. Our old boat had not back rests or speakers in the back of the boat, so we were very happy with it. There's a couple of things I need to tinker with to fix, but nothing serious.

We were both impressed with the ride quality of the 212X as well. I read several complaints about bumpy ride quality across the chop and wakes, but this boat takes them like a tank compared to our old 19' and 18' boats we've owned - we're impressed. Only got to joy ride for 1.5 hours before bad weather forecasts and warnings drove us off the lake. I towed the boat home through some rain at one point and then stuffed it in the garage just before the bottom fell out of the sky. She's safe and sound in the garage and drying off.

I'm already looking at JBP's extra SeaDec mats to put in various areas of the boat as well as researching the Thrust Vectors vs. the Cobra Fins.

 

[haknslash]

Glad to hear the first trip out went well. Is your garage door an 8' opening?

 

[Blenderhead]

I can definitely endorse the JBP SeaDec mats. They add great value during wakesurfing events giving the spotter good traction on the stern of the boat. Also, do Crobra fins if you are going to add a Wake Wedge later on.

 

[GoVols01]

Haknslash,
Yes, our garage door is 8', but you lose 1" due to the door seal at the top, so my height is 95".

Blenderhead,
Do you have the Cobra Venom Magnum AK with the Fangs? It's advertised as improves reverse steering. What say you?

 

[Blenderhead]

@GoVols01 - I am very impressed with the Cobra AKs, I was also impressed with the Thrust Vectors but switched to accommodate my Wake Wedge as mentioned previously.... both provided enormous improvements to both forward and reverse steering. The main difference I have noticed between the AK's and the TV's is now the boat steers like a stern drive and tracks like an arrow at high speed vs. with the TV's you could get sideways and do 360's like a jetski at speed. I like the AK's better now as it allows the boat to really "track" when pulling a skier or tube.

 

[GoVols01]

Here's a picture of the clearance I have getting my 212x into my 8' garage. LOL!

 

[cmn1882]

I really want a 242 limited s e-series, but if I can get a 212 limited s to fit into my garage it could change my mind. I am in Hermitage, TN. Would you mind if I came down ant took a look at your boat in your garage and take some measurements? Also, why did you buy from Tim's Ford Powersports instead of Anderson marine?

Thanks,

Corey

 

[LukePrinsloo]

Mind sharing how deep your garage is for people in the future? (and how much distance is left after the boat is in and clear of the door?)
i have a ~24' deep garage with a 10' high door but my funky driveway precludes parking a boat in there unless I borrow another idea I've seen and buy a winch.

 

[GoVols01]

My garage is 23' deep. When the 212X is in the garage and the tongue is folded, I have ~6" between the trailer and the garage door.

My house is on a 90' wide lot and my driveway runs 2' up to the edge, so I have little room to maneuver the trailer into the garage. I have to turn the trailer 90 degrees from the street onto the driveway and then 90 degrees again to get into the garage. My passenger side of my truck is normally in the grass as I perform this act. My neighbor told me the 1st time I met them that there's nothing more that she loves than watching the art of me backing our boat into the garage.

Sometimes I'm able to get the boat all the way into the garage with the truck, other times I disconnect it once it's 90 degrees to the garage and then use my powered dolly to push it the rest of the way into the garage. If you check craigslist, you find them occasionally, but be prepared to spend ~$500. Powered dollys can't turn the tandem axle trailers 90 degrees - you need a 4 wheeler, lawnmower, or car to do that part, but the powered dolly will push it forward and backwards and do long sweeping turns.

 

[LukePrinsloo]

Test

• LukePrinsloo
• Apr 20, 2018

I've got a similar problem, only 130 degree turn to get into the garage. I've thought of pulling past and then using a winch to drag the boat in...
I just have to decide if a 24' or so garage is going to limit me to a 210 or pay 50 bucks a month and park a 240 outside.

 

[GoVols01]

$50 a month to park on an open lot is pretty darn cheap. When we built our house, we added 4' to the garage and made it an 8' door height, so boats will fit. My 212 fits like a glove! Personally, I wouldn't store a boat outside in the elements. If you need to, at least get a covered parking spot and buy the most expensive and quality cover you can get your hands on. I enjoy having the boat in the garage where I can easily work on it. Hauling all my tools to a storage space would be a PITA. You also need to worry about access to electricity for powering tools and battery tenders too. I actually enjoy trailering it. With practice, it becomes second nature.

For your house/garage, you should be able to get the boat 90 degrees to the garage and then use a powered dolly to push the boat in the rest of the way.