Purchaseing sx 230

[Boyd95]

Hello everyone I am new here looking for some insight,
I am looking at a 08 Sx 230 one owner with 83 hours. The boat has all the service records from the dealer and is extremely clean. It has been shrink wrapped every winter and kept on a lift during the summer. Dealer has provided me with the compression test results when they received the boat in October of this year. Left engine (190,195,195,190) Right engine (190,190,190,190). I have owned boats in the past and I used to have a yamaha waverunner Xl1200 but this is my first jet boat. Before I pull the trigger on this boat I am hoping to get some advice/insight from people who have experince with the sx230. I have done tons of research and the reviews seem kinda love it or hate it, I have read of people saying these motors only last 5 years before needing rebuilt then others saying they last well past 1,000 hours. Also how well should I expect it to handle choppy conditions? I will be using it on the Chesapeake Bay and it can get kinda rough on the weekends. Also is it true that these engines are pretty reliable and low maintenance? When I owned my waverunner I had a really good experience with it and never left me stranded, which is why I am choosing to come back to Yamaha and give their boat a try.
Thank you

 

[Zonie]

Mine is an '05 SX230 with about 350 hours. I've been very happy with it. I think it does well in the chop but you can't trim it like an I/O so you just have to use the throttle to bring the bow up or down or to plow through the chop. Lake George can get rough but probably nothing like the Chesapeake.

 

[Bruce]

I have a 2007 SX230 which was other than perhaps color was identical to what you are looking at from the factory.

My research shows that MR-1 engines have made it to between 2,000 and 4,000 hours before needing rebuilt in rental skis.

The previous generation of two stroke engines were known for needing rebuilds.

My family has ventured out into the Gulf of Mexico or made the 58 mile Gulf Stream crossing to Bimini each of the past five years. Our SX230 handles the rough water well for its size. She is not a Blue Water boat. I would be looking for 2' or less seas for family fun days but have handled 3' to 5' seas when needed.

Adding trim tabs will make 2' to 3' seas much more comfortable.

 

[Bruce]

This was in 2 to 3 foot seas

 

[arew~SX230]

I own a 07, and I keep it on the Elk River, this will be our third season with it, and we love it. Like Bruce said, up to about 2 foot no problem. The wakes off of the bigger boats, take them at a 45 degree angle, and dip the throttles as the nose starts to rise.

 

[Boyd95]

Thanks everyone!! I appreciate the help

 

[yamahaar230honewb]

I actually have an 2006 AR230 HO. We generally take it in the Severn river. There are times where its choppy and a more uncomfortable ride but its never too bad. We mostly use it for watersports so our main issue is keeping it at a steady speed when there is wind / chop from boats. We generally don't venture out too far from Severn River...We haven't had any issues with ours yet.

 

[Beachbummer]

I am replacing my seadoo sportster 1800 with one 2008 SX230 I bought in Florida last year. I only have a few outings on mine, but my sportster was lightweight compared to this, so I'm pretty happy. Also, this is a 4cycle fuel injected motor, so easy starts and not 2cycle smoke. I'm pretty happy with mine so far. With a 2 engine boat your chances of being left stranded are much smaller are you can always limp home on one engine. The jet boats are a bit more noisy that others, but it's a trade off that does not bother me. Where are you at? I'd recommend at least riding on one so you know what you are getting into.

Good Luck!

 

[Scuba_ref]

I actually have an 2006 AR230 HO. We generally take it in the Severn river. There are times where its choppy and a more uncomfortable ride but its never too bad. We mostly use it for watersports so our main issue is keeping it at a steady speed when there is wind / chop from boats. We generally don't venture out too far from Severn River...We haven't had any issues with ours yet.

@Beachbummer We have basically the same boat, mine's a 2005. I had similar speed issues when I was not the driver. Last year I added PerfectPass to my boat and it is fantastic. No even I get a great tow!!