Warnings/advice on 2005 sx230?

[AZDANSX230HO]

Would you mind if I added that comment to the FAQ? I can always remove it if it becomes a hassle...

Nope, glad to help out anyone here on the forum.

 

[Julian]

Nope, glad to help out anyone here on the forum.

FAQ has been updated! Thanks Dan! https://jetboaters.net/faq/how-can-i-look-up-the-nada-price-of-my-yamaha.92/

 

[dalcini]

You guys are awesome. I can't believe how many people have chimed in to give advice!
@Julian, thanks for the excellent buyer's checklist. I'll be using this for any boats I consider (hopefully all local!)
@AZDANSX230HO, thanks for sharing retail value from your subscription from NADAguides Connect.
@Bruce, here is a link to the ad. Honestly, this boat looks immaculate from the pictures, but as you all know, things could always be different in person.
http://www.wilsonboats.com/2005-yamaha-sx230-inventory.htm?id=1374079&in-stock=1

...it looks like there must be an offer on the boat, because the ad now says "pending" instead of showing a price. Oh well. Maybe I'll have enough time to save up and get into something with HO's. Besides, "the boss" at home is concerned that I'm moving too quickly on this. (yeah, but I want a boat already!)

 

[Bruce]

She does appear to be in great condition!

 

[AZDANSX230HO]

@dalcini Are you located in Michigan?

 

[dalcini]

Yes I am. Near Rochester.

 

[AZDANSX230HO]

Yes I am. Near Rochester.

Go to www.searchtempest.com put in your zip code, search x amount of miles, select Boats, then Yamaha, this site automatically searches every Craigslist area within your search criteria. You can find your potential new boat this way. Hopefully close to home!

 

[dalcini]

@swatski, BTW - thanks for posting that link - I just saw it. That's a great idea for refreshing older boats!

 

[dalcini]

@AZDANSX230HO - thanks, I'll check it out. Up to now, I've been using an iPhone app for multi-area Craigslist searches. This will help.

 

[Gym]

@dalcini. You didn't mention much about your boating experrience. New boater vs experrienced, number of people in your family, kids age ranges & average or max numbers of people you would expect to be boating with. These issues would help you narrow down the best choice for you. In any event, anytime kids are involved I find the propless jet boats a safe solution.

This is the time of the year to get your best deal on a boat. The hardest part will be buying one now and waiting till next season to enjoy it.

 

[dalcini]

@Gym, very true.
For most of my young life (roughly a 25 year span), I was a self designated "boat leach". My dad, two brothers, 5 friends, and and 1 brother-in-law all had boats on St. Clair. I spent most of that time on one of two offshore boats: my brother's Formula 311, or my buddy's 42 fountain. My job was to bring food, beer, and occasionally pay for gas when they weren't looking (ouch!). All said, it was a great deal! I took the U.S. Power Squadron class (http://www.usps.org/edonline/) twice - although that was over 25 years ago - and owned a stand up jet-ski for about 5 years back in the early 90's.

So fast-forward about 10 years, I'm now married with two kids, 5 and 2 and miss boating and all my boat friends (almost all of which still have boats). I had an opportunity to take my wife and kids for a short ride on my buddies Sugar Sand a few months back and they loved it. So the wheels in my head immediately began turning.

Basically, my family of four would be the most common crew, but I could see wanting to take up to four more with us occasionally (many friends with 1 to 2 kids as well). A 21-23 foot jet boat seems like a great (and child-safe) way to see if my family likes boating, and maybe some day move up to something bigger. Heck, the way things are going, some of the bigger boats might be jets in 5 years!

 

[Gym]

@Gym, very true.
For most of my young life (roughly a 25 year span), I was a self designated "boat leach". My dad, two brothers, 5 friends, and and 1 brother-in-law all had boats on St. Clair. I spent most of that time on one of two offshore boats: my brother's Formula 311, or my buddy's 42 fountain. My job was to bring food, beer, and occasionally pay for gas when they weren't looking (ouch!). All said, it was a great deal! I took the U.S. Power Squadron class (http://www.usps.org/edonline/) twice - although that was over 25 years ago - and owned a stand up jet-ski for about 5 years back in the early 90's.

So fast-forward about 10 years, I'm now married with two kids, 5 and 2 and miss boating and all my boat friends (almost all of which still have boats). I had an opportunity to take my wife and kids for a short ride on my buddies Sugar Sand a few months back and they loved it. So the wheels in my head immediately began turning.

Basically, my family of four would be the most common crew, but I could see wanting to take up to four more with us occasionally (many friends with 1 to 2 kids as well). A 21-23 foot jet boat seems like a great (and child-safe) way to see if my family likes boating, and maybe some day move up to something bigger. Heck, the way things are going, some of the bigger boats might be jets in 5 years!

Well, I see you're very well versed in boating so that cuts out a lot of Newbie crap. I've had a 2006 SX230 HO for 6 seasons now and love it. I boat exclusively in the ocean around Cape Cod & Martha's Vineyard. Although these boats are fairly light they handle the ocean pretty well so I think you'll be well served in your choices in the catagory you are looking.

If you check our user map there are probably several members in your area that may be willing to help check out a boat you are looking at. Hopefully you & family will be on the water by late spring.

 

[dalcini]

Thanks @Gym. I'm looking forward to a casual search this winter. I've got to sell a car in the spring to pay for the boat so I may not be ready to buy until sometime in the summer.