Yamaha?

[ironexecutioner]

I stopped in at the Yamaha dealership today and talked to them about the AR210. I have never owned a boat and wouldn't purchase my first one new. My purchase of a boat would be with the intent of watersports (tubing, skiing, wakeboarding) and leisure use. Not a big fisher.

I am concerned with maintenance. I have heard many people say that after the purchase is when the expenses add up. I am curious as to what I could expect in this area. I don't mind spending money, just like to be prepared. I am going to use it primarily in fresh water, but would like to know what kind of a difference it would make if used in salt water from time to time?

Am I looking at an appropriate boat for my wishes? What other boats/models would be recommended for what I want, perhaps that have good track records in regards to reliability?

I know this is a loaded post but I have wanted a boat for years and want to take the steps to pulling that trigger.. In an Educated fashion.

 

[Sikiguya]

Re: Yamaha?

Prop guys outnumber jet boat guys here probably 10 to 1. I would definitely suggest you sea trial one before. You will love jet boats. They are very simple to operate and the lack of prop is safety feature. Yamaha boats are neat in their layout...but I prefer the closed loop cooling system. Salt water use just require that you connect a hose and flush. I would be more apt to look at Seadoo with the closed loope cooling if you plan on using it in salt water.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Yamaha?

I have seen alot of those boat but can't tell you much about them other than they look like a blast and Yamaha and good engines are synonymous.

And the difference between closed loop and open is the open system circulates the water you are in through te engine, so if you are in salt water it is running through the engine passages.

A closed loop has a heat exchanger and a sealed cooling system so the water you are in is only circulated through the exchanger and never enters the engine, just like your car only cooled by water instead of air.

 

[ironexecutioner]

Re: Yamaha?

Prop guys outnumber jet boat guys here probably 10 to 1. I would definitely suggest you sea trial one before. You will love jet boats. They are very simple to operate and the lack of prop is safety feature. Yamaha boats are neat in their layout...but I prefer the closed loop cooling system. Salt water use just require that you connect a hose and flush. I would be more apt to look at Seadoo with the closed loope cooling if you plan on using it in salt water.

Do the number of prop guys outnumber jet guys because of their intended use? or for other reasons? Whats the best way to go about sea trialing one? So if I use the boat ONLY for fresh water, an open loop is fine but salt water is where that turns south?

 

[Sikiguya]

Re: Yamaha?

On this forum, it is a lot of folks who have always had a prop and don't ever see a reason to try a jet boat. Most of people's impression are the jet boats from the 90's where they were somewhat glorified jetskis. Today's jet boats are legitimate watercraft that are a blast. I love the simplicity of use. I am a new boat owner and after being out half a dozen times, it is definite the type of boat for me. The big pluses.

1. No prop(kids swimming off the back)
2. Instant thrust(power is unbelieveable)
3. Little or no bow rise when you throttle hard
4. Manueveurability(I can literally spin the boat 360 on its axis)
5. Dummy proof operation(No trim to worry about, just forward and reverse)
6. No lower units to forget to raise and scrap on the ramp

Cons.

1. Not as fuel efficient(but who is driving a Prius boat out here?)
2. Debris and weed can be issues(It can be on prop boats as well)
3. Not as many dealers/availability
4. Not as many accessories available for it(I see this as a pro)
5. Louder engine at high speed

Your local dealers should accomodate you by providing you with a sea trial if you want. You need to show that you are serious and not out for a joy ride...they are reluctant otherwise. If you are in the Chicagoland/Milwaukee area, I will be glad to offer you a ride.

Closed loop is much better for salt water. The Yamaha are pretty neat. I really like their configuration of seats and their big swim deck. Tons of storage. They are sharp looking boats to boot. I have the Seadoo counterpart and I was between the two. I picked the Seadoo for the closed loop cooling.

 

[ironexecutioner]

Re: Yamaha?

Is the primary benefit of the closed loop system for salt water? Or is it a good idea either way? Also, yamaha directly compares their boat to the Searay on their website. They don't compare it at all to the seadoo. What are your thoughts on the Searay? I am really worried about the whole maintenance thing. What are your findings there? Thats the big concern I have. I don't want to enter into this uneducated.

On this forum, it is a lot of folks who have always had a prop and don't ever see a reason to try a jet boat. Most of people's impression are the jet boats from the 90's where they were somewhat glorified jetskis. Today's jet boats are legitimate watercraft that are a blast. I love the simplicity of use. I am a new boat owner and after being out half a dozen times, it is definite the type of boat for me. The big pluses.

1. No prop(kids swimming off the back)
2. Instant thrust(power is unbelieveable)
3. Little or no bow rise when you throttle hard
4. Manueveurability(I can literally spin the boat 360 on its axis)
5. Dummy proof operation(No trim to worry about, just forward and reverse)
6. No lower units to forget to raise and scrap on the ramp

Cons.

1. Not as fuel efficient(but who is driving a Prius boat out here?)
2. Debris and weed can be issues(It can be on prop boats as well)
3. Not as many dealers/availability
4. Not as many accessories available for it(I see this as a pro)
5. Louder engine at high speed

Your local dealers should accomodate you by providing you with a sea trial if you want. You need to show that you are serious and not out for a joy ride...they are reluctant otherwise. If you are in the Chicagoland/Milwaukee area, I will be glad to offer you a ride.

Closed loop is much better for salt water. The Yamaha are pretty neat. I really like their configuration of seats and their big swim deck. Tons of storage. They are sharp looking boats to boot. I have the Seadoo counterpart and I was between the two. I picked the Seadoo for the closed loop cooling.

 

[Sikiguya]

Re: Yamaha?

Both Seadoo and Yamaha target their boats to prop boat owners. Their marketing strategy is to get people to try jet boats. Once they do, they are pretty much hooked. SeaRay is a pretty respected boat manufacturer. They make all prop boats now. They did make some jet boats(smaller ones) in the 90s call SeaRayder.

If you are using fresh water, look at them both. If you are going to waterski or wakeboard, the Yamaha swim deck is probably better for that. I like the closed loop system. My impression is that it doesn't take account of the water temperature by cooling it constantly. I don't know...I am not mechanically inclined. The engines are pretty much bullet proof for either boats. The new boats are all basically twin jetski engines.