Jet Boat -- opinions

[eeboater]

Ok, I was reading through Boating Life last night and read an article on those jet boat things the Kiwi's are racing down in NZ... Anyways, they had a little blurb about Yamaha's SX230 HO. I recalled reading an article about that boat earlier in the year so I went to my boat magazine archives and found a copy of Trailer Boats that did a review of the SX230.<br /><br />I have to admit... I really like this boat. Let me preface that comment with the fact that, in the past, I HATED 'jet boats'... they always looked too Fischer Price to me. But these new Yamaha's look like your run-of-the-mill bowrider, with one big exception.<br /><br />They have two Marine based R1 Motorcycle motors in them. A friend of my has a FZ1 (motorcyle) that has the same motor and LOVEs it.<br /><br />So, what are your thoughts on Jet boats. How about specifically the Yamaha SX230? Have you own(ed), ridden in, know someone who has one?<br /><br />Sean<br /><br /><br />P.S. Here's a photo...<br /><br />

 

[redblur]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

I was in the same situation, I'd read some articles on them and really started to like them.<br /><br />Then I went to the Twin Cities boat show in Jan and saw one in person, and spent probably 45 minutes sitting in it with the whole family, etc. I don't like them any more, I love them. Ok, maybe love is too strong a term, but they're at the top of my list as I begin my count down to a new boat next year.<br /><br />If I can get past my hesitations about a jet drive, that's what I'll get

 

[wvit100]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

There's one just about like the one pictured in my marina. It's pretty fast and turns on a dime. But the twin 6 cylinders are loud and I would expect twice as many problems with twice as many engines. And for some reason it seems to smoke an awful lot when it's started.

 

[watered down]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

I was really impressed with them also. I looked at the 230 HO last fall, BUT, it would not fit in the garage, creating a storage problem. They now have the sx210...<br /><br />If you want to read what the owners say about them, check out their forum at Yamaha Jet Boaters

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

One of my good friends have one, great cruise and ski boat and it looks good, and it is very light on fuel ... he is very happy with it

 

[bilmon]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

One of my faverite topics...jets.I went jet after 35+ years of outboards.I was a little aprehensive for the first few hours but now, after about three seasons I'm not likely to go back.Can't comment firsthand on the Yamaha,mine's a 03 Sugar Sand Mirage 1800,but these new larger jets have come along way from the early 14-15 footers. Biggest draw backs, less efficent then props but not that bad,and weeds.pluses are unbelivable handling and holeshot,brakes[tap reverse],and no prop when my grandsons decide it's their diving platform.All builders seem to recommend 3ft of water, I violate that quite often[skimmed over sandbars with depth finder blinking .8] .I do make sure it's at least 3 before nailing it however.Havn't had any issues yet[knock on wood].Service on the pump is simple,2 points to change lube and thats it.Motor is just a motor,mine's a Merc,nothing out of the ordinary there.<br /><br />Bill

 

[J Macnab]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

Jet boats are awsome!!! I love them. Tons of fun. I totally recomend them.

 

[KCook]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

Also take a look at Sea-Doo's 230. Similar deep-V hull form. And the seating is more comfy than on the Yamaha.

Kelly

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

Love Yamaha and would love to own one of their jets! They are pricey though for a comparable sized I/O or outboard.

 

[QC]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

This is weird. KCook digging up an old bone? Anyway, DR will know, but I'd like to have one of these for below Parker and above South Cove . . .

 

[KCook]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

Same dealer has both Sea-Doo and Yamaha here. He parked a 230 model of each make side by side on his lot. There are LOTS of threads on the Yamaha, almost nobody asks about the Sea-Doo. I just think it deserves a look.

Kelly

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

you have to remember that the effiency of a jet drive you loose 30-40% of the horse power, compared to a prop driven boat. thus more gas, wear and tear, maintainance. over the prop driven. also do some reading here: http://www.yamahajetboaters.com/

 

[ziggy]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

i too thought i'd like one. but there outa my price range. i did have a jet flea with the mr-1 engine in it. an 02. the first year they came out. it seems there pretty darn good. got mine up to 245 hrs w/o problems. i've read about them doing 1000 plus hours easy. only thing i didn't like was mine used a bit of oil thru most of the time i had it. though at about 160 hrs the oil consumption went down noticably. but still used a little. also at 200 hrs ya need to do a valve inspection. pretty pricey. my 1 engine was bout $400. just to inspect. the inspection came out right in the middle of spec though. couldn't ask for more than that. don't know for a fact as i aint looked. but the jet flea version have some nice up grades too. better impeller. freeer flowing fa, better volicity stacks and pump plug kits. all of which make it speedier... i didn't think it was loud myself. actually. pretty darn quiete....

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

We have friends that we go boating with fairly frequently. Their boat is considerably lighter than mine, yet they use more fuel getting to where we're going. Really nice handling, and it looks cool though! They love it; I just personally prefer my outboard!​

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

we have a '99 yamaha 800 gp , '73 yamaha 500, '98 Seadoo, service is far more expensive, than an outboard, yamaha, has a tendency not to leave any room in the engine compartment, to service the engine. and i here the boats are the same.

 

[tommays]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

You have to happy spinning the motor at 7000 RPM just to run at 28 MPH and have a WOT of 10000 + RPM

http://www.boattest.com/boats/1220/test_results.aspx


That is a big change for most of us




Tommays

 

[QC]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

you have to remember that the effiency of a jet drive you loose 30-40% of the horse power, compared to a prop driven boat. thus more gas, wear and tear, maintainance.

Let me first say I have been very sceptical about these boats, but they appear to be better than you are giving them credit for. If the 30 - 40% penalty was true it would show up in fuel use and the test results for these buggers is showing high 3 MPG (almost 4 from Trailer Boats test) which is as good or better than any single drive I/O 23 footer I know of. Also, maintenance on a jet drive is almost non-existent. No clutch, no gearbox, no trim mechanism etc. You do have twins to deal with which equals more engine maintenance, but I am not ready to throw them under the maintenance bus. Also, $35K for a new 23 footer with these features is not that pricey. I'll bet the used ones are reasonable once you get past a couple of years.

Again, I am not a big fan yet, but that economy with twins and 50 MPH is pretty hard to dismiss. And if you boat a lot in shallow water this might be a no-brainer. . .

 

[KCook]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

I agree with a lot of the points just made by QC. My view is that the big new jet jobs are closer in mission profile to a deckboat than a bowrider. That is to say they are primarily a party / play boat. Not a strong choice for cruising or skiing. But somebody in the market for an extra lively deckboat would do well to take a look at these jets.

Kelly

 

[QC]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

The only thing I will add to Kelly's comments is that I am also not ready to dismiss for bigger water yet. That Yammie has 20 degrees of deadrise, which is my target for Lake Mead and exactly what I have now. I think some rules are being rewritten here . . .

 

[cgBosun3]

Re: Jet Boat -- opinions

I just wish they were laid out for fishing!!! The Chesapeake Bay can be very unforgiving, especially after a storm. Besides the short, steep chop, sandbars can move several yards overnight! Buying a new prop every year gets old quick, but ya gotta go where the fish are!
That 30-40% less efficient was the norm back in the day, but the Merc SportJets in the SugarSand boats and the Yammies and SeeDoos are a lot closer, until you get close to WOT. If I had 320 ponies (in an outdrive) in my Baja 21' I'd go a lot faster that 50 MPH!!! I hit 60 with a modded 150 Black Max, making around 175hp.