Can anyone explain DRIVE? Is it just using paddles instead of the Throttles and how is it $4K???

[Enduro900]

Anyone have experience with DRIVE from the 275 and could it be worth $4k or is adding the aftermarket fins as good or better for low speed maneuverability ????

I’m really having a hard time with the pricing and HUGE jumps from model to model.......very surprised no real in-depth discussion of DRIVE on any of the so far released videos.....

Hard to believe Yamaha couldn’t find a way to come out with a true thrust bucket like BRP....patents are worked around all the time (all you really typically need is a 10%+ change in desig. DRIVE so far seems more like a gimmick but I’ll wait to (hopefully) get a chance to drive one with and one without to make a true determination.....

The spread from 240sx -242x Was $25k......now its $37K????

 

[anmut]

My assumption is that bumping the paddles leads in very small incremental bucket changes... which, like you, I'm unsure why that's any more useful than using the shift levers? Not only that, but that means you have to have both hands on the wheel, which is hardly the case - hell, usually I'm standing, one hand on the wheel, one hand on the throttles, ready to put a hand out to catch a railing or might even be tying on a bumper at the same time. In my mind, it's easier to find the N with the throttles than to have to find it with paddles or on the screen. I can already hear my brain... "did i go four or five forward paddles up - now what, that's three back to neutral, then another two for more reverse.. CRASH"

I mean, 4k extra, the damn boat should park itself.

 

[MidnightRider]

I think they also control some throttle along with the buckets. Yeah I agree, I know I've never used it, but I can't see how its more than a gimmick- is anyone really having trouble steering with one hand and doing bucket/throttle control with the other???

 

[Mhamann75]

My 2019 VX cruiser HO’s have the drive system. While I realize these are wave runners, they are so easy to maneuver around docks etc.... can go from foreword to neutral to revere instantly.

 

[Timmy1]

I have owned a 275D for a couple months now. The drive system works exactly like the twin throttles on a waverunner. Its definitely easier than using the throttle to dock. Hard to say if its worth 4k though.

 

[Enduro900]

My 2019 VX cruiser HO’s have the drive system. While I realize these are wave runners, they are so easy to maneuver around docks etc.... can go from foreword to neutral to revere instantly.

On a

I have owned a 275D for a couple months now. The drive system works exactly like the twin throttles on a waverunner. Its definitely easier than using the throttle to dock. Hard to say if its worth 4k though.

Can you back into a slip with it like they show?

Have you ever driven a Yamaha jet boat without it?

 

[ZGhost]

The concept of the “drive“ system is the same as the “ride“ system which has existed on Yamaha’s waverunners for sometime now. I have it on my 2018 GP1800 and it makes riding the waverunner so much easier. Unlike a boat, you need both hands on the handlebar of a waverunner to operate effectively and safely. To that extent, when maneuvering around the dock at low speeds, the left side lever gives you instant reverse burst while you can do the same but in the fwd direction with the right lever. Doing this alternately gives you great maneuverability. Now, pressing the left lever when you are moving at great speeds gives you the effect of braking. This significantly slows the waverunner to almost a stop. As you know, there no brakes on skis or waverunners.
I am assuming the drive system works the same way around low speeds but don’t know if it also works the same to slow down the boat from a high speed run.
I don’t think it’s worth $4k in my opinion unless the $4k adds other stuff.

 

[Timmy1]

Yes you can back in like they show. I used to have a sx210, the drive system really just makes docking easier but doesn't really add any manuverability

 

[Epsmith19]

This is a pretty good breakdown

 

[mrcleanr6]

The cost is that the buckets are now actuated by an electronically controlled hydraulic system. The paddles dont control how much the bucket mives ip or down. Its either in full fwd or rev. The more you squeeze the paddle the higher then eng rpms. Limited to 3500

 

[fabian]

The cost is that the buckets are now actuated by an electronically controlled hydraulic system. The paddles dont control how much the bucket mives ip or down. Its either in full fwd or rev. The more you squeeze the paddle the higher then eng rpms. Limited to 3500

Aren’t the buckets also electronically controlled on the e-series?

 

[mrcleanr6]

Not sure. I dont know anything about the e. Somewhere i saw a video explaining the mechanics of the drive system on the 275sd. the steering and buckets on that boat has an electro hydraulic system to control them. Im not sure if that would be needed on the e series or not. Just saying that would explain the extra cost on a drive equipped model rather than just 4 grand for some paddles on a steering wheel.

 

[ZGhost]

Just adding more unnecessary elecronics and hydraulics to the boat that will breakdown and cost more money to fix

 

[mrcleanr6]

Yep that goes for anything these days though. Not just boats. We all like out techy things. It all comes with a price. Both to buy and fix unfortunately.

 

[Enduro900]

So it sounds like it is also steer-by-wire.....when you engage the paddles the lock-lock turning ratio changes too (you turn less to get lock-to-lock).

 

[mwalker4]

I think ole Capt Steve needs a 15 mph cross wind, a few kayaks, and ten boats floating around waiting to be retrieved, then I will be impressed.

 

[Enduro900]

I think ole Capt Steve needs a 15 mph cross wind, a few kayaks, and ten boats floating around waiting to be retrieved, then I will be impressed.

Haha i said the same thing......and add a couple people yelling at him too

 

[elcue]

My 2019 VX cruiser HO’s have the drive system. While I realize these are wave runners, they are so easy to maneuver around docks etc.... can go from foreword to neutral to revere instantly.

Your waverunner has ride system

 

[Julian]

I'm not aware of any hydrolics unless the power steering is hyrolic. The gate controls are servo driven and the same as the E Series servo controlled gates (to my knowledge)

DRiVE gives you power steering and paddle controls.

 

[KCAR250]

I like using both power levers individually when docking to get a little extra maneuverability (differential thrust) if I use drive I don’t have that. I’ve never used drive but I have a feeling if I spent the extra money on it I would never use it. I think it’s way overpriced anyway.