Who on here owns a 2025 or 2026 Yamaha 255XD I have surf wave questions

[NewBoater]

I am looking for any info for anyone that already has a 2025 or 2026 Yamaha 255XD. I currently have one on order and I am curious about the surf wave. When I watch the videos online, it looks like they have finally figured the ballast out and the surf wave is incredible and there are only a couple of people on the boat so it does not look like you need a ton of people or a ton of extra ballast like the boats from three or four years ago to make a good wave. Teenagers are doing kick flips and all kind of fun stuff in the YouTube videos. I just need to know if this is actual reality for anyone that has one if it makes a much bigger wave than the previous years. Looks like they made the ballast tank way deeper back into the engine compartment so it’s much further back on the boat And more ballast on 2025 in 2026 as there are 5 ballast locations now. With 2 new ones way back deep in engine compartment in each side. I know the wave will never be as good as a dedicated surf boat, but I’m curious if it’s way better than previous years for Yamaha because if it’s not, and it’s just the same old wave, I may decide to get a surf boat instead.

Thanks!

 

[NewBoater]

No one owns a 2025 or 2026? Guess I might have to be the guinea pig to figure out this surf wave haha

 

[F.M.]

I have a 2024, but neither of my kids showed any interest in surfing the last 2 years, so I haven’t even filled the ballasts yet.

There are people here with 2025s that can answer your question about the wave. But for most people, boating season is over and in the back of their minds right now, so they might not check/visit the forum as often. Give them time, they’ll answer/respond eventually.

 

[ahenderson432]

I have a 2024 and have little time with the ballast as well. Hope to spend some time on the water this winter (AZ off season) and dial it in before an upcoming Lake Powell Trip next July. Will let you know how it goes with different fill capacities and speeds.

 

[LittleCarbonite]

No one owns a 2025 or 2026? Guess I might have to be the guinea pig to figure out this surf wave haha

I have a 25 and have about 40 surf hours on it. LOVE it. I ran the boat with 4 people and 12 people and it’s all perfect for my level of experience

 

[Wicked92]

I am looking for any info for anyone that already has a 2025 or 2026 Yamaha 255XD. I currently have one on order and I am curious about the surf wave. When I watch the videos online, it looks like they have finally figured the ballast out and the surf wave is incredible and there are only a couple of people on the boat so it does not look like you need a ton of people or a ton of extra ballast like the boats from three or four years ago to make a good wave. Teenagers are doing kick flips and all kind of fun stuff in the YouTube videos. I just need to know if this is actual reality for anyone that has one if it makes a much bigger wave than the previous years. Looks like they made the ballast tank way deeper back into the engine compartment so it’s much further back on the boat And more ballast on 2025 in 2026 as there are 5 ballast locations now. With 2 new ones way back deep in engine compartment in each side. I know the wave will never be as good as a dedicated surf boat, but I’m curious if it’s way better than previous years for Yamaha because if it’s not, and it’s just the same old wave, I may decide to get a surf boat instead.

Thanks!

Boat has 3 bags. 1600lbs. Same weight and locations as the 21 up boats. Nothing has changed.

All they did was remove the 2 hard tanks and make them bags, to gain storage room under the seats.

Technically the tanks went further back in the boat compared to the bags.

I run an additional 1k in weight ontop of the factory ballast.

 

[LittleCarbonite]

Boat has 3 bags. 1600lbs. Same weight and locations as the 21 up boats. Nothing has changed.

All they did was remove the 2 hard tanks and make them bags, to gain storage room under the seats.

Technically the tanks went further back in the boat compared to the bags.

I run an additional 1k in weight ontop of the factory ballast.

That 1k did you use the steel shot weight bags? Pics if you can would be epic and an explanation of the distribution and a thought on the wave gains would be cool

 

[Wicked92]

I have both. I have the 850 bag from fstsac, and also lead that I can bring. If I'm using Jay the fat sac (no need to change surf sides) ill bring 300/400 in lead that I play with jn bow.


If its all lead. 300/400 in wet locker/clean out hatch, 400 on transom/ back seat surf side, and the rest in bow.

10.3 to 10.8 mph gps app verified (do not go by boat mph)

100/100/35 (non surf side) on factory ballast.

You will need to play with the cruise control for surf speeds as the connext sucks at tight control. I drivers always need to play with the +/- on the cruise buttons while watching speed.

Its alot of work, prep, and patience. It can be done, and a decent (jet boat wave).

But the kyma took zero effort, set up was simple, speed control and sea keeper ride integration.....produced a better wave by 50/75%. All while enjoying everything a jet boat can do in the shallows etc.

If I could do it again...id buy the kyma the 1st time. A dedicated surf boat even used don't work for me with my shallow bay, shallow launch, and wanting to hang at sandbars after.

 

[NewBoater]

I have a 25 and have about 40 surf hours on it. LOVE it. I ran the boat with 4 people and 12 people and it’s all perfect for my level of experience

Are you saying that just stock the way it comes you can have a good surf wave for everyone of every size?

 

[LittleCarbonite]

Are you saying that just stock the way it comes you can have a good surf wave for everyone of every size?

Yep, everyone from 225lbs down has not had an issue tossing the rope

 

[NewBoater]

Got the new boat it’s beautiful and we love it but still can’t get my daughter who’s 15 and tiny ropeless. I tried 100 surf side and 100 center bag and 0 non surf side with wake booster deployed and it wasn’t even close to ropeless push. Also tried 100 surf side and 0 center and 0 non surf side and also tried 100 surf side and 50 center and 0 surf side. Nothing worked. It was just her and I on the boat. I feel like we need more people and maybe a few sitting on her surf side in the back. And maybe more in front of boat? Thoughts? Also, the bay that we are trying this in is only about 20 feet deep. It seems to do a lot better in Lake Gaston on our old boat when we go down because the water is 50 feet deep. Maybe the depth is really important for a stock set up. Let me know anyone’s thoughts on how I can make this way better to get the kids ropeless. Also, the boat was making a very weird noise like it was struggling when the ballast bags were full. Which seems crazy considering it has 500 hp Thanks!

 

[Ribs77]

I only have an AR195 but I have dialed a pretty solid surf wave - my 15 year old son can surf ropeless (he was surfing at 14 last summer)

I'm not sure where "center" is located on your boat, but for me, I have to put about 200-300 lbs in a ski locker bag (or above the ski locker) when I have a ton of weight (650 bag) on the rear. This also helps with cavitation - if the bow is too high, the boat can't get up to speed. I assume because the intake tunnel is too high in the water due to the angle of the boat.

Another thing that made a HUGE difference was 100 lbs of lead on the surf side, pushed as far back in the compartment as it will go.

You'll also want RideSteady or PerfectPass if you're serious about it. The wave is too inconsistent trying to manage the speed with regular cruise control or by hand.

I can get this kind of wave with 3-4 people in the crew (including one surfing). I have the wake booster but I don't typically use it as it doesn't seem needed with the ballast dialed.

20 feet deep should be sufficient. I think if you're closer to 10-12 it may be a problem.

 

[NewBoater]

That’s a great wave! Does it have the push from behind also?

 

[Ribs77]

That’s a great wave! Does it have the push from behind also?

It's decent. Again, not as good as true surf boats that I've surfed behind, but you can get a little ways back in the wave. About this far.

I'm riding the landlock board here which gets a ton of push, but I have also been able to go that far back on my Shim. Picked up a Phase Five Phantom for this season but haven't had a chance to see what it can do yet!

 

[NewBoater]

It's decent. Again, not as good as true surf boats that I've surfed behind, but you can get a little ways back in the wave. About this far.

I'm riding the landlock board here which gets a ton of push, but I have also been able to go that far back on my Shim. Picked up a Phase Five Phantom for this season but haven't had a chance to see what it can do yet!

View attachment 244894

So if I fill my center bag and fill the bag on the surfside and zero on the other bag on the other corner of the boat and put a little extra lead also on the surfside, I should be able to create a wave similar to yours? Or do you think I still need more lead underneath the front seat seats?

 

[Ribs77]

Your boat is gonna be different, but my main point is that adding a little extra surfside is good, and also making sure the center is weighed down so that the bow isn't too high.

I think your wave will probably be a lot better than mine just due to overall displacement! I think what I'd do is fill ALL bags you have to 100%, then have crew sit mostly on the surf side and add maybe 100-150 lbs of lead (3 bags usually) in the surf side compartment. Or you could even put them on the swim platform surfside if you had a way to secure them.

If the center bag doesn't level out the boat enough, you could consider putting 1-2 lead bags in the bow as well. I think a little weight up front goes a long way due to leverage.