Yamaha AR195 vs. Scarab 195 HO Impulse

DomEsp · Mar 23, 2017

Hi Everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster! I currently have a 06 Seadoo Speedster 200 that just got totaled out due to portion of the hull delaminating and cracking. Loved that boat but now it's time to upgrade.

My tow rig is a Jeep Wrangler so Im limited to 4000lbs w/ trailer which keeps me in the 19ft boat range. After a lot of shopping around it's down to a 2017 Yamaha AR195 or a 2016 Scarab 195 HO Impulse. I like the style and features of the Scarab more but I am hesitant because of the mechanical "issues" I've read about on here and other forums about the 14' and 15' models. The Yami is really nice also but I haven't heard much about anyone that has any real time in the new 195. Price difference is around 4k with the Scarab being the pricer one.

I live in the Keys so it would be used in the salt water and have to go through moderate chop on a regular basis. Wanting to see if anyone has any tips, suggestions or things I should be aware of that will help me decide.

Thanks in advance!

gsbrown · Mar 24, 2017

I only have 10 hours on my AR195 but that is enough to know I absolutely love it. I priced out the Scarab but the price difference, with Yamaha including much more, and the ease of maintenance were my deciding factors. Clean out port was a must for me, and I already needed to use it for something as small as a bic lighter and a broken piece of a sharpie marker (the Delaware River is really dirty). I know I made the right choice for my personal needs. Good luck picking out the perfect boat for you!

jpass · Mar 24, 2017

Not knowing much about the Yamaha or Scarab 195, but owning a Sea Doo Challenger, I have a few questions that would help me if the decision were mine to make:

Some items I believe are standard on the Scarab and not an option on the Yamaha:

Push button start (I know my buddy's 165 has it, hell my 5 years old Sea Doo does).
Electronic throttles
Speed control and other electronic driving tools (docking mode, depth finder, fuel burn, etc).
Rear speakers

Some things the Yamaha has that the Scarab doesn't (I've never owned a Yamaha, so I could miss out on a bunch, but hoping others can chime in):

clean out ports (although I've never had a clogged pump in the 2 years we've owned our jet).
2 tiered swim platform.

The Scarab will also have the supercharger maintenance that isn't cheap ($435 each at about 200 hours). I don't believe the Yamaha is as costly when it comes to maintenance.

If it were me, I'd go drive them both and see which one meets my needs the best. Even though the Scarab may have more stock features, do you want them and do they justify the additional cost?

Good luck with your search.

swatski · Mar 24, 2017

AR195, hands down.

(IMO, of course)

--

DomEsp · Mar 24, 2017

All helpful info so far. Starting to lean more towards the AR195. Been calling a couple dealers today and I think I can get a better all around deal if I go with the Yami.

Thats beauty of a boat gsbrown! Glad you're enjoying it so far.

malibu Dan · Mar 24, 2017

DomEsp said:
All helpful info so far. Starting to lean more towards the AR195. Been calling a couple dealers today and I think I can get a better all around deal if I go with the Yami.

Thats beauty of a boat gsbrown! Glad you're enjoying it so far.

Gotta say I love my AR195...

DomEsp · Mar 24, 2017

malibu Dan said:
View attachment 53046 Gotta say I love my AR195...

That's definitely the color scheme I'm after. Looks awesome bud

DomEsp · Mar 24, 2017

DomEsp said:
That's definitely the color scheme I'm after. Looks awesome bud

How many hour have you put on it? Have you had it though any kind of chop yet? If so how'd it do...

malibu Dan · Mar 24, 2017

DomEsp said:
How many hour have you put on it? Have you had it though any kind of chop yet? If so how'd it do...

To be honest got her in sept so I haven't had much time before the season ended ... I have not had it on any kind of rough water yet only reservoir... sorry I can't be more help.. but she felt much smoother in the water than the 21 ft cuddly I had before ..

swatski · Mar 24, 2017

DomEsp said:
How many hour have you put on it? Have you had it though any kind of chop yet? If so how'd it do...

It will do reasonably well for a 19fter, and not necessarily comparing just to other jet boats. We took our 190 to Bimini last year (I used to have an 2012 SX190) and it was a totally safe trip in 2-3ft seas albeit not what you would consider even remotely "comfortable", of course. The new 195 hulls are the same, dead rise of 20-deg, not exactly deep-V, and no keel (that "articulating keel" in new 190/195s is just a small rudder-like extension appended to the ride plate), but VERY capable.

A huge improvement in the ability to handle waves and chop would be to add aftermarket trim tabs, @Bruce here has developed a pipeline with one fine company called Lectrotabs. That would be my first mod for that boat if boating offshore. Those can be designed to retract completely when not needed, so there are no drawbacks I can think of (other than the cost and effort).

IMO, Yamaha boats are certainly still not known for their refinement, and lacking somewhat in the electronics, as well as the fit and finish.

But here is the deal: the power train. The SVHO and the new 160mm pump -- probably the best setup on the planet.

--

DomEsp · Mar 25, 2017

swatski said:
It will do reasonably well for a 19fter, and not necessarily comparing just to other jet boats. We took our 190 to Bimini last year (I used to have an 2012 SX190) and it was a totally safe trip in 2-3ft seas albeit not what you would consider even remotely "comfortable", of course. The new 195 hulls are the same, dead rise of 20-deg, not exactly deep-V, and no keel (that "articulating keel" in new 190/195s is just a small rudder-like extension appended to the ride plate), but VERY capable.

A huge improvement in the ability to handle waves and chop would be to add aftermarket trim tabs, @Bruce here has developed a pipeline with one fine company called Lectrotabs. That would be my first mod for that boat if boating offshore. Those can be designed to retract completely when not needed, so there are no drawbacks I can think of (other than the cost and effort).

IMO, Yamaha boats are certainly still not known for their refinement, and lacking somewhat in the electronics, as well as the fit and finish.

But here is the deal: the power train. The SVHO and the new 160mm pump -- probably the best setup on the planet.

--

Wow all the way to Bimini in a 19ft... that's impressive. I'm sure pretty much anything will handle chop better than my Speedster200 did, but I would like to get as close to "comfortable" as I can.

I'll look into trim tabs for sure. Do you know if they would also increase or improve the wake size and shape for wakeboarding?

swatski · Mar 25, 2017

DomEsp said:
Wow all the way to Bimini in a 19ft... that's impressive. I'm sure pretty much anything will handle chop better than my Speedster200 did, but I would like to get as close to "comfortable" as I can.

I don't think you can be completely comfortable in any 19fter, going offshore.
Have you considered one of the new 240s? Those new 240s now have a "keeled" hull which is just a different animal for running in rough water.

DomEsp said:
I'll look into trim tabs for sure. Do you know if they would also increase or improve the wake size and shape for wakeboarding?

The short answer is no. Although that could, conceivably, change in the future if any develops a "surfing style" tabs for Yamaha boats. Right now the best you can do is to choose a trim tab design that would not hurt the wake.

The good news is that the singles generally provide a much nicer wake than twins. Still lots of whitewash, but it is not too bad.

--

DomEsp · Mar 26, 2017

swatski said:
I don't think you can be completely comfortable in any 19fter, going offshore.
Have you considered one of the new 240s? Those new 240s now have a "keeled" hull which is just a different animal for running in rough water.

The short answer is no. Although that could, conceivably, change in the future if any develops a "surfing style" tabs for Yamaha boats. Right now the best you can do is to choose a trim tab design that would not hurt the wake.

The good news is that the singles generally provide a much nicer wake than twins. Still lots of whitewash, but it is not too bad.

--

I'd love to get a 240 but my Jeep is limited to 4000lbs towing so it'd be way to heavy.
We only have another 6months in the Keys then back to the lakes of AZ so maybe I can just tough out not having trim tabs for the time being. I guess I'll just have to see how well it does when I get my hands on it and then make the call. Appreciate the tip bud. Would love to see a surf style tab soon... I'd be all over something like that.

Bmw71683 · Jan 1, 2019

jpass said:
Not knowing much about the Yamaha or Scarab 195, but owning a Sea Doo Challenger, I have a few questions that would help me if the decision were mine to make:

Some items I believe are standard on the Scarab and not an option on the Yamaha:

Push button start (I know my buddy's 165 has it, hell my 5 years old Sea Doo does).
Electronic throttles
Speed control and other electronic driving tools (docking mode, depth finder, fuel burn, etc).
Rear speakers

Some things the Yamaha has that the Scarab doesn't (I've never owned a Yamaha, so I could miss out on a bunch, but hoping others can chime in):

clean out ports (although I've never had a clogged pump in the 2 years we've owned our jet).
2 tiered swim platform.

The Scarab will also have the supercharger maintenance that isn't cheap ($435 each at about 200 hours). I don't believe the Yamaha is as costly when it comes to maintenance.

If it were me, I'd go drive them both and see which one meets my needs the best. Even though the Scarab may have more stock features, do you want them and do they justify the additional cost?

Good luck with your search.Hi

I have the chance to purchase a 2014 Scarab 195. What the pluses n minuses?
Buce

Bmw71683 · Jan 1, 2019

Hello

What are the pluses n minuses of a 2014 Scarab 195 jet boat?
Bruce

Chris D · Jan 6, 2019

malibu Dan said:
View attachment 53046 Gotta say I love my AR195...

I love mine as well. I'm not sure about how it does in the ocean but it will smoothly cruise AZ lakes at 51 mph. The swim platform, the looks, and the powertrain setup steered me to the AR195.

Cobra Jet Steering LLC · Jan 6, 2019

How is that viper working out for you?

Yamaha AR195 vs. Scarab 195 HO Impulse

DomEsp

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gsbrown

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jpass

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swatski

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DomEsp

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malibu Dan

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DomEsp

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swatski

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DomEsp

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swatski

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DomEsp

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Bmw71683

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Chris D

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