2011 sx 240 HO - thinking about buying one- seeking guidance

Hello everyone!

I’m new to boating AND jet oats, but am seriously looking at a number of Yamahas options. Right now there is a 2011 sx 240 HO available for 29k, and I’m interested. It’s seen salt water, but looks ok.

My questions are, what am I really looking fo as far as what I’ll call yellow and red flags?

Also, and the real reason for this post, is how is the steering/straightness of travel/ and reversing/docking? Yes IV read of less track ability and maneuverability, but is it worth me seeking out and spending the extra 25k for a 2016 with the keel and rudder (as well as e throttle etc.). I really would be pushing the budget envelope to get close to the newer pricing, but.... is it worth it? Are retrofit / aftermarket kits available to dramatically equalize the reverse inferiority of the 2011?

Much thanks in advance for any and all guidance.

So my personal experience on a stock 2010 Ar240 is this...I ran it on two outings just with a stock setup and basically disliked how it tracked immensely. My knee jerk thoughts were I should have bought a Moomba or Supra instead. But one factor was that I had broken a reverse bucket cable on the second day which made tracking variable. Although spinning in one direction made it more of an adventure....

Fast forward to 2 weeks later...I told myself to be more patient and make some improvements.

I just bought the Cobra Jet steering Ultimate fins to put on tomorrow and more than likely will also install the Jet Boat Pilot lateral thrusters for reverse enhancements or Cobra Jet fangs. There is a group buy for the JBP thrust vectors and fina on until the 31st. I will be keeping the Cobra Jet fins always down to help with water sports. Most people say that you need either the Cobra Jet setup with the fins and fangs, or the Jet boat pilot fins and thrusters, or a combo like what I mentioned above at the minimum on anything prior to a 2015 model, and even for the newer models.

That is basically a minimum setup I've read to track well. If you read on the forum the various conversations on both you should get a better feel. I personally bought an older boat to not take the depreciation hit and would rather spend on other mods. E.g. hyrdophase comes to mind.

Where I believe the newer model may be better is actually for the soundproofing and the flip up cushions. I would still imagine on a 2016 you'd buy the fins, fangs or thrusters for even better steering performance overall.

Hope this helps...this forum has great info so keep reading and certainly Sea trial anything you buy several times if possible. Sometimes the 2nd or 3rd dates you see things you missed on date #1.

Also on the 2011 model...check oil coolers on both engines to see if the 3rd bolt down nearest to the bow side of the boat is sheared off. Or look for an arrow on the oil cooler by the 3rd bolt which means it's been upgraded which is a good thing. 2010 and 2011s had the bolt shearing problem, which may cause larger issues with the engines...plus you may get to clean the bilge out due to oil leaking.

I read about the oil cooler issue after I bought my 2010. I still would have bought the boat, but would have asked for more $$$'s off the price if I had seen the sheared off bolts.

This has some good perspectives as well...

Jetboat,

Thanks for the valuable comments and links to other threads. It seems that the unicorn does not exist! Ha ha ha. I want a 2020 for the price of a 2010 with the hole shot ability (plus) of the older models! Obviously I need to take a test ride or a few to straighten my mind and scrutinize for issues, but for the $ saved let’s see. Maybe most if the aftermarket mods have been made and tracking is really the only item to be fearful of.

Oh, of course now we’re talking about engine life. Assume “well maintained” engines, what’s a reasonable life expectancy? 15 yrs old could be getting towards EOL if driven hard and WOT a lot, or maybe if the boat has 200 hours with detailed dealer maintenance receipts total we’ve found a gem?

Whats everyone think about these high RPM life experiences?


Last (for now), salt water.... I know Yamaha has made salt corrosion improvements over time, but has anyone experienced salt related issues that I should be aware of?

I have owned a 2011 sx240 and I currently own a 2017 AR240. I actually preferred the steering on my old 2011 it was a more fun hull. With the keel going down the hull of the ones the track straight a little better but honestly I would rather have the snappy turning back. My main reason for the upgrade was the higher freeboard as I’m a coastal boater. On the 2011 just check for obvious signs of abuse and Check the oil cooler bolt as well but if the engine is well maintained it should last a long time likely 700+ hours I have only heard of a handful of motors crapping out

Robert, thank you!

700 hours? What’s the next step at that point? Is it new engines or a rebuild? This is a BIG red flag on first evaluation. What am I looking at cost wise?

Wishiwereaskibum said:

Robert, thank you!

700 hours? What’s the next step at that point? Is it new engines or a rebuild? This is a BIG red flag on first evaluation. What am I looking at cost wise?

Click to expand...

Just depends even modern out boards will start to have issues around 700 hours. It could go over 1000 hours trouble free you never know. How many hours does the boat your looking at have?

Not sure yet.... researching now and hope to reach out to seller today.

You should be able to get a readout of hours on the boat from a YDS connection, which will show the tiered hours of rpm bands that the boat has been run. a Yamaha mechanic (sometimes even the Jet Ski and Waverunner mechanics) or many Yamaha boaters in your area may be able to help.

If you are not in rush I would say be patient and monitor the forum. In the next 4 months there will be a lot of boats coming up for sale.
Then depending on who is selling it you can see their history and get a pretty good idea on the condition of the boat.

Yes! Patience is a VIRTUE! It’s good to hear that boats keep coming up and that the coming season will bring a lot more. It seems slim pickings now frankly.

Good to know that we can get a tiered rpm reading.

Wishiwereaskibum said:

Good to know that we can get a tiered rpm reading.

Click to expand...

See this thread for a view (about mid down the list).
https://jetboaters.net/threads/yamaha-diagnostic-system-yds-how-to-read-your-hours-and-errors.84/page-2#post-44016

Think if it as using an ODBII connection on a car before you buy it.
YDS will also show you some error "codes" as well . . .

Oh my gosh! For such short money as well! I may decide to just get the tool to have as I look at boats! Lol, At a minimum it could be use to negotiate price -. Semi joking, best use is surely a tool to check for issues.

Perpetual learning here. Good stuff and thank you all. Keep this conversation alive as I’m sure many people are in the same boat as I (pun intended).

It seems that an 8 yr old boat has depreciated about 30-50 % of new. That really seems like very little for the “risk” of used. What I fear, and tell me I’m insane, is a need to rebuild or replace a motor /power train or two a year or so after buying a “gently used” boat. Yes, ok, anything can happen, new or old, but the high revving motors seem to send an alert up and down my spine. Help me get over this fear especially as compared to and IO or even an outboard (let’s leave alone the ridiculous cost of a new outboard).

Now on to the “loudness issue”. It seems the post 2015 Yamahas have re-engineered the compartment and added soundproofing insulation to dramatically improve noise deadening. Can an older boat be brought close to the newer sound levels?

Thanks all!!!!