Hey Jetboaters community;
I’m reaching out again to see if any other Yamaha AR220 (or similar twin-engine TR-1 models) are experiencing a hard-starting failure on the starboard engine under certain load conditions. I am officially submitted a replacement request to Yamaha as well as filed a Florida Attorney General Consumer Protection complaint and a U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Defect report.
Boat Information
- Model: 2023 Yamaha AR220
- Purchase Date: February 2023 (brand new)
- Engine: Twin TR-1 HO
The Problem
The issue only occurs in the water, and only when:
- 4–5 adult passengers are seated on the stern swimming platform and/or swim-up seats (while anchored at a sandbar or open water with boat turned off)
- Stern-heavy load affects buoyancy and engine positioning
Symptoms:
- Starboard engine refuses to start for 10–15 minutes of repeated cranking
- Boat is limited to ~5 mph idle on a single engine (to avoid drivetrain damage)
- Creates a real safety hazard in channels and open water
→ Risk of collision, drifting, or being stuck in traffic lanes with limited control
Never happens on the trailer / boat ramp or dock.
Service History to Date
Despite extensive attempts, issue remains unresolved:
- 20+ warranty claims
- 5+ months accumulated time at dealership
- 4 water tests
- Latest test included Yamaha District Service Manager
- A slight start delay was observed
- No official cause identified by Yamaha
- No confirmed solution provided
Yamaha and dealer continue to ask for more water tests, despite lack of progress.
What Yamaha Is Claiming
Yamaha has stated: “
No other boats have been reported with this issue.”
That is why I am posting here — to gather real owner feedback.
Actions I Have Taken
Due to safety and quality concerns, I have already:
Submitted a formal replacement to Yamaha
Filed a Florida Attorney General Consumer Protection complaint
Filed a U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Defect report
All documentation cites:
- Loss of intended use
- Extended out-of-service time
- Water safety hazard
Why This Matters
A twin-engine boat that cannot reliably start both engines:
- Cannot operate safely in most real boating scenarios
- May violate expected Yamaha performance standards and safety obligations
- Prevents families from confidently using the boat they are paying for
I love Yamaha and the boating lifestyle — but reliability on the water is NON-negotiable.
If you have:
- hard-starting issues on a TR-1 engine
- Issues occurring with stern-heavy loading
- Dealer visits for unexplained start delays
- Fixes or root causes found
Please reply with:
- Boat model & year
- Starboard / port engine affected
- Conditions when issue occurs
- Anything a tech found or replaced
Even one or two similar reports will help push Yamaha to acknowledge this is not an isolated case.
Feel free to DM me if you prefer to share privately — I am gathering all data to support my case and help others who may be affected.
Thank you to anyone who takes a moment to respond.
I’ll keep this thread updated with any progress from Yamaha, the Florida AG office, or USCG.
Safe boating everyone
Has anyone experienced the same issue? If so, have you found the cause and how to fix it?
