2018's ARE HERE!!!

[d_coyne1984]

Is he happy with the performance he's getting?

No, not really. The reason I know about it is because he came to my desk complaining thinking that something was wrong. I'm guessing he didn't drive the boat before buying it. That's a hard lesson learned. I bought my 192 before driving it and boy do I feel stupid for that looking back, but luckily I am quite happy with mine.

 

[bobs4state]

Above and beyond the quiet cruise implemented in 2015 in the 24'ers?

Yes, above and beyond would be nice.

 

[MattFX4]

Yes, above and beyond would be nice.

Oh not sure. They are pretty quiet for a jet boat. I don't have much to compare to but I was on a v drive boat the other day and it was quieter than my 2015 242.

 

[synackattack]

I see a lot of talk about top speed being a major factor. Maybe I'm in the minority here but when I was looking at the AR210 and the AR195 the fact that one had a top end of 55 and the other 43 was never a deciding factor for me.

I've seen 43 in my '17 AR210 with the TR1 engines the one time I went WOT. For my style of boating that top end does not bother me.

I would guess that overall I spend maybe 1% of my time on the water at WOT. Most of the time we are cruising at 25-30.

So I guess my standards are low...if I get a top end of 30 I'm good

 

[Ancient canoe]

I see a lot of talk about top speed being a major factor. Maybe I'm in the minority here but when I was looking at the AR210 and the AR195 the fact that one had a top end of 55 and the other 43 was never a deciding factor for me.

I've seen 43 in my '17 AR210 with the TR1 engines the one time I went WOT. For my style of boating that top end does not bother me.

I would guess that overall I spend maybe 1% of my time on the water at WOT. Most of the time we are cruising at 25-30.

So I guess my standards are low...if I get a top end of 30 I'm good

Agree. Especially if you are buying a new boat in the Yamaha lineup. The twin 1.8 boats have slowed down a few ticks as well so the performance gap is smaller but the price gap is larger. Not all of the price gap is engines though, but the rest of that stuff can be upgraded aftermarket. 5 years ago a 212x or 212ss was reaching 55mph if conditions permitted, now they are looking at 50-51.

 

[elcue]

Agree. Especially if you are buying a new boat in the Yamaha lineup. The twin 1.8 boats have slowed down a few ticks as well so the performance gap is smaller but the price gap is larger. Not all of the price gap is engines though, but the rest of that stuff can be upgraded aftermarket. 5 years ago a 212x or 212ss was reaching 55mph if conditions permitted, now they are looking at 50-51.

What is making them slower? Weight gain??

 

[props2you]

What is making them slower? Weight gain??

I can attest the added weight and drag of the 242 LSE bimini does have a significant impact on overall speed and maneuverability, acts as a giant wind sail. Other than that, EPA, emissions etc. slowing them down a titch. Overall, yes it's weight.

 

[bobs4state]

Agree. Especially if you are buying a new boat in the Yamaha lineup. The twin 1.8 boats have slowed down a few ticks as well so the performance gap is smaller but the price gap is larger. Not all of the price gap is engines though, but the rest of that stuff can be upgraded aftermarket. 5 years ago a 212x or 212ss was reaching 55mph if conditions permitted, now they are looking at 50-51.

Thank you for saying this! I honestly do not understand why we should care whether the boat will go over 50 mph. It has been my experience that, when going anywhere over 40 mph, everyone on the boat is having no fun. They are holding on, the wind is whipping, and the noise is almost unbearable. Not to mention that the boat is drinking gas. I care about how fast he boat gets on plane and how well it tows a skier. I do not care if the boat can go over ~45. Maybe I'm getting old - Just my two cents.

 

[WetWillie]

Well after the '18 reveal; just put a deposit down on this 2017 Space Blue 212X. Definitely didn't see anything that I would consider missing out on. The colors didn't even compare to this beautiful boat... and not interested in the nozzle changes. Been lurking and gaining knowledge from this great site for a little over a year and found my second boat first! Stoked to pick it up in a few weeks when the galvanized trailer comes in. I feel the end of season deal was of greater appeal than the new change.

 

[malibu Dan]

Well after the '18 reveal; just put a deposit down on this 2017 Space Blue 212X. Definitely didn't see anything that I would consider missing out on. The colors didn't even compare to this beautiful boat... and not interested in the nozzle changes. Been lurking and gaining knowledge from this great site for a little over a year and found my second boat first! Stoked to pick it up in a few weeks when the galvanized trailer comes in. I feel the end of season deal was of greater appeal than the new change.View attachment 63463
View attachment 63464

Get rid of that God awful bow roller first thing to preserve that beautiful blue hull...

 

[WetWillie]

Get rid of that God awful bow roller first thing to preserve that beautiful blue hull...

Oh I plan to get a stoltz on there quickly; are they the same size from painted trailer to galvanized? As the painted trailer in the picture the dealer will be keeping...

 

[malibu Dan]

Oh I plan to get a stoltz on there quickly; are they the same size from painted trailer to galvanized? As the painted trailer in the picture the dealer will be keeping...

I assume so but mine is a painted trailer so can't be sure... always take a tape measure with ya the next time u are there to visit your baby

 

[ptwb]

As far as speed goes, IMO 50mph top speed is good enough. Our boat spends probably 1% of it's life at WOT, but when it is there, we're having FUN. I want to be able to pass people comfortably on the ICW when there's plenty of room.

A while back I test drove the high end seadoo 230 wake with the super charged motors, we hit 62 or somewhere around there on the GPS, and that was awesome and it drove great. And found out we had the ballast bags full!

I think a top speed of at least 50 is a good target. Some insurance ask if the boat can go over 50 and charge more. I don't want a 40mph top speed boat. I especially don't want a boat that tops out at 40 and sucking down gas too.

 

[Peelz]

my boat (3.0 merc) goes 36 with all the hamsters in full tweaker mode. and its not that pleasant. if we're loaded, it might see 31. Personally i like to be just above planing. quiet, stereo up. chillin. going fast usually means were going somewhere to stop boating...IE: leave for the day.... so slow is good.

I was in a flat 14' 220 hp outboard Glastron doing 72 once. Way cool, but not relaxing to do with Wife and children.

a 50mph capable boat would be fantastic, Id drive it at 40.

 

[MattFX4]

my boat (3.0 merc) goes 36 with all the hamsters in full tweaker mode. and its not that pleasant. if we're loaded, it might see 31. Personally i like to be just above planing. quiet, stereo up. chillin. going fast usually means were going somewhere to stop boating...IE: leave for the day.... so slow is good.

I was in a flat 14' 220 hp outboard Glastron doing 72 once. Way cool, but not relaxing to do with Wife and children.

a 50mph capable boat would be fantastic, Id drive it at 40.

Going fast is fun but you're right it's not comfortable for the wife and kids. I have a 2015 242 and I find that cruising somewhere around 35 is a very comfortable speed.

 

[eticket]

My lake has a 40 mph speed limit, so I have no need for more. When I first got the boat I took her up to WOT and got above 50 just to see what she could do but IMO that requires smooth water which we rarely have on our home waterway. Most of my point A to B driving is at 25 mph and rarely over 30 or I start getting complaints about the bumps and noise.

 

[ar240owner]

Man as far as speed goes I usually just cruse at 30 , good speed , and good on fuel !!

 

[Ismael Breton]

Honestly, overall kind of disappointed with the lack of changes to 2018 models. I'll keep my '17 model until I have a real reason to switch.

 

[Lake_Spray]

Thank you for saying this! I honestly do not understand why we should care whether the boat will go over 50 mph. It has been my experience that, when going anywhere over 40 mph, everyone on the boat is having no fun. They are holding on, the wind is whipping, and the noise is almost unbearable. Not to mention that the boat is drinking gas. I care about how fast he boat gets on plane and how well it tows a skier. I do not care if the boat can go over ~45. Maybe I'm getting old - Just my two cents.

I kind of use top speed as a best case. Then take off bimini top drag, and the load of 6 or 8 passengers and gear, and full tank of gas, and wind, and waves. Now, how much actual speed is leftover to pull a two person tube? That's the only reason I worry about it, not that I plan to spend a lot of time at top speed. More of a benchmark thing.

 

[TPABoatGrl]

Really odd color choices. If I was upgrading, it would be a 212LS. Unfortunately I would be looking at used boats because these just don't look good. People dropping $50,000 plus don't want "gimmick" colors. They want classy or sporty, but for sure want a scheme that will age well. I don't get it...

Totally agree that these new color choices are odd, I'm not into them at all. Yamaha sent out a customer survey a few months ago asking a lot about color preferences. They had even louder color combinations they wanted feedback on. The brightly colored towers will look dated quick!