Back to the future: considering a mint 2009 232 Limited S vs a new 2016 AR240 - am I crazy?

[robert843]

I think you will see as big a overhaul as the 2015's where compared to the 14's. That seems to be the trend about every 4 years. I actually think the 1.8 maybe around for awhile but you never know you will likely see a new engine in the skis before the boats so that will be the sign. I agree the next big over haul will likely have drive by wire on all models, supercharged twin engine boats and you will probably see something like the ride system put on most models. I do expect some sort of hull redesign as well to incorporate those features. I'm def not trying to talk you out of older boat though they are great most who have them love them. I'm in love with the 16 SX240 color combo so that is what I think my next boat will be since I'm losing the battle to get an offshore boat lol but I'm going to wait two years I have decided to try and get a used one unless I find a smoking deal on s new one this coming year.

 

[Bruce]

the integrated keel is something that just can't be added to the older boats.

I am not so convinced about this.

I believe that one of the biggest benefits of the keel on the 240 series may be a reduction in felt impact when crossing large waves. I am very curious if this is intentional or accidental. It is the most appealing aspect of the 2015+ 24x hull to me. This does not apply to the 19x series hulls.

I believe that a keel guard like product could be formed into the shape of a keel and applied either with adhesive or bolts. Bolt on keels are quite common products on sail boats.

But several owners that I have discussed this with did not want to trade the cornering ability they would lose for the reduction in impact.

 

[swatski]

I am something like 60-70% committed - towards a new 2016 AR240... The dealer is great and has one unit in my fav color scheme for 51k OTD w/ext warranty and maybe some other something we are talking about. But...

Anyway, appreciate the advice and perspective very much! I generally lack perspective (I'm told) so that is very helpful.

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[robert843]

I am not so convinced about this.

I believe that one of the biggest benefits of the keel on the 240 series may be a reduction in felt impact when crossing large waves. I am very curious if this is intentional or accidental. It is the most appealing aspect of the 2015+ 24x hull to me. This does not apply to the 19x series hulls.

I believe that a keel guard like product could be formed into the shape of a keel and applied either with adhesive or bolts. Bolt on keels are quite common products on sail boats.

But several owners that I have discussed this with did not want to trade the cornering ability they would lose for the reduction in impact.

This is something I curious about. Not the adding the keel to the older models but the loss of cornering. The only people I have seen complain about this are basically saying losing the ability to spin out not cornering and all came from boats prior to 2010. My 2011 doesn't spin out no matter how hard I crank the wheel it basically digs and holds even at even in the boat test review they said the same thing about the 2010-14 models if I remember correctly but I would have to go back and look. Don't get me wrong I'm sure if I started at a low speed turned to the outside and slammed the throttle quickly and turned in the opposite direction I'm sure i could get the tail to break free but that's not cornering ability that's almost lost control once the tail breaks free and spins out. I have never seen any need to try it on the boat as I do not see any benefit to it but do the older boats spin out in just a normal hard cranked turn?

 

[AZDANSX230HO]

Our first Yamaha was a 2006 SX230, absolutely loved the styling of that boat and the interior layout. When we decided to get another Yamaha it was going to be a 2006 to 2009 230, personally I do not like the looks of the newer Yamaha's. I do not mind the sound of the engines, I am a gearhead and love the sound of engines!!! Here are some pic's of the 2006 and our current 2008.

 

[swatski]

@AZDANSX230HO Now we are talking! LOL.

 

[AZDANSX230HO]

@AZDANSX230HO Now we are talking! LOL.

Glad I could help with your decision LOL. The other great thing about the older 230's is you can buy them for 1/2 the price of the new ones, we paid 24K cash for our 2008, it's nice not having a payment on a toy!!

 

[swatski]

I believe that a keel guard like product could be formed into the shape of a keel and applied either with adhesive or bolts. Bolt on keels are quite common products on sail boats.

I know exactly what @Bruce is thinking .

Why did you have to put this idea in my head... Seriously.

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[Bruce]

I know exactly what @Bruce is thinking .

Why did you have to put this idea in my head... Seriously.

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I have spent several nights thinking about how to mold it and whether or not I would want to.

 

[jcyamaharider]

@swatski , If I were in your shoes, which I kind of am since I have an 2008 AR230, I would upgrade. You said it yourself, your kids spend most of their time in the bow area. On the new boats that is HUGE and my number 1 reason for wanting to upgrade in a couple of years. I love my boat and have it exactly the way that I want it but I would love to have my bow area bigger and the rear cockpit bigger as well.

 

[swatski]

Glad I could help with your decision LOL. The other great thing about the older 230's is you can buy them for 1/2 the price of the new ones, we paid 24K cash for our 2008, it's nice not having a payment on a toy!!

Very true, and I'm a cash buyer. So, yes, definitely part of the temptation, tons of cash left over to spent on mods.
Just look at what @MX71 did with that boat wrap - that is SICK.
https://jetboaters.net/threads/2005-sx230-upgrade-exterior-wrap-new-interior.9976/

On the flip side though, how many times in one's lifetime does a wife push to buy a new boat...? I would say - probably - not more than once, right? Which means - if I do - I'm blowing my wad...

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[swatski]

I have spent several nights thinking about how to mold it and whether or not I would want to.

Yeah, I had nightmares about it last night. Thank you , Bruce. You are bad influence.

 

[AZDANSX230HO]

Very true, and I'm a cash buyer. So, yes, definitely part of the temptation, tons of cash left over to spent on mods.
Just look at what @MX71 did with that boat wrap - that is SICK.
https://jetboaters.net/threads/2005-sx230-upgrade-exterior-wrap-new-interior.9976/

On the flip side though, how many times in one's lifetime does a wife push to buy a new boat...? I would say - probably - not more than once, right? Which means - if I do - I'm blowing my wad...

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I would stay on the conservative side, pay cash for the 2009, spend a few thousand modding it the way you want it, then sleep well at night knowing you still have a wad of cash in the bank!!

 

[buckbuck]

I would do the same as @AZDANSX230HO . The MR-1's can be abused, beat up, lack sufficient cooling and poorly maintained and they keep coming back for more. Like a Labrador Retriever they just want you to know you're loved.

 

[Wayloncle]

This is something I curious about. Not the adding the keel to the older models but the loss of cornering. The only people I have seen complain about this are basically saying losing the ability to spin out not cornering and all came from boats prior to 2010. My 2011 doesn't spin out no matter how hard I crank the wheel it basically digs and holds even at even in the boat test review they said the same thing about the 2010-14 models if I remember correctly but I would have to go back and look. Don't get me wrong I'm sure if I started at a low speed turned to the outside and slammed the throttle quickly and turned in the opposite direction I'm sure i could get the tail to break free but that's not cornering ability that's almost lost control once the tail breaks free and spins out. I have never seen any need to try it on the boat as I do not see any benefit to it but do the older boats spin out in just a normal hard cranked turn?

I've never gotten my 230 to break loose, like you said, I'm sure I could if I tried real hard, but that would be loosing control. I do "loopy loos" as my son calls them, every time we go out, it just digs in and corners real hard and sharp.

 

[2nazt]

Same I can turn sharp and hold but no skip/spin out as in being out of control.

 

[Bruce]

@justason, can you tell us about the moves that you want to avoid losing by installing a keel?

 

[swatski]

@swatski You may be aware but they made the timing chains wider and changed the other needed parts as well for that change with the 2016 model year 1.8l. Time will tell if that did the the trick to resolve that particular issue. The angle of the photo makes thing a bit deceiving but perhaps you have seen them in person. I certainly recommend sitting in them in person to get a feel for it. Another consideration may be noise level twin mr1s do not hold a candle to the 2015+ 1.8l 242s in this area.
I just went from a 1997 Seadoo Challenger 1800 (18ft twin engine) to my 2016 242. What do I miss? Only one thing. Running WOT dropping the throttles turning hard over and giving it WOT again really quickly causing the boat to do a surface 360. Surface 90 in that fashion is not even possible with these new 242s. It operates like a much bigger boat which is both good and bad. I could take or leave the touch screen but I do love the joystick control. The second captains chair was a must for the admiral and the noise reduction was a must for me. Not having to fix stuff all the time was a must for the admiral but well lets just say she is still not happy with all of my mod and maintance time. One more thing to consider in fuel efficiency. Yes I know we are talking about a boat and gas prices are low right now but what happens when fuel goes over 4 bucks a gallon again? Twenty percent better fuel economy will be a big deal (i do not what the difference is between the two models but my guess is that there is one). At over 5 bucks a gallon some members might even start finding ways to wake surf behind a sailboat

I do not know a bunch about the 232 model to compare more but hopefully that helps you in some fashion.

@Mainah Thanks again for very helpful hints. Following up on one, I looked up the timing belt part numbers and they do appear to have been changed for the 2016 1.8l models. If I am looking at the right part, the 2016 is 94591-74152-00 and 2015 (and before) is 94591-66152-00.

Interesting, and thanks for pointing that out.

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[justason]

@justason, can you tell us about the moves that you want to avoid losing by installing a keel?

Hi @Bruce I'm fighting a pounding headache this morning....I'm not sure what this is in reference too. I have no desire for a keel, the maneuverability of my boat is fine with me.

As for the comparison of the 09-232 vs 16 240...I would lean heavy towards the 232...these new models are a bit scary to me when i read up on the hull thickness change, The E series with the electronics is begging for problems IMHO. The creature comforts like hinged seats and sound deadening is attractive as hell tho !

My boat is a 2009, it lives in a garage, is maintained well for fluids and plugs, greases, ....but I seldom ever wash it or do anything "cosmetic".....she's been a sweetheart..... I'd like to do @Speedling throttle cable adjustment and lube all teh cables, but the opportunity to do so is hard to find....

Did i miss the point of this thread?.......asprin time

 

[swatski]

Hi @Bruce I'm fighting a pounding headache this morning....I'm not sure what this is in reference too. I have no desire for a keel, the maneuverability of my boat is fine with me.

As for the comparison of the 09-232 vs 16 240...I would lean heavy towards the 232...these new models are a bit scary to me when i read up on the hull thickness change, The E series with the electronics is begging for problems IMHO. The creature comforts like hinged seats and sound deadening is attractive as hell tho !

My boat is a 2009, it lives in a garage, is maintained well for fluids and plugs, greases, ....but I seldom ever wash it or do anything "cosmetic".....she's been a sweetheart..... I'd like to do @Speedling throttle cable adjustment and lube all teh cables, but the opportunity to do so is hard to find....

Did i miss the point of this thread?.......asprin time

Thanks. You guys are not making it easy...

I view the 2009 Limited S as a pinnacle of sorts in the Yamaha line, always wanted one. But... It is difficult to find one for sale that's been garage kept and babied for a reasonable price.

I found one (2009 232 Limited S) that is looking really good, with @Bruce help. Little tricky though. It is very low hours, cosmetically almost perfect, based on plenty of pictures. But, it has been moored in a wet slip during summers. I already know that the steering cables are shot. Not a biggie per se, but what's next...

Interesting situation, too. The guy had it up for auction on ebay, and after very light bidding it went for what was apparently an unintentionally low reserve of 25k. I'm not an ebay person, but watched it - it was interesting.
Here is the listing:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-Yamaha-232-Limited-S-/291814062509

Well, the guy with the winning bid never came forward and is currently being pursued (legally) by the boat owner, who is super pi$$ed. In the meantime, because of my correspondence with the owner, he inquired about my interest in the boat. He would sell it to me for the 25k, but is also super grumpy about it at the same time, and wants to re-list. Almost funny - dealing with him over the phone.

What to do... The 2016s 240 hull is definitely a mixed blessing. Soft and thin (terrible, but very light). Yet, incredibly capable. This was thoroughly attested by @1948Isaac and @robert843 during the Exuma trip this year. The boat is an absolute beast, these guys were going 40+ in 5-6 foot sea, that hull eats chop like nothing else that size and weight. And I don't care for the electronics. But the space is a huge. Huge. In a 24fter it can not get any bigger, really.

I have to say I struggle, when I probably should not.

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