Best boat under $30k

[cb0ggs]

Hi All!
New member and first post. I’m on the hunt for a boat that can hold at least 8 people. I want to be able to go tubing and skiing, as well as fishing. I prefer a ski boat over a pontoon.

max budget is $30k all in. I would appreciate your recommendations. My research continues to lead me to a Yamaha SX190. Do you have better recommendations??

thank you for reading and replying!!

 

[mark_m]

Get a late model used sx230. Shoot for 2007-2009 vintage and use any extra cash in your budget to do mods.

Buy your second boat first and enjoy the search. Good luck!

 

[Acard7]

I second the 07-09 AR/SX230s. They have plenty of room and power (high output motors). Just had 8 adults for a three day weekend, 4 coolers, and a couple other bags. Plenty of room, felt like we could fit 4 more even though our max is 10. That head compartment for storage is a difference maker too. Just make sure whatever you go with you do your due diligence. And post pics when you pull the trigger on one!!

 

[Mesa50]

If you are only going to have 8 people on board for cruising, the 190 will be ok, but if you have that many on board all the time, you’ll probably be disappointed in the performance. Especially if you are using it for water sports, and have it full of people. Boats used for towing skiers, tubes etc, need a lot of power if they are also full of passengers. I learned to wakeboard on a boat that was slow out of the hole with 4 people on the boat, and was hard to get out of the water. With just 2 people, I popped right up.

 

[haknslash]

8 people I would not even consider the 19’ boats. For your budget I agree with others go with the older 230 series boats.

 

[Gmole]

We have a 2021 SX190. The most we have had so far is 5 adults 2 coolers and everyones stuff. , which was fine but i think 6 would be the max if you want everyone confortable. It is usually 2-4 on board. Cruising and tubing is about all we do.

 

[Crob83]

I've had 8 on my 195 twice and it absolutely is way too crowded. Need at least a 21 footer

 

[the MfM]

The jetoon

 

[RiverRat]

Go ahead and scoop up my buddy @scot71 ’s 230. It’s nice, and priced well.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/2004-yamaha-sx230-in.35119/

 

[adrianp89]

Go ahead and scoop up my buddy @scot71 ’s 230. It’s nice, and priced well.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/2004-yamaha-sx230-in.35119/

Under budget and truly all in with all the accessories. This could be a great fit.

 

[zipper]

We loved our 07 AR230 HO. She was a great boat. Easy to maintain, drive, launch and load. Feeling a bit of sellers remorse two weeks after the sale.

 

[adrianp89]

We loved our 07 AR230 HO. She was a great boat. Easy to maintain, drive, launch and load. Feeling a bit of sellers remorse two weeks after the sale.

What's next?

 

[the MfM]

What's next?

Search Sailboats for Sale

 

[zipper]

What's next?

Well it's not like we don't have another boat. LOL





We just miss our go fast boat.

 

[Babin Farms]

What's next?

I figured @zipper already gave us a teaser for his next purchase.

2007 MTI 44 AMG Tribute - Seabound Yachts

According to Eric Colby of Boating Magazine, “For many years, one of the most anticipated moments of the Miami International Boat Show was the unveiling of that year’s themed MTI catamarans. One of the first boats the Missouri-based manufacturer did was the Mercedes-style MTI 44-foot catamaran...

seaboundyachts.com

 

[zipper]

I figured @zipper already gave us a teaser for his next purchase.

2007 MTI 44 AMG Tribute - Seabound Yachts

According to Eric Colby of Boating Magazine, “For many years, one of the most anticipated moments of the Miami International Boat Show was the unveiling of that year’s themed MTI catamarans. One of the first boats the Missouri-based manufacturer did was the Mercedes-style MTI 44-foot catamaran...

seaboundyachts.com

Funny...We did not have this boat in mind when we bought our new to us tow rig. Would need a bigger upgrade.

Edit: BTW that boat stayed on the trailer all weekend. It did not compete in the poker run this weekend. "All show, no go." lol

Lake Champlain Poker Run Flirts With Greatness

Based in Burlington, Vt., the Lake Champlain Poker Run never will be one of those sparkly, wild and rowdy 150-boat events. Organizers Nicole Carlson, Brian Hoar, Chris Fisher and David Wulfson don’t want that, and the good people of Burlington definitely don’t want that. In […]

www.speedonthewater.com

 

[GTBRMC]

Get a late model used sx230. Shoot for 2007-2009 vintage and use any extra cash in your budget to do mods.

Buy your second boat first and enjoy the search. Good luck!

My favorite of all the Yamaha jet boats!
I am a little biased, I owned a 2008 SX-230 from 2009 until I sold it in 2017. Awesome boat. Highly recommended - but they are getting a bit older, so try to find one that is coming from a caring owner.

PS: It stickered new for ~$39K in 2008. I bought mine as a leftover in 2009 (it was manufactured in July 2007) from a regional dealer that collected inventory from other dealers that went bankrupt during the Great Recession. Before adding the Y.E.S., anchor lights, and a spare tire, I paid $28.5K (including shipping +Yamaha mooring cover), before tax with only a total of $200 or so of dealer fees. Never used the Y.E.S.