Boat shopping?

[DeeAmericanDream]

Let me know I will meet you. 2 years ago I did it in August last year I did it Memorial Day weekend. This year I haven't done it because I have a 3 month old that was born in May. Kind of put a cramp on things. Also I do a lake George trip every year in Aug but not making it this year. @0627Devildog

 

[DeeAmericanDream]

I bought my 2016 242 S E-Series in September of 2016 once the 2017's were already on the lots. I talked to three dealers I was willing to drive to and got the best price. Ended up saving about $6k off sticker and got the extended warranty and bow and cockpit covers thrown in as well.

I haven't used my ballast yet. I was reading on an another thread that the 242x doesn't have enough ballast and is unsurfable stock? Is that true ? Do you have any problems?

 

[fraserjr]

I haven't used my ballast yet. I was reading on an another thread that the 242x doesn't have enough ballast and is unsurfable stock? Is that true ? Do you have any problems?

I don't have the balast in my boat, its the 242 S E-Series not the X. I am sure some of the X owners can chime on their experience.

 

[jcyamaharider]

Unless you weight 150 pounds you are not going to surf the stock 242X ballast ropeless. That doesn't mean you can't have fun back there. Get out there and most importantly have fun!

 

[Slfmde]

51K + tax 2017 AR240 w/galvanized trailer. Good deal or wait for 18's?

 

[jcyamaharider]

And a premium cover?

 

[Slfmde]

And a premium cover?

Working on starter kit, anchor kit and the cover. Still debating if that's too much boat however...

 

[jcyamaharider]

PSSSHHH, Never too much boat. If they throw in all of that I would say good to go.

 

[0627Devildog]

PSSSHHH, Never too much boat. If they throw in all of that I would say good to go.

Hell, for that price I'd upgrade (and immediately install cross pins on the tower bases)

 

[Slfmde]

Hell, for that price I'd upgrade (and immediately install cross pins on the tower bases)

Lots of dealers have the 17 AR240 for 51k now if you talk to them. Actually just had another dealer email me 50.5k + tax shipped to me.

 

[Coheeba]

So... I want to upgrade so bad I can taste it, but trying hard to be smart about it. Lol

(If you were convinced to go new) Would you say now is the time to get a '17? Would the '17s come down a bit more after the '18s are out? Or, will the 17s all get snapped up in the next 2 months and there won't be any to be had? Or, would it be worth it to wait till winter shows and consider the '18s? I'm guessing there's not going to be enough changes to these models to make full price appealing.

I found a 2017 242 Ltd S for 56,999. I'm feeling like that's a really good price from a dealer. (I haven't called, that's just the price on the website. So, they could make it up in fees I guess. )

I need to (and let the wife) sit in both an AR and the Ltd S. but I'm leaning toward the Ltd S from what I've read and seen in pics.

Or, the other thought I had is to just hold on a bit until some of the 15s and 16s start coming back in on trades. I have myself convinced that I like the '15+ features enough to stay with that age range.

Also, the wife prefers the solid colored hull, and likes the more colorful options over the white or gray. Thinking the yacht blue or black.

Any other thoughts or opinions?

Also, I guess I might as well open the discussion to other boats given a few of the recent declarations. But, with a young family I really like the idea of a jet boat. My uncle has a 28' Rinker with a 2' swim deck. I guess that swim deck gets you far enough away from the prop, but I still know it's down there.

The above price is on the high-end of what I'm willing to allow for a boat purchase, if offering other options.

Thanks

Personally, I would wait for a great deal. You don't have a lot of the season left where you are located . I found a 2016 242 LSE with 10 hrs last October for $56k . I was planning on buying a 242LS this spring but couldn't pass this deal up. You'll know it when the deal is right.

 

[BigAbe75]

Personally, I would wait for a great deal. You don't have a lot of the season left where you are located .

That is very true, and a good point. Kids start school next week, so free time is already at a premium. Weekend volleyball and pre-k soccer here we come!

And, our home lake is a little on the small side so we don't do much 'go out for a cruise' type rides. Once it's too cold for the tube, we're pretty much done. Mid-October at the latest probably.

 

[jcyamaharider]

You mean you don't surf in 50 degree water........I guess that is just me, @buckbuck , and everyone in Canada.....

 

[BigAbe75]

You mean you don't surf in 50 degree water........I guess that is just me, @buckbuck , and everyone in Canada.....

I need to get the wife trained up on driving the boat. She did great pulling the boat to Shelbyville and launch/retrieval. That's the next hurdle. Will get easier as the baby gets a bit older.

 

[Nickp98]

Good Luck on your search @BigAbe75 . We talked briefly about this in Shelbyville... your on the right track to stay with a 15+ boat. I went through the AR or LTD debate in the spring and ended up with an AR and love almost everything about it. I have changed a few things to make it my own with the extra $$ I saved by not buying a LTD... I think you should try and do something on a new 17' now since 18's will be out soon. It looks like they still have the extra 3 years of Y.E.S coverage included with new purchase...

 

[Coheeba]

I spent a career swimming and diving in cold a$$ water, not any more. Once the water goes below 70 I'm hunting.

 

[jcyamaharider]

Good Luck on your search @BigAbe75 . We talked briefly about this in Shelbyville... your on the right track to stay with a 15+ boat. I went through the AR or LTD debate in the spring and ended up with an AR and love almost everything about it. I have changed a few things to make it my own with the extra $$ I saved by not buying a LTD... I think you should try and do something on a new 17' now since 18's will be out soon. It looks like they still have the extra 3 years of Y.E.S coverage included with new purchase...

It is actually only 2 years. the factory one year plus 2 additional years.

 

[Slfmde]

You guys convinced me just closed at 50,173 +tax w/premium mooring cover new 2017 AR240. OP didn't mean to jack your thread maybe you can use this info. to help negotiate.

 

[BigAbe75]

I just found a new '17 AR240 for 49,9 includes the JBP edition kit. I believe that kit is something like $2,500 (though I didn't confirm that today).

I know we've said in other threads that adding mods doesnt have a whole lot of value when looking at trade in value and may be subjective on outright resale.

But, would you expect the addons to increase the value of a new unit? That feels like a pretty decent price for the boat even without the JBP kit. Is it common for dealers to try to sweeten the package by doing some of these mods?

@JetBoatPilot do you have any thoughts from your perspective?

 

[Bill D]

The dealer in Gulf Shores has their AR240's listed at $47,900. With the upgrades that sounds like a good price. The SeaDek alone would be close to a grand.