buy 24 limited E or 242X e series?

[mraz72]

other than graphics, is the ONLY difference the integrated ballast? If we are planning on doing a bunch of wake surfing, should I go for the integrated ballast?

there is a 2016 limited E series at my dealer. What do you think is a good price at this point in the season? 60k?

 

[swatski]

https://jetboaters.net/threads/converting-a-limited-s-e-series-to-a-242x.11446/#post-197405

 

[AndyD]

The integrated ballast, wake board racks, and an upgraded sound system. Everything else is the same. We went with just the e-series and for as little as we plan to wakeboard we can get some racks and upgrade the sound system ourselves for less than the additional $7k on the base price by not having the ballast systems. Plus the ballasts take up a lot of storage room and I don't think we would have used it enough to justify it.

I think if you can get a deal for $60k OTD on an e-series then go for it IMO.

 

[fraserjr]

I think $60k is a good price for the 242 Limited S E-series. I had my dealer throw in the extended warranty and snap bow and cockpit covers for the same price, so I would see if they would do the same (or something equally important to you). I thought about the 242X as well since I used to wakeboard with our old boat and I would agree with others that you can do a lot with the $7k difference in that price (potentially even more if you get the 242 LSE for $60k). You still get the ride control, bigger bimini, drive by wire, etc. All in all we are really happy with our 242 LSE.

 

[mraz72]

I am guessing 60k WITH the bow and cockpit cover might not go over well, but I am thinking I can do 60k on the boat, then add tax and all of that.

so the consensus is, if I can get the 2016 limited E series for 60k, the benefits of a 2017 242 X series aren't worth it? I can, over time, add that stuff to the 2016 version.

 

[swatski]

I think 60k for an E-series boat is a great price!
The way I see it is with the E-series the two items that you are kind of committed to with the purchase are the E-throttles (fly-by-wire) and the tower (in a sense that those would be prohibitively expensive to change /upgrade). Other things like stereo, ballast, cover, cushions, shower, etc. can all be done later, maybe even better than OEM, IMO.

 

[Rod5]

If you are surfing don't forget about the built in speed control on the X. You will need to add perfectpass if you want to be consistent. just my 2 cents, but I'm bias

 

[swatski]

If you are surfing don't forget about the built in speed control on the X. You will need to add perfectpass if you want to be consistent. just my 2 cents, but I'm bias

I forgot the non-Xs don't get that feature! No idea why, actually?! But that is an important consideration given the uncertainty over any future Connext upgrades and how those would be handled.

 

[mraz72]

yeah, the perfect pass or built in speed control on the X would be very important. I thought all E series had that, guess not?

 

[Pinhacker71]

All e series have the speed control as far as I was told.

 

[fraserjr]

All e series have the speed control as far as I was told.

Yes, all E-series boats have the "Drive Control".

 

[swatski]

All e series have the speed control as far as I was told.

Yes, all E-series boats have the "Drive Control".

Constant speed or RPM?
Non-E boats all have cruise control, but not speed control, or ramp for accel.

 

[fraserjr]

Constant speed or RPM?
Non-E boats all have cruise control, but not speed control, or ramp for accel.

On my Connext screen, I have the "Drive Control" option screen, which is Yamaha's branded name for their perfect pass acceleration for wakeboard or wakesurfing. I have not actually tested it yet but all of the controls are there and along with the presets. Again this is for a 2016 E-series 242 Limited S

 

[mraz72]

without that, I would most likely move to the X as having that integrated is really nice. Ballast, probably nicer to have it integrated, but maybe not a show stopper. Radio and other things like that are all changeable later.

 

[swatski]

On my Connext screen, I have the "Drive Control" option screen, which is Yamaha's branded name for their perfect pass acceleration for wakeboard or wakesurfing. I have not actually tested it yet but all of the controls are there and along with the presets. Again this is for a 2016 E-series 242 Limited S

Yes, you are right, all E-series have it!

 

[Rod5]

Awesome, I didn't realize all the E-series have the speed and launch control features. But I'm still just a little bias!!

 

[OrangeTJ]

Probably not a popular opinion here, and I don't have a bad thing to say about YJBs, but if "a bunch of wake surfing" is in your plans I'd really recommend giving serious consideration to a v-drive wake boat. The 242X is already in the same actual price range as a good selection of nice watersports boats, since those boats universally sell for quite a lot less than their advertised MSRP and Yamaha's generally don't.

 

[jcyamaharider]

"A bunch of wake surfing" is a phrase and these Yamahas do it just fine. They also do alot of other things just fine which makes them the perfect all around boat. Stated and proven time and time again. You cannot go wrong buying a Yamaha.

If I were to be buying a new boat I would by the X and add 2 more ballast bags and the wedge and be done.

 

[swatski]

"A bunch of wake surfing" is a phrase and these Yamahas do it just fine. They also do alot of other things just fine which makes them the perfect all around boat. Stated and proven time and time again. You cannot go wrong buying a Yamaha.

If I were to be buying a new boat I would by the X and add 2 more ballast bags and the wedge and be done.

I totally agree. But I would wait to buy the X (or any E for that matter) until they fix the reverse (not working at speed) and the battery issues (start and aux voltages not separated due to continuity in "gateway" box, and the throttles not working without the aux bat). You would not want to deal with that kind of nonsense if you ever find yourself in front of a big barge, need to slow down fast, or boat in the middle of nowhere.
I'm sure there will be solutions, probably coming from the members here actually, but for now - it is what it is.

 

[OrangeTJ]

You will get no disagreement from me that they are great all around boats. It makes no difference to me one way or the other what the OP decides, but if somebody is spending in the neighborhood of $70k on a new boat it makes sense to consider what else is out there in that same price range and what best fits how the boat will be used. No doubt, the Yamaha has a great set of qualities that may make it the best choice for the OP.