Candid Advice on Technology “Roll Down”

[David.Parrish]

Hello Everyone!

New to the forum. I have been doing my research and was about to pull the trigger on a 2019 242 Limited S E-Series. Then yesterday happened, and Yamaha introduced the 275 Series.... Great....

I don’t need a 27’ Boat; however, I do like the DRIVE system, updated Helm, and the in-water swim platform seating.

Being new to Yamaha, what is the likelihood that these features will roll down to the 24’ Series in 2020?

This is a big purchase, and while I’m sure this seems like FOMO, I would hate to miss some of those features if Yamaha tends to roll them down to the other classes.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Mainah]

The drive paddles are unlikely to trickle down due to cost. Someone will come out with a way to retrofit those swim seats. The helm is not that different in a 2018+ 242 e series. For me FOMO would be missing a whole season of boating.

 

[Mainah]

Oh yeah welcome. Lots and lots of useful info here.

 

[tabbibus]

the 242 LSE is a great boat. You will be happy. And have it now. do it!

 

[MidnightRider]

There is always going to some new shiny thing on the horizon, its way the world works - I'd say don't wait around for what might be.

 

[Julian]

Eventually some of the technology will trickle down, but first it has to have adoption and raving customers for that to happen. I've not driven the DRiVE system yet, it looks interesting but time will tell if it is a home run. If it is, I can imagine it wouldn't be hard to add to the E-Series boats.

Those in water seats on the other hand, I think we'll see a high demand for them and both after market and Yamaha moving that down to their other models - its just too easy not to. I'm hoping @JetBoatPilot has a solution for this pretty soon - Will is pretty good and quick at innovating on this stuff, so I expect we'll see something soon (unless Yamaha has it locked up in patents).

 

[Wayloncle]

Eventually some of the technology will trickle down, but first it has to have adoption and raving customers for that to happen. I've not driven the DRiVE system yet, it looks interesting but time will tell if it is a home run. If it is, I can imagine it wouldn't be hard to add to the E-Series boats.

Those in water seats on the other hand, I think we'll see a high demand for them and both after market and Yamaha moving that down to their other models - its just too easy not to. I'm hoping @JetBoatPilot has a solution for this pretty soon - Will is pretty good and quick at innovating on this stuff, so I expect we'll see something soon (unless Yamaha has it locked up in patents).

I saw a reply from Will on FB saying they were already working on the seating

 

[2kwik4u]

A good way to look at "trickle down" is something a lot simpler/easier. Hinged seats. The 2019 19ft boats just now got them, and they've been on the 24's for what 3-4 years? That's a pretty easy update compared to some of these other things like DRiVE.

Buy the boat you want now, don't waste a season waiting on a bigger/better/fancier one. Just like photography, the best boat to have is the one you have. If in 3 years you're dying for some new features, trade it in and get a newer one. I bet you'll still be pretty happy with the one you bought though!

 

[David.Parrish]

Thank you to everyone for all of the feedback and different perspectives. I think I agree that I will definitely miss more by missing another whole year! 2019 242 Limited SE, here we come!