Considering an AR210

[ddeluca3]

We are considering an 2020 AR210. What are the pros and cons of a jet boat verses a i/o or an outboard? Also, are tubing and waterskiing similar experiences with a jet boat?
Thanks.

 

[Daren and Heather]

Yamaha Jet Boat Pros:
No prop = much less worries about people/kids getting cut
Can drive in super shallow water that boats with props can't
Amazing swim deck platform blows away any prop boat
AR210 is amazingly spacious for a 21ft boat, seats 10, L shaped bench seat in back like a pontoon, bow seating is spacious due to bow shape
Less maintenance
AR210 twin engine let's you spin on a dime if you want to (one in forward one in reverse)

Jet Boat Cons
Stock Low speed manuvering is tough, you need thrust to turn on a jet boat (but mostly everyone buys "fins" to remedy this)

 

[HangOutdoors]

Picking up mine at the dealer tomorrow, finally. Some of the things we considered buying the AR210 and a Yamaha Jet Boat in general.
No Prop for the kids. Nice Seating, Great Swim Deck. Two engines in case one goes out I can get back to shore/safety. Fantastic Hole Shot. Easier Maintenance.

Also a big factor was finding this forum and reading through a great many threads and learning about what I am buying and which Mods I would be installing from those with real world experience.

 

[OrangeTJ]

Jet boat wakes tend to have quite a lot more turbulence in the table than prop driven boats (especially inboards). Not really a problem for beginners and intermediate skiers and wakeboarders, though. The jets also throw a bit more spray, which can be annoying to tube riders. The fix is a long rope and/or goggles.

 

[captras]

I came from a stern drive Four Winns that I owned for 19 years. I would not go back. Here is a link to my views after 5 months ownership of my Yamaha:

https://jetboaters.net/threads/242-limited-se-5-month-review-for-those-trying-to-decide.11671/

 

[ddeluca3]

Yamaha Jet Boat Pros:
No prop = much less worries about people/kids getting cut
Can drive in super shallow water that boats with props can't
Amazing swim deck platform blows away any prop boat
AR210 is amazingly spacious for a 21ft boat, seats 10, L shaped bench seat in back like a pontoon, bow seating is spacious due to bow shape
Less maintenance
AR210 twin engine let's you spin on a dime if you want to (one in forward one in reverse)

Jet Boat Cons
Stock Low speed manuvering is tough, you need thrust to turn on a jet boat (but mostly everyone buys "fins" to remedy this)

Thanks for the feedback. There is a lot a great functionality of the AR210 which is what attracted us to it. Test ride this weekend!

 

[HangOutdoors]

I will say when you are next to it, it feels like a good size, but when you get in it was amazed at how much room it has for a 21'.

 

[Patman941]

I came from a stern drive Four Winns that I owned for 19 years. I would not go back. Here is a link to my views after 5 months ownership of my Yamaha:

https://jetboaters.net/threads/242-limited-se-5-month-review-for-those-trying-to-decide.11671/

Great review! Although it was four years ago, I found it super informative and makes me feel even more confident in buying a new Yamaha. Thank you for taking the time to provide such detail!

 

[synackattack]

The only con for me is the worry of something getting stuck in your impellers and ruining the day. I never felt worried about that on my prop boat.

The rest are all pros.

I check my pissers a lot while running around, and I learned and use the reverse intake clearing "trick" mentioned on this forum.

I wouldn't go back to a prop boat.

 

[Patman941]

Hey there! A fellow Bradenton Boy!!! Where do you normally launch from?

 

[synackattack]

Hey there! A fellow Bradenton Boy!!! Where do you normally launch from?

How's it going? We launch from the Braden River ramp on 64 mostly. You? It has been awesome out on the water lately!

 

[Patman941]

Oh I am new to this, and have no boat , but I am getting close to making the purchase. We will be launch from Ft. Hammer most of the time.

Where do you normally cruise to, or what are some of the good areas you like to visit?

 

[WREKS]

Yamaha Jet Boat Pros:
No prop = much less worries about people/kids getting cut
Can drive in super shallow water that boats with props can't
Amazing swim deck platform blows away any prop boat
AR210 is amazingly spacious for a 21ft boat, seats 10, L shaped bench seat in back like a pontoon, bow seating is spacious due to bow shape
Less maintenance
AR210 twin engine let's you spin on a dime if you want to (one in forward one in reverse)

Jet Boat Cons
Stock Low speed manuvering is tough, you need thrust to turn on a jet boat (but mostly everyone buys "fins" to remedy this)

Should not drive in shallow water.

 

[Tim in MD]

Sorry for the delay @ddeluca3 - I had this same question a year ago - if not too late, maybe my comments in the attached link will be of some help.

A year after buying the AR210, I have zero regrets. The only downside I've continued to find is the noise vs the prop - definitely louder, especially at a leisurely (slow) cruise. And, you'll likely want to add some steering fins to the Yamaha (which I'll do next month), but that's an inexpensive add.

Tim

Yamaha jet vs Bayliner Prop

 

[ddeluca3]

We are considering an 2020 AR210. What are the pros and cons of a jet boat verses a i/o or an outboard? Also, are tubing and waterskiing similar experiences with a jet boat?
Thanks.

Thanks for all the responses. We decided to go with the AR210.

 

[HangOutdoors]

Good choice. I picked up mine two weeks ago. I just picked up a Yamaha mooring cover but it was $800. The Shipping cover is a pain in the ass and is had to take with you and heavy. If you haven't done the full deal yet, see if they will throw in a Yamaha mooring cover or at least give you a big discount. It is worth a shot.

 

[ddeluca3]

Good choice. I picked up mine two weeks ago. I just picked up a Yamaha mooring cover but it was $800. The Shipping cover is a pain in the ass and is had to take with you and heavy. If you haven't done the full deal yet, see if they will throw in a Yamaha mooring cover or at least give you a big discount. It is worth a shot.

Thanks for the advise. Unfortunately we already closed the deal. After we closed the deal, we were advised to get the mooring cover since we are storing the boat in a dry rack because of the diesel forklifts.

 

[HangOutdoors]

Did you get the Blue or the white? I got the Blue One.

 

[ddeluca3]

White. We didn’t have a choice.

 

[Tim in MD]

Regarding the covers, I keep my AR210 on a lift year-round, but use the boat ~half the year. I used the mooring cover during boating season, and installed the shipping cover one-time in the fall, mostly to minimize UV degradation of the expensive mooring cover over the winter, but also because it provides a bit more coverage of the boat. So, even if you don't plan to use the shipping cover, it has some value to folks like me.

The shipping cover is indeed a bit of a PITA to install, especially when your boat's on a lift, trying to buckle the bow buckle and the far side buckle from the comfort of a kayak in November winds and waves.