How Yamaha drove me to a Scarab...

[elcue]

The Cobalt I owned was hands down the best built and nicest boat I have ever owned. It was built like a tank, and the upholstery as durable as it gets. Fit and finish on that boat was amazing. Only reason I didn't keep it is because we launch on some pretty shallow water at times and I couldn't launch it at a few places. Great boat though and it was hard to let go.

I’m a former Yamaha owner still think it’s a great boat for what it is. Lower budget entry level boat and can’t believe for the life of me someone sold a Cobalt to get a Yamaha. Get an outboard then if needed depth.

 

[Enduro900]

I actually went with a used 2012 Sea-doo Challenger 210SE over a used Yamaha for a lot of the same reasons (the Scarabs used the same Technology that was in the 2012 Seadoo Challenger). Throttle-by-wire, docking mode, ski mode, eco mode (automatically calculates the best cruising speed/32mph in my case) 1-lever operation with twin 215’s, and the swim platform fold-out loungers are pretty cool. For such an older boat design the step-thru transom design is great too.

And I’ve owned skidoo 4-stroke sleds for years without any issues, so I’m optimistic I wont with this either.

 

[1969mach1]

I respect your opinion, but mine is that a customer should have a build slot WITH Yamaha. I understand wanting to keep your dealers happy, but there doesn't appear to be any intent to keep the customers happy. I do not understand why Yamaha CANCELS customer pre-orders. Okay, so your boat spills over into the next year, why cancel a contract and not give the customer a choice to roll their contract over into a new boat or not (without starting at the bottom of some dealer list once again). It's insane to have a boat on pre-order, get cancelled, place another pre-order, get a boat next month or in nine months or get cancelled again, as we have heard on this forum.

Jim

Agree Jim, total bs, We just ordered an Outdoors RV in July. The dealer told me we were all set. I called Outdoors RV and asked them if we were "all set". Outdoors RV responded via phone by saying, "Yes, we have your order here, your dealer has the allocation and we should start building your unit about February 29th..." Outdoors RV is much smaller than Yamaha.

This system is a joke. We have a Yamaha 252SE on order. The dealer tells me they have allocation and I have a boat coming but they won't know when until it is actually in transit as their first notification is when it hits their parts statement.

 

[jEt_jAk]

I went from a Scarab 165 to a Yamaha AR195. Without a doubt the scarab was way better to control at low speeds. Especially reverse.

 

[dshscarab]

I went from a Scarab 165 to a Yamaha AR195. Without a doubt the scarab was way better to control at low speeds. Especially reverse.

I did the same thing. Scarab 165 ID to Yamaha AR 195. The Scarab was much quicker and way better to control. I do think the build quality is better on my Yamaha. It feels like it to me anyways. I also appreciate the extra room.

 

[Jim_in_Delaware]

Just curious is either of you looked at the Scarab 195 before getting your Yamahas? There are definitely things I like better about the Yamaha 195, but I do like the seating and the swim platform better with the Scarab.

Jim

 

[jEt_jAk]

At the time Yamaha had a more powerful engine. That’s why I went that way.

 

[dshscarab]

I didn't as there really weren't any Scarab dealers in my area other than Broward Motor Sports. The Yamaha dealer gave me almost double for my trade.