I’m Torn.... <AR 250 or 252S?>

[LakesideLaw]

I was looking at the 212SE but for roughly the same price we went with the 250 instead since we will be boating on Lake Michigan.

This was where I was at... I looked at the 252S to compare once I decided the 25 footer was a must but it was never really a candidate. The 212SE or the AR250 are the same price - the AR250 was the no brainer for me as the two biggest things you cannot change on a boat are size and size (and an enclosed head/changing room space). The 25 footer with the new hull and the extra room and the enclosed head/changing room for that price point? Sold. I would buy the AR250 every time over the 212SE and I would never spend the extra $14K for the back transom cushions, seadek flooring in the cockpit area and an extra 5 inches on my screen. I am buying a boat to use it - water sports, beach coves, transportation water restaurants, sand bars, family fun. Not living on it - I already got the extra missing MarineMats direct from them for $270, the screen is plenty big for me, and I actually prefer the marine mat transom without cushions -got the Mission Reef Mat as well to extend the transom "seating" play area cost me $500 during black friday special last year.

Boats size is the biggest factor IMHO followed by function (your personal function)... boats shrink in size quickly on the water - kids have friends they want to bring so space gets eaten up quick as well - enclosed head is a must... kind of like a 4 bedroom house - huge resale value down the road. If I was heavy wake surf and wanted a stoked dialed in wave I would have considered the X - my kids are 4, 10 - they love to tube - the AR250 will throw a decent wave with the wake sure package add on - enough to make spending $1200 an option but not $30K for the X.

AR250 is about the best value in a solid package with a 25 foot boat anywhere on the market IMHO - I priced comparable Cobalt $100K+, Chapp $90K+ - everything is an option "add on" with most boat makes - not Yamaha.

I would save the cash and get the AR250 - if after a couple years you want more bling - add it yourself or get the 252S - you will most likely get great return on your AR250. As for the "fit and finish" - for what it is worth - I was and have been extremely impressed with the fit and finish on the AR250. Zero regrets.

 

[mykwalker1]

What did you go with and what are your thoughts 18 months later?