Is there a best jet boat?

[JPL941]

Hello everyone, new to the forum. Very late to the game this year and unable to see or purchase a new jet boat for this year because they're all sold out! Rather than rush an important decision, it gives me some time to make the right one. I'm sure it's within this site, but i have yet to find it.

Is there a "BEST" jet boat: yamaha vs scarab vs vortex

Thanks for your time!

 

[Crob83]

No, is there a best Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge. All depends who you ask. But I prefer Yamaha, but never had an issue out of my sea Doo skis either

 

[anmut]

Give us your definition of "best" and we'll tell you what boat fits that.

 

[WV Hillbilly]

The “best” boat is the one you are happy with before, during, and after it is paid for…

@anmut has the best answer. There is a ton of experience and points of view here. If you can describe what you are looking for I’m sure this group can help or at least explain the pros and cons.

 

[2kwik4u]

Yamaha probably has the most market share.
Scarab probably has the best aesthetics.
Chaparral most likely has the best dealer network.

Really depends on what's important to you.

Much like modern car manufacturing, it's somewhat unlikely you'll get a "lemon" from any manufacturer. They're all fine vessels. The best advice we could give is to drive/sit/stand/ride/use each of them and buy the one that you like most. One of them will "speak" to you.....get that one.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

-What are you going to use the boat for?
-Where are you going to use it?
-How many people are you going to take on the boat? (Be realistic. Some get stars in their eyes about this)
-How often are you going to use it?

Those were the four questions that guided my search and eventual purchase.

 

[anmut]

-How many people are you going to take on the boat? (Be realistic. Some get stars in their eyes about this)

Good point and remember that the Coast Guard certification is based on a "non-US" weight base too. My 212S says it can hold 10 people, and we've done that before, but it's not comfortable if they're all Wisconsin adults. 6 adults is very comfortable. 6 adults and two kids 12 and under isn't bad either.

 

[ripler]

Just having clean out ports puts Yamaha at the top of the list. When I had my Yamaha I used them quite a few times to remove debris from the pump. The first time you suck up a ski rope you will happy that you don't need scuba gear to remove it.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Good point and remember that the Coast Guard certification is based on a "non-US" weight base too. My 212S says it can hold 10 people, and we've done that before, but it's not comfortable if they're all Wisconsin adults. 6 adults is very comfortable. 6 adults and two kids 12 and under isn't bad either.

Correct! The cargo weight listed for my boat is listed as 2200lbs, but there is a sticker that states; “10 persons 1860lbs”

The most I’ve had in my boat so far was 5 adults but could see 6 adults cohabitating quite comfortably on board.

 

[Skierdad]

The best boat is the one that fits you and your lifestyle the best and doesn't break your bank account to do it. We love our AR195 but the 212X would probably fit us better. Maybe next year. We ski, surf, and wakeboard pretty much all the time. Not the best for skiing but we will live with it.

Neighbor down the road purchased a $130,000 Mastercraft. Wife and him own old vehicles and I swear they live on bread and butter sandwiches....all they do is pull a tube around the lake. Makes no sense to me but to each their own.

 

[Quad]

Good point and remember that the Coast Guard certification is based on a "non-US" weight base too. My 212S says it can hold 10 people, and we've done that before, but it's not comfortable if they're all Wisconsin adults. 6 adults is very comfortable. 6 adults and two kids 12 and under isn't bad either.

We've got a 24' boat and 90% of the time it's the me, the admiral, and our kid. Yes, it's huge, but we love the space, especially if we want to spread out and chill at anchor. The most we've had on board is 9 people and even though it's rated for 12, it was definitely a crowd.

 

[Yambers]

The best boat is my boat, because it is mine, and nobody can have it. hahaha

 

[Drift Away]

The one you can afford and enjoy driving

 

[tabbibus]

my boat

 

[adrianp89]

The one you can afford and enjoy driving

By this, he means the one he has for sale.

 

[Evil Sports]

The best one is someone else's 1 you walk away from when you get to the dock.

 

[fatboyroy]

I picked yamaha cause it’s easier to troubleshoot since most member here owns a Yamaha ? but I’ve also heard great thing about scarab/rotax reliability.

 

[Evil Sports]

I feel like reliability and ease of service is definitely on Yamaha side

 

[Smitty244]

The best boat is a sold boat

 

[Smitty244]

I can say after 20 years of owning a 26’ sea ray that was previously a salt water boat that I will NEVER own another salt water boat. I put enough money into that tired old sea ray that could have gotten me 2 brand new 19’ yamahas. I said I’d never own another boat. Well, I just bought a 2021 sx195 and so far I’m enjoying it. Mostly because it is brand new and I know I can plan on using it and count on it running the way it should. Do I wish it was a 25’? Of course I do, but for our budget and wanting to also be able to tow it with my wife’s suv it will do just fine for my wife, son, 2 toddlers and I. At least for quite a while I hope. Do your research and have fun doing it. I know next to nothing about Yamaha jet boats yet, but I raced motocross for years and owned 3 yamahas and also Yamaha snowmobiles and I don’t think you can go wrong with one.