Jet boat maintenance Lake Barkley

[dcmoore21]

Hello there! Have been reading this forum for some time as I lead up to my first jet boat purchase. Looking at a new AR190, planning to keep in a dry stack at Green Turtle Bay on Lake Barkley in Kentucky. I could buy it from a dealer in Lousiville or Nashville. My main concern is maintenance- both warranty and regular maintenance. I really don't want to have to tow it several hours away to have work done- that might be a deal breaker for me. It needs to be easy so my wife can use it whenever she wants. So questions:

1) Does anyone know a good marine shop on Lake Barkley or even Kentucky Lake that does jet boat work? I don't really want to do my own service/winterization unless that is super easy.
2) Is it a total waste to buy a new boat if you aren't planning to take it back to the dealer for maintenance? I would love a used 2019 but can't find any. I like all the upgrades in the newest model per the reviews on here.
3) Can anyone talk me out of this purchase? It sure would save me a lot of money...

 

[haknslash]

Maintenance is very easy on those boats. You can do it yourself. If a shop near you works on wave runner personal watercraft then they can also work on these boats since they are the same in many regards in terms of engine and jet pump. That being said the new boats have newer electronics like Connext and sometimes that thing has issues (just search on here) which would need to be taken to the dealer for them to resolve or swap things. Also worth mentioning is some dealers will not give you preferred treatment if you did not buy your boat from them, so don’t expect them to drop what they’re doing if you’re just a service customer. That goes for any boat out there not just Yamaha. Not all dealers are that way but many are. I know as a customer who bought a boat from the dealer I would expect preferred service over someone who hasn't spent big money at the same dealer.

 

[2kwik4u]

I'm not going to talk you out of a purchase. What kind of boating buddy would I be if I did that?

I bought from Yamaha of Louisville. Great dealer. They're been pretty accurate with estimated times for service the few times I've had my boat in there (twice in 4 seasons, all preventative stuff). It is a long tow (~3hrs) from Green Turtle Bay back up here to the east side of Louisville though. I completely get that.

@haknslash is correct though. All the maintenance on this boat is ridiculously easy. Basic hand tools and a manual will get you 90% of the work that needs to be done. I've changed the oil and plugs in mine once (getting ready for a second time here soon). I've also pulled the pump once to put the L13 cone on. Everything else on the AR190 (same boat I have) is VERY easy to deal with. Again, just basic hand tools will get you where you need to go. Overall, the 190 is a very simple boat to begin with, so that helps as well.

If I had a dry stack storage, where the boat was in the water waiting for the wife to hop on from the dock, I would be all over that. She's great with the boat, but still has anxiety with the trailer. Just needs more exposure and she'll be fine with that too I'm sure.

To answer your questions directly.

1) Winterization on this boat is SUPER easy. I did mine in about 10 minutes. Point the bow towards the sky. Rev the motor a few times to blow out the water box/exhaust. Add Stabil. Put cover on, and store for winter. Change the oil and the plugs once a year. Get a "oil sucker outer device", and it takes ~30min to do that.
2) Not at all. The maintenance on these is SOOO minimal that the dealer only charged me 1.5hrs for the first two years service I had done there. Yeap 90min to prep it for a full years service. Took me about 2.5hrs the first time I did it. Hoping to be closer to 2hrs this year since I know what I'm looking for in there.
3)Might save you money, but it'll cost you memories, fun times, and a great new hobby/passtime. Might save you a hangover or two if you're into that sort of thing.

 

[JetboatDrvr]

'16 AR190 owner here and we love ours. Plug and Oil change each spring is a 1-beer job. I flush the engine and wash the boat after each outing but that's largely because I'm in salt water country. Go buy it! No regerts here!

 

[jsg73]

Barkley and Ky Lakes are made for a jet boat. All that shallow water is much less concerning with no lower unit.

Ours was bought in Lexington and we had no issues with it last summer. I am paying the ludicrous charge for this first maintenance but guarantee I will take if from here.

I also suggest you look at adding some fins early on. They will give you and your wife more confidence at low speeds.