Looking to buy my first jet boat *Update*

[adrianp89]

Well, looks like it paid off. I called my local dealer just to check on the availability of an AR195s and he said his regional guy hasn't showed up yet. However, he had a AR210 that arrived today that the buyers backed out on. Looks like I'm getting a brand new AR210! $45,900 out the door.

That is an killer price in this market..... almost seems to good to be true. Prep/Desititnation/registration/tax is usually an easy 4k.

 

[Wrecked Rooster]

That is an killer price in this market..... almost seems to good to be true. Prep/Desititnation/registration/tax is usually an easy 4k.

I thought so too. He's a smaller dealership and says he doesn't charge anything on top of MSRP. Got the bill of sale through email. Headed up there Saturday to pick it up.

Pro's and Con's on the AR210 vs the 195s in my opinion:

Pro's:
bigger boat
2 motors

Con's:
Not as many options (non wetsound speakers, smaller touch screen, no remote stereo in stern)
cheaper carpet
Less HP than the 195s while burning more fuel
Doesn't have dual captains chairs

What I'm thinking - I can't make the 19' boat bigger and I can't add another motor. I can add nicer carpet, nicer head unit, nicer speakers and a remote stereo in the stern to the AR210. Still, hoping I don't regret getting the nicer options to get a bigger boat. Though I doubt most people say they wish they bought a smaller boat.

 

[Maineiac]

I thought so too. He's a smaller dealership and says he doesn't charge anything on top of MSRP. Got the bill of sale through email. Headed up there Saturday to pick it up.

Pro's and Con's on the AR210 vs the 195s in my opinion:

Pro's:
bigger boat
2 motors

Con's:
Not as many options (non wetsound speakers, smaller touch screen, no remote stereo in stern)
cheaper carpet
Less HP than the 195s while burning more fuel
Doesn't have dual captains chairs

What I'm thinking - I can't make the 19' boat bigger and I can't add another motor. I can add nicer carpet, nicer head unit, nicer speakers and a remote stereo in the stern to the AR210. Still, hoping I don't regret getting the nicer options to get a bigger boat. Though I doubt most people say they wish they bought a smaller boat.

That bench seat is actually really useful. It makes the boat feel bigger with more seating space and you can fit a Coleman stacker cooler under it.

I have the same boat and upgraded the speaker and stereo system. And if you’re looking for a list of mods, check out @HangOutdoors posts. He’s done almost every mod to his AR210 lol

 

[HangOutdoors]

It is a great boat. Not sure what the bigger engines would really benefit for us. Yes I could go 7-8 mph faster and it would jump out the hole a bit quicker but those are things that aren't important to the family. The Admiral loves the J seating. Although the chair would be better when I am launching off 3+ footers and a bit more comfortable. I am 6' and can lay down easily flat. It works awesome for when we bring younger kids. As I have indicated before, I wish the Connext screen was bigger.

Everything else can me modded to your taste and what you want. @Maineiac is correct, there are not many mods I haven't done, except Stereo. Which is not a big thing for us right now.

If I had to buy it again, depending on the price difference I would either buy the AR210 or the 212S. I paid 42k OTD 1 month pre Covid, so for that price I did really well, they gave me one hell of a deal. I looked at a 212s but the price difference was almost $17,000 OTD, so that was not in the budget.

The boat has been great, EXCEPT, for the steering cable issue I am having right now, but it looks like it is an isolated event on these models. But I will get to the bottom of it.

You can search on here for how I did the dual battery. Follow it exactly and it will fit nicely. I recommend that on your list for some of the first mods you do. My other favorites include Vapor Alarm, Bilge Alarm, Cobra Fins and Trim Tabs. 2nd Bilge is slated for June.

If you are not going on big water or extremely choppy water, you won't need the Tabs, but it was a must for us in the Great Lakes.

I also put a 9" Chart/Plotter in, nice digital USB Ports, helm and passenger side and I have a trolling motor ready to try and get mounted. My version of a Jet Fish n Ski

 

[BRosen]

Well, looks like it paid off. I called my local dealer just to check on the availability of an AR195s and he said his regional guy hasn't showed up yet. However, he had a AR210 that arrived today that the buyers backed out on. Looks like I'm getting a brand new AR210! $45,900 out the door.

Congrats on the boat!! That is a really good deal for that boat, right now. I think you’re going to be really happy with the 21’ over the 19‘. And, someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I think 2015 is when they started making the keel change to make the handling better.

 

[adrianp89]

I thought so too. He's a smaller dealership and says he doesn't charge anything on top of MSRP. Got the bill of sale through email. Headed up there Saturday to pick it up.

Pro's and Con's on the AR210 vs the 195s in my opinion:

Pro's:
bigger boat
2 motors

Con's:
Not as many options (non wetsound speakers, smaller touch screen, no remote stereo in stern)
cheaper carpet
Less HP than the 195s while burning more fuel
Doesn't have dual captains chairs

What I'm thinking - I can't make the 19' boat bigger and I can't add another motor. I can add nicer carpet, nicer head unit, nicer speakers and a remote stereo in the stern to the AR210. Still, hoping I don't regret getting the nicer options to get a bigger boat. Though I doubt most people say they wish they bought a smaller boat.

You can add speakers, and a remote in the stern. You can also put in a 7" RayMarine (possibly 9") flush mounted in the dash (if your creative). You won't regret any of the upgrades. There is really nothing the 195S offers that you can't add on. September is the group buy for SeaDek... so ride out summer with the carpet and then upgrade!

I like the bench better than the captains chair, more room, plus you can slide bags under it.

You will love the boat and it sounds like everything worked out perfect for you.

 

[Wrecked Rooster]

It is a great boat. Not sure what the bigger engines would really benefit for us. Yes I could go 7-8 mph faster and it would jump out the hole a bit quicker but those are things that aren't important to the family. The Admiral loves the J seating. Although the chair would be better when I am launching off 3+ footers and a bit more comfortable. I am 6' and can lay down easily flat. It works awesome for when we bring younger kids. As I have indicated before, I wish the Connext screen was bigger.

Everything else can me modded to your taste and what you want. @Maineiac is correct, there are not many mods I haven't done, except Stereo. Which is not a big thing for us right now.

If I had to buy it again, depending on the price difference I would either buy the AR210 or the 212S. I paid 42k OTD 1 month pre Covid, so for that price I did really well, they gave me one hell of a deal. I looked at a 212s but the price difference was almost $17,000 OTD, so that was not in the budget.

The boat has been great, EXCEPT, for the steering cable issue I am having right now, but it looks like it is an isolated event on these models. But I will get to the bottom of it.

You can search on here for how I did the dual battery. Follow it exactly and it will fit nicely. I recommend that on your list for some of the first mods you do. My other favorites include Vapor Alarm, Bilge Alarm, Cobra Fins and Trim Tabs. 2nd Bilge is slated for June.

If you are not going on big water or extremely choppy water, you won't need the Tabs, but it was a must for us in the Great Lakes.

I also put a 9" Chart/Plotter in, nice digital USB Ports, helm and passenger side and I have a trolling motor ready to try and get mounted. My version of a Jet Fish n Ski

You have done a ton to your boat! Wow! I’ll have to search through your post and checkout all the upgrades. Might hit you up with some question if I run into anything. This seems like a great community. I’ve only been a member for 24 hours and everyone has been very helpful. I always join a forum for everything I own. Some are better than others.

He only has the white with baby blue trim. I’d prefer the black and white one, but beggars can’t be choosers. Pick it up Saturday and move Mother’s Day to the lake!

also, the lake I always go to is 3.6 square miles. With an occasional trip to Texoma that is a 139 square mile lake.

 

[Wrecked Rooster]

That bench seat is actually really useful. It makes the boat feel bigger with more seating space and you can fit a Coleman stacker cooler under it.

I have the same boat and upgraded the speaker and stereo system. And if you’re looking for a list of mods, check out @HangOutdoors posts. He’s done almost every mod to his AR210 lol

nice! Would love to chat with you about your stereo setup. I’m pretty good with electronics and I’ve wired up a few power boxes using LiFePO4 batteries for camping. Don’t really know anything about audio though.

 

[Wrecked Rooster]

Congrats on the boat!! That is a really good deal for that boat, right now. I think you’re going to be really happy with the 21’ over the 19‘. And, someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I think 2015 is when they started making the keel change to make the handling better.

thank you! I called multiple dealerships and they wanted anywhere from $3k-6k over msrp. One guy is selling a 2021 195s with 2 hours on it for $48k right now, locally. Crazy times. Felt getting at MSRP was a decent deal.

 

[Wrecked Rooster]

You can add speakers, and a remote in the stern. You can also put in a 7" RayMarine (possibly 9") flush mounted in the dash (if your creative). You won't regret any of the upgrades. There is really nothing the 195S offers that you can't add on. September is the group buy for SeaDek... so ride out summer with the carpet and then upgrade!

I like the bench better than the captains chair, more room, plus you can slide bags under it.

You will love the boat and it sounds like everything worked out perfect for you.

Thanks for the heads up on the group but. Definitely have to look into that. Again, this community is amazing. Think we got lucky on the whole deal and am happy to make memories on the lake with my family and friends. I’ll have to look into that ray marine.

 

[HangOutdoors]

You have done a ton to your boat! Wow! I’ll have to search through your post and checkout all the upgrades. Might hit you up with some question if I run into anything. This seems like a great community. I’ve only been a member for 24 hours and everyone has been very helpful. I always join a forum for everything I own. Some are better than others.

He only has the white with baby blue trim. I’d prefer the black and white one, but beggars can’t be choosers. Pick it up Saturday and move Mother’s Day to the lake!

also, the lake I always go to is 3.6 square miles. With an occasional trip to Texoma that is a 139 square mile lake.

You will enjoy the white with the water spots, much easier on the eye. I have the Royal Blue and I am always wiping it.

 

[Wrecked Rooster]

You will enjoy the white with the water spots, much easier on the eye. I have the Royal Blue and I am always wiping it.

Brilliant! That totally makes sense.

 

[buckbuck]

@Wrecked Rooster Congratulations on the new boat. But please temper the expectations of your Mothers Day adventure. Those engines have to be broken in with a specific procedure and driving a jet boat will take some getting use to. If your family can simply enjoy being on the water without tubing or other watersports then you will be fine.
You're going to have a fun summer.

 

[Wrecked Rooster]

@Wrecked Rooster Congratulations on the new boat. But please temper the expectations of your Mothers Day adventure. Those engines have to be broken in with a specific procedure and driving a jet boat will take some getting use to. If your family can simply enjoy being on the water without tubing or other watersports then you will be fine.
You're going to have a fun summer.

thanks for the heads up. My kids are 4 and 6. They are just happy to be on the water. We have one of those lily pads from our last boat that the love to run around on. Probably just throw that out and let them chill out. Still, might be a good idea to take it out solo and run it through its paces. Noodling season is about to start and can break it in going from fishing hole to fishing hole.

 

[Chatt_Jetsetter]

@Wrecked Rooster Congratulations on the new boat. But please temper the expectations of your Mothers Day adventure. Those engines have to be broken in with a specific procedure and driving a jet boat will take some getting use to. If your family can simply enjoy being on the water without tubing or other watersports then you will be fine.
You're going to have a fun summer.

This is exactly what I was going to post...take it easy until she's broken in. Congrats on the new boat!

 

[HangOutdoors]

@Wrecked Rooster as @buckbuck mentioned break in is key. You have a couple hours of running it at different rpm's/speeds. Search on this forum. @Cobra Jet Steering LLC has an excellent Break in routine that he uses and I recommend. I would focus on that first before lounging around, get it over with in one straight shot, the first time you are out and get the engine situated, than after that your next will step will be the 10 hour service.

Enjoy.

 

[212s]

And congrats on finding a new boat! Everyone has already said all the important bits, so just search the forum and you'll find all your answers for upgrades and mods. Don't forget to update your location and boat model info.

 

[Maineiac]

nice! Would love to chat with you about your stereo setup. I’m pretty good with electronics and I’ve wired up a few power boxes using LiFePO4 batteries for camping. Don’t really know anything about audio though.

Anytime, let me know! The basics were a replacement of the stock speakers with better ones of the same size, added two tower speakers on the wakeboard tower, adding an amplifier to power everything, and also replaced the head unit with one that has dual zone control so I can control the tower independently. Oh, and I also put in a 10” subwoofer too.

Before you tackle this, I recommend getting a dual battery switch installed. That will cover you if you want to play tunes at the sandbar and still start the boat after. It’s also great piece of mind.

 

[HangOutdoors]

@Maineiac Out of curiosity what did you spend on the sound upgrades?

 

[Maineiac]

You will enjoy the white with the water spots, much easier on the eye. I have the Royal Blue and I am always wiping it.

Is this the color you have? Spots are bad on mine too.