Moomba Max to Yamaha 255XD

[Neuralgroover]

Hey everyone! I have a 2022 Moomba Max (bought new) that I am highly debating trading for Yamaha 255XD. We rarely ever surf (maybe when kids a bit older), and mostly cruise around and hit the sandbar. So I would still like the option of surfing, but it's not my main reason for the boat. The main reason would be so we can go in shallower water at the sandbar, and be able to surf in shallower waters compared with the Moomba at times, cruise in something that pounds less in chop and waves.

My Moomba is barely used, just a couple/few hours per year, looks brand new, and had bought a lot of upgrades, awesome/sporty paint job. My hesitancy is they are offering only 55k for the trade (around 60k after tax credit), and about $75k out the door with the trade. I paid more than 120k for the Moomba in 2022 so the cost offset is hard for me to digest and reconsidering the deal.

Curious if those of you who have gone from Moomba (or other surfboat) to Yamaha surfboat are happy with more versatility, shallow water capability, etc.? The lake can get quite choppy and wavy fast, so I'm not sure which would be better with less pounding. Some tell me Moomba would be better in a lot of waves and chop, others say Yamaha? Any first hand opinions on this?

It will be a completely new learning curve with maneuvering and docking the Yamaha as well since I've gotten it down with the Moomba. So a bit concerned about that.

I'm just hesitant to blow that much more cash unless the trade off and gain is clearly well worth it. Figured I'd see who had first hand experiences between these boat types here.

Thanks!!!

 

[Neutron]

Hey everyone! I have a 2022 Moomba Max (bought new) that I am highly debating trading for Yamaha 255XD. We rarely ever surf (maybe when kids a bit older), and mostly cruise around and hit the sandbar. So I would still like the option of surfing, but it's not my main reason for the boat. The main reason would be so we can go in shallower water at the sandbar, and be able to surf in shallower waters compared with the Moomba at times, cruise in something that pounds less in chop and waves.

My Moomba is barely used, just a couple/few hours per year, looks brand new, and had bought a lot of upgrades, awesome/sporty paint job. My hesitancy is they are offering only 55k for the trade (around 60k after tax credit), and about $75k out the door with the trade. I paid more than 120k for the Moomba in 2022 so the cost offset is hard for me to digest and reconsidering the deal.

Curious if those of you who have gone from Moomba (or other surfboat) to Yamaha surfboat are happy with more versatility, shallow water capability, etc.? The lake can get quite choppy and wavy fast, so I'm not sure which would be better with less pounding. Some tell me Moomba would be better in a lot of waves and chop, others say Yamaha? Any first hand opinions on this?

It will be a completely new learning curve with maneuvering and docking the Yamaha as well since I've gotten it down with the Moomba. So a bit concerned about that.

I'm just hesitant to blow that much more cash unless the trade off and gain is clearly well worth it. Figured I'd see who had first hand experiences between these boat types here.

Thanks!!!

Not sure you will find many that went from a dedicated surf boat to a Yamaha. Its usually the other way around.

 

[suke]

I'd be looking at the Kyma if I was also price shopping the 255XD. Much better surf experience than any Yamaha. You will be disappointed coming from a surf boat if you surf even once on any yamaha.

 

[Neuralgroover]

T

I'd be looking at the Kyma if I was also price shopping the 255XD. Much better surf experience than any Yamaha. You will be disappointed coming from a surf boat if you surf even once on any yamaha.

Thanks. I completely understand the wave will be of no comparison with Yamaha. I'm considering the switch not for surfing, but because we mostly do cruising and going to the sandbar. I want something with a smaller draft so I don't have to anchor so far out. I'd like something that handles the chop a bit better without so much pounding like the Moomba does too. Those are my priorities in the boat. The surfing option will be nice to have just to play around with at some point (if we ever use it at all, which we didn't in the Moomba either), even though I realize the wave will be no comparison.

 

[Hot2Go]

I would try to find a dealer that has a Yamaha you can captain before you make the switch. Completely different feeling navigating with a jet boat instead of an inboard, outboard, or I/O! It will indeed be a much better ride in chop and you’ll park closer to sandbars like you want. We love our Yami for the safety profile since our kids are 4 and 8, they too have no desire for water sports or even tubing (yet). Finishing touches on a Yamaha can be left much more to be desired for sure. So definitely get into one to look around!

Also willing to bet you’d get more selling private party, wake boats are a hot commodity I feel because everyone wants to do it, or at least everyone I know lately.

 

[Neutron]

T

Thanks. I completely understand the wave will be of no comparison with Yamaha. I'm considering the switch not for surfing, but because we mostly do cruising and going to the sandbar. I want something with a smaller draft so I don't have to anchor so far out. I'd like something that handles the chop a bit better without so much pounding like the Moomba does too. Those are my priorities in the boat. The surfing option will be nice to have just to play around with at some point (if we ever use it at all, which we didn't in the Moomba either), even though I realize the wave will be no comparison.

Yamaha in comparison to most other boats of the same size do not handle chop very well. They are very light in comparison. If you are looking for something to anchor closer to a sandbar, look at outboards

 

[buckbuck]

https://i.ytimg.com/an_webp/lzGPNEkfbTY/mqdefault_6s.webp?du=3000&sqp=COrKx88G&rs=AOn4CLC0OSDYITWqhkTBpL60y4Xzdv6dkA

 

[biffdotorg]

The main reason would be so we can go in shallower water at the sandbar, and be able to surf in shallower waters compared with the Moomba at times, cruise in something that pounds less in chop and waves.

Thanks!!!

Allowing you to anchor, or enjoy shallow water is a great reason to switch to a jetboat. But surfing in shallow water should not be a priority in any boat.

The thing we have all noticed with any surf boat is the wave will not completely develop in less than 10ft of water. It's crazy to imagine but totally true and proven by members here.

The biggest reason to not surf in shallow water is it is 100% the reason that surf boats are getting a bad rap nationwide. I'm not going to preach about it, as it's not my place. I surf very minimally as well. But there is no reason for any of us to be surfing in water so shallow that it will cause the damage that all these politicians an uninformed lake property owners are crying about. Please do not fuel the fire by shooting for surfing in water shallow enough to require a jetboat.

I will put the soapbox away for now. (we love our boat for what it was designed for. Jack of all trades master of none, other than the coolest swim platform on the market)

 

[Neuralgroover]

Thanks! I agree. I'm aware of the 10 ft phenomenon as well. When I mean shallow for surfing, I was referring to at least 10 ft (if not more). Much of the area that we cruise can get quite shallow at less than that and aren't surfable, but there are a lot of spots that are 10-15 feet or so, and that would be where I'd consider surfing (if we do at all).

Allowing you to anchor, or enjoy shallow water is a great reason to switch to a jetboat. But surfing in shallow water should not be a priority in any boat.

The thing we have all noticed with any surf boat is the wave will not completely develop in less than 10ft of water. It's crazy to imagine but totally true and proven by members here.

The biggest reason to not surf in shallow water is it is 100% the reason that surf boats are getting a bad rap nationwide. I'm not going to preach about it, as it's not my place. I surf very minimally as well. But there is no reason for any of us to be surfing in water so shallow that it will cause the damage that all these politicians an uninformed lake property owners are crying about. Please do not fuel the fire by shooting for surfing in water shallow enough to require a jetboat.

I will put the soapbox away for now. (we love our boat for what it was designed for. Jack of all trades master of none, other than the coolest swim platform on the market)

 

[suke]

T

Thanks. I completely understand the wave will be of no comparison with Yamaha. I'm considering the switch not for surfing, but because we mostly do cruising and going to the sandbar. I want something with a smaller draft so I don't have to anchor so far out. I'd like something that handles the chop a bit better without so much pounding like the Moomba does too. Those are my priorities in the boat. The surfing option will be nice to have just to play around with at some point (if we ever use it at all, which we didn't in the Moomba either), even though I realize the wave will be no comparison.

Again if I was shopping the 255 I'd take a really hard look at the Kyma K7. It's also a jet boat, but has a better surf wave. So, it has all the benefits of a Yamaha jet boat, but better quality boat.

 

[Neuralgroover]

Yamaha in comparison to most other boats of the same size do not handle chop very well. They are very light in comparison. If you are looking for something to anchor closer to a sandbar, look at outboards

Interestingly, the 2026 255XD is heavier than my 2022 Moomba Max. Not major, about 200 lbs dry weight difference.

 

[kmcenaney]

I traded in my 2011 Moomba LSV for a 252SE last year. The major motivation was shallow water and stumps in our lake. I was worried about chop handling. Wasnt concerned about losing surfing since that never really caught on with our family. In any case, the chop handling is way better in the Yamaha compared to my old Moomba (which likely was a shallower profile than yours). Not having to worry about water depth or stumps the way I used to stress over them has been a complete relief, especially now that my children are starting to take out the boat on their own. Once I upgraded the sound system to offset the 'new' engine noise frequency, I cant think of anything I miss from the v-drive. And the wife and friend group love the new rear deck configuration which I didnt have with the Moomba. I havent sucked up a tow rope yet, but I know it is coming and I might feel differently then....but then again, I got stranded mid lake with the Moomba by wrapping one around the prop and drive shaft...

 

[Neuralgroover]

I traded in my 2011 Moomba LSV for a 252SE last year. The major motivation was shallow water and stumps in our lake. I was worried about chop handling. Wasnt concerned about losing surfing since that never really caught on with our family. In any case, the chop handling is way better in the Yamaha compared to my old Moomba (which likely was a shallower profile than yours). Not having to worry about water depth or stumps the way I used to stress over them has been a complete relief, especially now that my children are starting to take out the boat on their own. Once I upgraded the sound system to offset the 'new' engine noise frequency, I cant think of anything I miss from the v-drive. And the wife and friend group love the new rear deck configuration which I didnt have with the Moomba. I havent sucked up a tow rope yet, but I know it is coming and I might feel differently then....but then again, I got stranded mid lake with the Moomba by wrapping one around the prop and drive shaft...

Appreciate the perspective. Those are most of the same reasons I'm planning the trade, basically to get a boat that is better at the things we most often do (cruising, sandbar, shallow), rather than made for surfing which we never do. I like the features and colors of the 255XD which is why I'm going with that, not really for the surfing. I figure it might be nice to have at some point though.

I've heard a lot of others say the Yamaha will ride the chop and waves better than the Moomba, and it makes sense when comparing the hulls and bottoms of the boats. The Yamaha is surprisingly also heavier than my Moomba (not a huge difference though).

My main concerns with the switch are not so much the surfing capabilities but more so 1) the big difference in maneuvering, docking, etc. From everything I've read though, it seems like the maneuvering and DRiVE system will likely make it all much easier. I was told learning how to drive a V-drive is the hardest boat to learn to maneuver (was told this after I bought it). So I figure since I have that down, the Yamaha hopefully won't be too bad in comparison. My other main concern is 2) the loud engine noise that everyone complains of (this one probably worse with 2 twin supercharged engines). However, it seems like everyone says you "just get used to it". So we'll see lol.

 

[PopaG]

Coming from a 21 ft I/O, we were considering the Moomba Max as well but got a deal on an almost new 2024 252xe.

Very happy to get the best overall use while having a reasonable surf setup for the grandkids entering their teenage years as they transition to more serious watersports.

Also saved a lot of money by not getting the x-drive and supercharger. 400 horsepower is more than enough for our needs. Added Cobra Jet Steering for thousands $$ less than the x-drive and it really didn't take more than a little practice to easily maneuver around no wake and dock areas. I also find the benefits of shifting throttle use between the 2 engines provides much more control than the slow speed steering was with the single prop and rudder of my old I/O.

We found the 25 ft Yamaha to handle the chop much better than our old 21 ft, and an added benefit of the X model by filling the middle ballast bag results in a significant further reduction in bounce on choppy days.

 

[Tarkenton09]

Hey everyone! I have a 2022 Moomba Max (bought new) that I am highly debating trading for Yamaha 255XD. We rarely ever surf (maybe when kids a bit older), and mostly cruise around and hit the sandbar. So I would still like the option of surfing, but it's not my main reason for the boat. The main reason would be so we can go in shallower water at the sandbar, and be able to surf in shallower waters compared with the Moomba at times, cruise in something that pounds less in chop and waves.

My Moomba is barely used, just a couple/few hours per year, looks brand new, and had bought a lot of upgrades, awesome/sporty paint job. My hesitancy is they are offering only 55k for the trade (around 60k after tax credit), and about $75k out the door with the trade. I paid more than 120k for the Moomba in 2022 so the cost offset is hard for me to digest and reconsidering the deal.

Curious if those of you who have gone from Moomba (or other surfboat) to Yamaha surfboat are happy with more versatility, shallow water capability, etc.? The lake can get quite choppy and wavy fast, so I'm not sure which would be better with less pounding. Some tell me Moomba would be better in a lot of waves and chop, others say Yamaha? Any first hand opinions on this?

It will be a completely new learning curve with maneuvering and docking the Yamaha as well since I've gotten it down with the Moomba. So a bit concerned about that.

I'm just hesitant to blow that much more cash unless the trade off and gain is clearly well worth it. Figured I'd see who had first hand experiences between these boat types here.

Thanks!!!

I’ve got a 2022 Yamaha 255xd that I may consider trading. Lime green Less than 200 hrs. Been kicking the idea around because we surf a lot. Like 85% of the time when we have people on the boat most weekends. I have grown to enjoy my jetboat though. Amazing all around if interested let me know.