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My Yamaha 190 FSH Review

Julian

Jetboaters Fleet Admiral 2*
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Location
Raleigh, NC 27614
Boat Make
Yamaha
Year
2016
Boat Model
242X E-Series
Boat Length
24
I had posted this as a reply to River Valley's review but wondered if it might get buried at the bottom of that post, so I'm posting in its own thread.

I recently got to test drive this boat and Garret @RiverValley summed up my thoughts on it very well. I liked the layout and storage too. The t-top was really solid - you could do pull-ups on it! I won't bother posting duplicate posts to what Garret shot, but will show a few other details not covered and some videos.

The wash down pump worked fine for me, didn't have a normal hose pressure, but should be good enough for rinsing the boat off. It won't be blasting off stubborn fish guts! I also noticed that the throttle control doesn't have the usual button at the axis that you can press to rev the engines in neutral. This would have enabled one to increase the hose pressure (consider that Yamaha). The only concern I have with it is that since the engine has to be running to operate it, and the wash down switch pumps up the engine to approx 2500 RPM, the chance of pulling something into the pump goes up. Use with caution around lines and ropes!

The dash was nicely laid out. I didn't have a problem with the big space for customer supplied electronics as this is pretty standard on a fishing boat. There was also nice access to the back of the dash from inside the changing/storage area so mounting electronics is easier. PLUS they provide TWO accessory circuit breakers for add on electronics. I WISH they would provide at least one accessory port on all their models!

The single engine didn't have the oomph of the twin engine boats, but performed as I expected for its power. It tracked really well though waves with little to no walking or wiggling. Since it has the articulating keel it tracks at slow speeds better than boats without the "rudder" and requires less correcting. Here is a video that demonstrates this:

When discussing it with my brother who lives in Tampa and would like a flats boat, he asked if there was a built in "power pole" or somewhere to mount one. There is not, and I'm not sure how easy it would be to add one as the stern isn't a flat transom like many flats boats. Not sure what the options there would be. I also agree with Garret that the sport boat with t-top needs pedestals. The do come with the deluxe model, but not with the sport model (has the t-top) - I thought that was strange.

I think this boat will be popular and even more so if they build a twin engine 21 or 24' version!

My single biggest complaint is the complete lack of ANY cup holders! Apparently the idea was to keep the design clean and focused or something along those lines, but not having a cup holder has been a proven problem is pretty much every vehicle made. The german car makers resisted cup holders too....now they all have them! So WAKE UP YAMAHA, put in the cup holders from the factory or your buyers will be SERIOUSLY annoyed, followed by your dealers for having to drill them in afterwards. The funny part is they had an aftermarket suction cup cup-holder on the dash because......well....because they needed one for their drinks! And it isn't like they didn't have room for cup holders...there is plenty of room!

Here is a quick video of the dash and cup-holder options:

Keywords: Yamaha FSH 190 Fish Ski Center Console T-Top Fishing
 
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Great write up @Julian. Wish I had the chance to water test in Miami.

Does it feel the same as the other 190?
 
Great write up @Julian. Wish I had the chance to water test in Miami.

Does it feel the same as the other 190?

It is the only 190 I've driven, so I can't compare it. I expect it tracks better than a 190 without fins, and similar to one that has fins.

The Yamaha rep that I was with said that the boat with the T-Top was much more stable on the hull with the articulating keep, inferring that the boat had a modified keel, but someone here showed photos of the bottoms of a 190 and the FSH and they look very similar, and it looked like the ride plate was just added to with a rudder. I will reach out to Yamaha and see what they say to clarify this point.
 
How did the boat feel walking from one side to the other? Did it shift/lean a lot or was it stable and not really noticeable?
 
How did the boat feel walking from one side to the other? Did it shift/lean a lot or was it stable and not really noticeable?
I thought is was very stable for a 19' boat. I didn't notice any shift at all when I was on it....I'm sure it did, but I didn't think...."Whoa this boat is shifting when I move"
 
It is the only 190 I've driven, so I can't compare it. I expect it tracks better than a 190 without fins, and similar to one that has fins.

The Yamaha rep that I was with said that the boat with the T-Top was much more stable on the hull with the articulating keep, inferring that the boat had a modified keel, but someone here showed photos of the bottoms of a 190 and the FSH and they look very similar, and it looked like the ride plate was just added to with a rudder. I will reach out to Yamaha and see what they say to clarify this point.

So I contacted Yamaha and their response is " Just the ride plate/ See attached/Different than 24s that had ground up redesign."

1458-FSH 190_Keel_02 (1280x959).jpg
 
Here are some more videos I took while checking out the boat....

This one shows the interior of the "changing room" and how easy it is to access the back of the helm. It is a nice size space and opens and closes nicely!


This view gives a clear idea of the size of the changing room and how it closes.


This is a shot of the battery compartment and switches...really nicely done:

And here is a review of the stern of the boat including the live well, storage, folding seat back and the clean out tray. Anyone who fishes will like how a standard bucket fits nicely into the storage.


If there is anything you would like to know about in particular, ask as I have other videos that I could post that might cover your questions. I will upload more as I get time to go through them. Hopefully at some point I will also combine all of these into one complete video....but wanted to get everyone the info ASAP. Enjoy!
 
@ClemsonTiger glad to have you on board, sorry you don't have a boat yet, it stinks to miss a whole summer,

what date did they originally tell you it would be ready?
 
I am impatiently waiting for delivery of my FSH 190!!! I put down the non refundable $2,500 deposit on 03/14/2015. My dealer says they have not heard anything from Yamaha in regards to an expected delivery date.

I called Yamaha in early July and they said shipment would being late July to early August.

I'm slightly regretting this decision...I live on the water in WPB, FL and could have spent the summer on a boat...

Yeah...I'm curious what they told you for delivery too!
 
Definitely the wrong foot, I can't believe the dealer won't work with you if Yamaha is truly stringing them on which I believe since we've not had anyone mention receiving one. what a disappointment.
 
Julian,

Late afternoon I received 2 calls from the Yamaha Rep that I spoke with in the morning.
1st call was to tell me that they have started to ship the boats and they are delivering them in the order in which the deposits were received. They are averaging 1-2 boats per day.
The 2nd call I received was to tell me they are shipping a boat to my dealer tomorrow (Thursday) and that it should be here within the week.

I was told I was the 1st deposit at my dealer so we shall see what happens. I am very pleased with Yamaha's response this time. When I called in early July I spoke with a different Rep. and had to follow back up with them several times to get an answer. The Rep I spoke to this time was very diligent and followed through with that she communicated.

Things are looking better.

Awesome news! Can't wait to see some photos of you pulling in "the BIG one"!

Hopefully you also have a couple of aftermarket cup holders bought already.....OR....you have a hole saw ready to do the first mods to your boat! :-)
Other than that....she's ready to fish!!!

Which model did you get?

The boat I was on was the prototype. I am curious to see how they finished the insides of the bow storage area.
 
So I contacted Yamaha and their response is " Just the ride plate/ See attached/Different than 24s that had ground up redesign."

View attachment 26318


So if i'm reading this correctly, the FSH ride plate/with the articulating keel can simply be swapped onto any other 190 hull?
 
in theory it does look possible, I would suggest we wait until we have somebody with one to confirm how it's actually set up and that the mountings are the same,
 
@njmr2fan in theory yes, but as @Scottintexas points out....someone would need to attempt it, or get confirmation from Yamaha that it would be a remove/replace job....and we don't have that confirmation from anyone..... Want to buy the parts and see if it works?
 
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