- Messages
- 18,368
- Reaction score
- 20,455
- Points
- 1,082
- 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
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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