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New Guy - never owned a boat

Used 230; not 210. I am surprised noone has really chimed in hard about how easy these boats are to maintain and operate. Stress free. DO NOT BE AFRAID OF A USED YAMAHA BOAT. These boats are bulletproof. I bought my first Yamaha over 10 years ago - sight unseen just based on talking to the owner through a forum. When I realized I should have bought my 2d boat first, I picked up a pristine 230, from the other forum. This will be my fifth summer with the 230. Truly, all I ever do is turn the keys and go. Winterize over the winter (it gets cold in MD). Break it out in the summer....which reminds me I have to do this soon. Then again, I was thinking the other day, come July 31, all my kids will be away in college for their sports and NCAA compliance and all that nonsense.....JULY 31! WTF it gets earlier every season! I bet I get out on my boat 3 or 4 times this summer, if I am lucky. Might be time to sell. (Kidding) But for grins, if I sold mine I would easily get almost what I paid for it in 2013, $23,900, as it remains in perfect condition and under 150 hours. Why pay 80K and eat that depreciation? Get a nice used one, they are out there. A few weeks ago, I was the go between between Tollus (of this site) and my buddy, who bought his decked out 2007 SX230. I drove it, and determined it to be near perfect, and the two cut a fair deal right there on the water. My friend now has his TEN YEAR OLD bulletproof Yamaha on Lake Anna, for a little less than what I bought mine for, in 2013. Be advised that the older models are now holding (or perhaps slightly increasing) in their re-sale value, precisely because Yamaha has now outrageously priced their new models. For 80K I would expect a much better fit and finish than you get on a Yamaha. Not to knock the "bulletproof-ness" of these boats, as they are. But for 80K, Yamaha could certainly up the quality of the finish items of the boat. At 80K I would at least expect this.
 
Definitely go with a 21 or 24 and get a tower model. My thought is that those two older boys will very soon want to bring friends along and you'll want the room of the larger models. And oh yeah, they will want to wake board becuse it's cool.

When I bought my first Yamaha in 2012, the boat came with a tower...It wasn't a requirement for me at the time. Well, it wasn't even a full season before we were wakeboarding and we do some sort of watersports every time we go out. Yes, that tower boat will be $2k Joe expensive, but it'll safe you the hassle down the road of wanting to add one.

Yamahas overall have good dependability and finding a used one may be an option. Whatever boat you decide on, we are here to help you out.

Also, since you're on a lake, you can likely store your boat in the lake. I put my boat into Lake Tahoe in June and it comes out every Labor Day. Yes, there are a few that the you need to do like ensure you always have power to your bilge pump (that's easy even without electricity internet the dock) and some extra scrubbing when she comes out in September. Some of the old timers around my area taught me some tricks and with 2-3 other helpers, we can get all of the growth off her and have her ready in about 90 minutes. If you go this route, PM me, and and I'll gladly help.
 
I wouldn't worry about someone else's headache, I bought my '09 AR230 in 2013, and it hasn't had a single problem.
I've always been the type that doesn't start off with a "starter" motorcycle/camper/boat I have always purchased what I think I will want for a long time.
I have no regrets at all for not going new.
 
Something else to consider here is how mechanically inclined are you? Or, do you have time to troubleshoot and fix issues with your new toy?

I have, for the most part, fixed anything that's been wrong on any of the 5 boats I've owned, new or used. Heck, even my new Regal as well as my new '17 212x have / had issues I'll have to fix myself because going to the dealer for warranty work is a very involved process where you can leave your boat for weeks.

If not buying new, try to find a used boat that's still under warranty.

B.O.A.T = Break Out Another Thousand!
 
Well the Lake House Remodel is going to take more money than planned (they always do). So, problaby going to be seriously shopping at the Dalals boat show in Feb.

Wife is sold on the 242x.

D.
 
I was in your same "Boat" so to speak...lol but no lake house....just newer holiday trailer for the lake. Never owned a boat (except a 12' aluminum fishing boat with 8hp outboard).

We have boys- 11 and 9 and have been talking about boats for a couple years and was going jet. We were initially looking at the 18-19' models. Been looking mostly at the Yamaha and SeaDoo, and then included the newer Scarabs & Chaparrals. I am a Yamaha guy with a few of their outdoor toys ( Rhino , Snowmobiles)...so I know their product reliability...a good friend is a local dealer but not on the Marine side. I then decided to make sure I only bought once and made the decision that min length is 21' and have enough HP and room for when my 2 boys grow and get bigger, along with their friends.

For our season here in northern part of Western Canada, and my work season busier in the summer months, IMO makes no sense to buy a new boat. I missed out on a 2009 AR230 and a 2012 242LS last season that had low hours. I tried to deal on a SeaDoo 210SP as well but the guy's family said to keep it so the deal fell thru last minute. I contemplated on a Yamaha 2008 AR 230 with 120 hours in great shape in March...but I wanted a bit newer.

I kept watching Kijiji , dealers and other sites for used boats. Was tempted to pull the trigger on a Yamaha 2014 212x that had a lot of accessories and low hours but it was a bit more than I wanted to spend, not that I couldn't afford it or that of a new boat. The boat was listed on this forum site back in MArch. I seriously considered a 2012 Seadoo 210 and 230 WAKE but for $7000 more in Options (motor size and ballast bags and others) I thought I could buy ballast bags to lay down on the back of a boat.

In April I seen a posting for the boat we ended up buying. I jumped at it..private sale... 2012 SeaDoo 210SP in MINT shape with 44 hours and warranty till end of July. The price was good as well as we paid just over $ 30G Canadian. In our first 3 outings we put on more hours than the previous owner did all of last year.

I think there are lot of good deals on used boats. There are people with financial issues and dumping toys as they cannot afford the payments...just got to watch.

IF I lived in Kelowna,BC on the Okanagan Lake, I definitely would buy either the Yamaha 242x E series or a Chaparral 223/243 VRX with the Aerial Surf Platform .
 
Welcome to the forum and congrats on the lake house and boat bug! Phil Dill won't be the cheapest, but if you do your homework and compare pricing, they will get close to anyone, because they want your business. They treat their customers like family and will continue the relationship for years. My salesman from 5 years ago is now the GM and all of their folks step up and try their best to take care of you.

Now the downside of paying for your maintenance and needs vs doing it yourself...your boat becomes a shop queen. Not because they do a bad job or the boat is a lemon, but because in the busy season, any small issue you want addressed, and every issue will be new to you, will take weeks for them to get to. They are just that busy and every boat dealer is during the season. That is why a Yamaha is such a good choice, because it is easy to do most of the work yourself.

What lake are you on? Good luck on the search and welcome aboard once again!
 
The flip down swim deck is pretty slick on the Cobalt and SeaRay.

The Yamaha seems very close to the water. Maybe getting in and out with the Yamaha is not a big deal.

Any comments on getting back in the boat? Have to use the ladder or can climb up the back?

D.
 
on my 07' you have to use the ladder to get in the boat, in the new styles 10 and up they've lowered the swim platform even closer to water level but you still going to have to use some arm strength to get in,

Never having owned a boat I lurked here for about two years before I bought my used Yamaha. my kids were 3, 7,10 I missed two good years of boat time with them because of it.

If you don't have the money, that's a very acceptable and good reason not to have a boat, if your just not sure buy a 07-09 used Yamaha (90% of the time they're not somebody's problem they are somebody's poor boat style choice or lack of use)
 
The swim deck on the Yamaha is what every other manufacturer is trying to beat. While the flip downs and water levels sound good, they are less useful imo, and you will still need a ladder unless they go more than a foot deep below the water surface. Getting on a water level Yamaha is simple. What lake are you on, joe Poole, cedar creek? Not many beaches on those lakes. But the beauty of no props and the great Yamaha swim deck is backing up to the shore, with an anchor out in front deeper, and tie the stern off to something on the shore, such as a shore spike. You are literally in ankle deep water walking on/off the boat. But on those lakes and with a dock and lift, it may be that you won’t use the boat like that. A suggestion on that thought, would be to figure out your dock and lift to give swim deck access to the boat while in the slip and on the lift, such as backed in. It’s possible but you don’t see many. Either way, the swim deck makes entering and exiting the boat effortless if you use it right. The boat show is the first week in February. Good luck on the search!
 
@Darin , @OCMD mentioned last year about the ease of maintenance. Nothing easier than a Yamaha. But, if you don’t do that yourself, you won’t know the boat very well and you will lose time having the dealer do it for you. No matter what, your going to have to learn the nuances and gotchas of boats. A big suggestion I have is to put electricity at your dock. Keeping the batteries plugged in will make your life MUCH easier in the long run. Batteries that are deep cycled have to be charged externally, and they have to be serviced by adding water as deep cycling and charging will lower the electrolyte. That, and changing the oil/filter, fogging, adding additives, is all you really have to do on your Yamaha. Winterizing is done every time you pull out of the water by revving. With the exception of cleaning and opening up to prevent mildew for storage. Trailer maintenance needs to be addressed, but that almost sounds like a fall thing for you, and it isn’t much. And being able to do all of this will make your eye keen to any other issues that show up, albeit a rare thing. All in all, boats require more maintenance than a car and they way boats are used adds more considerations. But a Yamaha, is the epitome of “low maintenance”. Just wanted to add these thoughts...
 
Scottintexas said:
on my 07' you have to use the ladder to get in the boat, in the new styles 10 and up they've lowered the swim platform even closer to water level but you still going to have to use some arm strength to get in,

Never having owned a boat I lurked here for about two years before I bought my used Yamaha. my kids were 3, 7,10 I missed two good years of boat time with them because of it.

If you don't have the money, that's a very acceptable and good reason not to have a boat, if your just not sure buy a 07-09 used Yamaha (90% of the time they're not somebody's problem they are somebody's poor boat style choice or lack of use)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. I did buy a boat last year from a friend but I knew going in it was not a long term boat. I bought a 20' VIP runabout.

I am in the process of getting a new dock with lift installed at the lake house. I figure I can use this boat one more season then I will upgrade. I figure I will have a much better feel about what we "need" in regards to a boat. Boat show is coming up also -will go check things out.

Thanks,
D.
 
txav8r said:
The swim deck on the Yamaha is what every other manufacturer is trying to beat. While the flip downs and water levels sound good, they are less useful imo, and you will still need a ladder unless they go more than a foot deep below the water surface. Getting on a water level Yamaha is simple. What lake are you on, joe Poole, cedar creek? Not many beaches on those lakes. But the beauty of no props and the great Yamaha swim deck is backing up to the shore, with an anchor out in front deeper, and tie the stern off to something on the shore, such as a shore spike. You are literally in ankle deep water walking on/off the boat. But on those lakes and with a dock and lift, it may be that you won’t use the boat like that. A suggestion on that thought, would be to figure out your dock and lift to give swim deck access to the boat while in the slip and on the lift, such as backed in. It’s possible but you don’t see many. Either way, the swim deck makes entering and exiting the boat effortless if you use it right. The boat show is the first week in February. Good luck on the search!
Click to expand...


I need to measure how far down the flip down is on the Cobalt and Sea Ray. They look nice, but I want to try it out on the water.

I am on Lake Graham. Not much in the way of beaches but in some places it is doable. I figure we might use it on other ales - who knows.

New dock
Boat Show
Sea Trials

D.
 
txav8r said:
@Darin , @OCMD mentioned last year about the ease of maintenance. Nothing easier than a Yamaha. But, if you don’t do that yourself, you won’t know the boat very well and you will lose time having the dealer do it for you. No matter what, your going to have to learn the nuances and gotchas of boats. A big suggestion I have is to put electricity at your dock. Keeping the batteries plugged in will make your life MUCH easier in the long run. Batteries that are deep cycled have to be charged externally, and they have to be serviced by adding water as deep cycling and charging will lower the electrolyte. That, and changing the oil/filter, fogging, adding additives, is all you really have to do on your Yamaha. Winterizing is done every time you pull out of the water by revving. With the exception of cleaning and opening up to prevent mildew for storage. Trailer maintenance needs to be addressed, but that almost sounds like a fall thing for you, and it isn’t much. And being able to do all of this will make your eye keen to any other issues that show up, albeit a rare thing. All in all, boats require more maintenance than a car and they way boats are used adds more considerations. But a Yamaha, is the epitome of “low maintenance”. Just wanted to add these thoughts...
Click to expand...


I suspect I will do my own maintenance - but all depends on the service level of the dealer.

I will for sure have electricity on the dock. I have battery tenders on everything I own.

I do like the low/no maintenance aspects of the Yamaha.

The new Volvo Penta do have a water jacket drain that looks pretty simple. Probably simple until they plug up.

Thanks,
D.
 
Pick your budget...add 10% for everything you'll need in the first year and be done with it. If money wan't an option, I feel this thread wouldn't exist :)
 
The depreciation is brutal on boats. I highly doubt you can get double the fun for $80k vs paying $40k. for some of those candidates above and spending the other $40K for winter vacations. Money is worth different to different people. I don't make lake house money, but I paid less than $20K for my 2008 SX230, and there is no better value out there, so my perspective is skewed. Can't go wrong with a 24ft either. It depends on your willingness to depart with your money and the perceived value of new. A lot of people appreciate very much that they are the sole owners ever, and that's worth the big bucks to them. I'd rather someone else pay for that honor :) Best of luck on your decision. I had a much smaller budget 15 years ago and bought an 18ft seadoo jet boat boat for $9.5k and had a blast for 14 years in it. As long as you like it and are willing to enjoy and spend time on the boat, it will be worth it. Buy it and use it often to get your money's worth.
 
Well, the Dallas boat show is upon us and I have been getting calls from a couple dealers. Pulled the trigger on a 2017 SeaRay SLX-W 230. Loaded with 12 hours on it. Factory new - so, full 5 year warranty.

I figured $68K off list was too good to pass up. The rebates are insane. With it being a 2017 and Brunswick wanting to sell SeaRay - they really want to move some inventory.

Thanks for all the input,
D.
 
You have a growing family, I would go with the 242X if I were you. First boat or not, it is a good size and you will be able to handle it with a little practice. My suggestion would be to get you, the wife and maybe even the 10yr old to take a safe boating course. You can thank me later! Lol!
 
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