No Yamaha Media Event for 2018 Models! :-(

[Mainah]

A few new gadgets to like. The Connext 2.0 video even shows a button pad that is likley propriety NMEA. These things are getting more complex but this version appears fully baked. To upgrade that quickly shows they knew they have issues and have fixed them. I read they have upgraded and expanded their manufacturing facility. Heres hoping that incorporated a renewed focus on QC. Now what about the customers who have issues with boats that are just 1 or 2 years old? Are they going to step up or continue stepping down. Not inviting @Julian this year seems like step in the wrong direction.

Would love to see trailered stern photos of a surfpointe model.

 

[seadude]

This has to be one of the dumbest things I've ever seen. If I wanted sun, I wouldn't have the bimini up.

View attachment 63315

I agree on the zippered opening, but apparently many folks don't and pay thousands for a sliding sunroof built into their hardtop they paid many more thousands for on larger boats! Overall, the changes to the e-series bimini look more like cost cutting measures to me. I do like the relocated flush ports (2017) and the new Connext with GPS maps over my 2016.

 

[cozilla]

With this new Surf Pointe "technology" and the angling of the nozzles does that mean we can explore delayed convergence again since the angle of the jets has changed?

 

[elcue]

This has to be one of the dumbest things I've ever seen. If I wanted sun, I wouldn't have the bimini up.

View attachment 63315

looks like that must have been a pain to take off, and then look at those bars all day. seems better to me.

 

[Ancient canoe]

I agree on the zippered opening, but apparently many folks don't and pay thousands for a sliding sunroof built into their hardtop they paid many more thousands for on larger boats! Overall, the changes to the e-series bimini look more like cost cutting measures to me. I do like the relocated flush ports (2017) and the new Connext with GPS maps over my 2016.

The sunroof on a car is something that is seldom used despite it's costs. I bet this thing ends up being the same way marketed as a luxury everyone forgets it's up there after the first month.

 

[Bluewater272]

The sunroof on a car is something that is seldom used despite it's costs. I bet this thing ends up being the same way marketed as a luxury everyone forgets it's up there after the first month.

I always thought that the E-Series bimini looked like a real pain to take down and redeploy. I know my wife was excited to see that you could open it up and get some sun on the stern seating while still leaving the rest of it up.

 

[Ancient canoe]

I think it certainly serves a more practical function than a sunroof in a car, as long as installing a zipper in the canvas doesn't add thousands to the MSRP, but to me it's just forgetting it's up there.

 

[djetok]

As Murf said, we'll likely never be told why we were left out.....someone at Yamaha probaby still reads magazines and doesn't understand the power of the internet.....perhaps they think that we only have 9000 members reading these posts and forget that our non-member visitor rate is massive! Oh well....their loss.

Perhaps we should attend the Scarab, Glastron and Chaparral Media events?

Curious as to how many Yamaha jetboats are sold per year and how many of those people come here. 30 to 40 % come here? How many of the current forum members talk about jetboaters.net and Yamaha? 60 % maybe more. I know I tell others about the great resources here. Why would #yamaha want to cut off that flow of information? All mechanical things have issues? Forums are the best r&d they could have. You just have to be accepting of your faults.

I know on my businesses I love to get Google reviews. Do I hate it when we have a bad review? (I only have 1 out of the 87 reviews on Google and 1 on facebook) I took those as opportunities to improve. Why can't Yamaha do the same?

http://boatingindustry.com/top-stories/2014/01/01/market-trends-return-of-the-jet-age/

est 4000 jetboats per yer . Yamaha's probably the lion share 60-70%?

 

[elcue]

Maybe they didn't ask as many people because there isn't much new?? Im just guessing but last time they had the 242 X coming out so maybe they wanted the extra promotion. I go on greenhulk forum for waverunners and last year he got full access at the meeting and did extensive test drives as well. He didn't go this year either. He just got sent a bunch info and pics to post on his site. Last year they had the new GP1800 coming out so I'm thinking maybe they only invite forums for bigger announcements. I dunno just thought it was odd greenhulk didn't go either. Either way you guys do a great job here and should be first ones invited for all your help in relation to their boats.

 

[Ancient canoe]

Maybe they didn't ask as many people because there isn't much new?? Im just guessing but last time they had the 242 X coming out so maybe they wanted the extra promotion. I go on greenhulk forum for waverunners and last year he got full access at the meeting and did extensive test drives as well. He didn't go this year either. He just got sent a bunch info and pics to post on his site. Last year they had the new GP1800 coming out so I'm thinking maybe they only invite forums for bigger announcements. I dunno just thought it was odd greenhulk didn't go either. Either way you guys do a great job here and should be first ones invited for all your help in relation to their boats.

This seems pretty logical. I think the censorship angle is premature unless there is some history of that out there already. Besides the real data points come back when customers start chiming in here with actual experience.

 

[NewBoater]

Really like the look of the Black Red White 242X E series with Black and Red Tower. Bad to the bone. Wish I had an extra 75k burning a hole in my pocket!

 

[OptiLee]

Not to brag...(or maybe a little). Here's our wake today. Two people in our boat...surfer over 12 ft back...not the 18 inches in the 2018 surfpointe videos!

View attachment 63327

Impressive as always Bobbie!

 

[swatski]

Curious as to how many Yamaha jetboats are sold per year and how many of those people come here. 30 to 40 % come here? How many of the current forum members talk about jetboaters.net and Yamaha? 60 % maybe more. I know I tell others about the great resources here. Why would #yamaha want to cut off that flow of information? All mechanical things have issues? Forums are the best r&d they could have. You just have to be accepting of your faults.

I know on my businesses I love to get Google reviews. Do I hate it when we have a bad review? (I only have 1 out of the 87 reviews on Google and 1 on facebook) I took those as opportunities to improve. Why can't Yamaha do the same?

http://boatingindustry.com/top-stories/2014/01/01/market-trends-return-of-the-jet-age/

est 4000 jetboats per yer . Yamaha's probably the lion share 60-70%?

I think you nailed it.
The issue is, the way I see it, this Yamaha jet boat division has been somehow hijacked away from engineers and enthusiasts (e.g. like the factory guys years ago who would not hesitate to take a 2009 AR230 into 10ft waves and beat it just to analyze damage/stress patterns) - into the hands of little customer service reps, "experts" with bullshit resumes and no real world BOATING experience, in conjunction with their risk management team equally clueless about boats.

Professionals and builders thrive on critical feedback, and appreciate it. Obviously, those new Yamaha management people do not.

Maybe I'm being too harsh, but I actually mean what I say and I believe it to be true based on my first hand experience with Yamaha handling of my claims with a new 2016 AR240 Yamaha.


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[J-RAD]

With this new Surf Pointe "technology" and the angling of the nozzles does that mean we can explore delayed convergence again since the angle of the jets has changed?

I think this is a valid question... The wake is certainly cleaner with the Surf Pointe system than before. From the videos, they don't appear to be doing anything to enhance the wake further for the rider, such as listing or the gradual turn. There's still way to enhance the wave beyond what is being promoted even left stock.

View attachment 63303
Im going to be honest, that wave doesn't look as good as what many members have done on their own

I also agree that many owners have achieved wakes that are far superior as demonstrated by @bobbie ... Perhaps it will a better starting point to achieve even better results.

 

[NewBoater]

So is the ballast and bags not necessary with surf pointe?

 

[J-RAD]

So is the ballast and bags not necessary with surf pointe?

The models equip with Surf Pointe have integrated stock ballast systems.

 

[NewBoater]

The models equip with Surf Pointe have integrated stock ballast systems.

So do you need to use the bags or just surf pointe?

 

[J-RAD]

So do you need to use the bags or just surf pointe?

Bags are still necessary to create those wakes. Ballast is what creates the desired size wake, while Surf Pointes purpose is to clean up the wave to make it more defined and rideable.

 

[Julian]

Maybe they didn't ask as many people because there isn't much new?? Im just guessing but last time they had the 242 X coming out so maybe they wanted the extra promotion. I go on greenhulk forum for waverunners and last year he got full access at the meeting and did extensive test drives as well. He didn't go this year either. He just got sent a bunch info and pics to post on his site. Last year they had the new GP1800 coming out so I'm thinking maybe they only invite forums for bigger announcements. I dunno just thought it was odd greenhulk didn't go either. Either way you guys do a great job here and should be first ones invited for all your help in relation to their boats.

I think the full size Connext Screen, the new 21' Center Console, WetSounds partnership, Wake Nozzle adjust-ability (Surf Point) all combined constitute a pretty big set of changes that all the members here would love to sink their teeth into. Even if we didn't attend in person, getting the tech specs and photos would have been "free" marketing for Yamaha....but that is water under the bridge.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I think the full size Connext Screen, the new 21' Center Console, WetSounds partnership, Wake Nozzle adjust-ability (Surf Point) all combined constitute a pretty big set of changes that all the members here would love to sink their teeth into. Even if we didn't attend in person, getting the tech specs and photos would have been "free" marketing for Yamaha....but that is water under the bridge.

Must be the way you say Yamaha ...... you pissed them all off @Julian ...... good going pal.