Predictions on 2020 models

[the MfM]

After seeing the efficiency and lack of noise of a monster Yamaha 4-stroke outboard, I would see no benefit of jet in a pontoon. Other than the draft/safety considerations that we all appreciate. It's just a non-issue on a pontoon.

In fact, the bigger ones are now building decks/swim platforms around the outboards. Don't even get me started on the amazing benefits of Sea Legs! We get 4-5 toons lined up on a sandbar all with sealegs and we just created an island resort oblivious to gelcoat killing wakes.

The sea legs do look awful convenient. All the pontoon “captains” here on the lake pull up to the beach and hit the throttle till they are beached. When it’s time to leave it’s FULL REVERSE THRUST.

By the middle of the summer what was a nice gradual sandy swim area has random 6’ deep holes 20’ off shore. People will be walking along in knee deep water and will randomly disappear.


Don’t get me started on the on the “captain” that brought his pontoon 6’ off my bow when I was anchored stern towards the beach... “didn’t see your anchor”.

 

[AlphaKap]

25’ pontoon.

I think SunCatcher Pontoons are essentially Yamaha. They are made by G3, "A Yamaha Boat Company".

Our Yamaha dealer sells them also. They looked pretty descent. I don't think I see many of them on the lake yet so don't know how long they have been around.

 

[Ancient canoe]

Pontoons strap some serious power these days. If I could afford one like that I'd have no shame in driving it. Sadly I could only afford the lame 20mph versions.

 

[Jghale]

Is anyone hearing any rumors about what’s new? If Yamaha was going to come out with a completely redesigned platform (like they did in 2015) would we have heard something by now? I’m about to buy a 2019 242 LSE and don’t want to be blind sighted by a redesigned 2020 platform.

 

[MattFX4]

Is anyone hearing any rumors about what’s new? If Yamaha was going to come out with a completely redesigned platform (like they did in 2015) would we have heard something by now? I’m about to buy a 2019 242 LSE and don’t want to be blind sighted by a redesigned 2020 platform.

Haven't heard anything. 2019 is the 5th year of the 24' platform, so it could be possible to see a 2020 redesign. I think the prior 24' boat model was produced model years 2010-2014, so 5 years. If so, it will probably cost a lot more to get in a 2020 compared to a 2019.

 

[2kwik4u]

Pontoons strap some serious power these days. If I could afford one like that I'd have no shame in driving it. Sadly I could only afford the lame 20mph versions.

Buddies 24ft tri-toon has a 150 on the back. It'll run 35mph all day long with 3 people, 6 dogs, and 14 coolers aboard......cost about $10k more than my AR190. Cost more in fuel to operate, and fuel to tow as well. Nice boat though.

I looked hard at a Manitou sport toon setup. I couldn't get there on justifying the cost though. I will admit I wish I had that kind of floor space!

 

[biffdotorg]

Yamaha is way over due to retire some model names (numbers) Although, they are not known to do such a thing. They almost try to use the iPad/iPhone mentality to keep the consumer confused and offer the same model name year after year and let the consumer figure out the differences. It's like avoiding obsolescence of the brand.

In motorcycles, they have some models that have existed forever. in Snowmobiles, I have owned two Yamaha Apex sleds that fell in the middle of a 13 year run!

But if a supercharged 24' were to be introduced, I could see a AR245 and 245LS or 245Xmodel name come along, or a 215x and 215LS. It's probably not needed, as performance of the engines is hardly discussed.

A supercharged X model with a monster pump to get some low end grunt would be appreciated. I think those using lots of ballast would give up top end for some low end for surfing.

 

[biffdotorg]

Buddies 24ft tri-toon has a 150 on the back. It'll run 35mph all day long with 3 people, 6 dogs, and 14 coolers aboard......cost about $10k more than my AR190. Cost more in fuel to operate, and fuel to tow as well. Nice boat though.

Cost more in fuel to operate? Our cabin mates run a Bennington 23.5' TriToon with Yamaha 150hp four stroke. That monster will tow tubes all weekend long and use half or less fuel than any jetboat. I'm not sure what motor you are running, but the Yamaha outboards have way better economy hauling 15 people than our boats. Yup, it only does around 34mph, but sips fuel. That tritoon is actually rated for 250hp. It would be fun with that outboard and still get better economy.

As far as towing it down the road, it's a wash depending on the wind. Weight is similar, but it bucks way more wind than our boats.

 

[2kwik4u]

Cost more in fuel to operate? Our cabin mates run a Bennington 23.5' TriToon with Yamaha 150hp four stroke. That monster will tow tubes all weekend long and use half or less fuel than any jetboat. I'm not sure what motor you are running, but the Yamaha outboards have way better economy hauling 15 people than our boats. Yup, it only does around 34mph, but sips fuel. That tritoon is actually rated for 250hp. It would be fun with that outboard and still get better economy.

As far as towing it down the road, it's a wash depending on the wind. Weight is similar, but it bucks way more wind than our boats.

We ran around all week on Douglass Lake, roughly the same places and the same speeds. Two adults, two kids on each boat. He used just under 60gal of fuel in a 23.5ft Berkshire with a "sport toon" in the center (not a full toon in there). I went through about 45gal of fuel. He likes to "cruise" at WOT, which is about 34-35mph and like 6,500rpm on his Mercury 150hp outboard. My little AR190 with a single 1.8 is cranking along at about 6,600rpm at that speed.....I suspect he needs to raise the motor higher on the transom, but hasn't messed with it much.

~650miles towing. He got 6.5mpg I got 13mpg. My truck is a '15 GM 5.3L, his is a '19 GM 5.3L. Same rear end gears. He has the new 10spd I have the old 6spd. He's towing an uncovered pontoon, I'm towing a covered runabout. Aerodynamics aren't his friend towing.

 

[biffdotorg]

I get it, he was running that motor at WOT, lots of variables. I see why the efficiency was hit so hard. That makes complete sense.

We honestly use that Bennington as a backup tube boat, but mostly for the puts around the lake and to the bar with a few WOT pushes, just to show the other grandpa boats whats up. But at putt-putt speeds, that thing is king.

Good to hear it's getting some use though. I also have a 2018 1500 Denali between your trucks. We got 11mpg pulling the 242 1700 miles one year ago at 70mph. That's a good average for highways, but it likes it better at 65mph.

 

[2kwik4u]

I get it, he was running that motor at WOT, lots of variables. I see why the efficiency was hit so hard. That makes complete sense.

We honestly use that Bennington as a backup tube boat, but mostly for the puts around the lake and to the bar with a few WOT pushes, just to show the other grandpa boats whats up. But at putt-putt speeds, that thing is king.

Good to hear it's getting some use though. I also have a 2018 1500 Denali between your trucks. We got 11mpg pulling the 242 1700 miles one year ago at 70mph. That's a good average for highways, but it likes it better at 65mph.

Yea his "cruise" is a bit different than mine. Same on the expressway. Different personalities really

 

[Ancient canoe]

All things equal aren't OBs more efficient than jets?

 

[RiverRacerX]

All things equal aren't OBs more efficient than jets?

Yes! Especially the new ones. The new Mercury Racing 450 is amazing. The power to weight ratio is unreal.

 

[2kwik4u]

All things equal aren't OBs more efficient than jets?

If looking at the whole system (boat+motor) etc, then usually they are. One could argue that they aren't as good at transfering HP to the water as a Jet, but it's a stretch.

The difference between my buddy and I is the engine size. He's running a medium sized V6 at 6.5k rpm and I'm running a small 4cyl at the same speed. My hull is also more efficient than his, so he burnt more fuel. If I had to use WOT to keep up it would have been a much different story. I also suspect he has some gains to be made from raising his motor a bit more than it is now. Hard to say on that mobile dock of his

 

[Jghale]

I love Tritoons though. I’m planning on getting one when I’m 85.

 

[IvanS]

I just visited the Dallas Boat Expo and heard from a reliable source that the whole 21' series is getting a redesign. They are meeting in Bahamas (in a few weeks) for their corporate meeting and they are going to showcase the 2020 models.
He promise me some pics. So...stay tuned.

 

[Gym]

I know what the paint scheme will be.

 

[IndySmittyYammi]

I know the dealers are hearing rumblings about new 21’s with 24’s potentially coming in 2021. I’ve had 2 dealers tell me that Yamaha is rumored to be working on a new surf boat of some kind.

I’m not sure what that means, but I’m hoping for an automated WakeBooster, a better ballast system (subfloor), and a better GPS speed control system. Anything more would just be icing on the cake!

 

[jEt_jAk]

Maybe the 21 has twin SVHO now

 

[Ziess21]

The surf boat thing has been rumored for forever, I'll believe it when I see it.

I'd be surprised at a new 21' considering the current generation is not that old, but ya never know.