Rough Water

[Howard Z]

Hi All, I'm new to the forums. I am searching for a boat and went to the boat show in Cleveland this past weekend. I was actually looking at the Bayliner VR6 but really didn't care for it once I looked at it. I came across the Scarab 215 and was impressed. I know absolutely nothing about the Jet system. I see some poeple say that these boats are only meant for flat water. They do not handle 2' plus wave at all. I've heard they they do not handle very well and steering in rough water is almost impossible. Before I spend $40K plus on a boat I would love to have a little information from experienced boaters. Any and all input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Andy S]

@Howard Z welcome aboard!

Look at the source when you hear bad things about jet boats, most people that bad mouth them have no idea what they are talking about. An identical boat with prop or with a jet will handle rough water very similarly. There is a group here that goes from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini, Bahamas every year in their jets, so it can be done. To be perfectly honest, if all your boating is done in potentially rough water then a jet, heck any bow rider, won't be the right boat for you. Today's current jet boats, I highly favor the Yamaha's, are much improved in their slow speed steering compared to older models. As for a person that has had both prop boats and a jet boat, once you get use to jets it will maneuver much easier than a prop boat.

 

[robert843]

@Howard Z welcome aboard. Andy said it very well the jet boats will handle the rough about the same as most bow riders in the same size category. If you plan to primarily boat on the Great Lakes and other big open water a bow rider is not what your looking for they will do it but you will find yourself with in a year or two wanting to upgrade to more of an offshore style boat. If you boat mostly in protected water 90% of the time and are looking for something to use in big water 10% of the time a bow rider or jet boat will suit you just fine. If you plan on being in big water more then 10% of your boating save your self some money upfront and buy a offshore style boat. All that being said Andy and I took a 24ft Yamaha jetboat and a Cobalt R5 almost 700 miles round trip offshore to the Exumas in the Bahamas last year and the boats did just fine would we have had a more comfortable ride on a offshore boat of course but they made it.

 

[Mainah]

@Howard Z - Yamaha has the best hull for rough water of the three 3 major current consumer jet boat players. Chaparral and Yamaha both have good dealer networks. I don't have anything nice to say about the brand for which you asked. Everything I have read on this site suggests that Scarab may have some work to do on their dealer network, parts supply chain, and quality control when installing the engine components.

I have owned 3 jetboats. The very flat hulls of the older model jetboats do take a beating in rough water. That said I have been out on similar sized sea rays and Boston whalers that handle the rough water much better than even the newest Yamaha. Wakeboard boats similarly do not handle rough water well.

Best way to put it maybe that when the forecast is for more than 3 foot waves I don't go out in my 24 foot Yamaha.

Happy Hunting

 

[ScarabMike]

@Howard Z All of the modern brands of jetboats are incredible on the chop. I disagree with @Mainah as I think the Scarab (uses the old Seadoo hull) has the best hull for rough water, and has better and modern design with speed chimes like the Regal boats to keep the drag to a minimum.

The 215 is the best in the Scarab lineup. Dollar for dollar, it's the best bang for the buck out there. The new dealer network for the Scarab is promising as most are older Seadoo dealers with knowledge on dealing with the Rotax engines. I would do your homework on your dealer's service department, and what they can and cannot do.

I have enjoyed my Scarab with very minimal issues. But I would have waited till the 215s were available before buying. Good luck on your search, and welcome to our community!!!

 

[itsdgm]

@robert843 that video should be used to sell boats and to encourage tourism to those beautiful islands. I loved it, thanks for posting.

 

[Howard Z]

Thanks for the Welcome and information! I figured this would be the best place to get accurate information on the Jet Boats. I have a lot to research and learn before buying but I'm sure this forum will be a great tool! When I talked to the service manager for Scarab he told me that the filter system on the Yamaha catches debris after it should and really doesn't do anything. I'm not sure if that is true or not. Maybe I could get so feedback from the Yamaha owners. I also agree that the video will sell the Islands and boats!

 

[Drift Away]

I live in Tarpon Springs Fl here on the gulf. Anyone who lives down here has undoubtably been caught in an afternoon downpour and either had to ride it out on the beach or make a mad dash for the dock. I have hit some good size water in my 2016 SX240 3-5 FT waves with very little issues. You need to learn to use your throttles bike the tilt trim on an outboard.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

@robert843 that video should be used to sell boats and to encourage tourism to those beautiful islands. I loved it, thanks for posting.

Totally agree. I call it @1948Isaac "sunshine and rainbows" video. Nothing but good times. Yamaha should edit a clip out and create a Superbowl commercial.

 

[swatski]

@Howard Z Welcome!
The best jet boat (currently available in 25ft and under category) to handle rough water is a 2015+ 240/242 Yamaha. The reason being -- those have a "keel" under the entire hull and tend to cut through water rather than slap the stern (loosening your tooth fillings). Moreover, those models tend to track very strait under power.
Adding trim tabs makes those even more capable in rough sea fairing.

These boats are not to be confused with flat bottom jet boat hot rods featuring Berkeley pumps and enormous rooster tails, LOL. Those are fun, but just so different.

--

 

[Andy S]

When I talked to the service manager for Scarab he told me that the filter system on the Yamaha catches debris after it should and really doesn't do anything. I'm not sure if that is true or not. Maybe I could get so feedback from the Yamaha owners. I also agree that the video will sell the Islands and boats!

One big difference between the brands is Yamaha has cleanout ports to the jet pump that are accessed from the swim deck whereas Scarab or any other brand doesn't. If you do get something stuck in the jet which is rare but does happen, on a Yamaha you stop, lift the cleanout hatch, remove the cleanout plug, remove debris, reinstall cleanout plug, close hatch and back to having fun. If you are on another brand of jet boat you will either have to dive under the boat to try to remove the debris or limp back to the ramp to put the boat on the trailer to remove the debris. Which of these scenarios sounds like more fun. Depend on the waters you boat, getting something stuck in the jet pump might be a rare occurrence or a more common event, so a cleanout port may or may not be import to you.

 

[Rick215HO]

Hi All, I'm new to the forums. I am searching for a boat and went to the boat show in Cleveland this past weekend. I was actually looking at the Bayliner VR6 but really didn't care for it once I looked at it. I came across the Scarab 215 and was impressed. I know absolutely nothing about the Jet system. I see some poeple say that these boats are only meant for flat water. They do not handle 2' plus wave at all. I've heard they they do not handle very well and steering in rough water is almost impossible. Before I spend $40K plus on a boat I would love to have a little information from experienced boaters. Any and all input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Not a bad choice! as others have said, I agree the 215 will give you best bang for your buck. I have a 215HO on which I have put over 140 hours. I would say I do 80% lake/calm water riding but I have been in rough water too... I don't find that the steering is affected in rough water (never had a problem with that), 2 ft is not a problem to ride but past that it does get uncomfortable in terms of absorbing shock and reaching a 20 mph cruise gets tough (think more like 10-15 mph). I would add a second bilge pump or carry a spare (very easy to swap) if you will frequent rough water, the hull inherently takes a small amount of water with strong wave action (2014 model, I presume through the anchor locker drains). Never had any problems with weeds or cleanout on the jets, anything I have had in the jets clears up with throttle. ----- Having said all that and while I think its a great boat, you will read in other posts that support from dealers is a concern if you run into issues and I would tend to agree, you may want to make sure dealer has technicians formally trained on BRP Jet powertrains and know what they are doing.

 

[1948Isaac]

Totally agree. I call it @1948Isaac "sunshine and rainbows" video. Nothing but good times. Yamaha should edit a clip out and create a Superbowl commercial.

LOL...LOL Sunshine and rainbows