Should I get a CARB or Non CARB 2016 limited s?

[Pinhacker71]

title says it all. Dealership has one of each 242 limited s in suede gray. I know CARB will go a little slower but will it get better gas mileage? Will CARB rating help resale in 5 years? I'm leaning towards the non CARB heavily because I want as much hp as possible. Just curious as to everyone's opinion.

 

[Bruce]

Get the non CARB. CARB is never a benefit and only necessary if you live in California.

 

[Ronnie]

I'd go for the non carb if given the choice. Who doesn't want more hp for the same amount of money.

 

[0627Devildog]

Get the non CARB. CARB is never a benefit and only necessary if you live in California.

100% non carb. . . .and make sure before you sign the paperwork!

 

[Gym]

I agree with the previous members. In KY it's unlikely your resale would end up in CA. Unless you're a tree hugger that woulD loose sleep over your carbon footprint I would go non carb. Look, if it bothers you that much replace your standard light bulbs, in your house, with leds to make up for it.

 

[Pinhacker71]

Definitely going with non CARB. If I get the price I need.

 

[Noko]

Ok, I got the kinda shaft on my boat because the dealer didn't tell me it was a CARB boat. But heres how it performs. Two weeks ago with a full tank and 4 people, 44knts on the boat gauge and about 44kts on my gps fish finder. Lake elevation about 900'. I've hit about 48kts with just me and the boat empty and top down. I was pissed after I bought my boat and got it home and found out it was a CARB boat and the dealer didn't tell me. I think they should disclose that. Someone here posted performance numbers of CARB vs non carb and it wasn't that big. BUT, I'd used that fact of buying a CARB boat to get a discount. But the truth is, the performance isn't that much different. The hole shot is always fun, my AR240 planes in about 4 seconds. I don't pull anyone behind the boat above about 35kts so top end really isn't an issue. So heres the deal, you are always wanting to go faster. I can't bend the throttles enough sometimes when its just me, but what does it get you, 2 mph, 5mph? I grew up water skiing behind a 15' with an old Johnson 80hp. We've come a long way. Remember, arms straight out, skis pointed up and a face full of pond water!

 

[Rob9550]

I have a 2015 AR240 CARB and its not even noticeable. I also didn't know I had one until I went to do the 1st wash after picking it up. I did however get mine used with 19hrs. I agree with @Noko that you wont even use the boat at that speed that often.

 

[buckbuck]

I would steer away from the CARB boats due to the increased complexity. They have more things that can go wrong.

 

[buckbuck]

After writing that I got to thinking, is Yamaha required by law to warranty the emission controls on the CARB engines for a period longer then the rest of the boat? I know in cars that all emission controls have to be warranted for 88,000 miles regardless of what the regular warranty says.

 

[seadude]

I've hit about 48kts with just me and the boat empty and top down. I was pissed after I bought my boat and got it home and found out it was a CARB boat and the dealer didn't tell me.

That's over 55 mph - definitely go CARB!
But seriously, given the choice in a limited recreational use vehicle even with some environmental guilt, I'd probably pick the non-CARB version if only to avoid the possible catalyst and O2 sensor repairs down the road... I mean bay! This is a good example of an instance where gov't regulation is unfortunately required to force an issue for the long term benefit of everyone.

 

[rkgdmd]

Do not believe the nonsense that CARB boats get better gas mileage. They burn slightly less fuel at WOT only because they turn fewer RPM's. {7100-7200 RPM vs 7500-7800RPM of non Carb boat). Want to feel the gas savings of a CARB boat...throttle back to 7100RPM's with your non CARB boat. I had a 2013 242...it was noticeably slower than my 2015 242. You probably won't drive too long at WOT, but who wants the complexity and extra weight of a CARB boat if you don't need it.

 

[MrMoose]

All good points made so far. If I had a CARB boat, I would be ok with it. As others have said, how often do you run at WOT, and without a speedo, would you really notice the difference? More things to go wrong with a CARB boat, sure, but it would be interesting to know what the failure rates are on these additional components before I really considered it an issue. All that said, apples to apples, non-carb is probably the better way to go, but a CARB boat wouldn't be a deal breaker for me in terms of owning and enjoying the boat. I would consider that it seems that many perceive (justified or not) the non-CARB boat to be preferred over the CARB, so consider that when it's time to sell.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[swatski]

How about you guys use the "search" function.

Just kidding!

No, but seriously, here is a good read, and noone does data like @Mainah!
https://jetboaters.net/threads/carb-vs-non-carb-side-by-side-test.10521/

 

[swatski]

After writing that I got to thinking, is Yamaha required by law to warranty the emission controls on the CARB engines for a period longer then the rest of the boat? I know in cars that all emission controls have to be warranted for 88,000 miles regardless of what the regular warranty says.

That is an EXCELLENT point. I did not know it. Thank you for educating us!