Sold Yamaha 242 Limited-S for Scarab 255 Open

[TimBroom]

Ever since I saw a recreational center console at the Lake Cumberland Poker Run 3 years ago, I've been intrigued. Scarab didn't have one at the show last year. They sure did this year though. Really sharp looking boat in white/teal exterior and tan/black interior. The wife and I were able to really look this one over pretty close. We aren't in the market yet, however posed as if we were to get onboard. Owning a jetboat already eased the play on that one a little......Anywho, I must admit, I'll be VERY hard pressed to choose between a 242X and a 255 Open ID. Similar price tags, with very different layouts. I really like the layout of the center console, and the rear "tailgate" just looks amazing to use when lounging or getting onto/off of the boat at docks.

A few questions:

1. How do you keep from dropping the ladder with the tailgate down in deep water? Looks like physically removing the boarding ladder could lead to dropping the thing in the water, and it sinking to the bottom. Any issues with that?
2. Hows the shade on a hot day. Seems like the only shade available is from the T-Top. This is the wifes only real complaint with the setup. I suppose we could easily add an umbrella, but didn't know if was a non-issue.
3. How are the seats in the sun? That black/Tan color combo looked amazing, but VERY hot as well. Any thoughts?
4. How do you like the CC "workflow" when docking/etc? Is it actually any easier with access directly to the side of the boat instead of having to lean over/on a windshield/tower?
5. Hows the quality/workmanship been? any warranty items? Anything break/not work like it was supposed to?

Answers:
1. There are actually 3 boarding ladders, one in the bow (which you aren't asking about) and two in the rear, one to use with the tailgate up, and one on the tailgate that you use with the tailgate down. I never "removed" them because neither are in the way with tailgate up or down, so it hasn't ever been a problem with dropping it in the water.
2. haven't had any complaints from wife or teenagers (3 girls) about lack of shade, certainly the wide helm seat that is comfortable for 2-3 depending on sizes is good, there is an expense option for a sail shade that would work if you wanted to spend the $$.
3. Seats have held of great, but they can get hot in sun, we are very use to just laying towels down to sit on etc... growing up in Fla this is normal.
4. Not sure what CC "workflow" means?
5. Quality of the boat has been great, I would expect more tiny issues and actually had none. I did have one engine throw a rod - which was huge and sucked, but dealer has SeaDoo replacement and boat returned to me within 7 days. it was a big deal to them to have the problem as it was rare. but they handled it perfectly.

 

[p montgomery]

I have had 2 Yamaha boats previously, and 2 sets of jetskis over the past 30 years and love the brand and the quality, I looked at the FSH, but it really doesn't compare to the 255 Open. One of the best things about a Scarab is the slow speed handling, easily 100x better than Yamaha's, if you haven't experienced it, you must. You mentioned your in Ft Myers, I live in Gainesville but have a place at AMI, in the coming weeks I am happy to meet up with you to go for a ride and see how it handles, I have the fishing package, you can see how everything works... happy to do it, just let me know.
-Tim

We live in IN [ -44 wind chill this morning thank you very much !! ] but own a house on Pine Island out from Ft Myers. Thank you soo much for the offer and info. I have spoke to my local Scarab dealer to whom has been helping on pricing and have made a phone call to my husband with the executive decision that I am going with the Scarab 255 open ID. My husband is on board and I can sleep tonight I am going with the yellow impact with the gray and yellow interior I have researched this all to death and have made my final decision thanks in part to your help. I won't order until later but under the March 1st deadline for rebates. Will keep you posted and thanks again

 

[Scottintexas]

I did have one engine throw a rod - which was huge and sucked, but dealer has SeaDoo replacement and boat returned to me within 7 days. it was a big deal to them to have the problem as it was rare. but they handled it perfectly.

You had an engine throw a rod and they had you back out in 7 days ?????

Please tell us the name of that dealer,

 

[TimBroom]

We live in IN [ -44 wind chill this morning thank you very much !! ] but own a house on Pine Island out from Ft Myers. Thank you soo much for the offer and info. I have spoke to my local Scarab dealer to whom has been helping on pricing and have made a phone call to my husband with the executive decision that I am going with the Scarab 255 open ID. My husband is on board and I can sleep tonight I am going with the yellow impact with the gray and yellow interior I have researched this all to death and have made my final decision thanks in part to your help. I won't order until later but under the March 1st deadline for rebates. Will keep you posted and thanks again

Great for you - Enjoy!
-Tim

 

[TimBroom]

You had an engine throw a rod and they had you back out in 7 days ?????

Please tell us the name of that dealer,

True Story, they picked up the boat from AMI, they are in North Port Richey and had it back on my lift in 7 days, SeaDoo dropped shipped a new engine to them next day... again, everyone was telling me it was a big deal, the responsiveness was very telling... Unfortunately, the dealer is no longer a Scarab boat dealer, it went to a bigger dealer in Clearwater... not sure if they just couldn't sell enough or whatever, but they have always given me great service, and still does...
-Tim

 

[James R Whitten]

Man I'm super jealous of y'alls smooth water. Where I live and boat on weekends it's mostly 2 to 3 ft waves. Everyone has wake board boats and runs across the lake with full bags making it rough.

 

[Dean P]

@TimBroom Do you only fish when you're in AMI? Have you ventured to Tierra Verdi? Lots of good eating up there? Check out Island Grille and Raw Bar.

Your boat looks awesome! Sounds like you really enjoy it. I couldn't agree more with the performance and control you have with these boats.

Cycle Springs is the Clearwater dealer you're referring too. They recently picked up the Scarab line. Unfortunately they don't do Chaparral.

 

[Mt.Ridge Adventures]

Curious how the 255 open compares to your old Yamaha 242?


hey Tim, how does the 255 open compare to your Yamaha 24ft?

How do you like scarab overall?
I sold my Yamaha and picking us 2020 25 ID wake edition in few days.

 

[TimBroom]

I love the center console in comparison, and how to move the family around the boat. it is tight with storage, but for us, I found some of those very large carabiners to hook on the bar behind the helm seat and my wife packs her big cloth bags with towels, food, sunscreen etc and we just hang them on the carabiners and it works great.
more importantly, the performance is impressive, the ride is 100% dry, through wakes and even a lot of wind. The boat never slams hard when coming off a big wake like I recall my 242 LS did... it is a great boat for gulf and I am sure for lakes and rivers, but from my experience the 242 best performance on just lakes and rivers, not so much much in the gulf... you will not have any regrets, I know I do not! Congrats! Enjoy!

 

[swatski]

I love the center console in comparison, and how to move the family around the boat. it is tight with storage, but for us, I found some of those very large carabiners to hook on the bar behind the helm seat and my wife packs her big cloth bags with towels, food, sunscreen etc and we just hang them on the carabiners and it works great.
more importantly, the performance is impressive, the ride is 100% dry, through wakes and even a lot of wind. The boat never slams hard when coming off a big wake like I recall my 242 LS did... it is a great boat for gulf and I am sure for lakes and rivers, but from my experience the 242 best performance on just lakes and rivers, not so much much in the gulf... you will not have any regrets, I know I do not! Congrats! Enjoy!

That’s good information, its great to have those comparisons! I’m very interested in the 255s.

I wonder how much of that better experience in rough water stability comes from the difference between bow rider and center console configuration of the boat, alone. In the latter the captain’s chair sits further back towards the stern as compared to a bow rider helm and smack in the center so that feeling when crossing waves is a bit different - even given the same hull.

I understand these new Scarab hulls are no longer Sea-Doo, and different than chaparral, but judged by Bimini crossings’ experience of this group the BRP boats have not been known to perform much better than the new (2015+) 240/242 Yammies. But that’s where it is so valuable to hear the first hand opinion like yours!

I guess I would love to see trial one, maybe at the next Miami boat show!

—

 

[2kwik4u]

I too would love to sea trial one. I really love the center console recreation boat look/feel. I'm seriously on the fence on if I would want a 242XE or a 255OpenID as my next boat.

One of the biggest things I've noticed on a traditional bowrider, that you DON'T have on a center console (or pontoon for that matter) is the wind blockage. This is a double edged sword, as it could be good to have the protection in a storm or on "big water", but us inland lake boaters sure would like a nice breeze while sitting at the captains seat at anchor!

Have there been any 255 Open's make the crossing to Bimini? If so, any of those guys members here that we can tag to get some info from?

 

[JetTech72]

I rode in a Scarab 255 Open recently, that's such a great boat. Love the layout & the tailgate feature is awesome.
We were into a 3ft chop & that hull was handling it like a champ

 

[Speedling]

I too would love to sea trial one. I really love the center console recreation boat look/feel. I'm seriously on the fence on if I would want a 242XE or a 255OpenID as my next boat.

One of the biggest things I've noticed on a traditional bowrider, that you DON'T have on a center console (or pontoon for that matter) is the wind blockage. This is a double edged sword, as it could be good to have the protection in a storm or on "big water", but us inland lake boaters sure would like a nice breeze while sitting at the captains seat at anchor!

Have there been any 255 Open's make the crossing to Bimini? If so, any of those guys members here that we can tag to get some info from?

Not yet on he trip i believe.

 

[2kwik4u]

I've been drooling over the 255 Open lately. I'm currently too poor to pay attention, but I can dream right.

Anywho, as I was looking at pictures from the internet, while tuning out whatever was on TV, it occured to me. Where's all the storage on the 255 Open? I see some under the front seat cushions, and some in the head compartment, although I would assume if you want to use the head you don't want to empty out all your storage stuff that is in there right?. Not much under the rear seats, that's where the engines are right?

Where can I stuff a deflated tube? What about my wakeskate/rope/tube rope/bumpers/lines/unbrella/2,843 kids toys/5 inflatable floaties for anchor/inflatable big disc/SUP hand pump/regular tube electric pump? I have a ton of other "little" stuff on board as well, pretty much every single outing.

Where do you put all the "stuff"? Either I carry around WAY too much stuff and need to pare down, or I have more storage on my AR190 than the 255 Open does. Surely that can't be right can it?

 

[Dean P]

I've been drooling over the 255 Open lately. I'm currently too poor to pay attention, but I can dream right.

Anywho, as I was looking at pictures from the internet, while tuning out whatever was on TV, it occured to me. Where's all the storage on the 255 Open? I see some under the front seat cushions, and some in the head compartment, although I would assume if you want to use the head you don't want to empty out all your storage stuff that is in there right?. Not much under the rear seats, that's where the engines are right?

Where can I stuff a deflated tube? What about my wakeskate/rope/tube rope/bumpers/lines/unbrella/2,843 kids toys/5 inflatable floaties for anchor/inflatable big disc/SUP hand pump/regular tube electric pump? I have a ton of other "little" stuff on board as well, pretty much every single outing.

Where do you put all the "stuff"? Either I carry around WAY too much stuff and need to pare down, or I have more storage on my AR190 than the 255 Open does. Surely that can't be right can it?

Good question. I wonder that too. Where is all the storage? Guess it really depends on your priorities. KIM you can fish from any boat.

 

[mrmeaniemeateaterman]

I also have been drooling over the 255 Open ID but not ready to spend that much on a boat...yet. Found these pics online showing storage options. All of the storage looks to be in the bow. If space limited the coolers could be used as storage or that space is a nice place to fit a folded up tube @2kwik4u

 

[mrmeaniemeateaterman]

Forgot this one

 

[Dean P]

Forgot this one
View attachment 100746

More than I thought.

Are you a doctor?

 

[2kwik4u]

I didn't know about the floor storage. That is good to have.

I was considering using the coolers as storage, then putting a Yeti or similar under the helm seat for drinks/snacks/etc. We don't have a head on board now, but I can see that being really useful (made a number of runs back to the marina for the use of facilities). I suppose some sort of organization in there that could be somewhat quickly "unpacked" wouldn't be the end of the world. Just seems like a bit of a work around on something this nice.

Shame they didn't use the sides as some sort of storage. A reinforced "cubby" over there could hold all kinds of stuff.

Just occurred to me, I have like 14 life vests on my 190 as well. They're stuffed all over the place, and I have ski vests for different size kids. I can see the head compartment on the 255 getting filled up REALLY quickly.

I really need to get myself onto one of these boats and see what it's really like. I've only seen pictures online, and the one at the boat show last January that was already sold and wasn't letting guests on.

 

[Windowshopper]

Hi gang.....thanks for all the info regarding the 255 open. I been looking, watching, dreaming, just could not pull trigger over summer. I too have lots of toys for kids but we are phasing out tubing for more cruising, fishing, entertaining. My son and I just drove 3 hrs one way to look at 255s because 2 units are marked down (2018).

Curious though on the tube at stern, I assume you have to have tailgate open since it’s a low point. Does the rope rub the mat, tailgate? Can kids or adults get back on boat without the tailgate ladder?