Upgrade from 230 to 240..

[Cray16]

We have a 05 AR230 HO. Primary boating in Northern Utah (5000 ft). We're fairly happy with the performance but always want more. We are considering an upgrade to a 2010-2014 240 series. Would like to hear any experiences 0f upgrading to the newer boat. What did you like better/different? Did you notice a difference in handling in rougher water? Thanks!!

 

[2nazt]

I believe the difference would be when they introduced the new articulating keel. Also the bow is lower to water in the years you listed. For rougher water I would look at the 15+.

That is going from what I have heard, read, and noticed on this forum.

If anything you could do tabs on your 230 to keep you happier in rough water till you upgrade newer.

 

[Bruce]

I agree, trim tabs will make a bigger difference to your 230s rough water handling than any upgrade to a newer Yamaha.

 

[Cray16]

It's not that our 230 handles bad, I'm more curious if anyone noticed an appreciable difference between the two? Were you happy with the upgrade? Do the bigger motors make that much difference? Was it worth it? I've never ridden in the bigger 240 to know myself.

 

[2nazt]

I've not ridden in the newer 240 but performance wise the my old ar230 with HO motors were not far off from the 240 with the 1.8's. I'm not sure if there was a difference from the 05 to 08 model as far as motor wise. I've ridden with the 15+ 240 and kept pace with them maybe 3-5mph less top end I guess at sea level. I'm not sure who has went from a 230 to a 240.

 

[Julian]

I went from a 2005 SX230 to a 2016 242X and the performance is similar in terms of acceleration and the older boat out turns the new one, but is also a lot lighter and shorter. The 242X handles waves a chop a ton better. It tracks through and across waves and wakes without any (or much) wiggle at all, while my old 230 would wiggle a lot when quartering wakes or waves.....was one of the most noticeable things about the 242X.

 

[Bruce]

I believe the biggest cause of felt impact on Yamaha boats is from the relatively flat area around the jet intakes slapping down after jumping a wake. The keel on the 2015+ 240 series disrupts that slap reducing felt impact and provides the straight line handling that Julian described.

As for rough water handling I believe the two best options are the second generation 230 and the second generation 240. Both benefit greatly from the addition of trim tabs.

 

[zipper]

@Cray16 Another issue to consider may be reduced engine noise in the cockpit due to the difference in RPM's between the 1.1's and 1.8's. As to trim tabs, I will be installing this spring on our ar 230.

 

[Ronnie]

Went from an 06 230 sx ho to a 2010 242 ls . The most notable difference for me was the deck configuration (got a head compartment but lost the two compartments at the rear sides of the boat, also the bow is a lot bigger). The hull itself is also noticeably bigger/taller visually and it feels like a bigger boat when I'm behind the wheel. Performance wise they are pretty much a match on paper but I feel like the 230 accelerated faster. I don't miss the high pitched whine the 230 produced at wot.
Initial efforts for me included searching for a used 242, getting a loan and driving all day to pick it up a and bring it home. Can't forget the cost aspect. My initial upgrade cost was about $20k.

If I had to do it all over again I don't think I would, the differences were just not worth the effort and expense. I would feel even more strongly if I had a late model 230 with a head compartment. If you are looking at a 2015 240 series boat there are a few additional features to consider. Specifically the keel and rudder (I think fins like cobra jets with fangs or thrust vectors do pretty much the same thing, i.e., help with tracking) and the connect system.