Why do I have a Yamaha?

[Khalid]

80 hours since this past March on my 2016 243 Limited SE.

Half of which during a trip to the Exhumas.

Money well spent

 

[Joshua Miller]

Probably average twice a month. We used to live 20 minutes from the boat ramp, now it's more like 45. Work and family trips on dry land keep me from getting out more often. Boys are growing up and are getting wise to the fact that I use them to help prep the boat before and clean the boat after so sometimes they don't want to go out.

For me the best part is getting our friends out on the water with us and showing them a good time, with or without the kids. I don't do nearly half the stuff some of you guys do with your sound systems and wake surfing. For me, hearing the hum of the engines with the boat on plane and being able to drop anchor wherever and take a swim is as relaxing as it will ever get.

 

[Williamsone46]

I get out 30+ times a year and get anywhere between 50 - 75 hrs on it. But I think on the high end of normal. To me though it's a lifestyle and my family and friends all have boats and we all go out together every weekend plus a few 5-7 day vacations a year.

 

[eticket]

It is a short season here in Minnesota, so I want to get in as many trips as possible. I average about 1.5x week during June/July/Aug. We plan our vacations in the Winter and stay home all Summer so I can use the boat. The boat helps us entice family and friends to visit and we can all go out and make some good memories. I don't even want to think about the per trip cost, but it is all worth it with the good times we have.

 

[robert843]

Sadly I'm in the same spot I can only really boat on Saturdays so probably 10-15 outings per year.

 

[Speedling]

So I sold my LS2000 in 2013 and bought a 2008 SX230 same year. Used the heck out of the LS for 6 years; not so much the 230. Over this past weekend at my beach place, house-bound in a storm, I pulled out my 230 Captain's Log. (Yes. Anal. Record every trip, record every gas receipt, etc etc etc.)

Turns out in 2013? Went out 11 times. 2014? When out 8 times. 2015? Went out 8 times. 2016? Went out 10 times. 2017? Went out twice through this week. Just curious how often others get out on their Yamahas?

Been out twice this year. Last Saturday for 3 hours, and this past Sunday for 8. It's still great to just get out! I work on projects I want to do MORE than I get to actually use it though!

 

[Hellacool]

Before moving my boat to the marina, maybe 2 x a month during the season, last year I put 13 hours on. So far this year, I am now at 40 hours and still have several months to go. Just makes it so much easier to just pick up the phone and let them put it in the water for me. When I am done, I tie off and either throw the cover on and have them pull it or simply leave it and come back the next day. I decided to spend the extra money because I wanted to use the boat more but was getting wrecked with all the effort each outing was.

 

[scokill]

I think we bought our AR230 at a sweet spot in pricing in 2008....$36,000. I think the newer boats have some updated features but not sure the value is commensurate as the inflation adjusted price for the AR230 in today's dollars is only $40,000. The closest thing today to that value would be the SX210. The cost and safety were the primary reasons we bought with young family. Now I'm not sure I would go the Yamaha route, but glad we did back in 2008.

We go 10-15 times per season.

 

[aaron jansen]

My boating squedule is close to @Eric Ballard .
We used the boat at least 2 times a month in winter and from late march to late october 4 to 8 times a month

I'm in SC, do you guys not winterize it?

I go through the process but sometimes wonder why when it can be 70 degrees in December at times.

 

[veedubtek]

I'm an hour north of you @aaron jansen and I've never winterized any of mine. I'll go out in the cold too though, I don't much care.

 

[aaron jansen]

I'm an hour north of you @aaron jansen and I've never winterized any of mine. I'll go out in the cold too though, I don't much care.

Do you just run it a little dry to make sure no water is in there in case of any freezing temps?

I store mine outside for now, not sure where you store or what, if anything you do to protect it? But it would be nice once in awhile to go out when we have some of those warm days in the winter.

 

[Neutron]

I'm in SC, do you guys not winterize it?

I go through the process but sometimes wonder why when it can be 70 degrees in December at times.

Never winterize. No need when you use it through the winter.

 

[veedubtek]

Do you just run it a little dry to make sure no water is in there in case of any freezing temps?

I store mine outside for now, not sure where you store or what, if anything you do to protect it? But it would be nice once in awhile to go out when we have some of those warm days in the winter.

Nope. And I also store outside. Nothing to worry about here as far as I'm concerned. It's gotta be colder, longer, to really have something to worry about.

 

[Neutron]

Yamaha says to run each engine for a few seconds and rev each for a few blasts to clear excess water from exhaust to winterize. No need for antifreeze

 

[biglar155]

Yamaha says to run each engine for a few seconds and rev each for a few blasts to clear excess water from exhaust to winterize. No need for antifreeze

Agreed. 8 seasons stored in unheated storage in WI and no antifreeze. If anyone is going to have a problem, I should have had it by now.

 

[Neutron]

Agreed. 8 seasons stored in unheated storage in WI and no antifreeze. If anyone is going to have a problem, I should have had it by now.

You got that right.