Yamaha 2021 AR190 vs 2021 AR195 at High Elevation in Utah

[Murphious]

Hi there, I've ready many threads already about adding a HA impeller, ribbon delete, new air filter, etc.

We haven't purchased the boat yet but have narrowed it down to a brand new Yamaha AR190 or brand new Yamaha AR195. The local dealers all recommend getting the AR195 instead since it has more power and that it would not need the impeller change.

I'm looking to boat around bear lake in utah (5900') and lake powell (3600') and all lakes in between. There is my wife and I and we have four kids 11 and under. We are looking to tube and wakeboard (possibly surf TBD.)

We're not looking to break any land speed records, just to have a fun boat that will do the above watersports.

My two questions:
1. Can I do those watersports with the AR190 with those said modification?
2. Which of the two jet engines be more reliable and last longer? (If we're happy with the boat we may want to keep it 15-20 years or more!)

@Tyguy @sysinu @rex.niki @chrisinslc @OrangeTJ

 

[Canuckjetboater]

Hi there, I've ready many threads already about adding a HA impeller, ribbon delete, new air filter, etc.

We haven't purchased the boat yet but have narrowed it down to a brand new Yamaha AR190 or brand new Yamaha AR195. The local dealers all recommend getting the AR195 instead since it has more power and that it would not need the impeller change.

I'm looking to boat around bear lake in utah (5900') and lake powell (3600') and all lakes in between. There is my wife and I and we have four kids 11 and under. We are looking to tube and wakeboard (possibly surf TBD.)

We're not looking to break any land speed records, just to have a fun boat that will do the above watersports.

My two questions:
1. Can I do those watersports with the AR190 with those said modification?
2. Which of the two jet engines be more reliable and last longer? (If we're happy with the boat we may want to keep it 15-20 years or more!)

@Tyguy @sysinu @rex.niki @chrisinslc @OrangeTJ

@Murphious ..... I have owned two Yamaha supercharged 1.8L engines and driven the non-supercharged Yamaha 1.8L IMO there is a huge difference. Without question I would purchase the supercharged version. Yamaha supercharging technology is legendary and the acceleration of the supercharged engines is awe inspiring. Yamaha supercharged engines are known for their longevity and durability so no worries there. Why buy a lesser engine and try to fix it? IMO the supercharged engine will also deal better with elevation/air density changes. I have never heard a boater complain about purchasing an engine with better acceleration and power but if I had a $ for every boater who said I wish I had gotten the bigger engine.....

 

[Murphious]

@Murphious ..... I have owned two Yamaha supercharged 1.8L engines and driven the non-supercharged Yamaha 1.8L IMO there is a huge difference. Without question I would purchase the supercharged version. Yamaha supercharging technology is legendary and the acceleration of the supercharged engines is awe inspiring. Yamaha supercharged engines are known for their longevity and durability so no worries there. Why buy a lesser engine and try to fix it? IMO the supercharged engine will also deal better with elevation/air density changes. I have never heard a boater complain about purchasing an engine with better acceleration and power but if I had a $ for every boater who said I wish I had gotten the bigger engine.....

Thank you for your input! We went and looked at one today and fell in love. We'll be going with the AR195

 

[2kwik4u]

I love my 190......it's got exceptional range, and super simple mechanicaly.

If I was at altitude; I would get the 195. You'll want the extra power to start, and you'll most likely still want the high altitude pitched impeller.

 

[Ibeflyinhigh]

Super chargers need maintenance at some point. I read online plane speed for 190 is 3.3 and 3.4 for the 195. You're going to get more power mid and top end speed with the 195. I still went with the 190. I wanted reliability and fuel mileage.

 

[steve0617]

Get the 195. And you’ll still need an impeller change. A supercharger isn’t a turbo. It adds power yes, but it doesn’t counteract altitude.
My 195 barely makes 6500 RPMs at best at 5500’. I’ve once broken 40mph.

You’ll need an impeller change to get the 7700 ish RPMs you’d get at sea level.

 

[J-RAD]

Northern Utah boater here and bounce between lakes at similar elevations. My AR240 is running twin 1.8 N/A. I've done the Ribbon delete and impeller swap. I can say with assurity that these engines suffer a decent loss of power at elevation, even after the mentioned modifications you will not match the performance of the same boat at elevation. My AR240 actually performs quite well now. It will top out at 46 and can push 2,250lbs off ballast up to speed while surfing. BUT, it's power-to-weight ratio is superior to the 190 at the end of the day. The 195 on the other boast one of the best power-to-weight ratios in the Yamaha lineup.

I think you would find the 190 to be under powered for your desired activities. If I were making the choice for you, I would pick the 195. I think you would be far more content. 2nd choice while remaining conservative would be a 210. It has smaller engines but, you get twin engine efficiency that I think would push its performance behind that of the 190 and in my opinion be a better fit for a family of 6 and bigger waters of Bear Lake and Powell.

Hopefully there's a 190 owner operating at higher elevations that can chime in.