Yamaha 242X Max Capacity

[Peter Dunn]

I have a 2017 - 242X using ballast system the wake is just barely surf-able.

I noticed on the"Wakesurfing Behind the New Yamaha 242X E-Series Boat" video they click Fill All - 1700 lbs, have two 450 lbs Sumo Sacks (1 in the rear and one in the front) and 125 lbs bag behind the passenger seat. This puts the boat at 2725 lbs before adding the 2 passengers (1 Adult Male - ~200 lbs) & (1 Adult Female ~120 lbs). For a total weight of over 3000 lbs excluding the weight of additional equipment (boards,anchor, safety equipment, etc). This boat would likely be around 450 lbs over capacity.

Looking for some guidance here, is it reasonable safe to load this boat in this manner?

Thanks,
Peter

 

[jcyamaharider]

Shoot, I have 3250 pounds of ballast in my ( old ) boat just in water weight.

 

[Ancient canoe]

I've read that Yamaha's weaker factory ballast system is so they stay under weight capacity for legal reasons, but how does a traditional similarly sized wakeboat offer a more robust factory ballast? Do they just ignore the legal aspects?

 

[0627Devildog]

Wake wedged and 2400lbs of water ballast listed to port om my AR240HO. . . Along with dual batteries and half tank of fuel and about 500lbs of people/gear. Never had an issue.

For reference I am 6'3" and riding near the middle of the wave.

 

[scokill]

I've read that Yamaha's weaker factory ballast system is so they stay under weight capacity for legal reasons, but how does a traditional similarly sized wakeboat offer a more robust factory ballast? Do they just ignore the legal aspects?

What legal aspects? At least in Texas it's not illegal to operate above capacity. Now you might have a negligent argument but as we are cruising along with 2,200 lbs of ballast and a boat full of people and doing so safely then that would be a difficult argument.

 

[Ancient canoe]

I don't know. The consensus argument that I have read here is that the Yamaha factory ballast in their X models aren't enough, but Yamaha does that for legal reasons. I assumed it's because there could be some liability producing a boat that would be over the limit with stock ballast.

 

[scokill]

I don't know. The consensus argument that I have read here is that the Yamaha factory ballast in their X models aren't enough, but Yamaha does that for legal reasons. I assumed it's because there could be some liability producing a boat that would be over the limit with stock ballast.

Yamaha could have some liability if they were found negligent and I guess in some states you might get a ticket for operating over capacity but there are many that you won't...that was my point. You could get cited for reckless boating or similar I guess but might be difficult to stick. You could also have some personal liability if something happened to someone else and they could prove you were negligent, but that is the case with everything. I guess there is a basic reasonableness bar....like not surfing in high wind, waves etc., and not surfing loaded up on the way to Bimini....

 

[MattFX4]

I don't know if there is law against going over the weight limit. I was looking a new Centurion Ri217 the other day and it comes with 5,000lbs of ballast! The boat weighs 5,350 dry. With ballast, people, gear, etc the weight could be up to 6,500-7,000 lbs. No way that's under the recommended limit.

 

[Ancient canoe]

Yamaha could have some liability if they were found negligent and I guess in some states you might get a ticket for operating over capacity but there are many that you won't...that was my point. You could get cited for reckless boating or similar I guess but might be difficult to stick. You could also have some personal liability if something happened to someone else and they could prove you were negligent, but that is the case with everything. I guess there is a basic reasonableness bar....like not surfing in high wind, waves etc., and not surfing loaded up on the way to Bimini....

If that's the case then why doesn't Yamaha offer more than 1700 lbs of ballast? Costs?

 

[Peter Dunn]

Thank you for the information,

Good to see a couple of normal sized people surfing some great looking wakes. What type of wake wedges are you using?

Regards,
Peter

 

[ripler]

Here's a good explanation about a boats weight capacity.

http://www.mmwatersports.com/boat-service/how-much-ballast-is-safe/

 

[scokill]

If that's the case then why doesn't Yamaha offer more than 1700 lbs of ballast? Costs?

Probably a handful of reasons. Where to put it, cost, etc. could be factors.

 

[scokill]

Here's a good explanation about a boats weight capacity.

http://www.mmwatersports.com/boat-service/how-much-ballast-is-safe/

While I don't doubt the facts of the rating system I don't agree with the conclusion of do what we do (it is a Centurion/Supreme Blog, not a disinterested 3rd party) or your other brand boat that doesn't do what we do will sink. I have experience with standards organizations and there is a lot of good that can come out of them, but there is also the bad. At the end of the day the NMMA is in it to perpetuate themselves to some degree. While they are a non-profit they have folks that make huge salaries. The president made $2.4M in 2015. There is a pay to play aspect and I'm sure some strong arming. This doesn't totally discount everything that they do around standards, but just some context.

Of course there can be too much weight, especially in rough conditions. I've seen several boats "sink" (what some would call sink) and none of them had ballast. They got caught on pop up storm and extremely rough water and got swamped. I'm sure there are overloaded boats that get swamped. Once you've decided you are going to use ballast and assume the risk (life is a risk) you use best judgement. For some that might be stay under weight rating, others may choose based on their experience to use more, others may choose to not do any water sports at all.

 

[Bill D]

When you get down to something like this, it's probably time to stop. Until then, you're good.

 

[Peter Dunn]

I will keep it reasonable.

 

[scokill]

Here are some other photos...

 

[haknslash]

Thank you for the information,

Good to see a couple of normal sized people surfing some great looking wakes. What type of wake wedges are you using?

Regards,
Peter

For wake wedge made for these boats see @jcyamaharider

 

[jcyamaharider]

Thank you for the information,

Good to see a couple of normal sized people surfing some great looking wakes. What type of wake wedges are you using?

Regards,
Peter

The Wake Wedge. See my sig. The only way to surf behind a Yamaha jet boat.

 

[haknslash]

Yup. It totally transformed @Bill D wave and cleared up all the jet wash on the surf side.

 

[Bill D]

The wedge only works when you remember to bring it to the lake.