prop or jet boat?

Rattler · 07-12-2006, 11:34 AM

I'm a relative newbie to boating. I originally had a 17' Bayliner, but after buying a place on Rattlesnake, was told that I should upgrade to something bigger. After looking around I purchased a Yamaha SR230 jet boat three summers ago.

I love the SR230. For all the positive and negative comments about jet boats made in this thread, you can't beat the price. There's no prop boat that, feature-for feature, compares price-wise with the Yamaha 230 line of jet boats.

For me the biggest negative of my jet boat is the low-speed maneuvering. However, with a little practice, you can get the hang of it. The other issue is the fact that you need to be cognizant (especially in the spring on Winnipesaukee) of sucking up debris into the impellers, but I've never encountered a major issue with this.

I guess if I had been prepared to spend $40-$50K I would have looked seriously at prop boats. There are certainly some nice ones out there in this price range. I just was sold real early on the value I was getting for my $30K -- and I'd buy another jet without giving it much thought.

Dave R · 07-12-2006, 11:57 AM

The SR230 is the one with the huge freeboard and really cool aft facing seating area on the swim platform, right?

William_Philipp · 07-12-2006, 01:23 PM

I think if I had to go with a new boat I would go with this boat, just looking it over in other tests and reliability I would have to say it performed the best.

ossipeeboater · 07-12-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

The SR230 is the one with the huge freeboard and really cool aft facing seating area on the swim platform, right?

it is, I've been thinking of an AR230 which is the same boat with a waketower. Just need to sell my Chaparral this winter.

Rattler · 07-12-2006, 03:18 PM

The newest model is the SX230 -- with the tower version being the AR230.

There have been only minor tweaks in the line since the SR230 was introduced in 2003. They're powered by two Yamaha MR-1 engines -- the same engine used in the WaveRunner FX Cruiser PWC, so my marine mechanic has had no problems with servicing. There's a SX230 "High Output" variant that provides 40 more horsepower than the standard 280 hp on the SX230.

Yamaha introduced a 21' version of the boat this year -- the SX210. Not sure why -- but obviously their marketing people saw a need that wasn't being met.

Because the jet nozzles are tucked underneath the stern, it does have a pretty expansive swim platform.

Good N' You? · 07-12-2006, 08:06 PM

Hello All...I have an SX 230 and absolutely love it for this lake. There is almost no issues with debris in my impellers. Which if I do, Yamaha offers an access from the top of the boat to clean them out. No getting in the water needed. Also, the handling of these boats are compared to a porshe rather a cadillac. They can turn 180 degrees at 50 mph. Try that in a I/O. Not to mention you can throw it in reverse at 50 mph and you have brakes. No damage to boat at all. The draft is 18", but if you push those limits, the worst damage is a scape along the hull, with no damage to the props. The lower profile motors allow for better use in the boats cockpit and rear swim deck area. There is a remote and table and 4 seats on the back "Patio". Like rattler said, there is NO value better than a yamaha. Since they started making them in 2003, they have since switched to a binacle style throttle system. Allowing you to put one in forward and one in reverse and you can rotate in your place when docking. I have amazed some people while docking, so slow speed handling is better than most single engine boats. The saftey and ease of not having a propeller and outdrive to worry about on while climbing aboard is definelty one of the best features.

I am up at the Lake every weekend. If you want a ride, PM me. I'd love to show you how it drives.

Airwaves · 07-12-2006, 10:12 PM

A friend of mine has a 21 or 23' Yamaha and we've been out a few times. I've never been out in it in chop but as a fair weather boat it's good.

The only complaint that I and my friend have with it, is that although it has twin engines and two jets, you can't operate them independently like you can with a twin engine prop boat.

Good N' You? · 07-13-2006, 08:38 AM

Airwaves.
That is no longer the case. You can operate both engines seperately. See my post above.

07-12-2006, 11:34 AM	#1
Rattler Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	My Jet Boat Experience I'm a relative newbie to boating. I originally had a 17' Bayliner, but after buying a place on Rattlesnake, was told that I should upgrade to something bigger. After looking around I purchased a Yamaha SR230 jet boat three summers ago. I love the SR230. For all the positive and negative comments about jet boats made in this thread, you can't beat the price. There's no prop boat that, feature-for feature, compares price-wise with the Yamaha 230 line of jet boats. For me the biggest negative of my jet boat is the low-speed maneuvering. However, with a little practice, you can get the hang of it. The other issue is the fact that you need to be cognizant (especially in the spring on Winnipesaukee) of sucking up debris into the impellers, but I've never encountered a major issue with this. I guess if I had been prepared to spend $40-$50K I would have looked seriously at prop boats. There are certainly some nice ones out there in this price range. I just was sold real early on the value I was getting for my $30K -- and I'd buy another jet without giving it much thought.

07-12-2006, 01:23 PM	#3
William_Philipp Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southbury, CT (for now) Posts: 49 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	the sr230 is real nice. I think if I had to go with a new boat I would go with this boat, just looking it over in other tests and reliability I would have to say it performed the best.

07-12-2006, 03:18 PM	#5
Rattler Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	SX230 is the Latest Model The newest model is the SX230 -- with the tower version being the AR230. There have been only minor tweaks in the line since the SR230 was introduced in 2003. They're powered by two Yamaha MR-1 engines -- the same engine used in the WaveRunner FX Cruiser PWC, so my marine mechanic has had no problems with servicing. There's a SX230 "High Output" variant that provides 40 more horsepower than the standard 280 hp on the SX230. Yamaha introduced a 21' version of the boat this year -- the SX210. Not sure why -- but obviously their marketing people saw a need that wasn't being met. Because the jet nozzles are tucked underneath the stern, it does have a pretty expansive swim platform.

07-12-2006, 08:06 PM	#6
Good N' You? Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Franklin, MA & South Down Shores Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hello All...I have an SX 230 and absolutely love it for this lake. There is almost no issues with debris in my impellers. Which if I do, Yamaha offers an access from the top of the boat to clean them out. No getting in the water needed. Also, the handling of these boats are compared to a porshe rather a cadillac. They can turn 180 degrees at 50 mph. Try that in a I/O. Not to mention you can throw it in reverse at 50 mph and you have brakes. No damage to boat at all. The draft is 18", but if you push those limits, the worst damage is a scape along the hull, with no damage to the props. The lower profile motors allow for better use in the boats cockpit and rear swim deck area. There is a remote and table and 4 seats on the back "Patio". Like rattler said, there is NO value better than a yamaha. Since they started making them in 2003, they have since switched to a binacle style throttle system. Allowing you to put one in forward and one in reverse and you can rotate in your place when docking. I have amazed some people while docking, so slow speed handling is better than most single engine boats. The saftey and ease of not having a propeller and outdrive to worry about on while climbing aboard is definelty one of the best features. I am up at the Lake every weekend. If you want a ride, PM me. I'd love to show you how it drives. __________________ "Your supposed to tie one end of the anchor to the Boat!!!!"

07-13-2006, 08:38 AM	#8
Good N' You? Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Franklin, MA & South Down Shores Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Airwaves. That is no longer the case. You can operate both engines seperately. See my post above. __________________ "Your supposed to tie one end of the anchor to the Boat!!!!"

07-12-2006, 11:57 AM	#2
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 246 Thanked 744 Times in 444 Posts	The SR230 is the one with the huge freeboard and really cool aft facing seating area on the swim platform, right?

07-12-2006, 10:12 PM	#7
Airwaves Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I'm right here! Posts: 1,153 Thanks: 9 Thanked 102 Times in 37 Posts	A friend of mine has a 21 or 23' Yamaha and we've been out a few times. I've never been out in it in chop but as a fair weather boat it's good. The only complaint that I and my friend have with it, is that although it has twin engines and two jets, you can't operate them independently like you can with a twin engine prop boat.

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