Used Yamaha Jet Boats in Arizona: Buying Guide for AR and SX Series

Why Yamaha jet boats work well in Arizona

Jet boats make sense for Southwest boating. The jet drive pulls water through an intake and pushes it out the back, so there's no exposed propeller. That matters on busy summer weekends at Lake Pleasant when the lake is packed and people are in the water.

Jet boats also handle shallow water better than traditional stern drives. If you boat on the Salt River arm of Saguaro Lake or run the lower stretches of the Colorado, you'll appreciate the extra clearance.

Yamaha's AR series (19 to 24 feet) and SX series (19 to 24 feet, sportier layout) dominate the used jet boat market in Arizona. Both use the same reliable engine and jet pump platform. The differences are mostly layout and seating.

Common models you'll see for sale

AR190 and AR195: The 19-foot entry model. Seats six to eight depending on year. Single engine (1.8L naturally aspirated). Good for cruising and light watersports. Not fast, but reliable and cheaper to maintain.

AR210 and AR220: 21 to 22 feet. Twin engines. Better acceleration and top speed. Can pull a wakeboarder or tuber without feeling underpowered. More seating and storage. This is the sweet spot for families who want watersports capability.

AR240 and 242: The big ones. 24 feet, twin engines, full watersports tower on many used examples. Seats ten or more. Heavy fuel consumption, but you get real wakeboarding and surfing performance.

SX190 and SX210: Sport layout with bucket seats up front instead of a bow lounge. Same engines as the AR equivalent. Better for aggressive driving and watersports. Less lounging space.

Model years 2017 and newer have the updated 1.8L supercharged engines (on twin-engine models) and better handling. Pre-2017 models use naturally aspirated engines and can feel sluggish when loaded.

Inspection points specific to Arizona use

Check the gelcoat and vinyl. Arizona sun destroys gelcoat and vinyl faster than almost anywhere else. Look for chalking, fading, and cracks in the gelcoat. Check all vinyl seats for brittleness and tearing, especially on the bolsters and backrest seams. If the boat has been stored outside uncovered, expect damage.

Test the Connext screen. Yamaha's Connext touchscreen controls everything: depth, speed, fuel, ballast, tower controls. The screen fails on some 2015 to 2018 models, and replacement is expensive (over $1,000). Make sure it powers on and responds to touch. Check that the depth sounder works if you plan to use it.

Listen to the supercharger. On twin-engine models with supercharged 1.8L engines, listen for whining or grinding from the supercharger at idle and under load. A worn or failing supercharger sounds like a high-pitched whine that changes with throttle. Rebuilding a supercharger costs $800 to $1,200 per engine.

Inspect the jet pump intake. The intake grate on the bottom of the hull sucks in water. It also sucks in rocks, sand, and debris. Pull the boat out of the water and inspect the intake grate and the impeller housing for damage. Look for bent grate bars, gouges in the housing, and worn impeller blades. A damaged impeller reduces performance and efficiency.

Check for cavitation. During the water test, accelerate hard from a stop. The boat should come up on plane smoothly. If the engine revs but the boat hesitates or struggles to get up, you have cavitation. That usually means a worn impeller or debris in the pump. It's fixable, but use it as a negotiating point.

Run it at full throttle. Yamaha jet boats should hit 45 to 50 mph on calm water when lightly loaded (single engine models) or 50 to 55 mph (twin engine models). If the boat won't reach expected speed, something is wrong. Could be a fouled pump, worn impeller, or engine issue.

Look at service records. Yamaha recommends annual service and a supercharger service every 100 hours (on supercharged models). If the seller has no service records and the boat has 200+ hours, plan to do a full service right away. Budget $500 to $800 for annual service, more if superchargers need attention.

Arizona-specific use issues

Lake Pleasant silt: Pleasant gets silty in low-water years. Silt clogs the jet pump intake and wears the impeller. If the boat was used primarily at Pleasant, check the impeller and pump housing carefully.

Colorado River sand: River running is hard on jet pumps. Sand and small rocks damage the impeller and grate. River boats often need impeller replacement sooner than lake boats.

Heat and storage: Boats stored outside in Phoenix summer heat age faster. Gelcoat fades, vinyl cracks, and rubber components degrade. A boat that was garaged or covered will be in better shape than one that sat in a driveway uncovered.

What to pay for a used Yamaha jet boat in Arizona

Prices vary by condition, hours, and model year. Here's rough guidance for the Phoenix market as of mid-2024:

• 2017 to 2020 AR190: $35,000 to $45,000 depending on hours and condition
• 2017 to 2020 AR210: $50,000 to $60,000
• 2017 to 2020 AR240: $65,000 to $80,000
• 2012 to 2016 AR210: $35,000 to $45,000 (older naturally aspirated engines)
• 2012 to 2016 AR240: $45,000 to $60,000

Boats with high hours (300+) or visible sun damage should be discounted. Boats with tower, ballast, and upgraded sound systems command a premium.

Compare prices against current listings on Boats For Sale Phoenix and filter by jet boats to see what's available locally.

Should you buy a Yamaha jet boat in Arizona?

If you want a versatile family boat that handles watersports, cruising, and shallow water, a Yamaha jet boat is a strong choice. They're reliable, parts and service are available locally, and they hold value reasonably well.

The tradeoffs: jet boats are loud (the engine is right under the cockpit), they burn more fuel than a comparable stern drive, and the ride can be rough in chop because there's no deep-V hull. But for Arizona lakes and rivers, those tradeoffs are usually worth it.

If you're shopping for a used Yamaha jet boat, take your time and inspect carefully. The Arizona sun and silt are hard on boats. A well-maintained example with service records and garage storage is worth paying extra for.

Browse current jet boat listings on Boats For Sale Phoenix or list your Yamaha jet boat for sale if you're ready to sell.