6 Best Yamaha Boats in 2026

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· Updated June 9, 2026

Some people consider Yamaha boats to be nothing more than overgrown Waverunners, but they are mistaken. These well-built and full-featured boats are loaded with high-tech features with models catering to specific segments: family-friendly, for watersports, adventure, leisure and simple cruising.

The reliable Yamaha jet boat motors offer excellent performance, while its small size makes it fit neatly into these small boats. All in all, if you’re in the market for a 19- to 27-foot bowrider or dayboat, Yamaha boats are well worth looking at.

With so many jet boats to review, our boating experts were excited to draw on their moLet’s dive in and look at what makes Yamaha boats unique in the bowrider and wake boat marketplace.

1. Yamaha 275SD

Top-of-the-line Twin-Engine Jet Boat Experience

Yamaha’s twin-engine 27-foot boats include some of the company’s largest and most powerful vessels. These boats are yacht-certified for maximum capacity and come loaded with high-tech features that make your day on the water a great one.

The 275SD is the top-of-the-line Yamaha. It comes with DRiVE X, Yahama’s best control system. With twin engines, the boat can spin on its axis and hold position laterally on a dock. These controls are built into the system, with forward/back paddle controls on the helm wheel.

This 27-footer is laid out well, with a comfortable bow lounge and convertible aft seats. Just aft of the helm, you’ll find a galley prep area with cooler storage and a built-in sink. There are a lot of moving features that make this boat a great entertainment vessel for watersports and leisure enthusiasts.

Things we like

✓ One of the most powerful jet boats on the water
✓ Stylish design includes a hard top with a sunroof
✓ DRiVE X docking and maneuvering assist controls with function buttons built into the helm wheel (includes lateral movement, dock hold, and pivot turn controls)
✓ 12.3-inch Connext touchscreen
✓ Comfortable layout with galley counter, built-in cooler storage, and convertible aft seating

Yamahaboats.com →

2. Yamaha 222XD Jet Boat

High Tech Wake Boat

The Yamaha 222XD is the company’s smallest wake-series boat that comes with the impressive DRiVE technology package. The drive-by-wire Yamaha jet drives can be easily controlled at low power for close-quarters handling and docking. But, as fun as this little boat is to drive, the beauty of the machine is more evident in its SurfPointe wake surf system. It includes internal ballast tanks, electrically-actuated Wakeboosters, and rider-specific programmable presets using the 12.3-inch Connext touchscreen.

Things we like

✓ Surfpointe system with Wakeboosters for the best wake surfing experience
✓ Proven Yahama jet drive power is propless and makes a shallow draft
✓ DRiVE X gathers all speed and direction control (incl. Lateral thrust) to the wheel
✓ Great handling and fun to operate
✓ Speed programming to limit speed for younger drivers
✓ More seating and storage than most boats of its size
✓ Connext Touchscreen has great UX

Yamaha → Read the full review →

3. Yamaha AR190

Perfect Starter Jet Boat

Yamaha’s entry-level watersports jet boat is the AR190. Built on the company’s versatile 19-foot hull, the AR190 has everything you need to start tubing, wakeboarding, or skiing. It comes with a basic forward-swept tower and Yamaha’s amazing swim platform. You can also add Yamaha’s optional Wakesurf package, which includes 400-pound water ballast tanks and pump.

The AR190 is a bare-bones boat, but it’s got plenty of power and can do pretty much anything you like. Priced just under $40,000, it’s an appealing little motor boat for those looking to get on the water and outfit their vessel with more toys later. Simply step up to the AR190 with its supercharged SVHO (Super Vortex High Output) engine for more features or performance.

Things we like

✓ Basic, no-frills sport boat that's easy to maintain
✓ Basic watersports tower included
✓ Large swim platform with aft seating
✓ Can be towed with most SUVs
✓ Sapphire blue or Maple red gelcoat, good looking design
✓ Useable lounge seating that maximizes space, lots of storage
✓ Five-inch Connext touchscreen

Things we don't like

✗ Lacks the DRiVE tech that makes handling Yamaha boats exceptional

Yamahaboats.com →

4. Yamaha 220 FSH Sport

Jet-Powered Center Console Fishing Boat

The 220 FSH Sport is a twin-engine jet boat that might be the perfect starter boat for those in warm climates who desire the utility of a center console.

Yamaha jet boats are not the first vessels that come to mind when one desires a center console fishing boat, but the company aims to change that. The new FSH line of boats turns Yamaha’s excellent 19, 22, and 25-foot hulls into powerful and fun fishing platforms with room for the whole family.

It lacks the high-end features of its sisterships, making it more affordable and simpler to keep up. If you want their Helm Master EX joystick control or the more powerful supercharged engines, simply step up to the 222 FSH or 252 FSH. For the upgraded warm interior with comfort features and integrated hardtop, check out the 222 FSH Sport E.

Things we like

✓ Center console utility with large jet-boat swim platform and aft-facing lounges
✓ Great for watersports and amazing for fishing
✓ Simple and well-built center console perfect for any use
✓ Great layout with seating for everyone and space to move around
✓ Canvas t-top with lots of handholds and rod storage
✓ 20º deadrise for cutting through the chop comfortably
✓ Pop-up console provides storage or changing area with privacy curtain
✓ 12.3-inch Connext touchscreen

Things we don't like

✗ Molded consoles behind bow seats reduce fishing floorspace but do make the bow lounge more useable
✗ Need to note that the jets need to be flushed out with fresh water after each session

Yamahaboats.com →

5. Yamaha 252SE

Family-friendly Jet Bowrider

If you’re looking for the ultimate coastal dayboat, you can’t go wrong with the 25-foot family of boats from Yamaha. All hulls come with two of the company’s new 1.9-liter High Output marine engines. The base model is the SX250; upgraded for watersports, it’s the AR250.

With upgraded upholstery and E-mode features, it’s the 252SE, and with the impressive DRiVE technology for easy docking, it’s the 252 SD.

With seating up to 12, the 252SE is an excellent pick and a great value. It features an integrated arch with a sunshade, convertible aft seats on large lounges, and removable swim-up seats installed on the large swim platform.

Things we like

✓ Great size and layout for a coastal dayboat
✓ Convertible stern seating
✓ New design high-output engines
✓ Great fit and finish with gorgeous upgraded cool-touch upholstery
✓ Optional swim-up seats on the transom
✓ Includes aluminum watersports tower

Things we don't like

✗ Does not include DRiVE technology; step up to the 252SD for that

Yamahaboats.com →

6. Yamaha SX210

Features & Performance

Make the most out of your time on the water with the versatile Yamaha SX210. Whether you want to relax, entertain or go water tubing, this bowrider has got you covered. Wakeboarders will also rejoice with this model.

It features a beautiful and sporty windshield, a spacious and comfortable bow and cockpit, dual captain’s bucket chairs with flip-up bolsters, an Infinity Bluetooth sound system, a removable cooler, a center walk-thru at the transom for easy boarding, and loads of storage room.

But the star of this boat is hands down, the two-tiered swim platform at the stern. A nice hangout area with upholstered cushioned backrests so you can sit back and enjoy the sun while the kids go for a swim. For even more convenience and fun, just add the removable dinette table and the party is complete.

Things we like

✓ Amazing for wakeboarding and waterskiing
✓ Integrated multi-level swim platform
✓ Love the Yamaha electronics
✓ Easy to drive
✓ Sporty and clean look
✓ Bimini top is included
✓ Great value

Things we don't like

✗ Missing the tow tower

Yamaha →

Yamaha Boats Buyer’s Guide

Yamaha is one of the only companies making jet bowrider and center console boats. Once considered a novelty that grew from personal watercraft, these boats are now full-featured family boats with outstanding layouts and superb usability.

Yamaha’s All-New 275 Series

A jet boat is fun to drive, responsive, and a great platform for watersports. Yamaha jet boats have high-tech features and come in hull sizes of 19, 22, 25, or 27 feet. All Yamaha boats are built in the US to the highest standards and are overall some of the best-built boats on the water.

Walkthrough Yamaha’s 19-foot Series Featuring the 195S

Here’s a look at the company’s history, the current model lineup, and some outstanding innovations that Yamaha boats offer.

Yamaha’s Company History

Yamaha was founded in 1887 as Nippon Gakki Co, Ltd. to manufacture reed organs and pianos. During the first decades of the 20th century, it was the largest Japanese maker of musical instruments. During World War II, the Japanese government contracted the company to make wooden and metal propellers for aircraft.

In the years after the war, the company used the wartime facilities to manufacture small motorcycles. By the 1960s, the company’s products won races and became widely known and respected. Their success in motor production continued into the 1980s and 1990s as the company expanded into other small engine manufacturing endeavors, including both two and four-stroke engines.

Today, the company makes everything from motorcycles to portable generators, ATVs, snowmobiles, and marine engines. Yamaha motorcycles are still very popular, and Yamaha engine designs are found in many automobiles, particularly Toyotas.

Yamaha Marine Overview

Yamaha Marine comprises three different products that are marketed separately. Most famously, the company manufactures personal watercraft, their trademark name for which is the Waverunner. There are also divisions for outboard motors and boats.

Yamaha Waverunners

The first Yamaha Waverunners came out in 1986. Ever since the company has been one of the top jet ski makers in the world.

Today, the company makes five series of Waverunners, including sit-down and stand-up models. Check out the best options on Boat & Sail Magazine’s guide to the best Yamaha Waverunners.

Yamaha Outboards

Yamaha builds outboard motors from single-cylinder 2.5 horsepower portables to V-8 450 horsepower Offshore models. The Yamaha 15hp is one of the most popular small portable outboard motors ever built.

Yamaha Boats

Yahama’s boating division was grown from the success of their Waverunner personal watercraft. The first 20-foot boat had twin 50-horsepower Yamaha engines. Yamaha’s boating division has always used original Yamaha jet-drive motors developed for their Waverunners.

Today, Yamaha makes four sizes of hulls: 19, 22, 25, and 27 feet long. Their primary layouts are dual console, bowrider style dayboats. However, the company recently launched a line of center console fishing boats (the FSH line) built on the same hulls. The WAKE series also has customized and upgraded boats for tow sport enthusiasts.

Yahama boats are built entirely at their Vonore, Tennessee plant. The 42-acre facility, on the shores of Lake Tellico, is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that employs more than 450 workers.

Yahama Boating Innovation

Yahama boats are different than most other vessels on the market for many reasons. The fact that the company designs and makes their own motors means that they can custom shape their hulls to perfectly match those engines, resulting in far more efficient uses of space than other inboard boats.

Yamaha Boats -- The Most Perfected Jet Drive Technology

The jet engines also make for shallower-draft hulls with better balance. These boats leap on plane with very little bow rise. They are extremely maneuverable in close quarters, and the lack of an exposed propeller makes them one of the safest choices available for tow sports.

But, the company as a whole strives for continual improvement. Their latest top-of-the-line boats feature DRiVE technology, which adds paddle controls for forward and reverse at your fingertips. This enables quick bursts of power while steering, making docking the jet boat simpler than ever before. The upgraded DRiVE X features automated features. With the touch of a button, you can move the boat laterally, hold its position on a dock, and execute pivot turns in close quarters.

Yamaha's 2024 DRiVE X Technology

Some boats also feature the Helm Master EX joystick controller. This allows the operator to move the boat in any direction with the stick, making docking as easy as possible.

All Yamaha boats, including the 275SD, have integrated touchscreen controllers that the company calls Connext. There are multiple sizes of screens available, but most of the best models feature the 12.3-inch widescreen version.

Walkthrough Yamaha’s 27-foot Series Featuring the 275SD

The Connext system controls navigation and all of the boat’s systems, from the engines to the DRiVE system (if installed) and integrated wake boosting systems on the WAKE series boats.

Is a Yahama Boat Right For Your Family?

If you’re in the market for a trailerable dayboat capable of almost anything, then Yamaha should be on your list.They’re fun to drive, high-performance, and great for tow sports, jet boats always rank among wake and ski boats.

If you keep your boat on a lift or tow it to the ramp, jet boats make excellent choices. If you leave your boat in the water long term, especially salt water, you may opt for an outboard-powered boat for less maintenance and fewer problems with long-term corrosion on the engine systems.

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