You’re sitting on a quiet beach, enjoying the warmth of the sun, your boat anchored securely nearby.
Along comes another vessel, heading quietly down the shore, in waters that are way too shallow for such a craft.
Is the hull scraping the sand? Is the prop pulled up so that it’s splashing on the surface like a washing machine?
Not these days.
Quicker inspection reveals it’s a Yamaha and a short conversation with the owner tells the rest of the story.
It’s the brand’s jet boat.
And it’s making serious waves in the boating community.
We’ll have them on display at this year’s Mid-Atlantic Sports and Boat Show the end of the month at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
What makes the Yamaha jet boat – which conjures up thoughts of all those personal watercraft on the market – so special?
Not counting the obvious ability to navigate the shallows – which is because it does not have an exposed lower unit – there are quite a few things.
In many cases, the vessel’s draft can be up to half the water other boats require. That gives owners a little piece of mind that they have the ability to explore more shallow waters, especially those controlled by tides.
According to Yamaha, the vessels have improved maneuverability because they use a jet drive instead of traditional out- or inboard props. These crafts have stainless steel “impellers,” and larger models have twin out-takes.
The Yamahas also have a “Connext” touchscreen and “Drive X Technology” on “E Class” models that use paddle shifters to help with docking and navigation in tight places – kind of like a joystick piloting system popular on many newer vessels.
The jet boats can reach speeds of up to 55 mph – depending on the load being carried – and are much quieter than older models.
Yamaha offers several incredible motors paired perfectly with each trim level. The 1.1L twins, 1.9L, and the venerable 1.8L super charged. For a broad choice of performance with each model they offer.
Experts are describing them as “marvelous boats.”
“They’re a very easy way to get into boating,” said Lynnhaven salesman Maxwell Schrumpf. “And if you like them, we can make it easy for you to move up a level.
“And the engines are so quiet now.”
There are a couple of things to keep in mind, Schrumpf said, if thinking about buying one.
“You need three feet of water to start the motors so sand and silt don’t get into the intake,” he said. “And you need to flush out the system really well after each use so that stuff doesn’t get caught up in it.”
Schrumpf countered that there is an increased safety factor with jet boats, especially when those on the craft want to take a dip.
“There’s not an exposed prop to worry about when your are in the water around the back,” he said.
Schrumpf added that: “They are the whole package. You don’t need to know what all the parts are. And the clincher is that they are way more affordable than lots of other options.”
And being an authorized dealer, we’re able to set you up with any of the models Yamaha offers.
So make sure to check one out at the boat show. And if you just can’t wait until them, we’re easy to find.
To read more of my work, go to: leetolliveroutdoors.com
