Best Used Jet Boats Under $100,000 in 2027 (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO Syndicate
Best Used Jet Boats Under $100,000 in 2027 (Ranked)
Jet boats trade the open propeller for a jet drive, making them shallow-water friendly, beach-able, and family-safe — there is no spinning blade behind the swim platform. The used market under $100,000 is wide, spanning compact 19-foot bowriders, towable wake machines, and luxury 24-foot day cruisers from Yamaha, Scarab, and Chaparral.
We judged the field on resale stability, engine reliability, ride quality in chop, layout versatility, and real-world ownership costs. This list favors boats that hold value, run on supercharged or naturally-aspirated marine engines with proven track records, and deliver genuine seat time without surprise repair bills.
Buyers towing toys, beaching at sandbars, or cruising lakes will all find a fit below.
Direct Answer
The best overall used jet boat under $100,000 is the 2021-2023 Yamaha 252S / 25-foot platform at roughly $72,000-$92,000, blending build quality, dual high-output engines, and the strongest resale in the segment. The best value pick is the 2017-2019 Yamaha SX195 / AR195 at about $28,000-$38,000, which delivers genuine 19-foot family capability for a fraction of new-boat money.
Buy on engine hours and service records, not cosmetics — a clean impeller and intact wear ring matter more than gelcoat shine.
How We Ranked
- Resale stability — Jet boats depreciate unevenly; Yamaha holds value best, so a used buy protects your money on the back end.
- Engine reliability — Supercharged 1.8L and naturally-aspirated 1.0L/1.8L marine engines have distinct service profiles that affect long-term cost.
- Ride and handling — Hull deadrise and weight determine whether the boat pounds in chop or tracks cleanly at speed.
- Layout versatility — Seating, storage, swim platforms, and tow points decide if one boat covers cruising, watersports, and sandbar days.
- Ownership cost — Parts availability, dealer network, fuel burn, and common failure points shape the true price of the hour on the water.
1. 2021-2023 Yamaha 252S (25 ft) 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The 25-foot Yamaha platform is the most complete jet boat you can buy used under six figures. It runs twin 1.8L High Output Yamaha marine engines producing a combined 360 horsepower, pushing the 24-foot 6-inch hull to a top speed near 50 mph while carrying up to 12 people.
The 8-foot 6-inch beam and roughly 21-degree deadrise give it a planted, confident ride in chop that smaller jet boats cannot match.
What seals the top spot is value retention and livability. A clean 2021-2023 example lands between $72,000 and $92,000, well under the original window-sticker territory, and the Connext touchscreen helm, articulating tower, and huge swim platform make it equally good for cruising and towing.
Twin engines also add redundancy that single-engine rivals lack.
- Price: ~$72,000-$92,000
- Pros: Twin engines, premium helm, strong resale, family-and-watersports versatility
- Cons: Heaviest to tow, supercharger maintenance on HO engines, premium used pricing
Verdict: The do-everything jet boat that holds its money better than anything else here.
2. 2017-2019 Yamaha SX195 / AR195 (19 ft) 💎 BEST VALUE
The 19-foot Yamaha is the smartest dollar in the segment. Powered by twin 1.8L naturally-aspirated Yamaha engines making a combined 180 horsepower, the 19-foot 6-inch hull hits the low-to-mid 40 mph range and seats up to eight. Because it skips the supercharger, maintenance is simpler and the engines are famously durable.
At $28,000-$38,000 for a clean 2017-2019 boat, it undercuts nearly every comparable fiberglass family bowrider while still delivering Yamaha's no-fuss jet drive and excellent dealer support. The AR trim adds a tower and premium audio; the SX trim keeps it cheaper. Either way you get a boat that fits in a standard garage and tows behind a midsize SUV.
- Price: ~$28,000-$38,000
- Pros: Low maintenance NA engines, easy to tow, bulletproof drivetrain, best price-to-capability
- Cons: Less room than 21-footers, modest top speed, firmer ride in heavy chop
Verdict: Maximum jet-boat fun and reliability for the least money.
3. 2019-2022 Yamaha 212S / 212SE (21 ft)
The 21-foot Yamaha is the segment's best-selling size for good reason. It pairs twin 1.8L High Output supercharged engines worth a combined 360 horsepower with a 21-foot 6-inch hull and an 8-foot 6-inch beam, hitting the high 40s while carrying up to 10. The extra power over the 19-footer makes it a serious wakeboard and ski platform.
Clean 2019-2022 examples sell for $48,000-$68,000. The 212S is the sport trim and the 212SE adds luxury touches like wraparound lounge seating. Yamaha's jet pump and reverse bucket make low-speed docking and beaching far easier than a sterndrive of the same length.
- Price: ~$48,000-$68,000
- Pros: Strong power, ideal size, excellent watersports ability, huge used inventory
- Cons: Supercharger service intervals, fuel burn at wide-open throttle
Verdict: The sweet-spot size most buyers should shortlist first.
4. 2018-2021 Scarab 215 / 215 ID (21 ft)
Built by Rec Boat Holdings, the Scarab 215 runs twin Rotax 1630 ACE marine engines from BRP, available in 250 or 300 horsepower per pair tunes. The 21-foot 6-inch hull delivers aggressive, sporty handling and the brand's signature bright color options give it dock presence Yamaha cannot match.
Used 2018-2021 boats run $42,000-$62,000. Rotax power brings features like iBR (intelligent brake and reverse) for genuine braking and precise docking — a real handling advantage. Inventory is thinner than Yamaha, so service network and parts should factor into the buy.
- Price: ~$42,000-$62,000
- Pros: iBR braking, bold styling, strong acceleration, Rotax reliability
- Cons: Smaller dealer network, slightly softer resale than Yamaha
Verdict: The most stylish and best-braking jet boat at this size.
5. 2020-2022 Chaparral 21 Surf / Vortex 2430 VRX (24 ft)
Chaparral's jet line, badged Vortex VRX, brings sterndrive-builder refinement to the jet world. The 24-foot 2430 VRX pairs twin Rotax 1630 ACE engines good for up to 600 combined horsepower in top tune, making it one of the fastest boats on this list with a top end past 55 mph.
Expect $58,000-$85,000 for clean 2020-2022 examples. The fit-and-finish, deep cockpit, and premium upholstery feel a class above, and the wide beam gives a stable cruising platform. Rotax supercharged engines demand disciplined service, so demand records.
- Price: ~$58,000-$85,000
- Pros: Fast, luxurious interior, big cockpit, strong cruising stability
- Cons: Heavy, supercharger upkeep, higher fuel burn
Verdict: The luxury-leaning jet cruiser for buyers who want speed and finish.
6. 2016-2018 Yamaha AR240 / 242 Limited S (24 ft)
The previous-generation 24-foot Yamaha is a value play on a big boat. It runs twin 1.8L supercharged HO engines for a combined 360 horsepower in a 24-foot hull seating up to 12. The 242 Limited S added a tower, premium audio, and the no-wake mode that idles smoothly for crowded ramps.
Clean 2016-2018 boats sell for $45,000-$65,000, a notable discount versus the current 25-foot platform while offering similar space. Watch for older Connext electronics and verify the supercharger and intercooler service history before buying.
- Price: ~$45,000-$65,000
- Pros: Big-boat space for less money, proven drivetrain, great resale
- Cons: Older electronics, supercharger maintenance, dated styling versus newer hulls
Verdict: The smart way into a 24-foot Yamaha without current-gen pricing.
7. 2019-2021 Scarab 255 / 255 ID (25 ft)
Scarab's flagship 25-footer goes big on power and presence. It offers twin Rotax 1630 ACE engines up to a combined 600 horsepower, a 25-foot hull, and seating for up to 12, with the brand's aggressive graphics and a top speed past 55 mph in the hottest tune.
Used 2019-2021 examples run $62,000-$90,000. The iBR system makes a boat this size surprisingly easy to dock, and the cockpit layout is genuinely flexible. As with all Scarabs, confirm a nearby BRP-certified service shop before committing.
- Price: ~$62,000-$90,000
- Pros: High power, iBR docking, big seating, head compartment options
- Cons: Thinner resale and inventory, supercharger service on top engines
Verdict: A fast, flashy 25-footer for buyers outside Yamaha loyalty.
8. 2017-2019 Yamaha 190 FSH Sport (19 ft)
The FSH line is Yamaha's jet-powered fishing crossover, and the 19-foot Sport blends angling features with family seating. It runs a single or twin 1.8L engine depending on year, hits the high 30s to low 40s mph, and adds rod holders, a livewell, and a casting-friendly bow.
Clean 2017-2019 examples land at $32,000-$44,000. The shallow-draft jet drive shines for skinny-water fishing where outboards risk a lower unit. It is not a hardcore offshore boat, but for lakes and protected bays it is a versatile, beach-friendly hybrid.
- Price: ~$32,000-$44,000
- Pros: Fish-and-family flexibility, shallow draft, easy storage and towing
- Cons: Smaller cockpit, modest rough-water ability, limited livewell capacity
Verdict: The jet boat to buy if you fish as much as you cruise.
9. 2016-2018 Chaparral Vortex 203 VR (20 ft)
The 20-foot Vortex brings Chaparral's quality build to a mid-size, more affordable jet boat. It uses twin Rotax 1630 ACE engines in 250 or 300 horsepower tunes, runs a 20-foot hull, and seats up to 10, with the deep cockpit and quality upholstery the brand is known for.
Used 2016-2018 boats sell for $34,000-$50,000. Build quality and ride feel a step above some rivals at this size, though Rotax supercharged variants need disciplined upkeep. A strong choice for buyers who prioritize finish over the largest dealer network.
- Price: ~$34,000-$50,000
- Pros: Premium build, comfortable ride, flexible seating, good value
- Cons: Smaller service network, supercharger service on hot tune
Verdict: A well-built mid-size jet boat for finish-focused buyers.
10. 2015-2017 Scarab 165 / 195 (16-19 ft)
The entry Scarab models prove jet-boat fun does not require a big budget. The 165 (16 ft) and 195 (19 ft) run single or twin Rotax 900/1630 ACE engines from roughly 90 to 250 horsepower, making them light, nimble, and easy to tow with a midsize vehicle.
Used 2015-2017 boats are the cheapest real jet boats here at $18,000-$32,000. They are smaller and ride firmer in chop, but for sandbar days, tubing, and tight storage they punch above their price. Check impeller and wear-ring condition closely on older budget hulls.
- Price: ~$18,000-$32,000
- Pros: Lowest cost of entry, very light and towable, fun and nimble
- Cons: Small, firm ride, single-engine versions feel underpowered
Verdict: The budget gateway into jet-boat ownership.
How to Choose
What to Look For
- Engine hours and service: On supercharged Yamaha HO and Rotax engines, verify supercharger rebuild or inspection records; neglected ceramic washers can fail and damage the engine.
- Impeller and wear ring: Pull the intake grate and check the impeller for nicks and the wear ring for excess clearance — these are routine but tell you how the boat was run.
- Hull and transom: Tap-test for soft spots, inspect the swim platform and tower mounts, and look for ingestion damage from running over sandbars.
- Trailer condition: A solid trailer with good bearings, brakes, and tires can save thousands; budget for replacement if it is rusty or undersized for the hull.
FAQ
Are used jet boats reliable? Yamaha's naturally-aspirated 1.8L engines are among the most durable marine powerplants and routinely run past 1,000 hours with basic care. Supercharged HO and Rotax engines are also reliable but demand disciplined service of the supercharger and cooling system, so prioritize records.
How much does a good used jet boat cost under $100,000? You can find a clean 19-foot Yamaha from the high $20,000s, a 21-foot from the high $40,000s, and a premium 24-to-25-foot platform from the high $50,000s into the low $90,000s. Condition, hours, and trim drive the spread.
Do jet boats hold their value? Yamaha holds value best in this category, often retaining more than comparable sterndrive boats. Scarab and Chaparral hold value reasonably but typically trail Yamaha on resale, which is why a used Yamaha is the safest financial pick.
What are common jet boat problems to check? Watch for supercharger wear on HO and hot-tune Rotax engines, impeller and wear-ring damage from debris, water intrusion in the bilge, and worn trailer components. A pre-purchase survey and a compression or diagnostic check are worth the cost.
Bottom Line
For the best blend of build quality, power, and resale, the 2021-2023 Yamaha 252S at roughly $72,000-$92,000 is the strongest used jet boat under $100,000. Shoppers chasing the most capability per dollar should buy the 2017-2019 Yamaha SX195 / AR195 at about $28,000-$38,000.
Across the board, buy on engine hours and maintenance records, and a quality used jet boat will deliver years of shallow-water, family-friendly fun.
Sources
- Boat Trader — used jet boat listings and pricing trends
- Discover Boating — jet boat buying guides and segment overviews
- Yamaha Boats — model specifications and engine details
- BoatUS — marine survey and pre-purchase inspection guidance
- Boating Magazine — jet boat reviews and performance testing
- NADA Guides / J.D. Power — used boat valuation data
- NMMA — recreational boating market and ownership data
*Keywords: Best Used Jet Boats Under $100,000 in 2027 (Ranked) — review, reviews, rating, comparison, best of 2027.*