Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Jet Boats 2024
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Jet Boats 2024
Jet boats trade the exposed propeller of a sterndrive for an enclosed jet pump, and that single design choice reshapes everything about how the boat is bought, used, and resold. The 2024 model year is dominated by two brands — Yamaha and Scarab (built by Rec Boat Holdings) — but the field also includes performance and utility builders worth knowing.
We judged this group on build quality, engine reliability, shallow-water capability, resale value, and real-world dollar-per-foot value. This guide is for the family buyer who wants bow-rider seating, the watersports household chasing wakeboard and tube fun, and the shallow-draft explorer who runs sandbars and rivers where an outboard skeg would dig in.
Prices below are approximate 2024 MSRP, well-equipped.
Direct Answer
Our BEST OVERALL pick is the 2024 Yamaha 252SD at roughly $80,000, the most refined, best-supported jet boat you can buy with the largest dealer network behind it. Our BEST VALUE pick is the 2024 Yamaha SX195 at about $50,000, which delivers genuine 19-foot family capability and twin-engine reliability for the lowest entry price in the class.
Buy on engine hours and service history first; jet pumps are durable but neglected ones get expensive.
How We Ranked
- Build quality — hull layup, deck hardware, upholstery, and gelcoat finish determine how a boat survives a decade of trailering and sun.
- Engine reliability — Yamaha's marinized 1.8L automotive-derived engines and Rotax sterndrive jets define the segment's dependability.
- Shallow-water capability — the defining jet-boat advantage; no prop, no skeg, draft under a foot in many cases.
- Resale value — Yamaha holds value strongly; niche performance brands depreciate faster, which we weighted accordingly.
- Value per foot — what equipment, capacity, and horsepower you actually get for the money.
1. 2024 Yamaha 252SD 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The 252SD sits at the top of Yamaha's stern-drive-style jet lineup and earns the overall crown by combining the brand's bulletproof drivetrain with the most usable 25-foot layout in the class. It runs twin 1.8L High Output engines producing a combined 360 horsepower, pushing the boat into the high-40-mph range while still launching skiers and wakeboarders with authority.
The Connext touchscreen helm ties together speed control, no-wake mode, and a digital dash that feels a generation ahead of most rivals.
At a length of 24 feet 7 inches and a beam of 8 feet 6 inches, the 252SD carries up to 12 people and offers a swim platform, a folding rear lounge, and dual jump seats. The twin-engine redundancy is a real safety and reliability advantage on bigger water — lose one engine and you still get home.
Price: roughly $80,000 well-equipped.
- Price: ~$80,000
- Pros: Twin-engine reliability, top-tier resale, huge capacity, refined helm electronics.
- Cons: Highest price in the lineup, heavy trailer load near 5,000 pounds.
Verdict: The most complete jet boat money can buy in 2024.
2. 2024 Yamaha SX195 💎 BEST VALUE
The SX195 is the smartest dollar in the jet-boat world. It packs twin 1.8L engines making a combined 180 horsepower into a 19-foot 6-inch hull that still seats eight and tows tubes and wakeboards without strain. For buyers who assumed twin-engine jet ownership required a $60,000-plus check, the SX195's roughly $50,000 price is the headline.
You give up the cabin polish and bigger swim deck of the 25-footers, but you keep the things that matter: the same dependable drivetrain, a trailer-friendly weight near 3,000 pounds, and a draft shallow enough to nose onto a sandbar. The beam of 8 feet 2 inches gives it more interior room than the dimensions suggest.
Resale stays strong because Yamaha's used demand is deep.
- Price: ~$50,000
- Pros: Twin-engine layout at an entry price, easy to tow and store, strong resale.
- Cons: Single-axle handling limits in chop, modest stereo and helm trim.
Verdict: The most boat-per-dollar in the entire jet segment.
3. 2024 Scarab 255 ID
Scarab, built on the former Glastron tooling by Rec Boat Holdings, is Yamaha's only serious head-to-head rival, and the 255 ID is its flagship. It uses twin Rotax 1630 ACE engines, and in top trim the supercharged versions push a combined 600-plus horsepower — meaningfully more thrust than Yamaha offers, with hole-shot and top-speed numbers that thrill watersports families.
At 25 feet 5 inches with a 8-foot 6-inch beam, the 255 ID carries up to 14 people and offers aggressive styling, a deep cockpit, and a premium audio package. The Rotax intelligent throttle and brake-and-reverse system make docking unusually controllable for a jet. Price: about $90,000 in higher trims.
- Price: ~$90,000
- Pros: Most horsepower available, sharp styling, excellent low-speed control.
- Cons: Rotax parts and service network thinner than Yamaha's, faster depreciation.
Verdict: The performance pick for buyers who want maximum thrust.
4. 2024 Yamaha 222SD
The 222SD is the sweet-spot crossover for families who want the bigger-boat features of the 252 without the full 25-foot footprint or price. It runs twin 1.8L engines with a combined 252 horsepower in TR-1 High Output form, planing quickly and cruising comfortably in the low-40s.
Measuring 22 feet with a 8-foot 6-inch beam, it seats up to 12 and keeps the Connext helm, the folding stern lounge, and a usable swim platform. It is the boat most Yamaha shoppers actually end up buying because it balances capability and trailerability so well. Price: roughly $66,000.
- Price: ~$66,000
- Pros: Ideal size-to-price balance, full feature set, strong resale.
- Cons: Less top-end punch than the 600-hp Scarab, still a two-axle trailer.
Verdict: The default family choice in the Yamaha range.
5. 2024 Scarab 215 ID
The 215 ID brings Scarab's bold look and Rotax power into a 21-foot package that competes directly with Yamaha's mid-range bow riders. With twin Rotax 1630 ACE engines available up to a combined 500 horsepower, it is the quickest 21-footer in the class for buyers who prioritize acceleration.
At 21 feet 6 inches and a 8-foot 6-inch beam, it seats 12 and offers the same iDR intelligent docking and throttle-by-wire control as the flagship. The cockpit feels sportier and deeper than the Yamaha equivalents. Price: about $70,000 in supercharged trim.
- Price: ~$70,000
- Pros: Strong acceleration, premium docking electronics, distinctive styling.
- Cons: Higher running costs, Rotax service availability varies by region.
Verdict: The sporty alternative for the watersports family.
6. 2024 Yamaha AR250
The AR250 is Yamaha's watersports-focused 25-footer, trading some of the 252SD's luxury trim for a tower, a ballast-ready setup, and a wakeboard-oriented layout. It uses the same twin 1.8L High Output engines for 360 combined horsepower, so it has no trouble pulling skiers and boarders all day.
At 24 feet 7 inches with a 8-foot 6-inch beam, it seats 12 and adds a tower-mounted speaker and board racks. For families that center their boating on the rope, the AR250 is the purpose-built choice without leaving the Yamaha ecosystem. Price: roughly $78,000.
- Price: ~$78,000
- Pros: Watersports tower standard, big capacity, dependable twin engines.
- Cons: Pricey, large trailer footprint.
Verdict: The wake-and-ski Yamaha for serious watersports households.
7. 2024 Scarab 165 ID
The 165 ID is the budget-friendly entry into the Scarab world, a compact 16-footer aimed at first-time buyers and small-lake families. It runs a single Rotax 900 ACE or 1500 engine depending on trim, with output from 130 to 250 horsepower — single-engine, so it costs less to buy and maintain.
At 16 feet with a 7-foot 5-inch beam, it seats eight and keeps the brand's docking electronics on higher trims. It is light enough for a small SUV to tow and shallow enough for beach landings. Price: about $35,000 to $45,000.
- Price: ~$40,000
- Pros: Lowest price to enter, very light and towable, fun on small water.
- Cons: Single engine, modest capacity, limits in open chop.
Verdict: The affordable small-lake jet boat.
8. 2024 Yamaha 195S
The 195S steps above the SX195 with a sport-oriented trim, a small tower option, and upgraded upholstery while keeping the same proven drivetrain. It runs twin 1.8L engines for a combined 180 horsepower in a hull that stays easy to launch and trailer.
At 19 feet 6 inches with a 8-foot 2-inch beam, it seats eight and adds a sportier helm and better stereo than the base SX. For buyers who want the value of a 19-footer with a little more style, this is the upgrade. Price: roughly $56,000.
- Price: ~$56,000
- Pros: Twin engines, sportier trim, still light and towable.
- Cons: Costs more than the SX195 for modest feature gains.
Verdict: The dressed-up version of the value champion.
9. 2024 Chaparral 21 Surf (Jet)
Chaparral, long known for sterndrive runabouts, fields jet-drive options in its Surf and SSi families for 2024, giving a third major brand to the segment. The jet-equipped 21 Surf pairs Chaparral's well-regarded fit and finish with a twin-jet drivetrain for surf and watersports duty.
At roughly 21 feet with a 8-foot 6-inch beam, it seats around 12 and brings Chaparral's premium upholstery and helm to the jet category. Resale is solid given the brand's reputation, though jet variants are less common on the used market. Price: about $75,000.
- Price: ~$75,000
- Pros: Premium Chaparral build, strong surf focus, brand reputation.
- Cons: Limited jet availability, higher price than mainstream jets.
Verdict: The premium-brand crossover for surf-minded families.
10. 2024 Scarab 255 Open ID
The 255 Open ID is Scarab's open-bow grand-cruiser take on the flagship hull, leaning toward day-cruising comfort while keeping the twin Rotax power. In top trim it carries the same 600-plus combined horsepower, so it is as quick as it is roomy.
At 25 feet 5 inches with a 8-foot 6-inch beam, it seats up to 14 and adds extended lounging, a larger sun pad, and premium audio. It rounds out the list as the comfort-first big Scarab for buyers who cruise more than they tow ropes. Price: about $92,000.
- Price: ~$92,000
- Pros: Spacious cruising layout, huge power, big capacity.
- Cons: Most expensive here, faster depreciation than Yamaha.
Verdict: The luxury cruiser of the jet-boat world.
How to Choose
What to Look For
- Engine hours matter more than model year; a 50-hour three-year-old boat often beats a hard-run one-year-old. Ask for service records and confirm impeller and wear-ring condition.
- Jet pump intake should be inspected for cavitation damage and debris; sucking up rope, sand, or weeds is the most common jet-boat headache, so check the grate and clean-out.
- Trailer and bunks should match the hull weight; a well-equipped 25-footer can push 5,000 pounds loaded, so verify your tow vehicle's rating.
- Survey and sea trial are worth the cost on any used jet over $30,000; listen for cavitation, check no-wake control, and confirm both engines start and idle cleanly.
FAQ
Are jet boats reliable? Yes, modern jet boats from Yamaha and Scarab are very reliable. Yamaha's marinized 1.8L engines and Rotax's sterndrive jets routinely run hundreds of hours with basic maintenance. The main risk is debris ingestion, not the powertrain itself.
Why choose a jet boat over an outboard or sterndrive? Jet boats have no exposed propeller or skeg, so they run in very shallow water, are safer around swimmers, and launch quickly. They trade some low-speed handling and fuel economy for that shallow-draft, swimmer-friendly advantage.
How much does a 2024 jet boat cost? Entry 19-footers like the Yamaha SX195 start near $50,000, mid-range 22-footers run $66,000 to $70,000, and flagship 25-footers from Yamaha or Scarab reach $80,000 to $92,000 well-equipped.
Do jet boats hold their value? Yamaha holds value exceptionally well thanks to deep used demand and a large dealer network. Scarab and niche brands depreciate somewhat faster, which is why we weighted resale toward Yamaha in this ranking.
Bottom Line
For 2024, the Yamaha 252SD is the BEST OVERALL jet boat — refined, reliable, and backed by the strongest dealer and resale network — at roughly $80,000. The Yamaha SX195 is the BEST VALUE at about $50,000, putting twin-engine jet ownership within reach of first-time buyers.
Cross-shop the Scarab range if you want maximum horsepower and bolder styling, and always buy on hours and history.
Sources
- Discover Boating — jet boat buying guides and segment overviews
- Boat Trader — 2024 Yamaha and Scarab listings and pricing
- Boating Magazine — jet boat reviews and performance tests
- Yamaha Boats — official 2024 model specifications
- Rec Boat Holdings / Scarab — official Scarab 2024 lineup
- NMMA — recreational boat market and registration data
- BoatUS — used boat inspection and survey guidance
*Keywords: Top 10 Jet Boats 2024 — review, reviews, rating, comparison, best of 2027.*