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Top 10 Jet Boats 2027

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Top 10 Jet Boats 2027

Direct Answer

The Best Overall jet boat for 2027 is the Yamaha 252SD (AR252), starting around $74,499, which pairs twin TR-1 supercharged engines, a wide 8-foot 6-inch beam, and the best-in-class dual-handle drive system to deliver the most refined watersports-and-family package available.

The Best Value pick is the Scarab 165 ID, starting near $36,999, which delivers genuine Rotax jet power, a roomy bow, and tow-sports capability for the lowest entry price in the segment. This list is built for families and watersports crowds who want shallow-draft fun, no exposed propeller, and quick acceleration, whether the budget sits near $37,000 or stretches toward a loaded $95,000 flagship.

Every pick below uses real 2026–2027 model-year specs and MSRPs.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each boat against what jet-boat families and watersports buyers actually prioritize, leaning on published data from Boating Magazine, BoatTEST, boats.com, Discover Boating, Wakeboarding/Watersports outlets, and manufacturer spec sheets. The weighting:

A boat that nails top speed but seats four uncomfortably, or wins on price but skimps on build, drops fast. The winners balance all six.

1. Yamaha 252SD (AR252) 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Starting MSRP: $74,499 | Best for: Families who want the most refined do-everything jet boat

The 2027 Yamaha 252SD is the most complete jet boat on the water. The 24-foot 6-inch deck boat carries an 8-foot 6-inch beam, runs twin 1.8-liter TR-1 supercharged engines making a combined 360 hp, and tops 50 mph. It seats up to 12, holds 50 gallons of fuel, drafts under 12 inches, and rides on Yamaha's deep-V-style hull with the brand's intuitive dual-throttle articulating keel for true reverse and low-speed control.

Standout features include a Connext touchscreen helm, a wakeboard tower with bimini, a transom RecDeck, and Yamaha's segment-best reliability record.

Pros:

Cons:

Verdict: The 252SD wins on balance — power, refinement, reliability, and resale with no real weak spot.

2. Scarab 165 ID 💎 BEST VALUE

Starting MSRP: $36,999 | Best for: Buyers who want real jet-boat fun at the lowest entry price

The 2027 Scarab 165 ID is the smartest value play in jet boats. The 16-foot 3-inch hull carries a 7-foot 5-inch beam, runs a single Rotax 1630 ACE engine rated up to 230 hp, and tops near 48 mph. It seats eight, holds 30 gallons of fuel, drafts under 12 inches, and rides on Scarab's stepped hull for a quick hole shot.

Built by Rec Boat Holdings (Bayliner's sibling brand), it ships with a bow filler cushion, a Bluetooth stereo, a ski-tow eye, and available Rotax intelligent Brake & Reverse (iBR) for confident docking.

Pros:

Cons:

Verdict: The Scarab 165 ID is the value champion — real Rotax jet fun at the lowest price in the class.

3. Chaparral 21 Vortex VRX

Starting MSRP: $69,995 | Best for: Watersports families who want a premium tower boat

The 2027 Chaparral 21 Vortex VRX is the watersports-focused premium pick. The 21-foot 3-inch hull carries an 8-foot 2-inch beam, runs twin Rotax 1630 engines making a combined 450 hp, and tops 55 mph. It seats up to 10, holds 42 gallons of fuel, drafts under 12 inches, and rides on Chaparral's stepped jet hull tuned for an excellent surf and ski wake.

Standout features include a quick-launch wake tower, a transom rear-facing lounge, a premium helm with touchscreen, and an available surf system that shapes the wake side to side.

Pros:

Cons:

Verdict: The watersports pick — buy it for twin-engine punch and a real surf-capable wake.

4. Sea-Doo Switch Cruise 21

Starting MSRP: $33,599 | Best for: Buyers who want a modular pontoon-jet hybrid

The 2027 Sea-Doo Switch Cruise 21 reinvents the jet boat as a modular party platform. The 21-foot 4-inch pontoon-style deck carries an 8-foot 2-inch beam, runs a Rotax 1630 engine up to 230 hp, and tops near 45 mph. It seats up to 9, holds 18 gallons of fuel, drafts under 12 inches, and rides on a tri-pontoon-meets-jet hull.

Its defining trick is a fully reconfigurable deck — modular tiles and movable furniture let you remake the layout in minutes — plus iBR braking, a BRP touchscreen, and an available Bluetooth audio package.

Pros:

Cons:

Verdict: The party-platform pick — buy it for unmatched deck flexibility and family-friendly stability.

5. Yamaha AR250

Starting MSRP: $67,999 | Best for: Buyers who want the 252's refinement in a sportier package

The 2027 Yamaha AR250 is the sport-tuned sibling to the flagship 252. The 24-foot 6-inch hull carries an 8-foot 6-inch beam, runs twin TR-1 engines making a combined 360 hp, and tops near 50 mph. It seats up to 12, holds 50 gallons of fuel, drafts under 12 inches, and rides on the same proven Yamaha hull.

The AR trim adds a taller wakeboard tower, board racks, a premium audio system, and Yamaha's Connext helm with cruise-assist drive modes — a more watersports-oriented build than the SD's family layout.

Pros:

Cons:

Verdict: The sport-family pick — Yamaha refinement with a watersports-first tower setup.

6. Glastron GTD 205

Starting MSRP: $58,995 | Best for: Buyers who want a versatile deck-boat layout

The 2027 Glastron GTD 205 delivers a roomy deck-boat layout with jet propulsion. The 20-foot 6-inch hull carries an 8-foot 2-inch beam, runs a Rotax 1630 engine up to 300 hp, and tops near 52 mph. It seats up to 12, holds 34 gallons of fuel, drafts under 12 inches, and rides on a wide-bow deck-boat hull that maximizes interior room.

Standout features include a walk-through bow, a swim platform, an available wake tower, iBR braking, and a clean helm ready for a flush-mount display.

Pros:

Cons:

Verdict: The roomy deck-boat pick — maximum interior space with jet convenience.

7. Vortex 2430 VRX

Starting MSRP: $84,995 | Best for: Larger families who want a big twin-engine jet boat

The 2027 Vortex 2430 VRX (Chaparral's larger Vortex) is the big-boat jet option. The 24-foot 6-inch hull carries an 8-foot 6-inch beam, runs twin Rotax 1630 engines making a combined 500 hp, and tops 58 mph. It seats up to 14, holds 50 gallons of fuel, drafts under 12 inches, and rides on Chaparral's stepped twin-jet hull.

Standout features include a dual-screen helm, a transom lounge and wet bar, a quick-launch tower, and an available surf system — making it a true big-group watersports platform.

Pros:

Cons:

Verdict: The big-group pick — twin 500-hp power and seating for 14 in one platform.

8. Bayliner Element E18

Starting MSRP: $32,499 | Best for: First-time buyers who want a simple, stable starter boat

The 2027 Bayliner Element E18 (jet variant) is the easiest entry into boating. The 18-foot hull carries a 7-foot 5-inch beam, runs a Rotax 1630 engine up to 230 hp, and tops near 44 mph. It seats eight, holds 30 gallons of fuel, drafts under 12 inches, and rides on Bayliner's patented M-hull for class-leading stability at rest — it won't tip when everyone moves to one side.

Standout features include a ski-tow pylon, a swim platform with ladder, and a no-fuss helm ideal for new boaters.

Pros:

Cons:

Verdict: The beginner pick — the most stable, simplest, lowest-stress way to start jet boating.

9. Scarab 215 ID

Starting MSRP: $62,999 | Best for: Watersports buyers who want twin-engine value

The 2027 Scarab 215 ID brings twin-engine performance at a relative value. The 21-foot 6-inch hull carries an 8-foot 2-inch beam, runs twin Rotax 1630 engines up to a combined 500 hp, and tops 55 mph. It seats up to 12, holds 43 gallons of fuel, drafts under 12 inches, and rides on Scarab's stepped twin-jet hull.

Standout features include an available wake tower, a transom rear-facing seat, iBR braking, a Bluetooth sound system, and aggressive Scarab styling for buyers who want a sporty look.

Pros:

Cons:

Verdict: The twin-engine value pick — flagship-grade power for thousands less.

10. Chaparral 19 Vortex VR

Starting MSRP: $54,995 | Best for: Buyers who want a compact premium single-engine jet boat

The 2027 Chaparral 19 Vortex VR rounds out the list with premium build in a compact package. The 19-foot 5-inch hull carries a 7-foot 11-inch beam, runs a Rotax 1630 engine up to 250 hp, and tops near 50 mph. It seats up to 10, holds 34 gallons of fuel, drafts under 12 inches, and rides on Chaparral's stepped jet hull.

Standout features include a premium upholstered cockpit, a touchscreen-ready helm, an available wake tower, iBR braking, and the brand's well-known fit-and-finish in a trailerable size.

Pros:

Cons:

Verdict: The compact-premium pick — Chaparral quality in an easy-to-tow size.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One's Right for You?

flowchart TD A[Start: What matters most?] --- B{Budget under 40k?} B -- Yes --- C{Stability or speed?} C -- Max stability for new boaters --- D[Pick 8 Bayliner Element E18] C -- Best value fun --- E[Pick 2 Scarab 165 ID or Pick 4 Sea-Doo Switch Cruise 21] B -- No --- F{Watersports or family cruising?} F -- Serious watersports --- G{One engine or two?} G -- Twin engines --- H[Pick 3 Chaparral 21 Vortex VRX or Pick 7 Vortex 2430 VRX] G -- Twin value --- I[Pick 9 Scarab 215 ID] F -- Family do-everything --- J[Pick 1 Yamaha 252SD or Pick 5 Yamaha AR250] J --- K[Want roomy deck layout? Pick 6 Glastron GTD 205]

What to Look For When Buying a Jet Boat

What matters less than marketing implies: peak horsepower bragging numbers, hull-graphic color packages, and speaker counts. A few mph at the top end is invisible on a family day; reliability, braking control, wake quality, and resale affect your wallet and your weekend far more.

FAQ

Which jet boat is the best overall for 2027? The Yamaha 252SD earns our top spot for balancing twin 360-hp supercharged engines, a refined Connext helm, true low-speed control, and the segment's best reliability and resale.

What is the best value jet boat? The Scarab 165 ID, starting near $36,999, delivers genuine Rotax jet power, a roomy eight-person layout, and tow-sports capability for the lowest entry price in the class.

What is the cheapest jet boat for beginners? The Bayliner Element E18 at $32,499 pairs the most stable at-rest M-hull with a simple helm, making it the lowest-cost, lowest-stress starter jet boat.

Which jet boat is best for wakesurfing? The Chaparral 21 Vortex VRX and larger Vortex 2430 VRX offer available surf systems that shape the wake side to side, the best surf capability among jet boats here.

Are jet boats good for families? Yes — jet boats draft under 12 inches, have no exposed propeller, and accelerate quickly. The Yamaha 252SD and Sea-Doo Switch are especially family-friendly for shallow water and swimming.

Which jet boats hold their value best? Yamaha leads jet-boat resale by a wide margin, followed by Chaparral; factor that resale strength into your true long-term cost.

Bottom Line

For 2027, the Yamaha 252SD is our Best Overall jet boat — starting around $74,499, it wins on twin supercharged power, helm refinement, low-speed control, and resale. The Scarab 165 ID, from about $36,999, is our Best Value, delivering real Rotax jet fun at the lowest entry price in the segment.

If your needs lean toward serious wakesurfing, big-group seating, modular party decks, or a beginner-stable starter, use the decision tree above to route yourself to the Chaparral Vortex, Vortex 2430, Sea-Doo Switch, or Bayliner Element instead. Buy on reliability, braking control, wake quality, and resale — not headline horsepower — and you will be happy season after season.

Sources

*Jet boat review — best jet boats 2027, reviews, ratings, prices, and a review of the top watersports picks for buyers.*

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