The Yamaha 295SD is the best Yamaha jet boat for the money, followed by the 275SD and the 255XD. The ranking is based on technology and capability per dollar, with flagship joystick-control models first, then the strongest all-rounder in each size class, down to the most affordable ways into Yamaha jet power.
The 295SD starts at $204,999.00 and runs twin supercharged 4-cyl, 4-stroke engines at 3624cc. It carries a dry weight of 6,826 lbs and comes with Helm Master EX joystick docking. This is Yamaha's biggest, most yacht-like flagship.
Go ifBuyers who want Yamaha's biggest, most yacht-like flagship with joystick docking
Skip ifYou don't need a hard top, galley, or a trailer-busting 6,826 lb hull
Why #1 over #2: It beats the 275SD with a hard top, galley, and joystick docking the 275SD does not match.
2
275SD
Answrs VerdictNear-flagship luxury and DRiVE X docking, lower price.
Starting price: $175,199.00Combined horsepower: 500 hp (twin supercharged 1.8L)Length overall: 27 ft
The 275SD starts at $175,199.00 with 500 hp from twin supercharged 1.8L engines and a length overall of 27 ft. It delivers near-flagship luxury and DRiVE X docking at a lower price.
Go ifLuxury-cruiser buyers who want near-flagship tech for $30k less than the 295SD
Skip ifYou need the extra 2 feet and enclosed head of the 295SD
Why #2 over #3: It beats the 255XD with near-flagship luxury and DRiVE X docking for luxury-cruiser buyers.
3
255XD
Answrs VerdictYamaha's flagship wakesurfer, with 1,600 lbs of ballast.
The 255XD starts at $135,999.00 with 500 hp from twin supercharged 1.8L engines and a WakeBooster ballast of 1,600 lbs triple ballast. It is Yamaha's flagship wakesurfer.
Go ifWakesurfers who want Yamaha's biggest ballast system and joystick control
Skip ifYou don't surf or wakeboard and don't need the tower/ballast
Why #3 over #4: It beats the 255 FSH Sport H with Yamaha's biggest ballast system and joystick control for wakesurfers.
4
255 FSH Sport H
Answrs VerdictThe only jet boat on this list built to fish hard.
Starting price: $123,499.00Combined horsepower: 500 hp (twin supercharged SVHO)Rod storage: Storage for 25 rods, 18-gal bow livewell, 30-gal stern livewell
The 255 FSH Sport H starts at $123,499.00 with 500 hp from twin supercharged SVHO engines. It holds storage for 25 rods, an 18-gal bow livewell, and a 30-gal stern livewell. It is the only jet boat on this list built to fish hard.
Go ifAnglers who want jet-drive shallow-water access with joystick docking
Skip ifYou don't fish and don't need livewells or rod storage
Why #4 over #5: It beats the 252SD with jet-drive shallow-water access and joystick docking for anglers.
5
252SD
Answrs VerdictThe best all-rounder 25-footer, with DRiVE X docking.
The 222SD starts at $91,999.00, seats 10 people, and runs twin 1.9L (1898cc each), 4-cyl 4-stroke engines. It brings twin engines and DRiVE docking in a 22-foot package.
Go ifBuyers who want twin-engine DRiVE docking without stepping up to 25 feet
Skip ifYou need the bigger cockpit and ballast of the 25/27-footers
Why #6 over #7: It beats the 205XD with twin-engine DRiVE docking without stepping up to 25 feet.
7
205XD
Answrs VerdictNew-for-2027 platform's flagship wake trim.
Starting price: $77,699.00Engine: Single supercharged SVHO, 1812ccLength overall: 20'1"
The 205XD starts at $77,699.00 with a single supercharged SVHO, 1812cc engine and a length overall of 20'1". It is the new-for-2027 20-foot platform's flagship wake trim.
Go ifWake/surf fans who want the new-for-2027 20-foot platform's flagship trim
Skip ifYou don't need integrated ballast and a wakeboard tower
Why #7 over #8: It beats the AR205 with integrated ballast and a wakeboard tower for wake and surf fans.
8
AR205
Answrs VerdictSVHO power and a tower, for $19k less than the 205XD.
Starting price: $58,399.00Engine: Single supercharged SVHO, 1812ccFuel capacity: 40 gallons
The AR205 starts at $58,399.00 with a single supercharged SVHO, 1812cc engine and a fuel capacity of 40 gallons. It gives you SVHO power and a standard tower without the wake-ballast price jump.
Go ifBuyers who want SVHO power and a standard tower without the wake-ballast price jump
Skip ifYou need integrated ballast for serious wakesurfing
Why #8 over #9: It beats the AR200 with SVHO power and a tower for $19k less than the 205XD.
9
AR200
Answrs VerdictNew-for-2027 20-foot size at the lowest entry price.
The AR200 starts at $53,599.00, seats 9-10 passengers, and has a dry weight of 3,043 lbs. It offers new-for-2027 20-foot size at the lowest entry price.
Go ifFirst-time buyers who want new-platform 20-foot space at the lowest entry price in that size
Skip ifYou want the extra power of the supercharged SVHO models
Why #9 over #10: It beats the SX180 with new-platform 20-foot space at the lowest entry price in that size.
10
SX180
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest new Yamaha jet boat you can buy for 2027.
Starting price: $39,999.00Horsepower: 155 HP (1.9L single engine)Dry weight: 2,150 lbs
The SX180 starts at $39,999.00 with 155 HP from a 1.9L single engine and a dry weight of 2,150 lbs. It is the cheapest new Yamaha jet boat you can buy for 2027.
Go ifBudget-first buyers who want the lightest, cheapest way into a new Yamaha jet boat
Skip ifYou need more than 6-passenger seating or a tower-and-ballast watersports setup
How we ranked these
The order follows technology and capability per dollar, with flagship joystick-control models first. After that come the strongest all-rounder in each size class, down to the most affordable ways into Yamaha jet power. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best Yamaha jet boat overall for 2027?
The 295SD is Yamaha's flagship for 2027, starting at $204,999 with Helm Master EX joystick control and a yacht-certified hard-top layout.
What is the cheapest new Yamaha jet boat for 2027?
The SX180 is the most affordable, starting at $39,999 with a single 155 HP engine and a 2,150 lb dry weight.
Which Yamaha jet boat is best for wakesurfing?
The 255XD is Yamaha's flagship wakesurfer, with an integrated WakeBooster system providing 1,600 lbs of triple ballast, starting at $135,999.
Starting price (USD) at a glance
SX180$39,999
AR200$53,599
AR205$58,399
205XD$77,699
222SD$91,999
255 FSH Sport H$123,499
252SD$124,299
255XD$135,999
275SD$175,199
295SD$204,999
Starting price (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
