Kolia wrote:
Good points about docking.
Usually my wife drives the boat on and off the trailer and we meet back at the courtesy dock.
Last weekend we got to test drive a 2015 Yamaha 242 S. Now with an articulated keel (a rudder in my book!) it tracked very well. Fairly quiet, the sound of the twin inline 4 isn't as appealing of a big v8. But, as the official Do Everything Husband, the low maintenance of the jet is very appealing. It has a surprising payload of 2,700lb !
Today we went back to the local dealer to checkout the new 2013 H230 they have there. Merc 350 MPI with Bravo drive, upgraded stereo, mohagany steering wheel. it is very nice ! I'd want to add a second battery and camper top.
I need to find a dealer with a S235 now...
You should skip that and go with a 248 vista. We loved our SD but with a family of 4, you need the extra room. Actually, the 268/278 is really more ideal. The bow on the vista is also much more useful. We have sunpads to lay out on, and sometimes i put a camping chair on the bow to lounge around. There is a ton of space up there and you will not miss having the bow seating anymore. Being in Ohio it is much more important to have a place to get out of the weather and extend your boating season, then to have bow seating. At least it is with my family.