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The Yamaha Boats 252SD is a large bowrider built in moulded fibreglass by Yamaha Boats of Japan / United States, a builder trading since 1960s. On our measurements it works out at roughly 25 ft 2 in (7.68 m) of hull with a beam near 10 ft 9 in (3.27 m), which places it squarely in the trailerable family bowrider class: one vehicle, one trailer, one afternoon of prep, and the boat is in the water. The jet-drive bowrider: no propeller, huge swim platform, shallow-water friendly.
Layout is classic bowrider and that is the whole point of the boat. Twin lounges run forward of the windscreen with a walk-through to the anchor well, the helm and companion seats sit amidships behind a wrap screen, and a full-width lounge spans the transom for sunbathing and socialising. Around 13 people fit aboard comfortably in sheltered water. Cushions lift out, backrests fold and filler pads convert the cockpit from a conversation pit into one long sun bed in a couple of minutes.
The ride is what most owners talk about first. Deadrise through the forward sections knocks the top off bay chop, the running surface aft keeps the boat stable at rest, and the hull sits level when six people crowd one side to watch a skier. At cruise it feels like a bigger boat than it is.
Power is a Twin jet drives, 225-340 hp combined package, and that suits both the hull and the way these boats are used. Jet propulsion removes the propeller entirely, which is the safest arrangement around swimmers and lets the boat run in shallow water that would end a propeller boat's day.
Watersports are well covered. A tow point is standard on almost every boat in this class, and Yamaha Boats owners regularly add a pylon or a folding tower for wakeboarding. A healthy twin jet package pulls a slalom skier out of the water cleanly and tows children on an inflatable biscuit all day without protest. Skis, ropes and vests live in the under-floor and under-seat lockers so nothing sits underfoot while the boat is loaded.
Fishing is the quiet strength of this hull. Pull the bow cushions and the forward lounge becomes an open casting platform with clear access all the way around the bow, and the rear lounge lifts out to open up the transom and side gunwales. Ten minutes of work turns the family boat into a genuinely capable fishing boat, and ten minutes the other way turns it back again before anyone gets home.
Build and finish sit where you would expect for a mid range boat from Japan / United States. Yamaha's jet bowriders replace the stern drive or outboard with twin waterjets, and that single decision changes the whole boat. Removing the propeller is a genuine safety advantage around swimmers and a practical one in shallow water, where a jet boat will run over sandbars and weed that would ruin a prop. It also frees up the stern completely, giving Yamaha the flattest, largest and most usable swim platform in the bowrider class — the reason so many families with young kids end up buying one. The AR and SX ranges cover roughly 19 to 25 feet, with strong performance, excellent acceleration and clever storage under moulded liners. The trade-offs are honest: low-speed manoeuvring takes practice because thrust steers the boat rather than a rudder, and jets drink more fuel than an equivalent outboard at cruise. Against that, Yamaha reliability is excellent, service intervals are simple, and the boats are priced competitively against fibreglass rivals with far less standard equipment.
Options worth having on the 252SD are the practical ones: a bimini for shade, a decent bow and cockpit cover so the upholstery survives being stored outside, an upgraded sounder if you fish, and a stereo package that can be heard over the engine. On fibreglass, a ceramic coat or a good polish once a season keeps the gelcoat looking new and protects resale.
As a used buy, check the same things you would on any bowrider in this size band: transom firmness, stringer and floor soundness, hours and service history on the engine, steering and trim function, and the state of the upholstery seams, which are the first thing to fail on a boat that lives uncovered. Boats from this builder hold their money well, so a tidy example will not be cheap, and that is usually a sign you are buying the right one.
Our price guide for the 252SD is US$67,000 - US$88,000 new, which moves with engine choice, trailer, tower and how recently the boat was refreshed. Judged as a whole, it does what people buy a bowrider for: cruise, tow, swim, fish and entertain in one boat, without asking the family to compromise on any of them. Yamaha Boats has been refining that formula since 1960s, and the 252SD is a straightforward, well-judged expression of it.
The world's best selling bowrider size, Light, simple and easy to tow.
US$38,000 - US$52,000 new
The refined mainstream benchmark: quiet, dry, and beautifully finished for the money.
US$72,000 - US$95,000 new
A premium 25-foot bowrider renowned for its deep seating, convertible lounges, refined ride and exceptional finish.
US$155,000 - US$210,000 new
Featured Boat of the Week
This week we are putting the Bayliner Bayliner DX2000 in the spotlight, and it earns the spot. At 20 ft 2 in (6.16 m) long on a 8 ft (2.44 m) beam, this is a bowrider that reads the water well and still feels roomy enough for a full day out. A 20-foot deck-boat-width bowrider with outboard power and a huge social cockpit. Power comes from 115-150 hp mercury fourstroke outboard through a outboard package, and the fibreglass hull keeps the ride settled when the afternoon breeze puts a chop on the surface.
Seating is rated for 8 people, so there is space for family, friends, towels, eskies and the tow rope without anyone climbing over gear. Owners tend to buy it for family, water ski, leisure — which is exactly where it shines. Fuel is 30 us gal (114 l), and on the second-hand and new market you should expect to land somewhere around US$42,000 - US$58,000 new depending on hours, trailer and options.
Our full deep dive covers the layout in detail: bow lounge comfort, helm ergonomics, the rear entertaining area, storage that actually swallows a weekend, plus standard features, popular options and honest notes on where the boat compromises. If the Bayliner DX2000 is on your shortlist, start there — and check back next week, because the featured boat changes every week as we complete more full model reviews.
Featured Bowrider Article
Buying Advice
Family boating rewards getting size right more than any other use. Too small and half the family sits uncomfortably; too big and the boat becomes a logistical project you use less often. Here is what each size band actually delivers. This size is the easiest boat to own. It tows behind a family SUV, fits in a garage, launches solo and costs the least to run. Four to six people fit, which suits a family of four with room for a friend. The limits appear in rough water and on longer trips. Light hulls of this length get bounced by a chop, and a full load slows the boat noticeably. For lakes, rivers, calm bays and short outings it is often the most-used boat in a family's history. This is where most families end up, and for good reason. Six to eight people fit comfortably, the hull has enough weight and deadrise to handle a seabreeze chop, and the boat still tows behind a mid-size SUV and fits on a single-axle or light tandem trailer. It is also the deepest part of the used market, which means better choice when buying and easier selling later. Bow lounges are long enough for adults, rear seating usually…
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