Quick Answer: The Yamaha AR250 is a strong choice for families and watersports enthusiasts who want a roomy, shallow-draft boat without an exposed propeller. It seats up to 12, reaches roughly 45 to 50 mph, and offers plenty of towing power. Buyers prioritizing fuel economy, easy low-speed handling, or cabin space may prefer another design. If you have been shopping the jet boat segment, you have probably landed on the Yamaha AR250 more than once. It shows up in nearly every conversation about family-friendly watersports boats, and for good reason.This 25-foot jet boat blends the safety and low-maintenance appeal of jet propulsion with real towing power for wakeboarding, tubing, and skiing. Below is a full breakdown of what the AR250 offers across its recent model years, what it costs new and used, and who it actually makes sense for.Key TakeawaysThe Yamaha AR250 is a 25-foot jet boat built for family cruising, swimming, tubing, wakeboarding, and casual skiing.Its twin jet drives eliminate the exposed propeller and allow access to shallower water than many comparable sterndrive boats.Models from 2024 onward use twin 1.9-liter High Output engines producing approximately 400 combined horsepower.Typical top speed is around 45 to 50 mph, while comfortable cruising falls closer to 30 to 35 mph.The AR250 seats up to 12 people and includes a wakeboard tower, touchscreen helm, swim platform, bimini top, and head compartment.Jet propulsion can use more fuel and requires some adjustment when reversing or docking in wind and current.Pop Sells makes it easy to compare used Yamaha AR250 listings by model year, engine generation, hours, condition, and price.Yamaha AR250 Quick SpecsLength: approximately 24 feet 6 inches to 25 feetBeam: 8 feet 6 inchesDry weight: approximately 4,021 to 4,100 pounds depending on model yearPassenger capacity: 12 peopleFuel capacity: 75 gallonsEngines: twin Yamaha marine engines, jet drive, no exposed propellerHorsepower: approximately 400 combined horsepower (2024 and newer); approximately 350 combined horsepower on 2021 to 2023 modelsTop speed: approximately 45 to 50 mph depending on load and model yearWhat the AR250 Is and Who Builds ItThe Yamaha AR250 combines a spacious family-friendly layout with twin-jet propulsion designed for watersports, shallow-water access, and time spent around the swim platform.Where It Fits in Yamaha's LineupThe AR250 is part of Yamaha's 25-foot sport boat lineup, alongside the SX250 and higher-trim 252 Series models. It is designed for cruising, swimming, tubing, wakeboarding, and skiing - an ideal option for beginners and pros alike.How the Jet Drive WorksInstead of a traditional propeller and lower unit, the AR250 uses twin jet drives. With no propulsion hardware hanging below the hull, there is less risk of damage when navigating sandbars or shallow water.Yamaha also equips the boat with patented clean-out ports, allowing owners to remove debris from the jet intakes without hauling the boat out of the water.Why It Appeals to FamiliesThe lack of an exposed propeller reduces the risk to swimmers, skiers, and anyone spending time near the stern. It also lowers the chance of tow ropes becoming tangled around a propeller, making the AR250 especially appealing to families with children who frequently swim or participate in watersports.Learn more about purchasing a pre-owned boat in our checklist for buying a used boat. Yamaha AR250 Horsepower and PerformanceThe AR250 delivers strong acceleration and practical cruising performance, but its engine output depends on the model year you are considering.How Horsepower Changed by Model YearFrom 2021 through 2023, the AR250 used twin 1.8-liter High Output engines. Starting with the 2024 model year, Yamaha introduced twin 1.9-liter High Output engines producing approximately 400 combined horsepower.The larger-displacement engines also feature a bigger throttle body, helping improve acceleration and top-end performance compared with the earlier 1.8-liter setup.Top Speed and Cruising PerformanceReal-world top speed generally falls in the mid-40s to around 50 mph, depending on passenger load, fuel level, water conditions, and model year. Comfortable cruising speed is typically around 30 to 35 mph.The AR250 also delivers a quick hole shot for a boat of its size, making it well suited to tubing, wakeboarding, and casual skiing.The Benefit of Twin EnginesThe dual-engine setup provides useful redundancy on the water. If one engine develops a problem, the second may still be able to get the boat back to shore, an advantage most single-engine sport boats do not offer.Standard Features and TechnologyBeyond the hull and engine package, the AR250 comes loaded with amenities that punch above its price point. Standard equipment across recent model years includes:Connext touchscreen helm display with GPS mapping, engine data, and joystick-style controls for the jet nozzlesAluminum folding wakeboard tower for mounting speakers, lights, or a board rackBow filler cushions that convert the front deck into a full lounge areaSnap-in marine-grade woven floor mat for easy cleanup after a day on the waterHead compartment with room for a portable toilet or extra dry storageBimini top for shade at anchorMarine stereo with speakers and a stereo remote at the sternReboarding ladder built into the swim platformWireless charging point at the helm (2024 and newer models)Chill-Cool upholstery that resists heat buildup in direct sun (2024 and newer models)None of these are unusual on their own, but having them standard rather than bundled into an options package is part of why the AR250 gets compared favorably to sterndrive boats in the same price range.Who the AR250 Makes Sense ForThe AR250 tends to fit a fairly specific type of buyer, and it helps to know where you land before you commit to a jet boat over a traditional prop boat.Families with young kids who swim near the boat. The lack of an exposed propeller removes one of the biggest safety concerns around a boat during a day of swimming and tubing.Boaters on shallow lakes, rivers, or sandbars. The AR250's shallow draft lets it access water that would ground a sterndrive boat of the same size.Watersports households. Twin engines and strong low-end torque make it a capable tow boat for wakeboarding, tubing, and casual skiing.Owners who want lower long-term maintenance. No propeller, no lower unit, no gear lube changes, and no risk of prop strikes on submerged debris.First-time boat buyers. The straightforward controls and forgiving handling make the AR250 a reasonable entry point for someone who has never owned a boat before.Buyers who prioritize top-end speed, fuel efficiency, or a traditional cabin cruiser layout may be better served looking elsewhere, which is worth keeping in mind before you fall in love with the swim platform.Maintenance Costs to ConsiderOne of the AR250's biggest selling points is reduced maintenance compared to a sterndrive boat, but it is not maintenance-free. Budget for the following:Annual engine service, including oil changes and impeller inspections on both engines, typically runs a few hundred dollars per engine at a dealer.Winterization, if you are in a colder climate, is a yearly cost that varies by region and whether you do it yourself or pay a marina.Jet pump inspections, since debris can still work its way into the intake even with the clean-out ports, and a damaged impeller is more expensive to replace than a bent propeller blade.Storage and insurance, which scale with the boat's value and vary significantly by state and marina.Trailer maintenance, including bearings, tires, and brakes if your AR250 came with a tandem axle trailer, since most owners tow rather than keep the boat in a slip.None of these costs are unusual for a boat this size, but they are worth factoring into your total cost of ownership beyond the purchase price.Yamaha AR250 Weight and HandlingDry weight sits at approximately 4,021 pounds for most model years, with some dealer listings citing closer to 4,100 pounds depending on installed options and trailer package. That places the AR250 solidly in the middle of the 25-foot sport boat class, light enough for most mid-size SUVs and trucks to tow yet substantial enough to handle chop reasonably well for a jet boat.Yamaha's articulating keel system, which extends and pivots with the jet nozzles, is a big part of why the AR250 tracks straighter and handles more predictably at speed than older jet boat designs. It is worth noting the AR250 does not use throttle-by-wire controls like the higher-trim 252SE and 252SD models, which some owners on boating forums have flagged when comparing the trims. For most buyers, the traditional cable throttle setup is simple and reliable, but if you want single-lever docking controls, that is a reason to look at the step-up trims.Yamaha AR250 by Model YearThe biggest differences across recent AR250 model years come down to the hull redesign, engine generation, and a few comfort and technology upgrades.2021 Yamaha AR250The 2021 model introduced Yamaha's redesigned 250/252 hull platform, replacing the older AR240. It brought the current layout, swim platform, and articulating keel system.Used buyers get many of the same core hull and handling characteristics found on newer models, but with the earlier twin 1.8-liter High Output engines.2022 and 2023 Yamaha AR250There were no major mechanical changes between the 2022 and 2023 models. Most differences came down to pricing, colors, and minor trim updates.When comparing these years, focus on engine hours, maintenance records, condition, and asking price rather than assuming one is significantly better.2024 Yamaha AR250The 2024 model brought the most meaningful performance update. Yamaha replaced the 1.8-liter engines with twin 1.9-liter High Output engines producing approximately 400 combined horsepower.It also added features such as Chill-Cool upholstery and wireless charging at the helm, making 2024 a key model year for buyers who prioritize performance and updated amenities.2025 Yamaha AR250The 2025 AR250 carries forward the 1.9-liter engine package and most of the features introduced in 2024. Changes are primarily limited to colors and trim details rather than major structural or mechanical updates.What It Costs: New and Used AR250 PricingAR250 pricing varies by model year, engine generation, hours, condition, location, and included options.2021 Yamaha AR250 PricingUsed 2021 models with moderate hours generally fall between approximately $46,000 and $56,000. These boats use the earlier twin 1.8-liter engine setup but share the redesigned hull and layout introduced for the current generation.2022 and 2023 Yamaha AR250 PricingUsed 2022 and 2023 models typically range from about $56,000 to $72,000. Since there were few major mechanical differences between these years, condition, maintenance history, engine hours, and included equipment should carry more weight than the model year alone.2024 and 2025 Yamaha AR250 PricingNewer used models with the twin 1.9-liter High Output engines usually sell for approximately $63,000 to $73,000. Their updated powertrain and added features can support higher resale values than earlier versions.New Yamaha AR250 PricingNew AR250 models generally carry an MSRP in the high $70,000s to low $80,000s. Final pricing depends on the dealer, destination charges, trailer package, installed options, and any available incentives.If you are browsing Pop Sells listings, you can see this range play out directly. There is currently a 2021 Yamaha AR250 for sale in New Albany, Ohio on the site, giving a good look at what an earlier model year looks like in person, along with a 2023 Yamaha AR250 for sale in Plantsville, Connecticut representing the mid-generation model with the original 1.8-liter engine.Learn more about buying a boat on a budget. Pros and ConsWhat the AR250 does well:No exposed propeller, which reduces risk around swimmers, skiers, and anyone near the sternShallow draft that opens up sandbars, coves, and skinny water other boats cannot reachLow mechanical maintenance, since there is no impeller pump, gear lube, or lower unit to serviceTwelve-person capacity and a 75-gallon fuel tank, enough for a full day on the water with a groupComfortable swim platform seating, a nice touch for a boat in this price rangeGenuine engine redundancy, since a twin-engine jet setup can still get you home if one engine has an issueWhere it falls short:Fuel efficiency trails comparable sterndrive or outboard boats, which is typical of jet propulsion in generalReverse handling takes some getting used to compared to a traditional prop boatNo throttle-by-wire on the base AR250, so buyers who want single-lever docking controls will need to look at the 252SE or 252SDResale value varies by engine generation, so a 2024 or newer AR250 with the 1.9-liter engine will likely hold value better long term than a 2021 to 2023 modelWind and current sensitivity at low speed, which is a common jet boat trait since there is no propeller biting into the water for extra grip while dockingHow It ComparesIf you are cross-shopping the jet-drive segment against traditional sterndrive family boats, it helps to look at a boat like the Sea Ray Sundancer, which trades the AR250's shallow draft and jet safety for a more traditional cruiser layout and sterndrive power. Neither is objectively better. It comes down to whether shallow-water access and watersports towing matter more to you than cruiser-style cabin space.Where to Buy Your Next YamahaIf the AR250 sounds like the right fit, browse current Yamaha boats for sale and jet boats for sale on Pop Sells to compare model years, hours, and pricing directly from sellers across the country. And if you decide the AR250's swim platform and jet drive are not quite what you are after, Pop Sells lists thousands of other boats worth comparing it against.Frequently Asked QuestionsHow Much Horsepower Does the Yamaha AR250 Have?The AR250 makes approximately 400 combined horsepower from its twin 1.9-liter High Output engines on 2024 and newer models. Earlier 2021 to 2023 models ran twin 1.8-liter engines with somewhat less combined output.How Much Does a Yamaha AR250 Weigh?Dry weight is approximately 4,021 pounds on most model years, with some dealer listings citing closer to 4,100 pounds depending on installed options and the trailer package.What Is the Top Speed of a Yamaha AR250?Top speed runs approximately 45 to 50 mph depending on passenger load, fuel level, and water conditions, with a comfortable cruising speed in the 30 to 35 mph range.How Much Does a Used Yamaha AR250 Cost?Used pricing typically ranges from around $46,000 for an early 2021 model to the low $70,000s for a well-equipped 2024 or 2025 model, depending on hours and condition.Is the Yamaha AR250 a Good First Boat?Yes, for many buyers. The jet drive removes the exposed propeller concern that worries a lot of first-time owners, and the controls are straightforward enough that new boaters generally adapt quickly.