2024 Yamaha 275SD

The 275SD is the new benchmark by which all other 27-foot boats are judged.

Yamaha's 275SD brings to the water a commanding length and a 9-foot beam, plus a dominating 500 hp to rocket across the waves. This twin-engine jet boat resides at the apex of Yamaha product design, featuring systems integration that makes it a pleasure to own, exciting to drive, easy to maintain, and reliable year after year.

Let's start with the DRiVE system. Yamaha took the process of docking, one of the hardest parts of piloting a jet boat, and made it simple and easy. Paddles on the steering wheel provide the ultimate in precision speed control and the ability to instantly shift from forward to reverse. The paddles fall under your fingertips on the wheel, the right paddle activating forward propulsion to 3,000 rpm, and the left triggering reverse propulsion to 3,000 rpm. With this system, Yamaha capitalized on its jet system's hyper-maneuverability, but tamed it for precision docking.

DRiVE is selected on the Connext display panel by pressing the throttle icon on the screen. One touch gives you dual-throttle-lever control. Another touch gives single-lever control of both SVHO supercharged engines. Yet another touch activates the DRiVE paddles on the wheel. You can use paddles while seated, or looking into a ski mirror or over your shoulder, but we discovered you could flip up the seat bolster to make standing room in front of the helm, then turn your back to the wheel, steering into a slip with the paddles.

The Connext panel is a head-up display on the dash that looks like the screen of an Audi. Icons on the touchscreen give access to mapping, engine information, speed-control features for water-sports, lights, electrical-systems control and audio. If you don't want to reach for the touchscreen, there's a toggle to the right of the helm that allows you to jog between functions, and select and operate them.

At speed, the 275SD is a wave-crushing blast. We tested it in Florida's Biscayne Bay and enjoyed a smooth ride in bumpy water. Speed and acceleration were exhilarating-a hallmark of Yamaha jets. Adding to the control is Yamaha's patented articulating keel. Think of tiny rudders that assist the jet pumps' directional control while also enhancing tracking.

That may be a long-winded discussion about the controls, but they represent the pinnacle of Yamaha's engineering. Yet the company doesn't forget comfort and fun.