2020 Yamaha 212S – Complete Overview

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The 2020 Yamaha 212S is one of Yamaha's most popular 21-foot jet boats, offering an outstanding combination of performance, reliability, family-friendly comfort, and watersports capability. Completely redesigned for the 2020 model year, the 212S introduced a quieter ride, improved low-speed handling, updated styling, and Yamaha's signature stern lounge area, making it a major leap forward over previous generations.

Powered by twin 1.8L High Output Yamaha marine engines producing a combined 360 horsepower, the 212S delivers quick acceleration, shallow-water capability, and low maintenance thanks to its enclosed jet propulsion system. It's an ideal choice for families who enjoy cruising, tubing, wakeboarding, swimming, and spending long summer days on the lake.

Specifications

Engines

One of the biggest strengths of the 212S is Yamaha's dependable twin-engine setup.

Each engine features:

• 1.8-liter displacement
• Four-cylinder
• Four-stroke
• Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
• Closed engine compartment
• Yamaha jet pump

The twin-engine design provides:

• Excellent acceleration
• Better maneuverability than single-engine jet boats
• Redundancy if one engine develops an issue
• Outstanding reliability with proper maintenance

Unlike sterndrive boats, there are no exposed propellers, making the swim platform safer for families.

Performance

The 2020 redesign significantly improved performance and drivability.

Estimated Performance

• Top Speed: 50–53 MPH
• Comfortable Cruise: 28–35 MPH
• Time to Plane: Around 2–3 seconds
• Excellent mid-range acceleration

The boat performs exceptionally well for:

• Wakeboarding
• Tubing
• Water skiing
• Kneeboarding
• Family cruising

Owners consistently praise the improved ride quality and reduced engine noise compared with earlier Yamaha 21-foot models.

Fuel Economy

Twin naturally aspirated engines provide good efficiency for a 360 HP sport boat.

Typical fuel usage:

• Idle: Very low
• Cruise: Approximately 8–10 GPH
• Wide Open Throttle: Approximately 18–20 GPH

The 50-gallon fuel tank allows for a full day of recreational boating under normal conditions.

Hull Design

The 212S rides on Yamaha's modified deep-V fiberglass hull with approximately 20 degrees of deadrise, giving it:

• Smooth ride through chop
• Stable handling
• Predictable cornering
• Dry ride
• Excellent tracking at speed

Jet propulsion also allows operation in shallower water than many propeller-driven boats, provided debris and rocks are avoided.

Interior Layout

One of Yamaha's biggest strengths is maximizing usable space.

Bow Seating

Features include:

• Deep wraparound seating
• Convertible filler cushions
• Cup holders
• Grab handles
• Storage underneath

The bow comfortably seats several adults.

Cockpit

The cockpit is spacious and designed for entertaining.

Features include:

• Wraparound lounge seating
• Premium marine upholstery
• Adjustable captain's chair
• Passenger bucket seat
• Removable cockpit table
• In-floor storage
• Large ski locker

The walk-through layout makes movement around the boat easy.

Helm

The driver enjoys a modern, intuitive helm featuring:

• Connext® touchscreen display
• Digital gauges
• Cruise Assist
• No Wake Mode
• Electronic throttle controls
• Tilt steering wheel
• Bluetooth stereo controls

The Connext system simplifies operation and provides engine information at a glance.

Stern Lounge

One of Yamaha's signature features is the multi-level swim platform.

It includes:

• Dual rear-facing lounge seats
• Snap-in cushions
• Integrated cup holders
• Stereo controls
• Swim ladder
• SoftDek-style marine flooring

This area has become one of Yamaha's most recognizable and popular designs for relaxing while anchored.

Watersports Features

The 212S comes well equipped for towing.

Standard features include:

• Folding wakeboard tower
• Ski tow point
• Swim platform
• Boarding ladder
• Cruise Assist
• No Wake Mode

The twin-engine setup provides plenty of pull for:

• Wakeboarding
• Water skiing
• Tubing
• Kneeboarding
• Beginner wakesurfing (though it is not designed to produce the large surf wave of a dedicated wake boat)

Storage

Storage is excellent throughout the boat.

You'll find:

• In-floor ski locker
• Bow storage
• Under-seat compartments
• Glove box
• Stern storage
• Anchor locker
• Large engine compartment

For a 21-foot boat, storage capacity is impressive.

Standard Features

Typical factory equipment includes:

• Folding wakeboard tower
• Bimini top
• Connext touchscreen display
• Bluetooth stereo
• Marine speakers
• Cruise Assist
• No Wake Mode
• Stern lounge seating
• Marine flooring
• Tilt steering
• Swim ladder
• LED lighting
• Removable tables
• Battery switch

Ride Quality

The 2020 redesign made noticeable improvements in ride comfort.

Owners report:

• Much quieter engine compartment
• Reduced vibration
• Better low-speed handling
• Improved docking control
• Smoother ride in rougher water

Yamaha also enhanced slow-speed steering, addressing one of the most common criticisms of earlier jet boats.

Advantages of Jet Drive

Compared with sterndrive boats, the Yamaha jet system offers several benefits:

• No exposed propeller
• Lower routine maintenance
• Fast acceleration
• Excellent shallow-water capability
• Reduced draft
• Safer swim platform
• Smooth operation

Potential trade-offs include reduced efficiency at idle, a learning curve when docking, and the need to avoid ingesting rocks, weeds, or debris into the jet pumps.

Pros

✔ Reliable twin Yamaha engines

✔ Strong acceleration

✔ Spacious layout for a 21-foot boat

✔ Premium stern lounge

✔ Excellent family boat

✔ Great for watersports

✔ Low-maintenance jet drives

✔ Quiet 2020 redesign

✔ Premium digital helm

✔ Excellent resale value

Ideal Buyer

The Yamaha 212S is a great fit for:

• Families
• First-time boat owners
• Watersports enthusiasts
• Lake boaters
• Weekend cruisers
• Sandbar gatherings
• Buyers seeking a low-maintenance alternative to sterndrives

Among jet boats, the 212S stands out for its combination of reliability, thoughtful interior design, and family-friendly features.

Final Thoughts

The 2020 Yamaha 212S is widely regarded as one of the best all-around 21-foot family sport boats in its class. The 2020 redesign delivered meaningful improvements in handling, comfort, and noise reduction while retaining Yamaha's reputation for dependable engines and low-maintenance ownership. Whether you're towing tubes, cruising with friends, or relaxing on the signature stern lounge, the 212S offers a versatile boating experience that continues to make it a standout choice on the used market.