Yamaha 210 FSH Sport (2019-)

Brief Summary

Jet-powered fishing boats are rare. They tend to be crafted out of aluminum and made for shooting rapids on rivers in the Pacific Northwest or rivers like the Susquehanna on the East Coast.

But Yamaha has opened up far more fishing grounds on flats and skinny water wherever it may be found. Yamaha is true to its family-fun sport heritage and has built-in many of the features that have made its line of jet-powered models exceptionally popular.

Key Features

• Forward seating (port and starboard) with storage that converts to casting platforms with the pads removed
• Stainless steel hardware throughout
• Twin 1049cc TR-1 High Output 3-cylinder four-stroke enginesCooler with Storage under Leaning Post
• Removable windshield and T-top for garage storage
• Insulated fishbox
• Side console and under-the-gunnel rod storage
• Twin storage pods aft of the forward seating
• In-floor storage with dedicated space for a five-gallon bucket
• Well laid out helm and console
• Tilt steering with stainless steel wheel and steering knob
• Convertible leaning post with cooler storage
• Transom seating

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	21' 3" 6.47 m
Beam	8' 6" 2.59 m
Dry Weight	2,833 lbs. 1,285 kg
Draft	17" 0.43 m
Deadrise/Transom	20 deg.
Max Headroom	Open
Weight Capacity	2,250 lbs. 1,021 kg
Person Capacity	10
Fuel Capacity	50 gal. 189 L

Acceleration Times & Conditions

0 to 30	6.4 sec.
Load	3 persons, 1/2 load, no water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	80 deg., 68 humid.; wind: 0-5 mph; seas: calm

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x Yamaha TR-1 HO
Std. Power	2 x 1049cc Yamaha TR-1 High Output 3-cylinder four-strokes

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Mission

Yamaha took a blank page and designed a boat that functions as a capable fishing platform that anglers can thoroughly enjoy and adds features that their families and friends will relish when not fishing. Add the safety that jet power provides, and you have a boat that is both unique and highly gratifying.

Overview

Yamaha developed a line of 19’ (5.79 m) and 21’ (6.4 m) center console fish boats that are designed for families to enjoy when they are not fishing. They come in three packages: the FSH, the FSH Deluxe, and the FSH Sport. The FSH Deluxe comes with the addition of a pre-rigged trolling motor mount and a Bimini top. The FSH Sport replaces the Bimini with a removable T-top.

This report will cover the Yamaha 210 FSH Sport. For families that have grown up with jet-powered watercraft, the 210 FSH adds a new dimension, and serious fishing features, to their boating lifestyle. There are casting platforms fore and aft and a plethora of fishing features, including rod holders and rod storage throughout the boat.

Yamaha did not leave out the performance, comfort, and most especially, the safety of their jet-powered sport boats. Due to the dual engines that are housed under the leaning post, the layout is not traditional to center console boats of this size. However, it works very well for both fishing and simply enjoying a day out on the water.

Major Features

• Convertible Leaning Post. The leaning post converts from forward-facing for the operator to aft-facing to form a seat perfect for fishing.
• Fore and Aft Fishing Platforms. With the cushions removed, the forward and aft seating areas become casting platforms with anti-skid on the platform areas.
• Articulating Keel. The articulating keel eliminates much of the low-speed wandering that jet-powered boats are known for, and it keeps the boat tracking straight while on plane.
• Propriety 3-Step Coating. The Alumite Coating combines a ceramic coating and epoxy paint for corrosion resistance on the running gear and driveline.
• Competitive Pricing. Because Yamaha is one of the largest builders of jet-powered boats in the world, it has tremendous economies of scale that are passed along to the consumer in pricing.
• Quality Construction and Materials. Because of its economies of scale, Yamaha does not have to cut corners or skimp on labor or materials to produce a quality boat at a competitive price. In fact, for the last few years, its focus has been on quality, not price.
• Standard Matched Trailer.

Performance

The Yamaha 210 FSH Sport has a length overall of 21’3" (6.48 m) and a beam of 8’6” (2.59 m). With an empty weight of 3,003 lbs. (1,362 kg), 50% fuel, and two people on board, we had an estimated test weight of 3,764 lbs. (1,707 kg).

Top Speed. With twin Yamaha TR-1 High Output engines, the boat reached a top speed of 43.8 mph at 8000 rpm.

Best Cruise. Best cruise came in at 6000 rpm and 27.7 mph. At that speed, the 8 gph fuel burn translated into 3.5 miles per gallon and a range of 156 statute miles while still holding back a 10% reserve of the boat’s 50-gallon (189.27 L) total fuel capacity.

Acceleration Times and Test Conditions

• 0 to 20: 4.4 sec.
• 0 to 30: 6.4 sec.
• Load: 2 persons, 50% fuel capacity, no water, 50 lbs. (22.68 kg) of gear
• Conditions: 80 degrees, light wind (5 mph), no chop

Handling

As for handling, this boat has a sporty feel. Yet, it’s very simple to operate. Without trim tabs and outboard tilt, an operator merely has to throttle up and steer.

Upon hitting the throttle, the boat accelerated to 20 mph in a respectable 4.4 seconds and continued on to 30 mph in 6.4 seconds.

With the articulating keel, the boat rolls comfortably into turns and tracks well with no tendency to fall off the turn or spin out. And unlike many jet-powered brands, the Yamaha 210 FSH will return to tracking straight ahead if you let go of the wheel while in a turn.

When crossing wakes, she rides up and over rather than through and stays dry as she throws the spray low and wide.

Safe Operation

The big plus of a jet-powered fishing boat is that operation in extreme shallows can be worry-free, even where there are unmarked sandbars, rocks, and stumps; the drive system is virtually flush with the bottom of the boat. Jet propulsion eliminates the danger of a spinning prop when swimmers or wakeboarders are in the water.

The inventive articulating keel makes handling around the docks much easier.

All jet boats are susceptible to sucking up grass and lines that can gum up the impellers, bringing the boat to a stop. Like all Yamaha jetboats, the 210 FSH features Yamaha’s patented clean-out ports that allow for the removal of weeds and debris from the jet pump without having to get in the water or swim under the boat. A safety switch will not let the motor start until it is safe to do so.

Boat Inspection

Bow

All Boats Should Have Anchors. While the emphasis of this boat is on fishing, owners should not forget that all boats must have an anchor — and should have an anchor rode cleat mounted on the bow of the boat on the centerline.

Well-Thought-Out Forward Storage. The port and starboard side forward seat storage is insulated and can function as a cooler or fishbox. The starboard side backrest and storage pod house a trash can in the door. In the deck between the forward seats is storage with dedicated space for a five-gallon bucket.

Console

Lockable Console Compartment. The forward-facing seat on the console opens to reveal the console compartment with a privacy curtain for changing or for an optional head.

Helm

Rocker-styleswitches control the navigation lights, courtesy lights, and other accessories. Their fuses are directly above each switch.

Cruise Assist allows the operator to dial in the speed and set it to hold a steady speed. The switch bumps the speed up or down at increments of 250 rpm up to five times.

No Wake mode sets the speed to a moderate pace that is suited for no wake zones, around five miles per hour.

Leaning Post

Aft Casting Platform

Transom Seating

ABYC standards call for all boats to have a re-boarding ladder that can be reached by someone in the water. It is also to reach 22” (55.88 cm) below the waterline, as this standard ladder clearly does. This feature makes it possible to use the boat for towing sports.

Options to Consider

Yamaha makes three model designations for the 210 FSH. The standard 210 FSH, the 210 FSH Deluxe with a fully-rigged trolling motor mount and Bimini top, and the 210 FSH Sport with a fully-rigged trolling motor mount and T-top. These are essential packages to keep production simple and prices reasonable.

The only option to consider is which model designator fits your family’s needs.

Price

The MSRP starts at $44,499.

Observations

The Yamaha 210 FSH is an excellent attempt at combining the fishing features of a center console boat with the demands and excitement of a family jet-powered boat. Often when manufacturers combine two divergent styles of boating, the mashup compromises the two separate missions. This is not the case with the Yamaha 210 Sport.

In addition, Yamaha seems to have a pretty good grasp of what their customers want. Features such as the removable T-top and windshield for garage storage are very practical. The design has the console further back than on most boats this size, which provides more forward seating and more storage. Add the articulating keel that provides better control at speed and when docking.

Capacity? Although the passenger capacity is 10, that is simply a USCG formula that has to do with passenger weight and cockpit volume. In our opinion, it is out of date. It bears no relation to how many people can comfortably ride in the boat. Running at speed with more than six people aboard will be problematic.

The Yamaha 210 FSH is a good boat for jet-powered boat aficionados who want to fish, swim, cruise, and enjoy watersports of all kinds.