The Yamaha Boats 222SD 2023 vs Yamaha Boats 252 FSH Sport 2022 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Yamaha Boats 222SD 2023 at 22,0 ft versus Yamaha Boats 252 FSH Sport 2022 at 24,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Yamaha Boats 252 FSH Sport 2022 tips the scales at 4 782 lbs — 728 lbs less than the Yamaha Boats 222SD 2023 at 4 054 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 250 hp, the Yamaha Boats 222SD 2023 has a 50-hp advantage over the Yamaha Boats 252 FSH Sport 2022's 200-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Yamaha Boats 252 FSH Sport 2022 carries 111 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Yamaha Boats 222SD 2023. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Yamaha Boats 252 FSH Sport 2022 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Yamaha Boats 222SD 2023 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Yamaha Boats 252 FSH Sport 2022 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Yamaha Boats 252 FSH Sport 2022 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 24,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Yamaha Boats 222SD 2023 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.