The Yamaha Boats 242 Limited S 2019 vs Yamaha WaveRunner VX 2023 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Yamaha WaveRunner VX 2023 measures 132,7 feet overall (2023), giving it roughly 108,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Yamaha Boats 242 Limited S 2019 at 24,0 feet (2019). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Yamaha Boats 242 Limited S 2019 tips the scales at 3 713 lbs — 2 994 lbs more than the Yamaha WaveRunner VX 2023 at 719 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Yamaha WaveRunner VX 2023 is rated for 40 passengers, while the Yamaha Boats 242 Limited S 2019 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Yamaha WaveRunner VX 2023 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Yamaha WaveRunner VX 2023 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 40 passengers and at 132,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Yamaha Boats 242 Limited S 2019 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.