The Yamaha Boats 252SD 2023 vs Yamaha WaveRunner GP1800R SVHO 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 250 hp for the Yamaha Boats 252SD 2023 and 250 hp for the Yamaha WaveRunner GP1800R SVHO 2022. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Yamaha Boats 252SD 2023 carries 75 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Yamaha WaveRunner GP1800R SVHO 2022. 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 252SD 2023 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Yamaha WaveRunner GP1800R SVHO 2022 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Yamaha Boats 252SD 2023 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Yamaha Boats 252SD 2023 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 WaveRunner GP1800R SVHO 2022 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.