As the only surfable jet boat in our watersports guide, Yamaha’s 222XD offers a wave that we found long and forgiving—perfect for beginners, but still offering a pronounced lip as you ride up the top of the wave. This shape makes it fun for riders of all skill levels. Combine that with its jet power, which offers easy handling around the dock or ramp, a shallow draft and an open cockpit, and you have a recipe for success.
Equip the 222XD with the available wake-package features from Yamaha, including an all-new tower with integrated speakers and board racks. Also new for 2023, a wireless phone charger resides at the helm, so feel free to leave that charging cable at home. The Simrad touchscreen multifunction display is right-justified, giving the driver better visibility and providing easy access to the intuitive Connext system. Connext displays and allows control over all the boat’s features, including the surf system. Setting up the system proved push-button easy.
For 2023, compared to its predecessor, Yamaha put an extra 12 inches of space toward comfort and convenience. For a 22-foot boat, its layout offers an impressive amount of room and comfort, whether forward in the bow or aft in the rear lounge seats. To add to the level of convenience, it is easy to walk from the bow all the way to the back of the transom in a boat made for any wake sport. The low-profile jet installation allows for the ton of space, completely unencumbered layout and water access that you won’t find aboard most other boats.
Standout features include the signature rumble seats in the bow, especially perfect for younger crew who enjoy riding in front. Throughout the boat, we found storage compartments under the majority of the seats, in addition to the newest wet-storage compartments in the seatbacks of the rear loungers. These self-draining compartments are perfect for life jackets and other wet items.
Overall, Yamaha’s 222XD handles and performs with incredible agility, providing a comfortable ride, a surfable wave, and a great layout made possible by the lack of intrusion created by a motor box in the cockpit or an outboard on the transom.
High Points
- Great price for entry into the world of wakesurfing.
- Shallow draft and easy dockside handling.
- Wide-open layout.
- Long wave with a well-defined lip.
How We Tested
- Engines: Twin 1.8L Yamaha HO marine engines
- Drive/Prop: 160 mm Jet Pump Propulsion System
- Gear Ratio: 1.00:1 Fuel Load: 60 gal. Crew Weight: 300 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $85,899 (starting) |
| LOA: | 22’0″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft (max): | 1’7″ |
| Dry Weight: | 4,191 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 10/2,050 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 70 gal. |
