Scarab Jet Boats vs. Yamaha-The Best Choice for Biscayne Bay in 2026

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Biscayne Bay boating has two very different personalities. One moment you’re idling into the 2-foot shallows of the Haulover Sandbar; the next, you’re crossing open water through the "washing machine" of yacht wakes and coastal wind.

If you’re choosing between a Scarab Jet Boat and a Yamaha, the best pick comes down to how you handle Miami’s unique environment—specifically salt, chop, and tight docking. As Miami’s premier Scarab dealer, Broward Motorsports Miami has seen how these boats perform in the "real world" of South Florida. Here is our 2026 guide to finding the right fit for the 305.

Quick Verdict: Which Miami Boater Are You?

Choose Scarab if your "Perfect Miami Day" is:

The Sandbar Lifestyle: You spend hours at Haulover or Nixon Beach and need a boat that’s easy for swimmers to board safely.
Saltwater Longevity: You want an engine designed for the ocean, not just a lake (Scarab’s Closed-Loop Cooling is the secret here).
High-Energy Handling: You love the "PWC-on-steroids" feel—quick acceleration and the ability to carve tight turns.
Tight Docking: You need the digital precision of iNR (Intelligent Neutral & Reverse) to navigate crowded Miami marinas.

Choose Yamaha for comparison if:

You prioritize a traditional "family runabout" feel with a focus on a large, tiered stern lounge.
You are looking for the largest possible jet platform (Yamaha’s 27–29 foot categories).
You prefer a layout designed for slow-speed cruising over high-speed sport maneuvers.

Biscayne Bay Reality Check: Why the Details Matter

1. The Saltwater Factor (The Rotax Advantage)

In Miami, saltwater corrosion is the #1 threat to your investment. Unlike many competitors that use "open-loop" cooling (pulling raw, corrosive saltwater through the engine block), Scarab’s Rotax engines utilize Closed-Loop Cooling. * The Benefit: It works like a car’s radiator, keeping the engine’s internal components bathed in coolant rather than salt. In a 2026 market, this significantly protects your resale value in South Florida.

2. Handling the "Haulover Chop"

Biscayne Bay isn't always a pond. When the afternoon breeze kicks up or a 60-foot yacht passes you, hull design matters. Scarab boats feature a performance-oriented deadrise designed to cut through "stacked" wakes, providing a drier, more stable ride back to the ramp than many lighter, flat-bottomed jet boats.

3. Precision Docking with iNR

Docking a jet boat in a Miami current can be intimidating. Scarab’s Intelligent Neutral & Reverse (iNR) is a digital-shift system that allows you to find a "true neutral" and fine-tune your movement with total control. It eliminates the "bucking" or "surging" common in older cable-driven jet systems.

Comparison at a Glance: 2026 Miami Edition

What Matters in Miami	Scarab Jet Boats	Yamaha Boats (Comparison)
Engine Cooling	Closed-Loop: Saltwater never touches the inside of the engine.	Open-Loop: Requires diligent flushing after every saltwater use.
Low-Speed Control	iNR System: Digital, stationary neutral for stress-free docking.	Mechanical gates (DRiVE technology on select high-end models).
Sandbar Utility	Versa-Lounge: Flip-flop seats allow you to face the party or the water.	Swim-up Seats: Iconic tiered stern for lounging at water level.
2026 Innovation	All-New 210 Series: Massive interior space in a garage-friendly size.	Large Platforms: Strong options in the 27' and 29' categories.

The "Miami Bottom Line"

If you want a boat that matches the pace and conditions of Miami, Scarab is built for this water. From the saltwater-safe engine design to the aggressive handling required for a busy Bay, it’s a boat that feels at home from the Miami River to the Keys.

Ready to see the 2026 lineup in person?

Don't just read about it—experience the difference in the cockpit.