Harris Kayot has been making boats for 52 years and has been making deck boats for 33 years, so the corporate culture there knows a thing or two about the type. In fact, the deckboat was born in Northern Indiana by another builder down the road in the early 1970s and by 1977 Kayot was the #2 seller of deckboats. By the late 1980s virtually every builder of sport boats had at least one deckboat model in their line. In 1998 introduced a deck boat with a deep-V bottom which mean that it could be run faster in bigger water. Now Harris Kayot has hung an outboard on the swim platform. The big question is, how well has Harris Kayot executed the concept and how does in compare to the standard I/O configuration? We asked Capt. Steve to give it his critical eye and let us know what he thought.

Kayot S225 (2009-) Specifications

Length Overall	23' 10''	Dry Weight	4,200 lbs.
Beam	8' 6''	Fuel Cap	55 gal.
Draft	32''	Water Cap	none
Deadrise/Transom	19 deg.	Bridge Clearance	50''
Max Headroom	open
Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.

Kayot S225 (2009-) Engine options

Std. Power	1 x 150-hp Mercury Verado XL
Tested Power	Currently no test numbers
Opt. Power	Not Available

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A deckboat with an outboard? Is it better?

Capt. Steve Says…

While I love a deckboat, I was curious to see the Kayot S225 outboard. I like when a company thinks outside the box and takes the road less travelled, in this case, powering a deckboat with an outboard. While we weren’t getting to actually test and compare it with her I/O powered sister, a casual walkthrough should reveal if this boat has the right stuff to compete in this tough category.

So, What’s Different?

At first glance, I didn’t see much different about this boat. But then again, how different can you get in 24’? The bow area is roomy, as I would expect. The filler cushions are on the options list (add $240) and I like the separate color to the welting that highlights the cushions. Drink holders are abundant, but here’s an interesting standard feature… lighted drink holders. Haven’t seen that one before, but I can see the benefit. Everybody seems to be adding underwater lights to their options list and Kayot is no exception, even on the outboard version (add $750). But here’s another item I haven’t seen before… lighted rubrails (add $570). So much for not being different.



Plenty of room on this boat for guests, but fourteen?? Unlikely. The oval table is standard and the head is roomy enough to serve as a changing room for getting into and out of swim gear. The helm seat has sport suspension, flip-up bolster and adjusts fore and aft, all standard.

More standards…

The company says the boat has a capacity for fourteen. Even a cursory look at the floor plan brings doubt to that claim. Harris Kayot is following the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) “persons capacity” formula and using very thin people at that. How wide is one average butt? We count 12 seating places for thin people, and 14 if you stand one up holding onto the windshield and one standing behind the helm and companion seat holding on. Standing counts under ABYC standards for occupant capacity? Yup, so long as it is a “designated occupant position.”

There’s storage for just about everything, including the carry-on cooler and skis & equipment. While Kayot has a lot of items on the options list, their standard features aren’t too shabby either. Docking lights are typically optional as are depth sounders and bow ladders, all standard here.



Kayot says that their boat holds fourteen. With a generous four in the bow, two in the bucket seats, and perhaps six Gumbys in the cockpit, that makes for 12 very close friends by our count.

Outboard vs. Stern Drive…

Ok, so we have an outboard. That means that there is no engine taking up cockpit space, right? Sort of. While I didn’t get to do a side by side comparison, a picture is worth a thousand words.





By looking at these two images, it appears that the floor plans are identical. That means that by opting for the outboard version, you’ll gain storage space under the aft sunpad at the cost of losing the full swim platform. Well… that’s not the only cost. The outboard version is a bit higher priced. You’ll pay $5,180 more for the 150-hp outboard version over the I/O powered with the standard 5.0L 220-hp Mercruiser.

The 5.0L 220-hp MerCruiser engine weighs 946 lbs. and its 8 cylinders displace 305 cu. in. The 150-hp XL Verado weighs 510 lbs. and its 4 cylinders displace 105.7 cu. in. What will the difference in performance be?

Of course there are differences in the operation of inboards vs. outboards and such, but it’s mostly a personal choice, and choice is what makes customers happy. Don’t tell me what I want, I’ll tell you. If you can provide it, great, if not, I’ll find someone who will.

Specifications…

Your Kayot S225OB comes with a LOA of 23’ 10” and a trailerable beam of 8’ 6”. She has a weight of 4200lbs, and will draw 32”. Getting there is half the fun and with her 55 gallon fuel capacity, you won’t have to worry about running dry.

Choice is a good thing, and it separates the survivors from the strugglers. By offering a choice of I/O or outboard, Kayot has given two more reasons for getting on the water with friends and family… and that means having a boat that will have no “buyer’s remorse” factor. Check out the Harris Kayot S225 OB today.

Kayot S225 (2009-) Standard and Optional Equipment

Marine Electronics
GPS/Chart
Systems
CD Stereo
Head: Portable
Trailer
Washdown: Raw Water
Exterior Features
Carpet: Cockpit
Outlet: 12-Volt Acc
Swim Ladder
Swim Platform
Tower: Watersports
Wet bar
Canvas
Bimini Top

= Standard = Optional

Kayot S225 (2009-) Warranty Information

Warranties change from time to time. While BoatTEST.com has tried to insure the most up-to-date warranty offered by each builder, it does not guarantee the accuracies of the information presented below. Please check with the boat builder or your local dealer before you buy any boat.

Full Warranty Information on this brand coming soon!

Kayot S225 (2009-) Price

Base Price (MSRP)	N/A
Price as Tested	N/A
Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.