Well, The '09's are in and I had a chance to see in person the first i-boats today at the dealer. The most noticeable change is the dash. Much more ergonomic now and placement of instruments are a lot more logical and asthetically pleasing. It has enough room for a Hummingbird 997 now and looks good with one. Personally, I don't see enough difference with the 1197 to warrant mounting one of those on a ram mount and have all that empty space on the dash (it just doesn't look right - to me).
The windshields are a little flatter on top, but still has that sporty look the previous i-boats had. The overall height of the console is shorter by about 1 1/2 inches (guessing) so it is a lower profile - I don't know how effiecient it is yet regarding wind deflection. Because the seats are actually thicker by a couple of inches, you are sitting closer to the console as well. The seats are thicker and more comfortable, but the previous version (to me) seemed a little more polished (more pronounced tuck and roll edging, i-series emblem, tighter seams/corners).
The seat cooler is bigger and the lid is better insulated. The center seat cushion was a little disappointing because it looks a little cheaper than the previous hinged version. The new version also has some play in it that will inevitably get worse and since it is only attached by two snaps on one end; probably tear there at some point. I'd guess that it will develop more play with wear too. If you like the step version on the previous boats, the cooler lid on the new boats look a lot better (once the center seat padding is removed). I think the center seat padding was an afterthought.
The optional floor cooler is now deeper and can be used as a prop storage compartment now. It is lockable but is not part of the electronic alarm system. The bump board is now mounted in a slot on the wall port of the floor cooler. It is much easier to get to and you don't have to open a lid to get to it.
The glove box top (single console) is now a little curved so it looks a lot better. It also doesn't look like a step like on the older models so it is probably now less likely that someone will try to step on it like people have on mine many a times. There is a neat little console on the side beside the driver now as well.
The two rear compartments are bigger - definitely a plus! The bilge compartment lid is now split to two lids, making access from inside the boat a lot easier now. The new version is also a lot stiffer so there is less flex in the floor in that area (a benefit of two smaller lids instead of one).
The gas tanks are shaped differently now. Previous models were a symetrical "L" so half meant half. The new ones are assymetrical so I would question how accurate a float guage can be in that situation. The contents won't be as easy to guage visually now either, but I thought that you could put a couple of gallons in at a time and place a line with a permanent marker at different known increments to be able to visually check to see your gas level. A fuel flow meter will make this issue moot.
Overall, a great boat just got better. I think there are enough meaningful changes that, for those that can afford it, it would be tempting to trade-in previous versions for the new one. For those getting one, try to see if you can trade out the Yamaha prop for a Fury 25 (or just get the Fury and keep the Yamaha as a spare) - you won't be dissapointed.
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