242LS with twins vs. 272LS

[dba900]

So, there are a couple of 242LSs with twins near me and a bunch of 272LSs. All have standard SBCs and Alpha drives. We owned a 233 and an '85 272LS about 20 years ago, but not a 242LS. How do the two compare? Specifically...
-Rough water handling?
-Fuel consumption? (And as a separate matter, how would two mild SBCs compare with a 500 hp BBC?)
-Speed? I assume the 242 would be a little faster.
-Ease of maintenance?

From the searches I've done, it seems like mid-60s is about as good as it gets for these hulls without investing big money. That would probably be good enough for a while...
Thanks!
David

[twin242ls]

I have a 242 w/ twin 300hp sbcs. boat runs solid 65 on Gps I've seen a tick or two more with light fuel and 1 footers.
The boat handles up to two footers with ease at speed 3's and 4's get tough.

You will get a bit more speed, but only a couple vs. the 272. but a better rough water ride from the 272.
I looked at both and and went 242.

Fuel consumption is decent I get better milage at cruise then my buddies 24 outlaw with a 502. I cruise faster and at a lower rpm and he's into the four barels to keep up.

Besides a good 242 with twins especially bolsters is rare and people will pay for a good one

[Blue242]

Hiya,

Never owned a 272, but I have to say that my 242 handles 2 ft chop with ease, and 3 + footers get a bit tricky as the height goes up.. It now has a conservative 500 HP/ 550 TQ motor, and pulls like a train compared to the 454 mag that was in it...

I have not GPS'd the new motor yet, but the old one went 58 GPS, and 62 indicated..

What I really like, is that the boat is small enough to trailer anywhere, and I can launch and retreive the boat by myself. So, on days when no one else has time, and I do, I can be on the water. (that happens a bit, as I have more time off than many of my friends...)

The other thing is, that as a single, there is a lot of space in the engine compartment to do maintenance...

I almost bought a mint freshwater 242 SR1 with twin smallblocks... I think that my LS is actually a better deal as a useable boat, as I can get to anything easily... As a collectible, the 242 SR1 would have been a better deal..

Anyway, I love my boat

See the pic attached of the engine compartment space.....

Good luck..!

R

[zdek]

I have a 272 LS and love it. On GLOC, we see 3-4 ft wake all summer long, and I run with the big boys. My boat has twin LT1's with roller rockers, cams, GIL dry headers, and Holley 750's. For drives, I'm running alphas with 2" shorty lowers - referred to as Alpha SS's from the late 80's. Essentially these are standard alpha uppers with outboard lowers. I'm easy on the sticks and have had over 200 hrs of use - no problems on the drives. This setup runs 74 with 1/4 tank of gas and 1' chop. Fuel wise, I'm burning about the same as a 242 with a mild BBC. The bolsters are a must in these boats (you get them in all the 272's - not all 242's).

[dba900]

Thanks for all of the advice! Does anyone know why old 272s are selling so cheaply? Also, when did they start building the 272?
David