chuck21401

Hi,

I'm looking for a 23-24 sport boat. The 242 formulas seem to be a good match. I'm looking for a 23-24 boat with a 454 engine; I'd like to see 60mph. I would also like to have stand up bolsters instead of sit down seats.
I understand the SR-1s had twin 260s with bolsters, but that the 242LS and SS had seats. Or where those boats available with bolsters?

My budget is $25K and I boat on the Chesapeake Bay.

Any recommendations about other formulas I should consider?

Chuck

restabr

I had a 242LS for a few years - its a great boat. Mine had manual drop out bolsters and single 454. Bone stock it would make 62 - 63mph. I sold it and bought a 2000 271 fastech. The 271 is faster, but the ride in the 242 was a little better. Formula is a great boat.

chuck21401

OK, I've found a couple 242LS formulas (late 80s) online. The listed prices are several thousand (or more) over NADA retail!

Chuck

Audiofn

What they are asking and what they will take/get are two TOTALLY different things.

Jon

jaybird

When shopping online hardcore last year for my boat, I found that people were asking an average of 25% higher than what their boat was really worth. I bet if I did some searching, more than half are still for sale a year later. I know several people personally who list their boats for sale from the day they buy it to the day they sell it (sometimes years later) for crazy money, and heck, if someone will pay their price they can have it. One of the local Formula dealers was selling a trashed '89 F272 SR1 for almost $40k, no trailer. The only thing solid was the hull, everything else needed serious rehab. It was actually the dealer owner's boat which horrified me for 2 reasons - how could they be so unrealistic about the price (later found out the boat had been listed for 3 years), and how could the owner of the dealer let his own boat get in such poor condition. I walked out, and vowed never to buy a boat from them.

It does make shopping a pain in the rear, so try to "weed out" some of the ridiculously priced ones first. Good Luck!

chuck21401

Thanks for that feedback. Of course I understand that the seller wants to get as much as possible for the boat and I want to buy it for as little as possible. You would think in this economy that now would be a good time to buy. Some sellers tell me how much they paid for the boat 10 years ago and how much they still owe and that they can't lower their price. Depreciation stinks, I can't help it if these folks are upside down on their boats. So there they sit until someone comes along and pays the price I guess.

This must be the fun part about looking for a boat.

mopower

I have an '89 that I bought in 2000. During my search I checked a '91 272 at a local Jersey dealer...it's STILL for sale today. Back then the price would vary from 39,999 to 43,999 depending on the time of year. Last check , the price is still the same. No trailer and painted bottom

32storm

The 242 is a great boat. You should be able to find a nice example in your price range pretty easily. Once the weather starts to break, you'll see a lot more coming onto the market. Will always be some overpriced examples, and a few annual sellers just fishing.

The bolster were an option on the SR1-s and LS's. Buckets were standard.

chuck21401

http://www.saltydogsearch.com/detail...id=22287&pic=1

This '89 242 is local to me. Has a 96 454 magnum (how much HP?) and a rebuilt Bravo drive, and bolsters. Received some additional pictures, sides are a bit faded, wonder if they would "buff out" with some wax?

Asking price is $16.5K and does not include a trailer. Nada retail is like $14K. Any thoughts on this one?

chuck21401

Another pic