240 sport or 302 sr-1
 

Hi guys. New to the forum here. I currently have a baja sport 240. Stock 454/alpha. I'm on the fence if I should update it to a built 454/bravo and install trim tabs or just move on. Being the boat is has an alpha drive makes me nervous to run it hard and would like to step up to something slightly bigger and that I can have more faith in. I have a lead on a 1983 302 sr-1 with stock 454/trs. Wondering what you experienced guys would do. I will be running a few poker runs this year and would like to be attending alot more in the future also. Please keep in mind that I'm young and can't afford to drop too much cash because I would like to buy a house in the next few years also. Thanks!

The alpha behind a 330hp is borderline at best in a 240. I definitely wouldn't put more motor in front of it.

Don't forget. Trs's can be very good. But they are old and there is 2. Also 2 motors to maintain and a 33 year old transom. I would go over it really well be for you purchase. A 240 with some power can be a lot of fun. I think if your hull is in good shape. I would just re-power and bravo.

Plus bravo boats can be found where the owner wasnt a boater. Used it a few times and left it behind the house for a decade. Interior dissolved, engine seized and now it is worth 2k with 500 you can get back by selling the trailer. In the mean time buy at least 1 300 buck alpha lower for a spare.

I am leaning towards repowering the 240. But the 302 is up for 9k and I just got off the phone with the guy and he knows nothing about the boat or boats in general. He has it listed as a 31se low profile. I'm 99% sure it's a 302 sr1. I'm going Saturday to look at it just to see what it is. But I figured if I can get it for cheap enough I'll be able to upgrade to a bigger more reliable boat for fairly cheap and avoid the head ache of the repowering. But you guys have been around the block and I'm just making it down the street so that's why I'm looking to you guys for the advice. Thanks!

I had a 240, we put a 509 Teague with its xr it ran 80 and was a handful also edie marine tabs.
Rich

Here's my $.02

Your boat is a good hull. But to upgrade you have to be aware of the costs. $$$
1) Bravo upgrade will be $900-$1200 for gimbal. Easy conversion just drill the top (2) holes in go. $1500 for a good drive.
2) Motor to upgrade what you have to say 425-450HP your looking at heads, bottom end rebuild, intake/carb, ignition approx. $7-10K
3) If you plan on going over 70 with your updates figure another $3k for external steering.
so figure total cost being about $12-$15k doing all the work yourself.

The Formula is a well build boat. The TRS drives are no issue as parts are still readily available for rebuilds that you might have to do every5-7 years with stock power. Make sure to have a survey done by a professional to make sure the boat is sound before you make the purchase. $300-$400 can save you thousands in the end.

Love the 240. Do the conversion to bravo this year and the engine next year. The Baja is a fun project. The Formula will most likely be a money pit unless it was a trailer queen. Anything on the formula original will probably need rebuilt.

2 very different animals. It's really about your boating needs. Imo upgrading to a 30 is a no brainier. Lol.

[QUOTE=whistlindixie;4416095] But I figured if I can get it for cheap enough I'll be able to upgrade to a bigger more reliable boat for fairly cheap...
2 engines are twice as reliable...as long as you are relying on it to break and cost you money. and getting it from somebody who knows nothing about it means he took NO care of it at all...