1987 FORMULA 223LS vs. 242LS
 

Hi.
I'm new here and I am from The North of Sweden.
I'm about to buy a Formula boat in the near future.
My first hand choice is 242LS. But i've seen some nice looking 223:s out there to.
I need a boat that handles well in approx. 30mph even if the waves are rough.

I'd like some "fore" and "against" for these two models.

Thanks
biomech

Re: 1987 FORMULA 223LS vs. 242LS
 

Welcome, I do have a 242 and it is a great boat an I have been in some tough water 4 an5 footers you can`t race through them but it was ok. In a 242 you will get more weight and length than the 223 and that will give you a better ride.


Good luck

Re: 1987 FORMULA 223LS vs. 242LS
 

Ok TNX.
how about the hull deadrise? is it the same in both models? 24 degr?

Re: 1987 FORMULA 223LS vs. 242LS
 

Bio, two very different hulls. The 223 is only a 22 degree deadrise hull. Boat is faster than the 242 with equal power but you are going to get a MUCH better ride with a 242 which has a 24 degree hull. Both are heavy boats but the 242 will require more hp to get decent speed numbers but if you are looking for a better ride it is a much better choice. My Brother in law has a 223 and a 242 right now and they ride very differently. He can get a little over 60 in his 223 with a stock 330hp 7.4 merc and a 3 blade and about the same speed in the 242 with a stock 502 mag light fuel and two people. His is a mint, and I mean mint '91 low hour 242 and I am very impressed with the size and comfort of the boat

Re: 1987 FORMULA 223LS vs. 242LS
 

Thank You!
Based on your answer it seems like it's the 242 that is the right boat for me! I'd like a comfortable ride with decent speeds instead of a fast, bumpy ride.
I've seen 242:s with 5,7l 260hp but they must be undermotorized i suppose?! I need to look for a 242 with at least a 454 or 502?

Re: 1987 FORMULA 223LS vs. 242LS
 

Try to stay away from 87 which had the alpha drive. I believe in 88 they started using the Bravo drives with the 454 on the 242. I have the alpha on my 87 242 and it works fine, but not as strong as the Bravo drive. You just cant beat on it.

Re: 1987 FORMULA 223LS vs. 242LS
 

You can buy mine :D

88242ls:

I am in Kenmore. Is your boat really for sale?

lol yes it is look in SW classifieds or email me [email protected]

A little over 60??? I've got an '87 22LS repowered with a 454. I don't know what pitch my prop is, but I can only top out at about 45 mph. Any suggestions from your brother-in-law?

Note: I know this is an old post... :drink:

Need a little more information. What is your drive? Gear ratio and what prop are you currently running? Also is 45 on gps or speedo?

Drive is an alpha one, and I think my prop is a 21P. How do I determine the gear ratio? 45 mph was from a GPS. Thanks.

A 223 with a big block should definitely do better than 45. I had a 223SS, 1988, 454 (330) with a Bravo. Did a smidge over 60. The LS is even a tad faster than that due to weight distribution. An LS model will trim up a little more than an SS model so it'll go a few ticks faster.

Your Alpha set up should be equally fast. There is really no speed difference between the Alpha and the Bravo. If there is any difference, the Alpha should theoretically be faster since its a slightly smaller drive, less drag.

In any event, you should see at least high 50's. Is the bottom clean, prop good - no dings/bent blades, are you trimming it out at speed? Maybe the engine is tired, check compression?

According to Ryan at Formula boats, the alpha on my boat has a 1.47:1 gear ratio. The hull is clean, as in no barnacles or anything like that - I keep it out of the water when not using it. I'll check the prop for dings/dents but I'm pretty sure it's good to go. The only thing to hit around here is a little sand.

I'm about to have the boat into the shop to fix a neutral/reverse issue and the trim tabs, I'll have them do a compression test as well.

Thanks for the info ThirdBird. You saying that I should be hitting at least high 50's definitely gets me excited!

I probably need to mess with the trim at top speed as well. It's hard to measure the speed because it was from the GPS on my phone, but I now have a windshield-mounted GPS that should give me a better real-time display.

Anything else to check?

Like said before high 50*s shouldnt be a problem

Well what else can you recommend? Because it's obviously eluding me...

Whats your RPM at wide open where you are seeing 45MPH

Will check and report back as soon as the boat is out of the shop.