Please compare 206 vs 223 vs 242
 

I wouldn't say I'm "in the market", but I'd like to hear from those who have first hand experience with the layouts. Cockpit size, room to move around, is what I'm curious about. I don't expect a living room, and my 311 is really all I have to compare.
So much of my time is spent in the ICW just idling or topping out at 35-40mph that I'm thinking something in this range would more suit my usage. But I can't decide if I want to keep the 311 and get a 20-ish CC beater that I can take the dog in, or get one of these 20-something footers to play with and swap the 311 for a bigger CC with a cuddy. I guess I could mention that besides the dog, my current GF has two kids, and long-term plans would be at least one more, so I think about that also.

Hey Mike,

The 223 is small - buddy had one, and handled like crap in the ocean. The 242 is better, has some more room. IMO however I don't think would even like the ride in a 272 vs 311 on the big water. If you are just looking for an ICW cruiser, I'd suggest something like the 260, especially the 260BR. A friend has the 260BR , and I LOVE that boat for hanging out. Does about 50 with a 454 / 310hp MPI. TONS of room, and has about 10x the storage of your 311, seems like every cushion / panel flips open and has hidden storage. Both the bow and the back can be converted into huge sunbeds. I know it's a newer boat than you are looking for, but you might be able to find a deal somewhere. Good luck with the search!

BTW - I did sell my boat, but I can't post in the other thread.

Congrats on the sale, sorry to see you go...
As for "big water"...heck I don't hardly go out there even in the 311, so I'd rather have something that's super easy to trailer close to where I want to be. I have spied those BRs and agree. Even some of the mid-90s have a cool wrap around rear bench. I just need to find somebody that'll let me see 'em in person. Plus they're not old enough yet...:D

We have a 260BR (from MagicFloat//Robert) and love it. With a 496 Mag it hits low 50s and has plenty of room for friends. We have had 13 on board and the boat handled it well.

The head is deep and very functional, plenty of storage, nice bimini top (good coverage), and all the Formula added features.

Based on your needs listed above, you might want to take a look. The 260 is easy to trailer, great boat for tubes et al, and very flexible for the # of people you will have aboard.

There's just something about having a cabin, even if it's just a poor excuse for a cuddy, that offers some assurance of a dry spot. Even if it's just for towels and clothes, I like the idea of a good sized dry space when the showers pass over.

There is a canvas for the bow on the BR. Also the bimini / full top setup is real nice too, plus you know someone has to man the wheel in a storm - namely you the captain! I can stand up at 6'6" under the 260 bimini so there is plenty of room. We took it out to dinner one night at Winnespaukee with 6 onboard under the full tops as it was late in the season - no problems.

They do make the same boat pretty much as a 260SS which does have a cabin if that is a must have. But I am telling you I never thought I'd like a bowrider to own until I spent a day on this boat - it is that cool.

For our last outing of the season it was pretty cold. Our three kids went into the finished storage locker in front of the captain's chair for shelter... they had a blast.

I too never thought I would enjoy a bow rider so much. The kids love sitting in the bow with thier friends. The seating area fills in completely (including the back rest), so 5 or 6 kids can sit up there safely.

Either way, the 260 SS or BR are a nice ride!

OK, back on track...:D How about the "20-somethings" of the 86-91 vintage?

I love my 242LS it`s a nice size boat to haul in and out and the cabin has plenty of room for storage. By the way a bowrider sounds like it would fit the bill.

Looking for a trade:D

206 and 233 are both runabouts. They have 22 degree hulls. Very quick and fun to drive. but rougher rides. the 233 with a big block is a rocket. it will run high 60's.
However a 242ls/ss is everything you are looking for. a cabin for storage and a 24 degree hull for a nice ride. and is comparable to the 260 in size and. not to mention a good one can be purchased for close to 10k and you can keep the 311

I loved my 242 with twins. The cockpit isn't much different than the one on my 302, which I imagine is about the same as your 311. The 242 had a decent cabin. I stayed out overnight in it once.

My Parents had a 242 and a 272 and I had the 311. To compare them all is hard becasue they are all a little different. The 242 was a nice boat but I would recommend finding one with bolsters becasue the captian chairs are a little low for driving. The 242 hadles small waves fairly well. I would hesitat to take one our in 2 to 3's, anything more than that would require a bigger boat like your 311.

I would recomend getting a small CC and keeping your 311. The maintaince on a small CC is alot less than a 242.

Joe and Masi, thanks for the pics. That's what I need is more cockpit pics for comparison. I'm not sure, but will you really notice a difference of 2 degrees? I could see the weight being more of a factor, say between a 206 and a 242.
I could see the 206 being something vaguely compariable to a Donzi Minx...I'm just thinking cockpit size and hull/power combo. That would be perfect when I'm just looking for something really easy to run the ICW and Biscayne Bay.
The 223 could be about the same, just everything is a tad bigger and the big block comes into play. The 242 is the "big boat" of these 3. I have to see what the cockpit difference is between the LS and SS. Is it the 242LS that has the port-side back to back seats? I saw a picture of something, where you could fit a good-sized cooler between the driver's seat and rear bench. There's not that much room in the 311.

the ss has the larger cockpit with the back to backs. The extra room is taken out of the cabin. My 242 has bolsters and coolers fit perfectly under each. I also rebuilt my back bench and included better underseat storage. A single engine 242 has quite a bit more storage space under the hatch. with the twins not so much

No, the 242 LS does not have back to back seats. They have two captain chairs (not bolsters), and a bench seat across the back, just like 99% of all performance boats.

Imho, you will definetely feel the difference between a 22, and a 24 degree hull of the same weight. I always wanted a 206, that's how I got into this silly sport.

As for comparing to a Donzi Minx, I believe the Minx has a narrower beam (7 feet) than the 206. I can tell you without a doubt, the Donzi Minx was THE most fun boat I've ever driven.

Debbie seems to be enjoying it in the picture also. :) Btw, that's not me in the ariel veiw. It is the previous owner.

Bolsters was an option for the 242 LS. Mine has them and most of the ones I've seen have them.

Really??!!
I've only run across two 242's with bolsters. In my neck of the woods, they're rare birds.

I believe they're out there, you just have trouble recognizing them with your Beer Goggles on. :drink: :D

Like Cuda said I to started this "silly sport with a '88 206 closed bow w/ 350 mag. The boat ran about 55 mph according to the speedo. The interesting thing about this boat it had trim tabs and they seemed to make a big difference. With that being said it still was only 20ft boat. 1s and 2s were fine anything bigger was uncomfortable. The cabin was smaller than my pickup box with my tonneau cover on it. The cockpit had 2 swivel seats (you sat low in them) I'm 6'2" and I was getting the top of the windshield frame right in my eye sight line.
All in all it was a very fun boat to get started with ..... but .... true meaning of small one good thing was it was heavy for it's size but it also was narrow ... 7ft.
A couple of guys I know had the 242s and loved them ... One of them said it was one of funnest boats he owned ..... my things have changed for him he now has a 370ss....it's a little different. lol .....

I have to agree with the guys with the respect of the 260s they are awesome when it comes to space.... Different style of boating although.
Look on Boattrader.com and go to "great Lakes" section you will find a bunch of these style of boats vintage and newer Formulas especially in the Lake Saint Claire MI area. Boats are freshwater and in good shape over all.....


Good luck !!!

Jeff

I had an '87 242-SR1 for about (10)years. Great size boat and handles rough water a lot better than the sizeould suggest.Boat will probably take morew than your body. I ran it in solid 6'-8's for 35 miles, not a pleasant ride, but not a squeak or a rattle. NOT THE FASTEST HULL, BUT BUILT LIKE A TANK.

Ok time to chime in here, I am clueless on the 206, but there kewl! now the SS a stated above has the larger cockpit and smaller cuddy, the 242ls has the larger cabin and came with either bolsters OR swivel buckets, the ls has cabinets in the cuddy, the SS does not(just a note the 223 also came in ls or ss and the same goes for what I just stated above as far as dimentions) My freind has a 223ls I had a 242ls and another freind has a 242ls, with that sad the 223ls/454/330 runs 62mph, 22degree hull faster but a bit more rough NO not a huge diff but if you ride in both you will notice, my 242 ran 57mph and road great, someone said up above they wouldnt have it in 3fters, I dont think so my boat tore that snot up, got caught in 5/7's a few times no not fun,but you know what nothing broke and I NEVER once felt unsafe! and only 10minutes behind the big boys:pif its that rought you'll have the 311 out anywayz both are very trailerable which is nice, hope this helps, bye the way here is a nice 223ls I came across, Ive even toyed with it for keeping in Sc at my grams house for vacation, but its slightly more then where that budget is


http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/boa/472600144.html

Here are some pictures of a 223 LS

223 SS.... with the afore-mentioned cooler shot! Tons of cockpit space, but you can see the windshield is "pushed" forward compared to the LS

223LS on the left 223SS on the right.

242 LS with pedestal seats.