Please Advise on this 242 for sale in NY
 

A friend of mine of thinking of buying this boat.

http://albany.craigslist.org/boa/2382170573.html

We are avid boaters, he currently has a 18ft jet boat with blown mopar 440, and is looking to move up. Anybody here know this boat or what to look out for with year/model? Any certain things to check, like stringers, or transom condition?

would it be wise to spend a couple hundred smackers on a marine surveyor to check the boat out?

Thanks for any input! :drink:

Tall money for the age for sure!

Actually....if it is really in that good of condition it is about average cost.

Well for a clean fresh water boat you will pay a little more. I think if you could get this between 10-12k you would be ok. Hard to believe less than 200 hours on this rig. A nice update would be putting a new shifter in and moving around the marine radio.

good luck

Now after looking at all of those pictures....that may be a little over priced.

Even if it is a Gen 2 the alpha drive is a real downer, I know that mercruiser did put some alpha's behind 454/330hp but I don't think that alpha's and magnums came paired together. I could be wrong.

That radio is a piece of garbage. That shifter belongs on my center console crabbing boat not a performance boat.

Nobody rebuilds just for the hell of it....I would ask for reciepts and details.

It does look clean, but probably should go for about $10,000

1986-1987 Mercrusier put the 330 with an Alpha drive. I had a 1986 206 and used to have the original brochure, and I remember the option.

Seems like these will hold a value of 10k forever. It's a lot of boat for 10k in today's dollars.

Just my thoughts.

Dave

Try this one.
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/boa/2374046108.html

thanks, yea seems like a lot of boat for the money and the low hours. alpha drive is kinda bummer, but with no holeshots and not throttle chopping big waves, seems like a solid deal as long as it checks out ok. maybe offer 10k?

Piece of my life, lesson learned:

I bought a 242ls out of CT 3 years ago. I bought it through a broker while I was in Afghanistan. Let me tell you, the boat was absolutely perfect, brand new built 454, all new emron paint, new interior, new B1 drive, nice trailer, etc. I came home from Afghanistan just to go to CT and pick the boat up. When I got there, I could not believe how nice this boat was. It fired right up, sounded good, checked out good, etc. I said lets go put it in the water, I was told that the rivers were in flood mode and there were to many logs and trash in the river to put in. So, I had the broker give me a 7 day window to get the boat in the water and checked out before the funds were released to the owner.

Now for the good part, I put the boat in the water, fired right up, couldnt ask for more. My wife, daughter, and myself were out cruzin and I kept noticing the pump coming on like every 5 mins. The first two times I thought it was just rain water from the trip home, but then I remembered the plug was not in, so no water should be in the boat. Next thing I know, I was being pulled over by the patrol boat(improper registration). As the patrol boat rafted up and the officer walks over to the side of his boat, the pump kicked on again!!! This soaked the officer in 50 degree water and he was not happy!! He asked to see the paperwork, which I did not have yet, I told him I just bought it and had 7 days to test the boat out and I think it is sinking as we speak!! He said get the damn thing to the dock and get it out of the water now!! Yes sir, have a nice day!!:angry-smiley-038:

Got the boat to the dock and popped the engine hatch, water was pouring in around the gimbal housing, the u-bolts you strap the boat to the trailer with, and the swim platform bolts below the water line.

To end this boring story, $900 later and 3 surveys, the boat was trashed. I had three surveys done because I could not believe a boat this nice could be trashed. The transom, stringers, boxes, header panel, all of it was rotted out. The one guy said he does not know how the boat didnt sink with the amount of power the engine was putting out and how weak the transom and stringer were(ripping the engine out of the floor and self destructing the whole back of the boat).

After 2 months of BS and arguing, I got my money back from the broker. The boat sat in my yard for 4 months before the owner decided to come get it, at which time he was "absolutely shocked the boat was in this condition, he never knew":eek:

GET A SURVEY DONE, GET A SURVEY DONE, GET A SURVEY DONE.

Pay now or pay later...I lost about $1600 in that deal, between fuel, tolls, and surveys. One survey will only be a couple hundred bucks, do it!!

The boat looks great, offer him $10k and leave room to go to $11k if it checks out and is the condition he states it is. A good running, good looking, 24' Formula with a trailer for $10-$11K is not bad.

Good luck, sorry to bore you to death, but learn from my mistake.

Brad

Here it is again.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORMU...item2c5c9397e4

Brad

I think the price is fair on that boat! I'm getting ready to sell mine and I have close to that into just the engine alone. If the boat is in as nice of shape as it looks, its worth it. I just did a complete resto on my 242 and its expensive. You may find a few that are cheaper by a thousand or two but all it takes is for one or two items to break or be bad for that savings to be quickly eaten up.

A few comments of my own on this boat. One, its an LS NOT an LS SR1. SR1 boats have bolsters and twins. Two, that is a 330 hp 454 which is the basic 454, it is not a Magnum. For some reason in '87 Merc called the basic 454 that was mated to the Alpha a Mag. That engine has cast internals and is 330 HP. Either way that would be a nice Formula for him to start out with.

It has already been said but make sure you get a survey!

The 330 with an alpha was labeled as a mag. motor. So just be aware that it will be a small peanut port head motor and does not have all the good stuff inside.

In my opinion, that boat looks worth the money. It's not worth it to squabble over 2-3k. If it's as nice as it looks, I'd buy it at the asking price. But, everything looks good in pictures so go check it out. May be a real cream puff. Question the engine rebuilds, age is no reason. Looks like the bilge was redone too. To me, the weakest link is that cheezy trailer.

+1 $10K....These are great boats...I had an '86 with twin 320 EFI small blocks...boat was a rocket. Don't expect a lot of big performance with that power/drive package and don't even think about putting more power in front of that drive....but...for $10~$11k you can have a lot of fun for a few years. If you take good care of it and don't spit the Alpha 2 out into the lake you can probably sell it for $7500~ $8K 3 years from now.

FYI-
I sold an '87 242 SS last spring for $10,000 and it sold in 1 hour after I put it on craigslist! It had a 350 Mag, alpha drive and SS interior. All undesirable items in a 242. My buddy has been looking for a boat in the $20,000 range and everything he's called on is sold! The boat market is impoving and a 242 is a lot of boat for the money.

As everyone has commented get the survey, I didn`t ten years ago and cost me an engine:eek: I have an 87 with the 454/alpha I bought in 02 and the alpha has been fine you just need to be gentle. The money you spend on a survey will be well worth it trust me.

I agree with thirdbird. That trailer is not for this type of boat. It will ruin the bottom of the boat. That design is for aluminum fishing boats. I think they are junk. It would need some nice bunks.

this one is also in albany, and its my old boat, think the current owner has kept up on it still looking good, and it had a brand new bravo about 5 years ago



http://albany.craigslist.org/boa/2322734442.html

White Bottom paint---no thanks
Alpha on a 242 (Sorry Masi)---no thanks
Roller trailer (while I have one under a boat I just bought not for long)--no thanks.

10-11k MAX if passes survey. I will say if the boat is true to form...great colors and condition

This is an easy no brainer decision!!!...go for the '88 with the Bravo for $11K...if it surveys and has been maintained you will be miles ahead in the long run.

A 242 with a big block on a Bravo makes this an easy choice.:evilb:

+1:grinser010:

You will end up dogging the piss out of the other one to get the performance out of it IMO. Still a nice boat, but the BB and Bravo is what you need on that boat.

Dont forget, they MADE boats back then and the are heavy. Formula's are heavy period, but the old ones with wood are no joke!!:lolhit:

Keep us posted on what you do.

Brad

Thank you for the heads up on that 88, My buddy is watching is this thread and appreciates all the advise! I'm sure it wont be long until he is a member here!

If he is watching, the BB and bravo is a must!! I have always loved powerboats and had powerboats, but since I have became a member on this site, I have had more fights with my wife trying to justify the money I spend on the boat:lolhit:
She says I can check that swap shop hourly, but can only answer her calls once every 6 hours or so!!:drink:


If you get into this style of boating, it is addicting as crap and its balls out from there! The motor and drive will be the first thing he wants to replace. JMO

Make sure to have the survey guy check the bottom for warps from that roller trailer in NY.
Brad

I am a member... you just beat me to it.. i do thank you for all the input. some great advice here.i would like to see the other boat now it looks nice.

got anymore info on this boat.. he didnt put a area code on his phone number..

Just a FYI, there were 5 offers on the black boat through ebay. That does not mean he will accept them, but people are looking at it.

Brad

area code 518 his name is Tom

He declined all of them

The Alpha drive wouldn't scare me - I have an '87 with the exact same setup, have had no problems yet. No hole-shots, but I don't baby it, either. Just over 400hrs now. If it ever breaks, I have another one.

Of course, who wouldn't prefer a Bravo? But for a first boat - it would not be a deal breaker.

The 242 is a heavy boat. Not that fast, either - so I don't anticipate getting a lot of air time to spin props. :D Conversely, I've heard some people claim the Alpha's lighter weight (compared to Bravo) is not a bad thing in some applications - though I would guess that would probably be in a lighter boat - with a small block.

had the maroone one in Albany going 59.8 before I sold it

never got it to 60 :mad:

If your buddy is interested I've going to be selling my 242 LS. The engine was built by Wesco Racing and designed by Marine Kinetics. I've got close to $10,000 in the engine alone. My best speed is 69 MPH which is fast for a 242. Mine also has current formula bolsters out of a 311. New Livorsi Carbon Gauges, All new vinyl all purchased from McLeod. I'm going to sell it as is for $19,000. If I can't get that I'm going to put the stock engine in it and sell it that way. Then I'll keep the engine build a clone and put them in my 292.

This thread is on it`s fourth page talking about a 24 year Formula that`s in good condition for 10-12k. I am sure alot of other companys would like to see this.:drink:

Good luck any way you go.

great statement

Thats why I only buy Formula's! They may not be the fastest but they are very well built boats.

Honestly I think these boats have held their value like few others....the 242 is just a great all around boat.

My '79 255 is 32 years old and is still rock solid. It still gets a coversation going at the local marinas and watering holes. Every time I take it out I always get the question...what year is that boat?

My favorite was the 60 year old telling his 40 year old son and 20 year old grandson.."Boys....that's a REAL boat right there...thats a Formula...find me another boat around here that's over 30 years old that looks that good!!!

This is my 4th....but not my last. ('77 F-18/ '86 242SS/'86 272LS/'79255 Liberator)

just for ****s and giggles this is his boat now he built. This is us and his wife out at lake james 2010. :drink:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1SuP...er_profilepage

[QUOTE=BlackJack58;3404583]The Alpha drive wouldn't scare me - I have an '87 with the exact same setup, have had no problems yet. No hole-shots, but I don't baby it, either/QUOTE]

I have to go with BlackJack, all of you guys are way too scared of Alpha drives. Sure, the Bravo is bigger and stronger but, how many people have heard of Alphas blowing apart. And, if you have heard of that, it's no doubt becuase the owner was beating the piss out of it. Heck, I've heard of far more Bravo's blowing apart than Alphas, that's why the X series came along.

Bottom line, Mercruiser ran big blocks in front of Alpha-type drives for years. If you want to do jerky-boy, drag racing hole shots, nothing is going to last. If you want to launch off four-footers and play off-shore race guy, you'll probably bust a Bravo too!!!!! If you just go use the boat like an avarage boater does, that Alpha will last as long as the boat.

Far too many guys here beating up the Alpha/Big Block combination with no real personal experience to back it up. Plus, we're talking 20 plus year old boats and drives. A well maintained 20 year old Alpha is better than a 20 year old beat to chit Bravo. And, finally, if you need to rebuild or replace the Alpha, it's a ton cheaper than the Bravo.

OK, I'm not done yet!!!!

I'd be far, far more concerned with the condition of the boat than worry about the Alpha vs. Bravo. Think about it, if the hull needs repair or the vinyl is junk, or even if you need to have the boat professionally sanded and buffed, all of those will cost more than buying a new Alpha and bolting it on.

Worry about the boat, the condition, read the owner, check out his other stuff. If his stuff is nice, the boat is likely nice too. The overall condition of the baot is more important than the Alpha drive concern - which shouldn't even be a concern!!!

As a matter of fact, I'm thinking of downsizing from my 311. The only used mid-twenty foot boat I'd consider is a 242. And, if you wait too long on this one, I may just swipe it up!!:grinser010: And no - I have no relationship to this boat or whomever owns it. Just my opinions, of which I have many!