first time out
 

I recently purchased a f 242 ls with twin 5.7s from Michigan. I just had it shipped to south Florida. Planning on taking it on a maiden voyage around biscayne bay this weekend. This will be my first time driving a boat like this so any advice is welcome. I have plenty of experience driving boats, 1000 offshore miles last year. But they were all on wind powered boats. The idea of a boat that can go 10 times the speed of my last boats is exciting and also kinda terrifying. Any tips or suggestions? Also will be the boats first time is salt water, what do I need to do when we are done?

Are you familiar with the basic operation of sterndrive power boats? Trim all the way down to plane off, give just enough power to get boat out of the water, no need to strain the outdrives with wide open starts. Once on plane, trim outdrives up until either they just start to blow out or you lose speed, then back them down a bit (this takes a little seat time to learn what the boat wants). In rougher water you need less trim and can use tabs as needed to keep the bow down. Its all about finesse and learning your particular boat, but Formulas are typically pretty easy to drive.

I have never driven a I/o boat before. Lots of time in small rib with an outboard and some time in single engine 20 ft center consoles.

You might want to get a seasoned Captain to go with you, remember they dont have brakes :santa: good luck

Hi TA 12SEC

WOW !! Congrats on the new purchase. Since the boat came from Michigan - you may want to excise any of the University of Michigan gremlins that may be present !!!!-- they are not having a good year.....

We were in a similar situation as you -- not necessarily the same size boat as what you have but regarding speed almost the same. One big item that was somewhat a challenge for me was realizing how much water you eat up and how fast. You really need to keep the eyes open for items that maybe rapidly coming up. Fortunately on the ocean there isn't much that you can't see but having been on lake Michigan there is always floating debris that can wreck your day in a heartbeat!

Since your going from sail to power - and it's used boat -- make sure your impellers have been changed - last think you want to do is be out without cooling water -- Also from what I've read if you are on plane and need to shut an engine down -- DON'T slow down -- you might not make it up on plane again-- Check engine alignment - a torn up coupler and drive shaft can get pretty expensive

Regarding salt water -- No direct experience - but I think common sense would dictate that you wash down with fresh water as best as you can - flush the engines and watch the manifold/headers and the outdrives for corrosion.

All the best

Safe Boating

3pointstar

Congrats on the new to you Formula! You are in a great area to use that boat! Show some pics of the new ride.

If you are in South FL check out the Formula Rendezvous at the end of this month. Easy accessible for trailer boats.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...a-florida.html

You will want to flush motors after every use with fresh water and rinse the outside and trailer good. Also they make a product called salt away I only lived in Palm beach for 2 years and had my old boat in the water there maybe a dozen times (cause it was a lot less work to jump on my buddy's cc) but I went all out washing it and flushing the motors and it seemed I had no ill effects from the salt.

Mr Maine said it all ,just take your time. I would just want to check oil in the engines and outdrives, may be start the engines in the driveway let them run. I would also try going out mid week less traffic around the docks putting it back on the trailer.

If unsure of any of this just send plane tickets.:ernaehrung004:

Well the boat didn't see the water this weekend, I didn't even see the boat. So now the boat sits for 2 weeks till I get back from racing a snail boat to nassau next week. I'll make a good post with picture when I finally get this thing wet.

Ta12sec... def consider the Cayo Costa Formula Rendezvous. I know I'd love to check out your new setup and I hear there are supposed to be a pretty good Formula turnout. I've always had a fascination with 24ft boats with twin engines. Great opportunity to hear stories make some connections and pick up some tips and tricks from fellow Formula owners.