Get the boat and go from there.

Yeah. It's kind of required to have the toy before planning how to play with it.

425 hp would spin a19p well over 5600. i wouldnt do that for long on stock bottom end parts and flat lifters. That said, its a clean boat for 10k. Always factor in a long block when you have any doubt and exhaust also. In my opinion you found something to work with here.

The buolder said he would like to see that engine turning 5200 at wot. Should last a while. Like I said I prefer to run about 40-45 so it should be good for me.

Is there something wrong with that imco exhaust set up?

Nothing wrong with IMCO. Looks like that boat is a good find.

Maybe so. I guess we will find out in a few weeks.

I would always suggest a boat that is useable as is. I see many people buy basket cases that never get finshed. Buying a boat that is working will let you enjoy it and not get discouraged. Then just upgrade it as you can. I paid $9500 for my 86. I have done the transom, transom assembly, new cover, repainted the drive, new blower motor, new gauges, new GPS, trailer tires, trailer brakes, drive shower, sunpad, hydraulic steering and rigging. I am now $25,000 in the boat. I have yet to loose a day on the water in my 2 summers of ownership. Having it be enjoyable from the beginning kept me motivated.

Definitely some potential. You'll need to lose the rubber fuel line to be Coast Guard legal (and safe).

What fuel line is it supposed to have?

It is supposed to have lines that say " us coast guard approved" right on it. I run -8 braided stainless Aeroquip, like many other people. Mine is not coast guard approved. You will get a big debate on fuel lines here. If that line is new automotive, it will not allow vapors to permeate the hose. It will probably not be coast guard approved though.

I have some fancy stuff at work we have to use that is rated for enclosed areas and is rated for fuel injection. I can put jic(an to some people) fittings in it and let her eat I suppose. Can't wait to go run this rig

Would it work? Probably just fine.
Will it be legal? Probably not.

Once it's covered with braided stainless the world will never know lol. Also that rat nest of wiring will be addressed quickly. The main priority is to construct some sort of shelter for it. Can't leave it out in the rain.

I have a really nice full cover for mine that blocks all water. My boat only goes inside during the winter.

This one has a cockpit cover as well as a full cover that he says is water proof. I have another full canvas heavy water repellant cover for a 24' hydrasport but it is probably too small. I work on equipment by trade and one of my customers is the local x press boat dealer. I get those very nice white plastic with cloth backing covers they ship in with for nothing. Just dont know if they have one this large.

Also I'm about as cheap and lazy as it gets, have a few barge lids stashed in the woods behind the house. 1 shipping container I use as a shed for atvs and other junk. I'll probably get another 40' container, set it 30 some odd feet apart to put 2 lids between them. Then the big boat, the camper, and the tow rig could all have a home out of the rain and sun light.

If that doesn't work out, I see the guy that bought my 242LS about 3 years ago has it for sale. http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/boa/5863583371.html

He doesn't seem to know a lot about it, since he has it listed as a 224, and an '86 (it's an '87) - looks like he's updated a few items - I had a new starter installed. It had almost 500 hrs on it when I had it, so I doubt he's used it a lot. He's apparently trying to sell it rather than trade it, so he might take a lower offer.

It was a nice boat when I owned it - just a little too much for me. It is a 330/454mag with an Alpha. I had no issues with an Alpha; then again, I wasn't mashing it from a dead float, either. The weight savings is a slight advantage. The black/red color scheme is very nice.

Good Luck! Formulas are great boats.

Thanks for the link sir. I'll keep it in kind if the blue one falls through

Have a question maybe one of you fine fellers might be able to help with. I have found numerous bimini tops wirh these rinky aluminum frames for sale. I have an all stainless one that came on the big pile of parts boat but will need a new canvas. Could you guys possibly get me a width measurement of where they would mount on the boat (not windshield frame) ?

This one is 87" wide to the widest part

I should be able to measure mine this evening for you.

Thanks tom. Trying to get it all in order so when I get it home next weekend I can take it out.

Finally, I went out to the shed and got the measurement. 78 inches across is what I got.

Hope this helps you.

Well I suppose I will see how it works when I get it home. The cold finally came to visit last night so I doubt I'll get to run it much the rest of this year.

On another note, im bringing my cousins dozer to the house sunday so he can level a 40x50 area in the yard Shipping container #2 will be delivered Monday. That leaves me to place it, move all the junk in container 1 to container 2. Move #1 approximately 34' apart from #2. Place fiberglass barge lids in between. Ghetto rain shelter lol

Cool!

Not cool about the cold... I wasn't thinking it would get this cold this early. I put the bilge heater in last night. Haven't had time to do a real winterization. My whole house has been sick since before Thanksgiving!

Regarding the Bimini.... my top mounts on the windshield as well as the gunwale. This is the factory top that came with the boat in 1989. I'm not sure of why the top mounts to the gunwale.... storage maybe? The support struts do not work in the guneale position.

I'm going to rig up a means of storing the bimini in the bilge. I like taking it with me, but when I'm running hard, I want it put away (it bounces around too much).

I have that problem as well. I want to hve it with me, but don't want it on there all the time either. I'm sure I'll come up with something.

Tom if you get a chance would you mind getting some pictures of how your bimini is mounted and send to me please? It seems google isn't being friendly when trying to find any decent images of how they secure. Nor does Google show many stereo installs... I have plans just would like to see others to compare and get better ideas from.

Red, might try reaching out to MASI242, as I remember he had posted pics in the Formula Pics section with Bimini. I bet he has pics he would share with you as he is a really nice fella and a really clean 1987 242LS.

Thank you glen. I will do that.

Gary thanks, i found this pic when its up, when it is down there are mounting brackets that screw into the side of the gunwale just under the side window and will lay right on the engine hatch[ATTACH=CONFIG]562573[/ATTACH]

Did you buy one? if so congrats

Going to pick it up Friday. It's the blue one I posted from chattanooga. Thanks for the picture. I hope to be part of the 242 crew soon as long as it's what it is supposed to be

Headed out tomorrow evening about 3:45. Hopefully it will be a smooth trip with a decent boat behind me on the way home.

I may run into some rain on the way home. Domt want to be slinging road grime all in the cockpit. Do you guys ever tow with the cockpit enclosure on? Any ill effects from it?

Do you mean the mooring cover? If so it shouldn't be an issue if it's fairly tight and you stay reasonable on the speed. If it's dry you can tape around the front with painters tape too.

If you mean camper enclosure I wouldn't try that.

Yes just the small cover that covers the cockpit and sun deck. That is the only thing this boat has. It doesn't have an enclosure or even a bimini.

I tow mine 65+ all the time with the cockpit cover on. There should be a center a center pole to tighten it up an prevent flapping in the breeze. Just make sure all of the buttons are fastened down to be on the safe side.

Make sure the cabin top hatch is closed tightly. You don't want that thing flying off !!

Thank you sir. I thought they had the poles. I'll try and take her easy on the interstate.

If you are in need of pole/s they sell them at most boat upholstery shops.

Good deal. I am wondering about hydraulic steering for this thing. I have sea star on my outboard rigs but don't know much about these.

Mine is exactly like that.

I couldn't get any pictures because she's covered, and it's a pita trying to get the cover off and back on in the dark.

What's the verdict?! Are you now a 242 owner??