Hey folks. I'm new to this forum and come with some 242 ls questions. I live just outside of Mobile Al. I've been around boats my whole life. I have a few river rat boats but have never had the chance to own a formula until now. I plan to make the trip to Miami on Nov 25th to look at/purchase this 85 242 ls. The price seems fair to me, and it is almost exactly what I want. Only lacking the color scheme.

I reckon the first and most important question is do any of you guys know this boat?

Second, what should I be looking for specifically? I realize it's a 31 year old boat and won't be flawless but it seems to be in great shape for its age.

Third, I've done a little research on risers and as far as I know thesee haven't been replaced recently. The boat lived most of its life until just a few years ago in Michigan then went to Florida and it gets stored at a marina out of the salt water. Does anyone make a nice set of stainless risers that won't need to be replaced as frequently when these things are used in salt water?

Here are the pictures I have received from the owner. Like I said it looks good to me other than a few minor flaws.

I have not seen a formula of that age that either has a new transom or needs a new transom. Check everything good. The 2 yrs my boat was in the salt destroyed the transom assembly.

Thanks for the advice. I'll be sure to check the transom carefully.

Transom, stringer, forward bulkhead. If you are not sure get a survey.

The current owner said it is all original and solid. No signs of rot. I suppose I will see when I get there. Any tips on how to check the stringers and forward bulkbead?

A moisture meter can give you some clues, but ultimately, you really need a core sample to be sure. I don't think the seller is going to thrilled about that putting holes in his boat!

Knock around on the transom looking for different sounds. If the sounds are not consistent, then there are probably some voids.

On the forward bulkhead (just aft of the fuel tank) see if you can press in the fiberglass (typical rot casualty because Formula only glassed the outside portion of the bulkhead).

Stringers, I'm not sure of how Formula attached the engines in the twin engine boat of that era, but the '87-up versions used engine plates thru-bolted to the stringer. If the stringers are bad, the mounts will tilt inward. There are outer stringers/battery boxes also and these also rot due to having things screwed into them without sealant (or the sealant failed after x-many years). Check for soft spots.

She looks like a nice boat, but be ready for some work. It's not impossible for it to be rot-free, but it's highly doubtful.

Keep us informed!

Ask the seller if he would share the cost of a survey...

Thanks for the info. Basically it's just like checking any boat for weak wood. Just much larger... from the pictures it seems to be well cared for. Guess we will all know next friday after the 12hr trip to check it out.

It doesn't have a trailer. I have a trailer just don't know what set up I want to go about using for the bow stop. Any suggestions on what would be a good set up?

What is he asking for the boat without a trailer? Does he say what the boat runs? Should be 64-65 I would think.

Regarding the risers, they look like 3 inch, where 4 inch is the standard now. Are the engines original? There are many options for manifolds-risers from original mercruiser, to oem replacements (GLM, Sierra, others) to aftermarket (stainless marine, emi etc. etc.)