242 LS on LOTO?
 

FWIW a 242 actually measures just over 26'.

you'll be fine, I run around in a 24' Challenger which is a much lighter boat and I do just fine. Now you probably wont be able to run WOT all the time but if you drive responsibly and don't get in a hurry you should be able to go anywhere anytime.

You will be surprised how much a Formula 242 will handle comfortably. I don't think you will be running away from water conditions. Good choice these are heavy boats compared to the other makes of that vintage and it has a 24 deg. bottom.
As a side note that bottom was originally designed for off shore racing conditions

You can do it at LOTO in a 242, as that is a serious boat comparable to today's 27 footers. But, you'll still need to drive it with better skills than someone in a 40 footer, but you'll be pleasantly surprised at how well it rides in the LOTO washing machine water for its size.

FYI, in addition to the 242LS, they also made a 242SR1. Don't limit yourself to just the LS when you are looking.

Side note: Formula tried to discontinue the 242 for two years before their dealers allowed them. It might have been the most popular model Formula ever made, according to the tour guide at the factory.

But wait, they also made it in a 3rd model the 242 SS. If you have a family and want a larger cockpit take a look at this model also. Just an FYI
Great choice the 242 as you don't need a monster truck to pull.

My first boat was a 1989 Formula 242ls, and we spent most summers at LOTO. Its not the fastest, but handles the water amazingly well for its size. Cuts through great and doesn't beat you to hell at all, and we were out every holiday and shootout weekend too. I think you will be very pleased with it, good luck on your search, and btw when you find one, don't waste your time with a 3 blade on that hull, bravo 1 4- blade is what they ride best with to get their big heavy assess out of the water.

This was my old one. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...188a7aac4.jpeg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3dd0a42997.jpg

You`ll love the 242LS great little boat.

I was in ft walton a few months back. Took a guy that came in a 28 donzi with twins for a ride in my 242. He was amazed at the ride difference. I love the 242.

And this was my boat before gm owned it. Like he said, he performed surprisingly well at LOTO.

Can you say which brand and size you had as a 4-blade? My 1991 242LS has a 7.4 and now a 3-blade vengeance 19 prop but makes 5000rpm and 52mph Thanks it would be a lot of help.
Greetings from Belgium ;-)

Mercury revolution is my preferred prop for the 242. If you are getting 5k out of a 19 I'd try a 19 revolution. May lose a few rpm and end up needing a 17 or have one worked to an 18. Wont know until you try it.

Good info on props, thanks

I pick up an old tread but I take a 4 blade revolution, now I do 5000 rpm with 3 blade 19 so take 4 blade 19?
My friend told me to put a Mirage plus 21 because he also had good results with that so yes a difficult choice then?
The props cost an awful lot here in europe, you easily pay 800€ and you can't test them. you buy one and the size isn't right you have bad luck ....

Not having the ability to try them out before purchase does make this a gamble. I have ran quite a few props on my 242. The revolution is by far the best for what I like. Handles great, bites hard and holds it. I would hate to see you spend that amount of money on a prop and be disappointed. I dont believe your engine would turn a 21 to peak rpm. If you are 5000 rpm with a 19 vengeance, I would try a 19 revolution before I tried a 21 mirage. The mirage is a faster prop on the top end, but the low end and cruise (in my experience) was better with the revolution. Pitching up from 19 to 21 I would expect you'll loose roughly 400 rpm at wide open throttle.

My Rev 4 also holds the bow muck better (less bow porpoise) and much less prop steer thrust on the steering wheel, it tries to track straighter than with the Bravo or Mirage props.
And I know a guy that just gave a like new 19 Rev 4 away.

Here in Belgium the props are really expensive compared to USA.
Now he has a max speed of 48mph and my son would like to go faster, 400 rpm lower at full throttle is 4600rpm than I have just the max rpm for this engine.
Here in the Netherlands is some guy one for sale ut is a revolution 20...

He is at his target rpm with a 19p 3 blade. Wouldn’t he need to try a Revolution 17p to still make 5000 rpm? Is there any such thing? I believe the Bravo 4 blades start at 22p.

The 7.4 litre bravo 1 can do a maximum of 4600rpm,
I was told. It now does 5000-5200rpm

Regular 330hp black engine? I have always been told 5200 max rpm.

4600 is the max RPM for a 310/330. I believe the 21P Mirage was the original prop for that set-up.