1988 242 LS Brought her home
 

Well for anyone following the saga on my hunt for a 242 it has ended. Pulled home a new to me 1988 242 LS with a Mercury factory 383 stroker. New motor was put in, in 2017. Most all the vinyl looks fantastic especially when you consider the age. The backrest of the bench seat needs a bit of work but nothing huge.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...51f5c7f7be.jpg

Trailer is original as well and looks great, just some minor paint work needed.

Some things I need to do I can tell though. The back factory swim platform has some cracks on for sure, nothing structural and still works, but debating on fixing it vs taking it off and putting on an aluminum platform instead so need to figure that out.

Had a spot of dock rash on the port rear side I'll need to repair:
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e8df58e2ac.jpg


Rub rail will need to be replaced as well. Some vinyl in the cabin could use a bit of work but again, just scratches and I'm OCD.

Oddly enough the Bennet trim tabs arent working. Original owner said they wouldn't work without fluid in them. Seemed odd to me, so I'll need to get into those and figure out if the HPU has an actual issue or not.

Few small gel coat repairs as well but nothing major. Got about 30-45 days before I splash it so excited and plenty of cleaning and little stuff to do. Appreciate everyone's help while I was searching, debating etc.

600+ miles in February from Buffalo was certainly interesting. Next boat purchase will be in the fall or spring 🤣. Had to wash it today when I got home, probably saw more salt on that drive than its whole life. Lol. Regardless, thrilled to finally own my first boat.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...61ef39d919.jpg

Congrats dude!

No matter what people say, it’s your boat.
Nothing else matters.

And if I read this right, it’s your first boat.
And a Formula at that.

Well done sir.
Let the games begin!

Congrats, following.

Looks great! I left my silent Thunder platform and drilled out the bottom and gutted it so that I got better sound and less weight and drag but still kept the lines of the boat.

Congrats and good luck

Congrats CW, welcome to the Formula Family! We have owned ours for 3 years and have absolutely love it....it took me 2 other boats before I could get there! You did your homework and found the right one for you, nice job. Now comes the fun!

Awesome CW! Welcome to the family and we look forward to all the pictures! Should see a nice change in performance without the ST hanging off the back. I’m liking that graphics package as well, don’t see many with the Thunderbird logo on the side.

That is a sharp looking color scheme. Can’t say I have ever seen one with that “thunderbird” signature on it. Congratulations on the new boat. Great boat for your first boat.

Dump the transom rotting silent blunder (yes, I’m opinionated).

Congrats on the new boat! Welcome to Formula. Next thing you know, you’ll be dreaming of supercharged big blocks!

If there’s anything you need help with on the old ‘bird, give a shout!

IMO, being a Formula non owner, I think the Silent Thunder makes the back of the boat.

I’d rebuild mine if I had to, to just keep one.

If they’re that heavy (in the wrong part if the boat) , fan up a lighter one

I built the twin OB bracket for my project and it’s less than a 100lbs.

The platform is a couple hundred pounds plus the water that pools in it.

While I do think they compliment the boat some, the risk to the transom is too much unless you’re willing to take it off every couple of years to make sure it’s sealed.

Congrats

Appreciate the kind words everyone! One good thing about "winter" in NC is we get plenty of random warm days to do some work. Supposed to be about 60 this weekend so I'll be going through and pulling everything out and figuring out my to do list and what not.

I agree on the silent thunder looking great for sure, it won't be a this year project but something I'll be debating over this coming season.

The to do list definitely seems like something that will keep me busy for years, kinda looking forward to it . I actually parked it near our patio so this weekend I'll be smoking some ribs and cleaning out the boat, lol. Sounds like a good Saturday to me.

Goal is to run it on the trailer the first week or two of April. In the meantime I have some electrical gremlins to run down. Trim gauge doesn't appear to be working so going to trouble shoot it, hoping I can just swap out the solenoid on the drive. And trouble shoot the trim tab power unit.

Just little stuff to tinker with mostly.

Would have loved a sonic 26 prowler. It the cockpit configuration and budget just didn't work out. Loving digging into the formula history and quality and honestly thrilled that this is where I'm starting my journey into my own powerboat. Seems like it's build like a tank and will handle amazing.

This may be of help to you in your endeavors

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...933c8f838f.png
.
Sorry about the multiple links.

Awesome, thank you!

​​​​​​

Thanks! I had to do a double take myself, I thought it was a wrap. But looks like in 88 it was an option. Hadn't seen a solid color hull like that either, I think they switched again in 89 or 90.

I totally agree, the Silent Thunder is what sets it apart from other boats of that age.

Congrats on the new boat!

I am sure we could debate the ST platform back and forth all day. Owning one, which is now in my basement rec room as a cool shelf, I do like the look, but recently removed mine to find the platform was rotted, exhaust seals were leaking and gel damage to the transom.....thankfully transom not rotted. I have completely refinished the transom and will have the aluminum platform done soon. When I get enough posts I will start a thread with pics of it through the process if any are interested. TomZ is absolutely correct, unless you remove every couple years and check/reseal, it’s just not worth it. It’s more of a liability to me.

I´m also trying to get to 10 posts . My boat has exhaust through the transom and looking at pictures it seems that it has relievs in the platform for the exhaust, it looked factory to me but, these threads on here make me realize that it must be modified. When i get it out of winter storage i need to do some investigation.

Also looking forward to see interior pictures of ChalieWhiskeys new ride!

73 outside today but working. Should be in the high 50's low 60's this weekend so I'll be playing around with it and will get some more pictures for sure. Still get nights in the 20's so not ready for the season yet, but I'll take the warm days to do some work for sure.

Figured I'd add some pictures since I had some time to get out and open it up. Pulled out all the gear from the previous owner so I can sort through and organize.

Trim tabs working fine now zero issue. Trim indicator working but seems a bit off... Might pull it apart and clean or service it.

Need to chase a few electrical gremlins with the stereo and horn but overall seems great!

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...fc0b930d5d.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0b3e828823.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f3365538fb.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e4ba4447fb.jpg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a4832c500f.jpg

Plenty of elbow grease and polishing ahead in my future, lucky the boat isn't far from the patio where I can keep the smoker going and work on the boat at the same time 😂.

Looks nice CW. On the pic straight on from the front I see a cap and vent just on the starboard side of boat. My 89’ doesn’t have that. Is that for a pump out head? Or fresh water fill for sink? My porta Potts just pulls out to empty and I never looked to see if I had the freshwater tank for my little sink. I am assuming your fuel cap/vent is back just in front of engine on starboard side where mine is. I was just wondering when I saw it.

Mine has it for the pump out head.

Yessir, it's labeled waste so assuming for the pump out head.

Gotcha, makes sense. I guess I’ll have to keep emptying mine by hand!

Congratulations on your new boat. Formulas are great boats. I had a 242 for 3 years and upgraded to a 311 this past season. You won’t regret it. They handle great and are great rough water boats. Enjoy it!!!

You actually use it?

Oh ya, My wife won’t touch the water until at least 75 degrees....that doesn’t happen much in Lake Michigan, so yes, I keep it emptied for her.

Gary do you even have one on the boat? For the you ladies, my wife won't go in the water until its warm enough so yes to the porta poti.

Congrats on your new bird, you'll love it.

Have one never used, that is what marinas and water are for. How is everything going Mark.

A porta potti was one of my best purchases for our cuddy cabins.

Its small and basic and not everyone gets it but:

If you spend the day on the boat, away from dock, and as noted, it’s not warm enough to swim, she will love it!

Depends on us too.
If we pitch it like it’s a joke, or embarrassing, she’ll make you take her to dock!

We spend a lot of nights on the hook which makes one mandatory.

Even when at dock/marina, if it’s after we’ve turned in, she uses the one in the cabin so she doesn’t have to get dressed and walk to the marina restrooms.

Theyre a pc of cake to maintain/empty.
Dump 1/2 a bottle of chemicals in and they leave zero odor in the cabin.

I left our last one in that boat and made a joke of buying her a new one for her b.day !


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5866230ab.jpeg

Are the seats supposed to swivel? Mine doesent and i have tried to figure that out.

The boat looks to be in good condition!

Never used one but I can vouch for the cleanliness…..
My Donzi came from the U.S. to Thailand sideways in a shipping container. The Broker did not empty the porta potti. I actually told him to throw it away but he left it sitting in place sideways for 3 months shipping time. When she emerged from the container, amazingly, there was zero leakage and zero smell when I emptied it.

My biggest issue now would be trying to get through the night without waking up for a pee at least once! For you younger guys, it’s an age thing, just you wait…… Also, drinks on a boat in the evening fill the bladder quickly ….🙂

RR

Yep.

We spend most of our time on Lake Erie and it’s weather changes by the hr.

The head keeps you out of the rain.

And yeah, we end most days having cocktails on the dock behind the boats or in the local establishments…., or both!

So I use it too.

I want one for emergencies but hoping to never have to use it. But i cant find one that fits the awkward space in the 242 LS

They do. There's a knob on the starboard side of each seat that you turn to tighten or loosen. When it's loose.you can swivel the seat around.

It's definitely in good shape overall. The more you dig into it and more anal you are though the more little things you notice. Coming from detailing cars to take to car shows, I still have a lot of work ahead. I'm going taking plenty of pictures now for the before images, lol.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...17d27310c9.jpg
decals for example need to be redone, taking them all off now so I can buff and polish. Gas cap needs to be replaced, black pinstripe doesn't look great at the edges etc.... All simple little stuff really. But considering it's all 32 years old, I'll live with the work for what I paid.

Oh yes, the infamous Thetford 775 MSD that isn’t available any more. I like the way Formula made the area around it so easy to contain and clean if any spills, but it should have fit a little more standard size porta potti. I still have mine and if any others still have them, they may be valuable.

Lol I got that and the water tank for it which is apparently a tough to find item.

I dont think i have that knob. This forum is making me wanna get my boat from winterstorage and start working on it so bad.
I also have a car that im cleaning the engine and suspension with brushes lol, but the boat is so much work to keep clean especially since it is in the water or in storage most of the time :( I also think most of the boats i see on here is in better shape than mine, but as you say, they are 30+ years.