The pic is much appreciated. Now I see what we need to do. Thanks!

Hey Noles1
I'm about to remove the Silent Thunder on my 89 242 SS. The platform you made is sweet. You have any drawings/dimensions/ details you'd be willing to share? Did you notice any improvements in performance or handling with less weight on the back? And just curious, what's your top end with the 502? I'm trying to decide whether to just find a newer faster Formula or upgrade my 330HP 7.4
Thanks

Hey C Dub, thanks for reaching out and the compliment on the platform. It was really a fun project and the transom needed it as you can see. I wanted something different and not the standard aluminum platform you see on a lot of the other boats.

I will see if I can dig up some of the info for the platform. I had a friend at a local shop help out with design and sizing, I will contact him on Monday and see what he may have yet.

With the platform gone, the transom is much easier to clean/keep clean, looks much better, and sounds better, but it is significantly louder (which I like). Other than that, I haven’t noticed any significant change in handling or performance.

I run a 24 pitch bravo one and get a consistent 60mph gps. The best was 61.5 mph gps, but I was pretty low on fuel getting back to the ramp with a slight chop. If I can get some air under the hull, I can get her to move, otherwise it feels like a sled.

Will let you know what I find on the platform, I may just have to get you measurements off mine….

Sounds good. Thank you! I do have access to a plasma table, bender, and stuff. Anything you may have is better than starting from scratch. I'll post some pics too once I get enough posts.

Boat looks amazing, gel, tips, and swim deck. It also looks very expensive. In the end was it worth it to you? I only ask because my swim deck is in the same condition as yours was. But i do enjoy the boat being rather quiet. I listen and hear the stereo and can hear my kids while running 3500rpms. I spent money to get some speed out of the ole 242. But mine is in need of a facelift. Mike

Mod v sleek,

Thanks for the compliments on the boat/platform. Was it worth it? Absolutely, 100%. If I didn’t remove and fix gel on transom, it would have been well on its way to rotting out. With the design of the bolted on silent thunder platform, once the exhaust seals crack and start leaking, or the platform itself rots at the transom like mine did, hot exhaust constantly is forced between the platform and transom causing gel coat cracking and eventually rotting. It was expensive about 10k with everything……that was in 2022, but I needed to fix transom anyway and I love the updated look.

As far as loud. I ran it with a decibel meter at idle. At the stern about 5’ away from each side of boat it is about 93-95 decibels. 5’ behind boat at idle is about 97-99 decibels. I have IMCO power flow exhaust with corsa tips. You can get muffler tips if you want to quite yours down.

Found the Transom is rotten on the port side and into the rear of the stringer.
i felt the boat steering seamed off last summer. I have a big Stelling standoff box with external steering. imco SC, and 380k planes. I think im going to part it out. A little stunned and don't wanna pour a ton of money into it.
On the flip side your boat looked great all done. A little late for mine.

Finally got around to pulling my ST Platform. It did not want to come off! I had to cut the upper u bolts and hammer wedges in to seperate it from the hull.

What ever adhesive Formula used bonded the fiberglass well. Ended up peeling the outer layer off the hull and platform.

No damage from water on transom as the gaskets were in good shape. Some soft spots at lower U-Bolts and Exhaust openings. Now contemplating a new transom...Only had a couple soft spots when I had stringers done a few years ago. I'd like to get rid of underwater lights, clean up some bilge wiring, add Hyd steering, and some 280 tabs now its all apart, but I know how **** snowballs :/

Engine out. Planning to add new heads, roller cam/ rockers, exhaust, intake, & carb. Shooting for 450-500 HP. Should get me to low 60's 🤞Best top speed with current 330 HP is low 50's. Maybe wait to do transom and steering down the road. At least the trolley and Harbor Freight hoist I installed worked great 👍