That is one great looking 86'SS but the original hull was an 84' 242 Sport Fisherman. They both had similar cabins and cockpits. SS had more seats, SF had fish wells and outriggers, etc. The LS had a smaller cockpit and larger cabin below deck.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

The original 242 SF was used for SS. http://s889.photobucket.com/user/Rde...tml?sort=3&o=5http://s889.photobucket.com/user/Rde...tml?sort=3&o=4http://s889.photobucket.com/user/Rde...tml?sort=3&o=3http://s889.photobucket.com/user/Rde...tml?sort=3&o=2http://s889.photobucket.com/user/Rde...tml?sort=3&o=1http://s889.photobucket.com/user/Rde...tml?sort=3&o=0

going to look at another 242 this weekend. The guy said the "gasket" that seals the swim platform to the boat has peeled away in a couple spots. is this anything to worry about. Does water getting in there hurt anything?

Water is in there anyway from exhaust. the 2 doughnut gaskets are the ones you need to worry about. they seal the exhaust fumes through the platform. if the seal is real bad it can cause the wood in platform to rot