Remember she's not designed for racing, and the faster and rougher it gets, the more your driving ability becomes a factor.

The 502 is no longer in production if you are looking at buying new. The Bulldog would be great, but it would probably cost more than you paid for the boat. Best bang for the buck would be a 496 HO. That would probably get you to 60, or maybe a tad more.

My buddys 1991 242LS with a 502 Mag (pic. in post#34) sees the low 60s with a 23" Mirage , full tank and two people.

You could also go with a procharger IF the engine is in good condition.

R-Don, I owned a 1989 242 SS with a 454 330hp. It originally had bottom paint and I don't ever remember it doing more than 47-48 MPH. I then opted to remove the bottom paint and WOW! What a difference in performance! I now got to 52 MPH easy. It also seemed that the boat handled better to me as well.

One day a bass boat blew past me when I was at WOT and that was it! To the drawing board to figure out the best way to get me over 60 MPH. It seemed like supercharging was the way to go, but I did not trust the bottom end. Also, I would have to upgrade a few things anyway, like exhaust and prop. So, then I considered a 502/502 crate motor from GM (they were available at the time). That would work too, but I figured around $10k-11K in parts (motor was $5500, CMI exhaust, marine carb, cam & ignition as well as new prop etc..) less selling my original stuff, figure $7k-8k. Now, I would be going 60 MPH, but I'd be buried in my boat!

So, I sold it and bought a 1990 292SR1 w/ twin 454 mags and top 70+MPH and I am not buried, have more room and twins! But I did like my 242.

BTW, has there been a 292SR1 thread yet?

Thanks for that Cuda.

Ive had a look at them, interesting claims.

These boats were available with twin 350 Magnums from 1984. Thats a total of 660hp!

24 degree deadrise and 660hp! what was it designed for then?

I understand that the 242 hull is based on the old 233 hull which has won almost every race it has entered.

Remember, Formula created the 24 degree deep vee hull back in 1956, so the 242's pedigree is unquestionable. However, the maximum safe HP for this boat is.