Re: The complete 242 thread
 

Well since this is the "complete 242 thread" I better post as well.

I bought my 242LS last year with input from the cast of characters in this forum. Great boat. I bought it as a starter boat to see if my wife and I would like a go fast boat. The boat is running a 454 magnum and 22 pitch bravo 1 prop. I see 55mph trimmed out at 4800rpms. Before I was running a 23 pitch mirage I and had the same speed at 5300 rpms (too many!).

I'm thinking about either hotrodding the 454 in the boat now and waiting to go bigger or selling and buying something like a 1989 311 SR1 with twin 454s (or 502s!).

Right now the 242LS is stored in a "boatel." I really like the indoor storage and forklift service. If I go bigger that either means renting a lift or buying a truck to trailer the boat around. I'd like to stay under 50K for my next Formula. I'd rather not take a huge depreciation hit three years down the road. If I sell the 242LS I think I'd only loose about $4K which isn't too bad. On your big new boats, well you can take a much bigger depreciation hit! Decisions, decisions.

Back to the 242LS. Like I said, great boat. Problem is that when the bay starts kicking up waves I can't run more than 35mph before the passengers demand that I SLOW DOWN.

Here is gratuitous pic for this thread. Spring is almost here, tell hell with the groundhog!

Re: The complete 242 thread
 

Great looking Rig Chuck.

Re: The complete 242 thread
 

Very nice looking ride.

Re: The complete 242 thread
 

Chuck, nice looking boat! For a minute, I thought I was looking at my old 242! :rolleyes: :cool: :p Mine was an 89 SS though. It's an easy boat to trailer.

Re: The complete 242 thread
 

I found an old artilce on the 242 in the 1989 MOTORBOAT magazine while I was cleaning up @ the house. Pretty good article... ENJOY!

http://weather.sourcerx.com/pics/1.jpg

http://weather.sourcerx.com/pics/2.jpg

http://weather.sourcerx.com/pics/3.jpg

Re: The complete 242 thread
 

Great article, thanks for posting. I always wondered what the 89 models sold for new. With taxes and options close to $60K. That's a lot of dough, especially in 1989 dollars. Back in 1989 I don't think there were any 5% boat loans either.

The boat in the article looks like my 242LS, but the the original owner must have kept the young lady in the pictures for himself, as my boat didn't come with that accessory!

Interesting that the boat hit 60mph @ 4900 with a 21 pitch mirage prop. Maybe that was before GPSs were around to tell the truth.

Re: The complete 242 thread
 

I have the original sales slip to my old 85 242 here somewhere. I think it sold for $48k, and it had twins. My 302 listed for $148k, which was a helluva lot of 1986 dollars. I guess that's why it never sold. It was never titled until 2001.

Re: The complete 242 thread
 

Thanks Kjo43,

Great Article, cant wait for spring now.

Re: The complete 242 thread
 

KJ, thanks for posting the info these are great boats, It just goes to show the quality that Formula put into all their boats. Now 15 or more years later these boats still get a very nice price.

Re: The complete 242 thread
 

After reading various threads in the 242 section I thought I would give you a few test numbers acquired over the last two years with my 86 twin 242LS. Bought the boat with reworked 355's making 350HP each. The drives were alphas which rotated in the same clockwise direction. This setup would scoot right up to 65 mph on the GPS. From here the tabs had to be lowered and drive angle adjusted to get the boat to 69 and some change. The boat was very light at top speed. The props were old 25 pitch mirages. Next season the tired alphas were replaced with counter rotating Bravos. These drives just launch the boat out of the hole. Top speed was 70mph on glass smooth water. The cable steering was just too sloppy to push the boat any further. Bigger tabs and hydraulic steering are going on this winter to stabilize the top end speeds. This boat is extremely stable for it's size. The boat is run on the Bay of Green Bay.