Formula 242 vs 252
 

I'm looking at either the Formula 242 or 252 with either the 454MAG or 7.4MPI respectively. Are these built on the same hull? What type of performance differences should I expect?

There is one 1989 242SS with a 540 cubic in 600 hp motor. Can the boat handle it?

Thanks

Size does matter. :-) I've never had a 252, but bigger is always better (in the ocean anyway).

I had a 252 and loved it. Very solid boat.

I saw one at a poker run with an 850 in it, and that thing would fly, almost literally. It was over powered and looked pretty squirrely when running flat out.

Can't argue that. The 252 replaced the 242 and you can never tell what they include in boat length designation. One year it includes the swimplatform the next is doesn't. Im more interested if the basic hull design changed.

Thanks for the reply. How was your 252 powered and propped? What kind of cruise speed / rpm and wot were you seeing?

you want the 242, its actually bigger, it does not include the platform, tip to tip it measures 26.02 or close to that, its layed out better, more resale it will always be a desired model, where the 252 is not, and the in my opinion the 252 was made cheaplly in areas, if your gonna compare anything compare a early model 271 to the 242, I've had both there very similar 242 has things i wish my 271 did and my 271 has things i wish the 242 had. a 242 with a 365hp runs 58/59

Many thanks. I was wondering why the older 242, in many cases, was as expensive as the newer 252. That explains it. The only down side to the 242 I am looking at is it is the SS model. So no bolster seat on the port side. But I guess that is a straightforward retrofit.
Thanks again
Gene

look for a 87~91 242ls they come up now and then there is one on BT up in wisconsin palm beach colors, where are you located?

I'm in Gainesville, GA

bolsters

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...LA-LS-97149950


no bolsters but very sharp!!

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...42-LS-98194157

Picture perfect.
Here's the one 242 in my area. The passenger seat is the old back to back. I'm setting up for a sea trial in the next week.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/boa/2268421129.html

nice boat but thats awefully high for a ss

Cruise? What's that?? lol It had the 7.4 mpi, and ran a solid 58. The only problem with the motor is you can't easily kick it up. Do a search here and you will see that by the time you spend enough money to bump it up, you are better off starting over with new power.

I did put Stainless Marine exhaust on, which helped the mid range, and with a little computer work you can probably get 60, but that's about it without big changes.

I had the Bravo 3, which handled nice, especially around the docks.

It was a fun boat, no rattles, no shakes and the guy who bought it loves it.

I don't think you would be disappointing with any Formula unless speed is your main goal. They are great boats and have a very loyal following, but they aren't the fastest boats out there.

What are the other differences between the ss and ls? The 1989 brochure I found does not point out much except the seating.

[YOUTUBE]youtube.com/watch?v=E8NKfeSDluM[/YOUTUBE]

All these prices seem high but youpay for what you get, I am not sure if the hull is 22* or 24* the ss is set up a little diffrent in the cockpit

I`d sell mine for that price IF I could

cockpit and cabin are differant,