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Why did the 242 SS/LS became heavier in 1991?

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Discussion starter · #5 ·
Hi Guys

If you visit Formulas website go to vintage and bruchures you will se this weight difference.
But no explenaition why they change the information
about the weight from 4150 ilbs to 4750 lbs.
If you did not know you can find all the old bruchueres
at the Formula webpage.

My boat is a 1988 Formula 242 SS 454 330 HP :laugh:
 
#6 ·
If you send an e-mail to Formula customer service they will give you the answer.

Formula has without a doubt the best owner support of any manufacturer of any product, not just boats!

They are the best!
 
#7 ·
My bet is , it's a typo.
4150 and 4750 look real close. When someone was updating the brocures for '91 they probably misread the 1 for a 7 and made the '91 weigh 4750 :rolleyes:
Afterall , 600 lbs is A LOT of weight in a 24 foot boat ;)
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Hi Mopower

Could be the case, but the 242 LS was also 4150 and from 91 4650 so I do no think it is a mistake in the printing of the catalog.
But I woul like to know why *S*

Another Question how fast is the 242 SS 454 330 hp, in saltwater?
 
#10 ·
That would be a good question to ask Formula, you can email them directly at support@formulaboats.com. I do believe although look doesn't necessarily change from year to year, structurely additional support might have been added, it could be any number of things as to why the weight changed. They might have even changed procedures as to how they determine the weight of the boat, it's really a question to ask Formula.

I had an uncle who had a 1990 242 SS with a 454 330, ran around 50-55 all day everyday in freshwater. Bought it with bottom paint but later took it all off, but I wouldn't say it made that much of a difference. Saltwater maybe 1-3 mph more probably. Depends on the day and conditions.
 
#11 ·
Monaco20 said:
Hi Mopower

Could be the case, but the 242 LS was also 4150 and from 91 4650 so I do no think it is a mistake in the printing of the catalog.
But I woul like to know why *S*

Another Question how fast is the 242 SS 454 330 hp, in saltwater?
Click to expand...
I checked the dealer book for '90 and they have the 242 LS and SS weight at 4,150. In 1990, they only offered the 242 with 7.4's only. The '88 book lists same weight, but you could get an LS with either a 350 small block, or 7.4 big block packages. If original weight is based on small block/alpha, it would have added a few lbs for the big block/bravo. But, that's only a 200 lb. difference.

Factory rated the 242 with 330HP 7.4 Merc & Bravo 1. turning a 21 Mirage at 52MPH
 
#12 ·
Monaco20 said:
Hi Mopower

Another Question how fast is the 242 SS 454 330 hp, in saltwater?
Click to expand...
One friend has an '88 /330/242 and it averages 53 mph.
Another had a 91 502/415/242 and got a best of 61 mph.
He later added a warmed over HP500 at 535 hp and has seen 69.6 GPS. averages 66/67 an a hot humid summer day. All somewhat salt water and sea level (Chesapeake Bay)
 

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#13 ·
Gotta get way down the Chesapeake Bay to get into what I would call salt water. Anything above the bridge is fresh water. Gotta remember, the Susquehanna River feeds the Chesapeake with fresh water 24 hours a day, keeps things flushed out pretty good!
 
#14 · (Edited)
ghart said:
Gotta get way down the Chesapeake Bay to get into what I would call salt water. Anything above the bridge is fresh water. Gotta remember, the Susquehanna River feeds the Chesapeake with fresh water 24 hours a day, keeps things flushed out pretty good!
Click to expand...
Gil , I can't and won't argue that point. I'll just show you my cylinder head that came off in October. Note the salt deposits around the water passages :eek:
Because of the dry summer we had , I noticed much more salt deposits or spotting on the boat every time I pulled it out near high tide due to the increased salt intrusion :(
 

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#15 ·
Mopower said:
Gil , I can't and won't argue that point. I'll just show you my cylinder head that came off in October. Note the salt deposits around the water passages :eek:
Because of the dry summer we had , I noticed much more salt deposits or spotting on the boat every time I pulled it out near high tide due to the increased salt intrusion :(
Click to expand...
I understand the "dry" summer we had causing a higher salinity factor north of the bridge this year, but that is not the norm.

Two things happened this summer that is not typical of past years, I have barnacles on my pilings, never happened in the past, and we caught more crabs in the crab trap at the end of the pier than we ever did in past years.

So, I guess it is a good and bad thing when the rain doesn't fall like it should!
 
#16 ·
Let us not also forget the salt from the Delaware side via the canal. That's where I picked up most of my salt , launching from Delaware City :( .
 
#17 ·
Mopower said:
Let us not also forget the salt from the Delaware side via the canal. That's where I picked up most of my salt , launching from Delaware City :( .
Click to expand...
How saline is that water? The Delaware Bay has the fresh water coming in from the Delaware River. The greatest difference in the Delaware vs the Chesapeake Bay is the distance to the ocean. Delaware Bay is a short shot to the Atlantic where as the Chesapeake is a long ride from the top to the Atlantic.
 
#19 ·
Mopower said:
Salt line is generally considered the Delaware Memorial Bridge with average rainfall.
Click to expand...
Didn't realize it was that far north. The Chesapeake Bay bridge serves the same mark on the Chesapeake. I just assumed the salinity would be somewhere south of the canal, I stand corrected!
 
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ghart
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