Looking at three 2013 SX 242 limited S boats.

[Papa]

I'm looking to buy a newer boat. Presently looking at three 2013 S 242 limited S boats. Any ideas of what I should be looking for? Upgrades, modes, things that need changing that the manufacture did no do correctly. I've gotten a lot of good information for my 2005 SX230 here. Any help, ideas are most welcomed.
Thanks in advance, Papa

 

[Julian]

I'm not aware of anything different between the 2005 you've owned and this model. Check to make sure the plugs come out, check for signs of water damage, test drive them....

 

[Ilmmct]

I moved up from a 2008 SX230 HO, here are some of the notable feature deltas:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gfe1f10t7pkya4w/Yamaha 242 Series.pdf?dl=0

The ones that I find the most valuable vs my SX230:
-Thrust Directional Enhancer for low speed handling
-Cruise Assist / No Wake drive by wire
-Stern layout

Not sure the PDF is all the unique changes but it is decent itemization of the key "new" features.

 

[Papa]

I moved up from a 2008 SX230 HO, here are some of the notable feature deltas:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gfe1f10t7pkya4w/Yamaha 242 Series.pdf?dl=0

The ones that I find the most valuable vs my SX230:
-Thrust Directional Enhancer for low speed handling
-Cruise Assist / No Wake drive by wire
-Stern layout

Not sure the PDF is all the unique changes but it is decent itemization of the key "new" features.

How was the noise level difference? Any quieter?

 

[Ilmmct]

@Papa I remember that during our 1st few outings that both my wife and I thought that the new boat was "much" quieter.

 

[dbrock34]

Turn the stereos up past half way on each one to see if they cut out. I'm not sure if it was a problem on all of the 2013s but I had to ad an amp to keep the stereo from cutting out at half of the max volume. Some said the speakers were wired wrong and some said the head unit didn't put out enough power to push all 8 speakers. With the amp, the stock polk speakers sound pretty good.

 

[RadioWaves]

I went from a 2005 AR230HO to a 2011 AR240, you will love the upgrade. The 24' seems a lot bigger, has a lot more room in the bow, takes rough water with ease and without pounding like the 23', has much more power as well. The only downside for me was that the 24' is much louder than the 23', so much so that at cruising speed you couldn't even hear the stock stereo at full blast. I have purchased sound deadening material but not sure if it will get installed this year, it's time to go boating!

 

[RightStuff]

Is the oil cooler bolt sheering off an issue on this year/model? That's something to look into...

 

[Papa]

Is the oil cooler bolt sheering off an issue on this year/model? That's something to look into...

From what I've read on the site in older posts the oil bolt problem is on the 2010 and early 2011.

 

[captainhook]

I went from a 2005 AR230HO to a 2011 AR240, you will love the upgrade. The 24' seems a lot bigger, has a lot more room in the bow, takes rough water with ease and without pounding like the 23', has much more power as well. The only downside for me was that the 24' is much louder than the 23', so much so that at cruising speed you couldn't even hear the stock stereo at full blast. I have purchased sound deadening material but not sure if it will get installed this year, it's time to go boating!

That's interesting. I think you're the first person I have heard say the 24' boats are louder than the 23'. Honestly that is probably my biggest complaint about my 232 Limited.

 

[veedubtek]

Just curious - something specific you like about a 13' 242LS? Just saying, if I was in the market now and spending that kind of money, there's no way I wouldn't jump up to a '15 model, even if it was an SX/AR model. So many improvements were made.

 

[Papa]

Just curious - something specific you like about a 13' 242LS? Just saying, if I was in the market now and spending that kind of money, there's no way I wouldn't jump up to a '15 model, even if it was an SX/AR model. So many improvements were made.

Money is the main issue. Big price difference between 2013 and 2015. The upgrades in the 2013 and difference in room compared to the 2005 SX230 we currently have are enough for me and my wife. Plus, close to retiring and want to pay off boat before we float off.