New Member / New 2015 242 LS Owner / Vero Beach, FL

[dan_hoog]

Hello,

I have been lurking for a couple years as I contemplated and then planned a boat purchase. I recently purchased a new 2015 242 Limited S. I've only got about 4 hours so far, but enjoying it.

This is my first boat. We rented about five times to get a feel for boating and see if the family liked it, and we did. I liked the convenience of renting, but not getting a different boat each time, having to drive to the marina (we have a lift in the small marina in our community), and the concept of scheduled boating. A prep/cleanup crew is nice thought ;-).

So far, I find the new 242, with its new keel and rudder (aka Articulating Keel), handles as good or better than the boats we rented, at both high and docking speeds. I've never driven other jet boats, so I can compare to earlier years. The rentals were all outboards, 21-24 feet, deck boats or bow riders. There was a smaller key west that handled the best, while a 24 foot deck boat handled like I expected the jet boat to perform -- demonstrating a disoriented mind of its own at lower speeds. I'm sure my lack of skill is a factor, but the deck boat didn't help. I don't have that out of control feeling with the Yamaha -- though still tricky and need to learn.

I've learned a lot from the postings here already and look forward to participating more, as I gain some experience to share.

Best,
Dan

242 LS on my lift

• dan_hoog
• May 11, 2015

 

[Jim Robeson]

Welcome @dan_hoog ... and congrats on that new boat!!

 

[Kevin M]

Welcome and congratulations on the boat, I'm sure you will love it!

 

[Bruce]

Welcome Aboard and very nice choice of boat!

 

[David D]

Welcome -- nice looking boat!

 

[itsdgm]

Welcome and congrats on your new boat. Looks great, glad you're loving it so far.

 

[Edward]

Welcome and congrats. Nice looking boat!

 

[OperationROL]

Yes. Welcome. I look forward to hearing about your journeys in the years to come.

 

[lddv1224]

@dan_hoog Welcome Aboard! Remember No Wake Mode is your friend at idle and slow speeds.

 

[GTBRMC]

@dan_hoog --

Bring your questions here, you will get the answers you need. Enjoy your beautiful new Yamaha!

 

[SCSTWG]

Congrats - great choice of boats.

 

[Zarrella]

Welcome....good luck with your new boat!!

 

[dan_hoog]

Thanks for all the good wishes. So far, it's going great. I've had 5 outings and now it's about time for the 10 hour maintenance. I'll probably take it to the dealer. I'd also like have a secondary bilge pump added, purely for safety -- pulling from the deepest bilge point, as my main drain plug is rarely removed since its on a lift.

I think everything works well, though I usually can't get one or both engines up to 7500 RPMS and only upper 40s in speed. As long is everything is working, it's not an issue. Not sure if its ICW water conditions, passenger loading, throttle cable adjustments, bimini top up (not every time, though), etc. I've looked in the clean out / impeller area and see a little scarring/scratching, but nothing seems to be stuck in there.

Great fun for the family so far and we love it. So far, no injuries and no scratches on the boat... though I'm sure there are scratches yet to come...

Best,
Dan

p.s., This is a really great forum.

 

[2nazt]

@dan_hoog sorry to bring back an old thread, I just joined and live south of you in PSL. Just wondering how you like the boat still and if you ventured out of the ICW yet? I'm on a jet ski now and looking to upgrade just hard to find people in a jet boat down this way. Thanks for any feedback!

Andy

 

[dan_hoog]

@2nazt, I appreciate the question.

We've had the 242LS over 6 months and are still enjoy whenever we can - most weekends. We've had no issues so far. The boat seems exactly like I expected, even as a first boat owner. It's built well for the price level and seems to be holding up to being on the intracoastal all the time (on the water or a lift). I do a complete, but quick, brush down with Woody Wax after each outing. I also flush each engine with west marine's salt-away clone (has PTEN, which I prefer) for 1 minute plus 4 clear water after each outing. I spray the rear jet area with the salt-away like mix and rinse as well. All of the mechanical stuff has stayed quite clean looking. I did have the boat detailed and treated with wax/t-9/etc at time of purchase.

One time I spotted lots of floating weeds on the water and we avoided it. I might have hit a small amount that day and cavitated briefly, but it seemed to pass through without issue. I've had no need to use the clean out ports in 20+ outings, but I'm glad I have them.

I really like the low draft, although be careful to use only low throttle at low speeds without good clearance. The engines are a powerful vacuum, which is no problem with 3+ feet beneath the boat, or at speed. I had a close call where I think I churned a bunch of bottom sand/grit up. When I rented prop boats before buying, I lightly grounded the skeg/prop assembly a couple of times, which is no fun either. The experienced captain who gave me training did it himself once. The ICW area has lots of shallow areas very close to the fully dredged channel.

I've added the latest thrust vectors, but don't feel that much difference in low speed handling. If the articulating keel wasn't already there, I think the TVs would be essential. For my boat, I think it is about the same as single outboards I'd rented in low speed handling. I'm limited by my experience, not the handling of the boat. An experienced boat captain, with no jetboat experience, had no trouble handling the boat...

I still haven't tried the ocean yet. On a good day, in calm conditions, with an experienced co-captain on board, I'll try in the future.

In summary, I still feel good about the purchase. My preferences may shift over time, but they haven't yet. Unless your area has frequent weeds near the surface, I think this is a great all around boat for the ICW.

Happy to discuss by PM or voice if you'd like more color.

All the Best,
Dan

 

[2nazt]

@dan_hoog thank you so much and i will take you up on the offer and PM you in the future with more questions, I'm trying to find time to get to a dealer and see one in person, and get on the boat at some point! very exciting times