Which boat would you choose?

[Scuba_ref]

Okay think tank, I would like your opinions on the following options (in no particular order). All boats appear to have been well kept and look very clean from the photos. I haven't seen any of them in person:

Option One:
2013 242 Limited S
180 Hours
New Cover
New Tires last year
New Speakers
Includes tubes, ropes, fenders etc
800 Mile drive
$44K

Option Two:
2011 AR 240
140 Hours
Cover
After Market Stereo System with tower speakers and amp
Thru Hull Battery Tender Plug
Gatlin Surf Wedge and Transom Fat Sac
Simrad GPS/Fish Finder
Keel Guard
Includes tubes, ropes, fenders etc
800 Mile drive
$41K

Option Three:
2014 AR240
130 Hours
No Extras
300 Mile Drive
$42K

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

What do you use the boat for?

 

[BigAbe75]

Option 1. I like the tower better than the AR.

 

[FX195]

I would physically look at all 3 if possible, pictures can hide many things..

 

[ACRDSPORT14]

Option 3 for me, after a facetime walk through.

 

[lazergeek]

Dont some of those years fall under years that had timing chain failure issues?

 

[Neutron]

Option 2 seems high for an 11 ar240.
I would do Option 1 for 42k or less

 

[Scuba_ref]

Option 2 seems high for an 11 ar240.
I would do Option 1 for 42k or less

So would I, but apparently they can't be bothered to answer a text.

 

[biffdotorg]

Dont some of those years fall under years that had timing chain failure issues?

Not an issue. As discussed, any 1.8ltr could have a timing chain failure. But the highest concentration (which was still not enough to issue a recall) was 2015. For the right price on a boat, I would not let that deter me. But those listed above did not have a significant number of failures to be a concern.

 

[Ronnie]

@Scuba_ref , I’m not sure where you are located now or how far you are willing to travel but I was surprised to find these boats on Craig’s list this morning. I’m all but sure the $13k ad is a scam but it may be the diamond in the rough / garage find. 2010s had/have an oil cooler leak issue.

 

[TimW451]

So would I, but apparently they can't be bothered to answer a text.

That would take them off my list.

 

[Scuba_ref]

Anyone see anything in this picture that I should be wary of? I know it is tough from a picture. This is a 2011 242 LS with about 160 hours. Going to look at this boat tomorrow.

 

[lazergeek]

That looks like a crack in the starboard valve cover, probably nothing but I would inquire about it.

 

[Ronnie]

Anyone see anything in this picture that I should be wary of? I know it is tough from a picture. This is a 2011 242 LS with about 160 hours. Going to look at this boat tomorrow.

View attachment 205331

The compartment looks good to me. Double check the oil coolers that the oil filters are attached to for missing bolt heads and/or leaks. Replacing a broken bolt with a stronger one is easy and cheap, replacing a warped oil cooler is expensive. Yamaha doesn’t just sell the parts, they sell the entire assembly. $750 each back in 2012.

the plastic engine cover is purely aesthetic, you could tape it from the bottom, leave it as is or remove it entirely and the boat will run the same.

 

[Scuba_ref]

Thanks guys. Not sure what the original oil cooler bolts look like, but I will be taking a close look at those.

 

[Ronnie]

Just make sure they are all there. On the original coolers one bolt had a different head than the rest. They were all the same after 2010. Of you are a bolt without a head, look a lot more closely around the perimeter for a leak between the front cover and the rest of the assembly. No leaks sound alike an easy replacement. Leaks could be a deal killer depending on if you wan to replace the cooler(s), yourself or have a mechanic do it.

 

[TimW451]

Per @Ronnie ‘s post on the oil cooler:

https://jetboaters.net/threads/another-oil-cooler-bolt-sheared.1282/

 

[Scuba_ref]

Just found a 2018 AR 240

What are the common problems to look for on that boat? Oil cooler and timing chain are no longer the issue.

 

[Ronnie]

I read a lot of posts about problems with the connext displays starting in 2016.