2015 AR240 vs 242 Limited S

[Julian]

So what are the expensive upgrades on the LS over the AR that make up the $8,000 dollar difference? @Williamsone46 , @OperationROL @Charles - you guys must have crawled all over these boats....and all chose the LS...so where does the 8K go?

 

[Williamsone46]

I haven't spent a lot off time on the AR but here's my list.

- carpet $500 value
- tower $2,000 value
- lighting $1000 value
- upholstery $1,500 value
- trailer lights $200 value
- stereo $1,000 value
- shower $750 value
- seadeck $300 value
- handles $250 value
- steering wheel $100 value
- dual battery kit $400 value

That's around $8000 in upgrades. An AR240 is $53,5 & a 242 LS is 61,5.

And keep in mind depending on the dealer it might not be an 8k difference.

I choose the LS mainly because of the Color and the Tower.

 

[Julian]

The towers don't appear to be a lot different from the pictures....are they? Is the lighting just the small LED's in the tower or are there other lights (like bow lights)?

 

[OperationROL]

Julian-

The towers are different. The AR tower is nice but the LS tower is nicer yet. The AR tower is 1 7/8 and the LS tower is 2 3/8. The LS tower has a more convenient system to take the tower down - a pin in each leg that only requires a half turn to remove.

The LS has lights In the tower and also docking lights.

 

[JetBoatPilot]

My tower on my AR is similar but the way the tower folds is different. It takes more effort to remove the threaded pin vs the quick release pin on the LS. The lights and speakers in the tower are also an upgrade.

My boat came with Hydro-Turf on the swim deck and the anchor locker and head, but the LS does get the new SeaDek pads.

The LS comes with the forward facing docking lights which my boat does not have.

The LS has a nicer upholstery package but it is not much different other than some extra foam which gives more cushion in a few select places.

The LS does have a shower which my boat does not.

The steering wheel is upgraded on the LS.

My boat has dual batteries so I don't think that is an upgrade on the LS model.

I just measured my tower and the tubing is the same 2 3/8" tubing that the LS has.

Mine has the basic speaker package but the LS has the upgraded Polk Audio speakers. I did however get the Polk Audio remote on the stern.

Mine has LED lights on the trailer just like the LS as well as racheting tie downs and the spare tire.

The LS has a berber carpet and the AR has a more basic carpet.

I also noted that the AR240 also has the lighted rope saver built into the tower. That is cool and I did not expect to get that on the AR.

 

[Williamsone46]

I just measured my tower and the tubing is the same 2 3/8" tubing that the LS has.

The Tower on the AR is both 2 3/8" and 1 7/8". The front bar is 2 3/8" where the rest of the tower is 1 7/8".

 

[skrip345]

I know this thread is old, however I am shopping for a used 15-16 model 24 footer. I had been exclusively looking at the AR240, until I stumbled across a beautiful low hour limited S. The few 2015 AR 240s Ive liked were priced in the 44,000 range, where the limited S is 50k. There is no real difference in hours, condition, or aftermarket ad ons for either machine. Can I get some opinions on why the Limited is worth the extra dough? I would likely upgrade either stock stereo system eventually, and likely put sea deck down in either machine. Thanks!

 

[DaytonGator]

If you don't need the shower, bow lights, or fancy steering wheel, go with the AR and use the difference for the sea deck and custom audio.

It's not specifically mentioned above, but the 242 also has speakers on the swim platform. These would be difficult to add to an AR based on the side cushions.

 

[JetBoatPilot]

@skrip345 basically same boat but more plush upholstery, added lights and fresh water shower, Cushions on swim platform, beefier tower tubing and a few other minor details.

 

[skrip345]

I boat exclusively in fresh water, and so have never thought about a shower. I assume its for ocean use, although I would LOVE to make the Bimini trip at some point.

Are the bow lights just for use at approach to the dock at night? Or can you see underway with them? Is that even legal? Hmmm. Thanks for the replys @DaytonGator and @JetBoatPilot

 

[JetBoatPilot]

Bow lights are for docking only. Illegal underway.

 

[Bill D]

The bow lights are mostly useless. If you turn them on while pulling up to the dock, you can see about 6' in front of you. The shower can be handy, but it is rarely used on my boat. It is nice to have for some clean, fresh water, but boating in fresh water it's not necessary. The cushions on the swim platform are a must in my opinion, but they can be purchased from JetBoatPilot. I was in a similar position as you, looking for an AR when a limited popped up. The features on the Limited are nice, but for the money, they aren't needed.

 

[swatski]

The bow lights are mostly useless. If you turn them on while pulling up to the dock, you can see about 6' in front of you. The shower can be handy, but it is rarely used on my boat. It is nice to have for some clean, fresh water, but boating in fresh water it's not necessary. The cushions on the swim platform are a must in my opinion, but they can be purchased from JetBoatPilot. I was in a similar position as you, looking for an AR when a limited popped up. The features on the Limited are nice, but for the money, they aren't needed.

That's kind of my assessment, too. Regarding the platform cushions, I really like those plush/thick new SeaDek mats that @JetBoatPilot is introducing - I want to see one in person, but it could be the best of both worlds.

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[Mainah]

I was ready to buy an ar on the dealer lot but my wife loved the tower on the ls, loved the available colors on the ls, and loved the exta bolstering. I had to keep her happy.

If it were just me I would have gone with the ar and bought the thick seadek swim pad seat cusion kit from JBP. I already knew I was doing a custom stereo and most will want to so none of that mattered. I also already knew I was doing a complete seadek kit so the carpet upgrade did not matter either.

For 2017 models the removable seadek is a nice touch over carpet but you can just get a complete seadek kit from JBP and I prefer the glue down anyway (pressure wash and done with nothing building up underneath it).

So get the ar and spend 3-5 k on seadek and stereo and you come out ahead IMO.

 

[swatski]

The LS tower is pretty awesome, it does have a feel of something that you would expect to see on a Tige, almost. That is a big plus.

That new Sea-Mat (whatever it's called) snap-on business is not that great, I'm afraid. I looked at it very carefully at a dealer and did not like it at all. I think it will mold underneath if left wet, harder to wash and dry that the carpet, not as nice as SeaDek, and uses very tall snaps. I can see how soem would like it, but I would definitely look at it in person if possible before committing to it.

I would say that SeaDek is kind of hard to beat, you only really hear good things about it, for a reason.

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[Bill D]

@swatski how different is the LS tower from the '16 AR tower? I haven't been on a '16, except for @haknslash's 192, and I thought his tower was similar to all the new ones.

 

[swatski]

@swatski how different is the LS tower from the '16 AR tower? I haven't been on a '16, except for @haknslash's 192, and I thought his tower was similar to all the new ones.

Oh, it's just more substantial. And it is embedded into the hull nicely.
I don't know the load ratings and if it is necessarily stronger, but it does look more plentiful. Kind of like Kim K's butt.

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