Got it!!

[Patman941]

So after much searching, lots of researching, and sifting through was little inventory is out there, we finally pulled the trigger!

2016 242 Limited S. Has a lovely JL Audio system, Snap-in Marine Matting throughout, tint, and Thurst Vectors already installed! The previous owner took great care of her and she looks brand new still.

My wife and I picked the boat up yesterday and took it out to a quiet lake (without the kids!!!) for her maiden voyage. I’ve never owned a boat and have very little boating experience. The salesman did a fantastic job with me and showed me a lot on a water demo the previous day. So I was definitely nervous trailering, launching, and loading alone. After some practice backing The trailer in the boat ramp parking lot (only a few trucks there) for about 20 minutes, I felt confident going to the ramp. With some help from my wife we did it rather easily....shocked!! Hahahaha.

We slowly cruised out through the no wake zone and then I throttle up! “Hold on” I tell the wife. The engine revs, makes lots of noise, and we go NO WHERE!!!! Hahahaha. WTF! After about 5 minutes of racking my brain, I realize the stinking clean out ports are out! Whoops. Crisis averted. I even made a prelaunch checklist and clean out ports was number 2 on the list!!! At least the drain plug was in!

So we cruised around, anchored, had lunch, listened to some tunes, got a good feel for everything, and let the wife drive, we had a blast!

Loading went surprisingly well and even smoother than launching. All was well and we headed home. Surprised the kids with the boat out front of the house as they had no idea we were buying a boat! Their reaction made it all worth it.

Well as many have said before, I couldn’t have done this without the help from the many members who have answered all my new guy questions and provided great information with the wealth of knowledge everyone on here has. Thank you all so much and looking forward to many great memories with family and friends.

 

[Epsmith19]

Congrats! Beautiful boat!

 

[WiskyDan]

Beautiful boat - love the color - congrats!!

My story is similar. Bought my first boat at the end of last season but it went into storage immediately. The limit of my boat experience was a two hour rental in San Diego a few years ago. It was an older Yamaha but we had fun and the hook was set. I still have a lot to learn but the great folks on this website have helped a lot.

 

[VitaminSea]

Congrats! Really nice looking boat.
Looks like you are in The sunshine state, whereabouts? What lake?

(Did not see a location in your profile).

 

[Patman941]

I live in Bradenton, but we purchased the boat in Clearwater. We took it to Lake Tarpon.

 

[ctyke]

Congrats, sharp boat!

 

[captras]

Congrats.... beautiful boat! A great upgrade for you. If you havnt realized it already.. you will be amazed at the additional room you have with the 24 footer!

 

[Looper7]

Congrats on your new boat. That had to be amazing suprising your kids like that. Enjoy and be safe.

 

[J-RAD]

Best day ever! Congratulations!

 

[Patman941]

Kids faces when they walked outside.....

 

[sunbyrned]

I’m not sure when Yamaha changed over to the screw-in clean out port cover. If yours don’t screw in, you need to get a set of EZLocks. I won’t go out without mine. The covers will come loose and will flood your engine if you’re not aware it happened.

 

[J-RAD]

Boats vs puppies, which one wins the best reaction?

 

[DRAT]

Beautiful boat. I did exactly the same thing with the clean out plugs on the maiden voyage. Took like an hour and a phone call from Jeff at CobraJet for me to figure it out. I was about to give up and trailer the boat!

 

[Julian]

Congrats!!!! Awesome photo of the kids reaction!

 

[jgourlie]

That's a great reaction...and a beauty boat...congrats!

 

[Beachbummer]

At least the drain plug was in!

Close enough!!!!


Enjoy, looks awesome!

 

[Robconn]

I’m not sure when Yamaha changed over to the screw-in clean out port cover. If yours don’t screw in, you need to get a set of EZLocks. I won’t go out without mine. The covers will come loose and will flood your engine if you’re not aware it happened.

I think 2017 was a re-design for the screw in clean out port.

 

[Clovisite23]

View attachment 124173View attachment 124174So after much searching, lots of researching, and sifting through was little inventory is out there, we finally pulled the trigger!

2016 242 Limited S. Has a lovely JL Audio system, Snap-in Marine Matting throughout, tint, and Thurst Vectors already installed! The previous owner took great care of her and she looks brand new still.

My wife and I picked the boat up yesterday and took it out to a quiet lake (without the kids!!!) for her maiden voyage. I’ve never owned a boat and have very little boating experience. The salesman did a fantastic job with me and showed me a lot on a water demo the previous day. So I was definitely nervous trailering, launching, and loading alone. After some practice backing The trailer in the boat ramp parking lot (only a few trucks there) for about 20 minutes, I felt confident going to the ramp. With some help from my wife we did it rather easily....shocked!! Hahahaha.

We slowly cruised out through the no wake zone and then I throttle up! “Hold on” I tell the wife. The engine revs, makes lots of noise, and we go NO WHERE!!!! Hahahaha. WTF! After about 5 minutes of racking my brain, I realize the stinking clean out ports are out! Whoops. Crisis averted. I even made a prelaunch checklist and clean out ports was number 2 on the list!!! At least the drain plug was in!

So we cruised around, anchored, had lunch, listened to some tunes, got a good feel for everything, and let the wife drive, we had a blast!

Loading went surprisingly well and even smoother than launching. All was well and we headed home. Surprised the kids with the boat out front of the house as they had no idea we were buying a boat! Their reaction made it all worth it.

Well as many have said before, I couldn’t have done this without the help from the many members who have answered all my new guy questions and provided great information with the wealth of knowledge everyone on here has. Thank you all so much and looking forward to many great memories with family and friends.

View attachment 124169View attachment 124170View attachment 124171View attachment 124172

 

[Clovisite23]

Congrats, looks awesome!!!

 

[FX195]

Great looking boat with awesome upgrades. Congrats. Plenty to explore out in the Bradenton/Ana Maria area.