Yamaha 242 Limited S E-Series (2019-)

Brief Summary

Yamaha has unveiled its all-new flagship 242 Limited S E-Series jetboat that has stepped up its game in both performance and luxury appointments. Equipped with a forward swept tower and Bimini, this boat is ready for an active family or watersports enthusiasts of every kind. It also embraces the highest level of advanced technology that Yamaha has ever brought to market, including Yamaha’s Connext control system, throttle by wire and the first ever push-button engine starting — just to name a few.

Key Features

• Available in Maple Red or Black
• Seating capacity of 12 persons
• Premium teak–style marine-grade carpet
• Bow filler inserts for multiple seating configurations
• Adjustable Captain's chair with flip-up bolster
• Portside entertainment area
• Integrated removable cooler
• Dinette table mount
• Articulating Keel system
• Bimini top

Specifications

Length Overall	24' / 7.32 m
Beam	8' 5'' 2.57 m
Dry Weight	3,860 lbs. 1,751 kg
Draft	17.6'' 0.45 m
Deadrise/Transom	20-deg.
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	8' 2'' 2.49 m
Weight Capacity	2698 lbs. 1,224 kg
Person Capacity	12
Fuel Capacity	50 gal. 189 L
Water Capacity	N/A
Length on Trailer	306'' 7.77 m
Height on Trailer	127'' 3.23 m
Trailer Weight	5,210 lbs. 2,363 kg

Engine Options

Tested Engine	Currently no test numbers
Std. Power	2 x 1812cc 1.8L High Output Yamaha Marine Engine
Opt. Power	Not Available

Captain's Report Learn More
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Overview

Yamaha has unveiled its all-new flagship 242 Limited S E-Series jetboat that has stepped up its game in both performance and luxury appointments. Equipped with a forward swept tower and Bimini, this boat is ready for an active family or watersports enthusiasts of every kind. It also embraces the highest level of advanced technology that Yamaha has ever brought to market, including Yamaha’s Connext control system, throttle by wire and the first ever push-button engine starting — just to name a few.

Features Inspection

Luxury Seating

Up to 12 guests can sit in luxurious comfort in the interior of the 242 Limited S E-Series. We quickly noticed the custom-matched colors of the marine vinyl upholstery, along with flawless stitching and the use of various foam densities, creating a good looking, higher level of comfort for thrilling days on the water.

The captain’s helm seat

is adjustable for different heights and comes with a flip-up bolster allowing an elevated viewing platform. The companion’s seat has no bolster but rotates to allow 360-degree viewing, particularly aft to observe watersport riders that are being towed. The wraparound seating towards the stern has nearby self-draining chrome cup holders and speakers, and is comfortable for up to four adults.

In the forward cockpit

, the bow seating can be configured in various ways to seat from two to six people. Two side seats that stretch only part of the way to the bow will accommodate two passengers facing the centerline, and two passengers facing forward. Guests can stretch their legs when the side seats become chaise-style lounges with removable forward cushions in place where forward facing passengers sat before.
Six persons can sit facing the centerline when the removable forward cushions are in place. Put the sundeck filler cushions in place and one to two sun worshippers can lay out in comfort. Or use the forward sundeck cushion to create another seatback in the walkthrough to the cockpit.

Amenities

Those who enjoy a full day on the water will appreciate the changing room/head compartment that has been integrated into this model’s port console. It has a wide door opening, an upholstered interior, and a light.
In the bow, there’s also a stainless steel telescoping beach boarding ladder in a locker that also holds a dedicated anchor holder and rope locker. SeaDek slip-resistant decking is found on the step leading up to, and the top of, the locker hatch. Six pop-up stainless steel cleats give a complete selection of mooring points at the dock, and there are flush-mount docking lights to ease docking in low light.

Carpeting is premium marine-grade, with a teak-planked pattern. There’s a dedicated cockpit drainage system to keep things dry. A portable pedestal table can be installed either in the main cockpit, or by the stern platform for a unique dining experience.

The Stern

When the boat is at rest, seating on the swim platform becomes another social option, with two upholstered seats and seatbacks featured, as well as waterproof controls for the stereo. There’s wet storage behind the backrests, plus a shower spray handle to starboard.
SeaDek slip-resistant surfaces provide traction and make the swim platform perfect for climbing into water toys, fitting feet into wakeboards or skis, or simply leaping into the water.

A pedestal table can be moved to either mid-cockpit, or by the stern swim platform to create an unexpected on-water spot to eat or have a drink.

New Control Technology

There is more to giving a great pull to the rider than simply holding a straight line. At the helm, the second-generation Connext system and the Yamaha Drive Control system are innovations that make the 242 Limited S E-Series user- and rider-friendly. The Connext system constantly monitors and gives real-time updates on critical functions such as water depth, fuel reserves, RPM, compass heading, speed and more on a real-time display. Here, too, the driver can select one of three “No Wake” settings for controlled speed zones.

The Drive Control

system allows accurate GPS monitored speeds and stored up to five profiles of speed preferences for riders down to one-tenth of a mile per hour. Once it is saved, the driver need only select that profile, advance the throttles, and the system will accurately and smoothly produce performance dictated by the profile.
Scrolling down, the driver can gain information on other elements such as maximum speed attained, fuel consumption rates, average mph, distance traveled and engine temperature, among other things. In float mode, it will sound an alert if water depth or battery charge becomes a concern.
And when it comes to audio entertainment, virtually nothing has been overlooked. The Connext system connects to terrestrial and satellite radio, Bluetooth and USB connections, letting the crew precisely pick their entertainment on the water. The Polk Marine premium sound system drives eight speakers found throughout the boat, meaning sound is definitely not an issue.

Forward-Swept Tower

The fold-down forward-swept tower is both visually pleasing as well as it is functional. Height on the water with the tower up is 8’2” (2.49 m). The Bimini top is massive, one of the biggest we’ve ever experienced in the 24’ (7.32 m) boat market. And there is a towline point beneath the Bimini, not on top of it, making attachment and detachment an easy process.
Two solar panels are atop the tower to provide constant trickle charging to the batteries. And the tower itself has speakers and LED lights integrated into the structure.
The tower and massive Bimini provide plenty of main cockpit shade. The hinged tower also can be folded down for storage or navigating low clearances.

Bimini

Solar Panels

Twin Engines

The Yamaha 242 Limited S E-Series gets her power from twin 1.8L (1812cc) High Output 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, Yamaha Marine engines with three-blade stainless steel impellers and 155 mm high-pressure pumps. Each engine has a 1.4-gallon (5.30 L) oil capacity, and the boat has a 50-gallon (189 L) fuel capacity. There are pump clean-out ports for each engine.
The engines are controlled with a twin binnacle throttle assembly and fly-by-wire technology. The all-new twin binnacle throttle control is designed with automatic rpm sync, keeping the dual engines operating at precisely matched power output for smooth acceleration and crisp performance. And its polished chrome finish complements the other interior accenting.
Yamaha’s Quiet Cruise sound mitigation construction significantly reduces engine noise and vibration, making for a smoother, more comfortable ride for those fun-filled days on the water.

Integrated Keel

We found that the 242 Limited S E-Series handled beautifully, and tracked straight and true, in our tests. This is in large part due to the rack and pinion steering, as well as the company’s patented Articulating Keel.
Acting as an extension of the keel, this trailing component moves in precise relation to the steered direction of the jet pumps, and the response to the input at the steering wheel is immediate and predictable.
Straight-line tracking is outstanding, and stability in high speed cornering is predictably good. When combined with Yamaha’s Advanced Responsive Handling technology, the drive system compares favorably with any sterndrive we have tested.

Ample Storage

With seating for 12, Yamaha found clever ways to include more than 800 gallons (3,028 kg) of storage space throughout the boat. She even has a removable cooler integrated into one of the under-seat storage wells to keep beverages cold for a full day on the water
The in-floor ski storage locker offers an amazing amount of storage space. With a width and depth of 20” x 20” (.51 m x .51 m) and a length of 8’ (.20 m), there is plenty of room to keep all of the day’s watersports gear out of the way until the rider needs them.

Color Options/Graphics

Price

Yamaha’s suggested retail price for its new flagship tower jet boat with a wide range of technological features is $65,999. The boat comes standard equipped with virtually everything an owner will need, including a painted tandem-axle trailer. Of the two options we could detect, only the galvanized tandem-axle trailer and wakeboard racks cost extra.

Observations

It is obvious to us that Yamaha listened carefully to its customers when it created the 242 Limited S E-Series, giving them more of everything —comfortable seating, abundant storage, next-generation technology— they wanted to enjoy long exhilarating days on the water.
With three distinct seating areas and a seating capacity for 12 persons, a head compartment/changing room, a Bimini to help minimize exposure, and twin high-output Yamaha Marine engines, the builder has broadened the appeal of jet boats for the on-water thrill seeking crowd.