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2005 ThunderCraft Thundercraft 240 Magnum Photos
2005 ThunderCraft Thundercraft 240 Magnum Test Details
| Category | Bowrider |
| Length | 23ft 6in / 7.01 m |
| Dealers | Contact ThunderCraft Boats Dealers |
| Buyers Guides | Search For ThunderCraft Boats Buyers Guides |
| Boats For Sale | Search For ThunderCraft Boats For Sale |
2005 ThunderCraft Thundercraft 240 Magnum Description
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When big automobile companies look at their production and marketing plans, they think globally. That means a new Honda, for example, might show up in North America built from a design that's been driving around Europe as an Acura for a couple of years. Or a new Chrysler will come out on a platform developed originally by Mercedes.
Boatbuilders don't talk as openly about that sort of thing, but the big ones often take the same approach, shuffling names and designs to meet boaters' changing wants and needs.
So it shouldn't be a big surprise that the new Thundercraft 240, built by Doral, looks a lot like the Doral 230 that first came onto the boating market several years ago. It's still a great boat, but has been muscled out of Doral's future plans by an upscale lineup of runabouts (watch for those next year). To complete the comparison, Doral is planning to bring out some runabouts that will surely be compared to "Acuras" but still wants boaters to be able to buy "Hondas." That's where Thundercraft comes in.
It's a good use for the Thundercraft brand name - one that still has goodwill with plenty of Canadian boaters over the age of 40. After offering a mix of runabouts and fishing boats under the Thundercraft label for a couple of years, Doral then went back to all-fibreglass fishing boats.For 2005, those fishing boats are gone - replaced by a series of five bowrider runabouts ranging from a 17-foot outboard up to the 23'6" 240 Magnum.
The 240 Magnum is a spacious and speedy bowrider with a U-shaped aft seating area, deep, safe bow compartment, convenient chemical head and wave-taming handling characteristics. It will make a great ocean or big-lake day-cruiser.
Boats & Places tested the 240 Magnum on the Ottawa River, where it easily handled the area's sometimestricky currents and the chop that came along with a summer breeze. At fuelfriendly cruising speeds of 29 mph at 3,000 rpm and 35 mph at 3,500 rpm, the 240 should let you play all day without worrying about refuelling.
With a 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI with multiport fuel injection under the hatch, spinning a 23- inch prop through a Bravo One outdrive, the 240 came up with a top speed of 50 mph. The boat tracked well at all speeds, turning on demand with little loss of speed, with just a little trim.
The boat was very quiet - 83 decibels on the sound meter at 3,000 rpm, up to only 81 db at 3,500 rpm - a feature typically found on all Doral-built boats, whatever name-plate they carry. The 240 Magnum was well-finished, with curvy off-while vinyl upholstery and removable marine carpet (a standard feature) over the full fibreglass liner.
Helm and companion seats are easily adjustable and comfortable as well. The helm comes standard with a black rubberized steering wheel and black instrument cluster insert.The white hull is relatively plain too, but has black and yellow graphics to add some colour.
There's plenty of storage space (under seats and in the starboard console locker) a pumpout chemical head in the port-side console locker and a refreshment centre and sink in the companion dashboard area.Aft, the Ushaped seating area is flexible, with an optional cockpit table and filler cushion that can turn it into a huge sunpad.
Some Honda owners like to add luxury touches to their economical automobiles and some boaters buying the 240 Magnum may take the same approach. So buyers are free to opt for a deluxe woodgrain package that includes a wood steering wheel and some woodgrain details.Many boaters, however, will be happy enough with the Magnum's spacious cockpit, huge storage spaces and reasonable price tag.
2005 ThunderCraft Thundercraft 240 Magnum Test Specifications
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Test boat engine: MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI , 5.7L (350 cid) 300 hp, multipoint fuel-injected, V-8 gasoline sterndrive turning 24" pitch stainlesssteel Mirage prop on a Bravo One drive.
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