1989 311 What's it worth
 

89 311 with 454's one has 125 hrs. and the other has 8 hrs. It looks to be in real nice shape from the pics, I haven't seen it in person. Anything to look for in the 311's? What kind of top speed would you expect? What should this boat sell for with a trailer? :chimp:

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

is it the one over Albany way?

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

I know of an 89 311 that is in excellent shape with 502 EFI's and bravos, one motor about 425 hrs, the other only 30, 70MPH will let go for 41K OBO with trailer: pm me for infoor call 410-746-0020...Rob

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

This one is in Florida.

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

Bravo or TRS boat? What HP 454's? New 311 with 454 MAGS and Bravo's on fresh water with light load 67 MPH. Should be high 30 to mid 40 K depending on condition. If this is a salt water boat you need a boat and engine survey by your surveyor. Joe Murray

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

Yeah, what he said.

I know IF I were to sell mine, with all the work I've done to it and the trailer, I wouldn't let it go for a penny less than 45K

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

Formula271--
As stated above, I see these boats going for mid 30's to mid 40's. Sometimes pictures can tell a thousand lies so be carefull! I'm sure the OSO board will chime in with lots of input.
If you want to step up, I have a 357 with newer power & trailer availabe:D
good luck

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

I agree with outlaw-

I wouldn't let mine go for less than 45K either. If they are clean they are worth every penny. Just look what else is out there under 50K, you will not find much that compares to a 311. But of course this is only my opinon.

Don

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

Don, I wouln't let your 311 go at all. It's way to sweet a ride.:drink:

IMHO you can't go wrong with a clean, well cared for 311. Lots of boat for the money. Especially in todays market.

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

This one has TRS drives and was flushed after each use.
I can pick this up for 35k. I haven't dealt with TRS drives, any problems with them? It has standard 454's. Hey ThirdBird, what do you have for power in your 311?

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

TRS drives arent made anymore and parts are becoming scarce is what I have heard. DG and Russ are right, ABOS on them are 39-43 depending on how well they are taken care of, if you lose a TRS there goes your savings right there, look at some of the ones that are out there...thats why I have mine priced where it is,I would have mine at 45, but want to move it quick. 40K gets someone an 89 with 95 motors in it, and EFI, dont ever underestimate the comfort level of fuel injection.

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

Perfect Mix-

Thanks for the complment but my boat is always for sale. I am always looking for another project. I think that the projects are almost as fun as boating it self. Well at least untill you get a boat full of girls, then I forget about the projects....... :evilb:

Don

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

I bought a 311 last year after looking for three I finally found one that I thought was in nice shape.If I sold it now I can't imagine selling it for less then 45K as well. Good clean boats with the wright color combination is hard to find. Don't let the price sell the boat for you, it's all in how the boat has been cared for in my opinion. Perfecmix I offend boat in the T.C. area, what are you planing on buying if you were to sell that beautiful 357. Propwash

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

Propwash--
I shouldn't really say what I purchased on this board:o. I'm trying a PQ 38. There is no replacement for timeless lines of a Formula but the deal was right on the PQ so I bit on it. I'm really apprehensive about selling the 357 I love walking in the garage and seeing it sitting proud. Earlier Formulas are real head turners.

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

Propwash:
By the way thanks for the compliment:D

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

To quote my friend Craig "There is an ass for every seat" I think the cost of the boat is going to be what the buyer wants to pay for it, depending on the upkeep and the components. I've seen cases where an older boat has tons of money in the motors and drives, and still didnt bring as much as it wasnt as desirable hull for some people, so it went lower. Good solid motors and drives are what will keep a price on an older 311 in the 40's, they have held there for a while, anything less is either a GREAT find, or going to cost some money to get it to good shape...Rob

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

TRS can handle up to around 550hp w/o modifications, so if those are stock motors, the drives could be ok for a long time. I'd pay for a comprehensive survey, possibly have the lower units gears looked at since that is what typically goes on TRS, rarely the uppers. If they are worn, have the owner pay for new ones.

That is certainly not a bad price, but it all depends on the condition of the rest of the boat too.

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

What kind of top speed would this 311 have? What about any mods to pick up more top speed? I don't know much about the older Formula's. How are the older hulls compared with the newer Fastech's like my 271? I'm looking at this boat because most of the newer 353's are out of my price range.

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

You should see mid 60's. As far as mods, there are a couple sweet blower motors in the classified section:D

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

Hey Perfectmix congrades on the PQ I think can I say that on this form? I'am a open mined person for the most part and I like many of the terrific boat brands out there. Besides one my best fiends owns a 38 PQ and I've been on it several times. Smoke On The Water 2003 was one memorable time and the boat preform very well. Maybe I will see you some time on Grand Traverse. What color is it ? Prop.

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

If a boat floats, and it don't got no bedsheets flapping off of poles, it's okay in my book.......:D

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

I watched the SOTW dvd, and I saw the PQ's and their support, they are ok in my book, I like the design of the boat as well, their 38 was moving, giving rides to all the kids from make a wish. They seem like a great all around pleasure boat.

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

Gary,
Mine has 454 Mags and Bravos. It'll do upper 60s. Surprised to hear you may be going back in years. But, for a good Lake Ontario wave-crusher, you can't beat it. Cabin and cockpit room are real nice too. Cabin is quite large for a 30-something boat. Only 31 I know with a bigger cabin is a 31 Sonic, those cabins are real big. Cockpit and bolsters kinda suck in a Sonic though.

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

Hey ThirdBird,
I would really like to stay with a newer boat but the price is more than I can afford right now. I think for the right price I could live with an older bigger boat. Like you said, I need a wave crusher for this lake. What do you think about standard 454's and TRS drives? :rolleyes:

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

Well Formula271, I've never had any personal experience with TRS drives. When I searched for my boat. I specifically looked for Bravos. Only because of what others have said about parts availability factor with TRS. However, after owning the bravos and comparing the engine bay space savings the bravos offer, I wouldn't go TRS just for that reason. I can physically get in the engine bay in front of my engines. Thats a huge advantage for maintenance reasons. Even something as simple as replacing the raw water pump would be a major pain in a TRS boat, you'd be doing head stands to get at it.

On the other hand, TRS drives are heavy duty and they shift so smoothly that it makes you want TRS drives just for the shifting ease. If you go with TRS, keep in mind there were two trannies offered. Mercruiser made one and Borg-Warner made one. From what I understand, the Borg-Warner is the one to own (even though I hate those Borg-Warner valve actuators we have at the plant - junk!!).

There is tons of info on these trannies over in the Tech Section, a quick search and you'll find opinions pro and con like crazy on TRS drives.

TRS drives are not junk by any means, even though many say they are. Those drives were main Mercruiser workhorses for years. Every offshore had them in the earlier days. But, for space savings and maintainability, I prefer Bravos.

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

Well put third, I like that same factor, I'm 6'4" and 240 and can manuver around in the compartment, its not easy, but much better than the other boats I looked at before I bought my 311. mine had bravo's, for me it was that IF I did break a drive it was easily fixed. I am not hard on my equipment, I will run it, but take care of it and inspect it. I also believe there was a big weight difference along with having the notors a foot forward, it took a little longer to plane. 271, for the amount of money that you are spending, I think and extra 5-7 if you can swing it would give you more piece of mind, spending a little more up front might save you more in the long run...Rob

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

Thanks for all the replies. I will keep looking for the "right" boat, somewhere from a 311 to a 353. :D

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

Well then:D, I may have what your lookin for...email me at mdperfworks @ verizon.net....Just did a total buff and shine on her this weekend. It gets jealous when it knows I'm taking my Tiger out, lol..Rob

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

I know this is a 311 thread.....but did not want to read all of it and be a lurker.

My '89 292 has stock 365HP Mags w/ Stainless Marine. Best on GPS 73 MPH.

Friend of mine has an '88 311 with TRS and I think 420 HP Merc's. Close, but mine faster.

Agree with the rest of the thread that the TRS's are tough.

However, I would stay away due to:

parts availability, transmissions eat power, CG of boat farther forward = slower, engine bay room.

You are on the right track........just find a Bravo boat.

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

I would go with bravo vs trs

Re: 1989 311 What's it worth
 

Would you be interested in a 1990 292SR1? It is 30'11" overall w/twin 454 mags and Bravo's with only 325 hours.. Freshwater boat w/triple axle Eagle trailer. I'm only wanting to sell because I just bought my first house on the water...but a 31 foot Formula is about twice the size of the average boat on this lake system! :eek: It'll be in Va until 5/31, then it's South bound to Florida and the new house. Watch out neighbors! :p