1989 292 Sr1
 

I found a 292 thats been in a high and dry most it's life. Original hours are 469. 454 mags and out drives appear to be untouched. Owner has tons of records. Test run was about 63mph. I like the Silent Thunder Platform, but I am sure it has to go with performance in mind. Survey cam back above average. Doing a compression test on Friday. Wish me luck guys.

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

Thanks Trick, I can remember going the Boat Show 16 years ago and just was in aww of the 311 and 292. My favorite boat by far. My boating friends curled their lip when I told them I was buying a 1989. After they saw it. Their tune changed quickly.

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

I would expect it to run 67-69 m.p.h. My '89 311 ran a solid 67 m.p.h. even with full load of fuel. Motors may need a little freshening, but I doubt you will be disappointed. Congrads and enjoy!

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

Good luck!

For the silent thunder, a lot of people have just removed the internal baffles in the platform to free up the exhaust. You'd still have the weight (and the 89 style platform weighs quite a bit), but you'd be a little louder and still have a swim platform.

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

Pictures,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, we need pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Good luck with the purchase.

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

Good Luck. The older 292-311 were my target when I found the 312 I bought instead. (yours would be the same size as mine but i couldn't pass up the Fastech hull).

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

Good choice of boats,,,loved that vintage...had an 89 272sr1 with twin 330's that ran about 63/64 after upgrading to fresh 420's of a similar vintage with a set of Bassett headers the boat would run about 71/72 on a good day..

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

On my 89 311 I cut a hole in front of each baffle on the bottom of the platform and dressed the holes up chain haws pipes. Quite at idle, loud on plane. Worked great with blower motors. Joe Murray

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

Same thing a previous owner did with my '88 311. It's louder than stock (obviously) and I didn't like it at first but we got used to it. I have the 454 Mags also and my boat runs consistently at 65 MPH on GPS. Good luck with the 292 !!!

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

Thanks guys for the encouraging words. I had the compression test today. Came back execellent. Pictures on the way I promise. Ok silly question. Is the Silent Thunder Platform one piece. Tell me about removing the baffles. I have a buddy with a 1999 27SR1 and he just dropped the bottom of the platform. Help!!!!

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

99 is a different style Silent Thunder and the bottom is removable. 1989 like yours and mine are all one piece.

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

Those dirty rats.

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

Definitely the good vintage Formula. You won't be disappointed. My 89' 311 ran 64 with the 454 mags with 400 hours on them. Don't know how much difference in weight from the 292 to the 311 but I would figure somewhere between 500 and 1000 lbs. Never know, it may be propped wrong. The 454 mags are solid as a rock. Congrats!

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

Just lift the rubber flapper and put a 1 1/2 inch hole saw through the exhaust port. Cut two holes side by side in the vertical fiberglass baffle in each exhaust port. I think I pulled my stainless flanges to do this.

I also cut the fiberglass and added a second flange below the original to lower the water level and reduce back-pressure in the platform.

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

From what I heard, the 292 actually went the same speed as the 311, even though it was a little lighter. The shorter, lighter hull didn't translate into more speed, probably hull design. Also the original price wasn't too far off from the 311, so Formula sold more 311's. That's ultimately why they stopped making them, again what I heard, not a factory rep or anything. The only 292 I saw running didn't have stock power, so not a good baseline for speed.

So if you are running in the mid 60's, that's probably right. Godd luck with the new ride!

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

I modified my "silent thunder box" by removing the baffles and cutting big honking rectangular holes in the bottom of the platform. I gained 200 rpms give or take on the top end by doing this.

Then when I replaced my stock Merc exhaust manifolds/risers with EMI Thunder aluminum units I removed the box entirely and went with new Stainless Marine thru hulls with the "superflapper". I like the clean look of the transom much better and lost probably 250 lbs. of dead weight right over the props. That's NOT including the weight savings of the exhaust, which is 84 lbs. PER engine.

From when I first bought the boat to now, I've gained a total of 9 mph on the top end but that also includes Hydromotive props vs. Mirage. Here are some before/after pix.

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

I appreciate guys. First I will knock the baffles out. Maybe remove the Silent Thunder next year. I enjoyed my first trip to the lake. The Formula lines look better than most boats today.

Great pictures Outlaw. I have the same Palm look.

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

Spoiler

I had an '89 292 SR1 that I enjoyed every weekend. She was very reliable, always bringing me home. With lightly massasged motors (110 hours), Imco exhaust, and 22 pitch Bravos, she would fly from swell to wave crest at a comfortable 60 MPH in tha Pacific ocean. In the flat of Lomg Beach, we could reach 68.7MPH with a nearly full tank (144 Gallon). The windshield is a plus, we ran all year long.

Good luck on your purchase!

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

Spoiler,

I just bought my first Formula about 8 weeks ago, a 91 292 SR1 with a pair of 502's, Palm Beech graphics, Lazer. I can't tell you how much I love this boat. The ride is awesome, the looks from everyone never stop and the power is great. I hope to get out on the Bay here tomorrow afternoon (sneaking out of the office early) and get some hours on her. The people I've spoken with here are very helpful, friendly and informative. Hope you enjoy your boat.

Re: 1989 292 Sr1
 

Great boat. :D

Love my 292. Had it for 5 years now.

Boat was completely stock when I got it with 454 Mags....... 70ish plus with the VDO which I think was reading a bit high.

I added Stainless Marine exhaust, Holley Flame arrestors, Imco Nosecones and tiebar. Had to go to 25 Mirage plus as a result to keep the R's down from old style 23's.

Lost the speedo pickup with the nosecone install so put in a Nordskog GPS Speedo which works and looks great. Boat has 400 hours and will do 69 on GPS (best I have ever got was 73 on GPS).

I will not sell until I am ready for a 38. :drink: