What is the best ever model Formula?
 

Ok,

In your own opinions, what is the best model Formula ever made and why?

No prizes, just a bit of fun. :D

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

353. :D

#1 'cause the bottom just plain works. The least trim and tab input required to run proper.

#2 the space is divided up near perfectly for a boat that size.

#3 fast with big power, economical with std. power (see #1)

#4 nice lines...it just looks right.

#5 nice features built in (bimini storage, the "trunk" with hidden shorepower receptacle, 4 hatches in a 35', anchor locker, ect.)

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

What Rippem said.
When I bought my 1988 F206 LS 5 years ago it turned heads where ever it went. And still does. The styling was ahead of it's time then, and is still modern looking today. People can't just believe it's 17 years old. She still has the original engine and will outrun just about every boat in her class.

Remember, Formula was Don Arronows first boat company.

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

I believe the 242 was a great model for them it even came with twins,talk about a solid boat not many manufacturers could put twins in a boat that size.











Unless Rip would like to trade :D

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

311 has to be the most manufactured and longest lasting

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

Shall we all just vote for what we have? :)

302 SR1 :cool:

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

Seriously, I'd give the nod to the 353 myself.

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

I think the 311 had the best proportions and lines of the SR1's.

The 353 is in it's 8th year of production, and is a very popular boat...I think you'd be suprised how many are out there.

Another testament is it's value holding...much like the 311 in it's price/age niche.
It's not easy to find a nice 7 or 8 year old 353 for under 100K...even a salty one.

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

353

stable


fast


great lines



fast



awesome ride in the chop




did i say fast

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

Great thread really.

I will always LOVE the older 35'er.
ALWAYS - since I was a kid. Just love the look. Big-boat type look. Comfort below. Unquestionable offshore capability. I really like the fact that I see quite a few with surface-drives ( another nod to the performance side ) . . . and I am a Fountain guy.

Love the 'older' Formulas. . .

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

Picking the "one" best is pretty hard. I think I'm going with Trick. When you see a really nice late '80s 357 sitting at a dock, you're looking at one huge boat. Nice lines, that long, sexy deck, squating nicely in the aft, just a cool looking boat that's hard not to notice.

Of the new generation (292, 353, 382), I'm not that familiar. Drove Axapowell's 353 and it was real nice. As Rippem said above, doesn't need much tab input, rides nice and level. Only thing I didn't like was the steering. It was kind of ambiguous, a little loose hull-wise. Nothing I couldn't get used to though :D

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

No not biased since I no longer have a boat!

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

He has a problem. We have discussed it, and I noticed also when I drove the boat. Loose and "ratchety".
At the very least it needs a complete fluid change. If that doesn't get it...it's a piece of trash in the helm or cylinder(s), or the helm has a bad valve.

Mine is positive, smooth and tight. :D

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

311 & 357....They just hit it perfect with those two.

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

It's not the steering itself I don't think. It feels to me like the hull kind of slides around a bit before "biting". However, I did have to turn like 90 degrees on the wheel to get any real turnage out of the boat. I was thinking it was just the way a stepped hull handles, having never driven one before.

If it is the hydraulic steering itself giving that vague feeling, it may just need to be bled. When the steering has air in it, it may be like brakes - spongy.

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

Nice one Guys.

So, 311 & 357 for the eighties boats & 353 for the stepped hull boats so far.

Im not too sure i want to go from a 242 to a 357 in one go, so maybe ill look at the 311's for the "mean" time.

Any other views?

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

do you trim in when trying to turn a stepped hull?

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

NO! This is how they spin out. You keep the trim out at your running setting. If you trim in, you will lift the transom out of the water, and create a spin-out-ready condition. Keeping the trim out keeps the transom planted in the water, and allows the boat to pivot the turn on the (aft) step of the boat, rather than come around on one of the fore steps.

My 37AT has a giant 4" single step. Keep the trim out, the drives planted, and that baby will turn like its on rails.

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

Thats why I asked!

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

they are self bleeding, other than an initial install from scratch...which may need assistance, not so much 'cause it won't bleed itself out, but to speed up getting more fluid in the system before hitting the water.

it's not the hull, trust me. :) With 160 hrs on my 353, and having installed systems from scratch, I know what that boat and hydraulic steering should feel like. My first comment to Dave upon driving his was...

"Dude...something's wrong with your steering!"

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

I guess my favorite is the 353 with any combination of power. I always thought the motors should be blue,but 496HO's are pretty sweet also, I have re-thought my views with the 353 Sport. A great boat for way less money.The neat thing about a 353 is even drivers with little experience can feel safe in a 353. It will give you no surprises. Sure, there are faster 35's,but the 353 is not about that. A true gentleman's performance boat.

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

Does that make me a gentelman by association? :p

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

and what about a 382 sport?

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

382 .....80 mph on 500 EFI's with ext boxes, flys flat. 90% of the time runs the best at neutral trim, turns on a dime, stay's hooked up even in bigger water... rides great due to the 12,500 lbs! You can sleep on it, It has a head that works, TV Fridge....

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

Hey Guys,

I would like to jump in on this thread. I know someone who is looking at an '86 357 SR1. A few of you seemed to like them so I was wondering what you knew about them. This particular one started as a KAAMA boat but now has 502's and new Bravo's. What is your guestimate on the weight of this thing. Do you think the Bravo's stand a chance :D Will it run 60?? This boat is immaculate for it's age and he will probably buy it regardless we just do not know much about the ealier Formulas.

Thanks for any imput.

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

:cool:

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

AAARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH!! Is that the one that got away?

ELECTRODE! :cool:

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

who's this?

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

uhhh....yeah :evilb:

It is the only one with electrode I have seen at loto so far....

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

Not me. Robert will know for sure.

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

:D :D

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

The weight is around 9,500(might be more), Bravo's are right choice and should do about 60

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

CFD12 - You firend should check out my 357 in the Swap Shop section. It's a whole lot faster than 60 (more like 75). It looks and runs fantastic. Needs a little TLC (port motor has an oil leak - stuff like that). But, I am needing to let it go so it's a bargain. Here is a link:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...&cat=25&page=1

I have a bunch more pics and details. Please share with you friend and let me know if interested.

Thank you,

Brent

[email protected]

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

That is a very nice boat but he (my brother) has his mind set on this one. Blower motors are a no no :D
Funny thing is he wasn't even looking at boats until we got inot this one. :D It has new(er) 502's new bravos and gimbals, new paint, vinyl is in great shape. I was shocked when I heard it's age.

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

The guy with the Hummer is my next door neighbor Toyota dealer who was A Hummer dealer when that boat was new. We did some PR photos on the tow ability of the H-1.Interesting off topic story,when GM bought Hummer and introduced the H-2,they canceled my neighbor,he sued GM and reached an out of court settlement that had so many #'s after the $ sign that he retired,is building 2 new mansions,bought a 55'yacht ,a Ferrari, and lots of other stuff. Moral of the story,don't mess with a small Alabama redneck car dealer unless you are ready to pay dearly. :drink:

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

:eek: :eek:

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

400SS with the new 350 hp Volvo diesels. (Don't laugh unless you've ridden on one...) :eek:

I love my 382, though... :drink:

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

I've had a 272, 357 (Kaamas) and a 382, and I think the 382 is better than the others, hands-down.

Much better/stronger built.

IMO :D

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

Need I Say More!!! 353

( the water was a little ugly from the recent rain...but on this day we won the POKER RUN winner takes all 3k so the
water did not bug me to much)

Re: What is the best ever model Formula?
 

my vote :D