Rare Formula?
 

My parents got us into boating at a very early age. We started out in an old outboard powered wooden Lyman, then a Formula 18’ V-bottom with a 200 HP Evinrude. Wanting more size (I have three brothers and a sister) and a cuddy cabin, in 1978 they stepped-up to the Formula 20CL.

Being the high performance enthusiast he is, my Dad ordered it with the most powerful engine package of the time. The MerCruiser 330HP 454 cubic inch big block. It came with the transmission and TRS outdrive. He has been told by Formula that this is the only 20CL ever built with the big block. A non-cuddy 20’ was built, but the story is that boat sank. Don’t know how it sank, but the engine/tranny/outdrive are so heavy that you have to really ease it off plane or a lot of water comes over the transom.

My Dad and I work on engines and I had built several big-block Chevy’s for drag racing. In the mid-1980’s we modified the engine. New pistons, heads, Ultradyne cam shaft, Crane roller rocker arms, through transom exhaust with Indmar manifolds, Edelbrock Torker intake manifold, 750 Holley carb, MSD ignition, etc. Can you say “sleeper”?… Back in the day your average jet boat or bass boat would run mid-60’s. I don’t know how many times we ruined someone’s day when this “family boat” loaded with two adults and five kids would just go walkin’ on by. I can still remember the stunned look on their faces. We kids would be waving and such, like “come-on, come-on”. Now that I think about it, we probably really pissed them off! They usually ended up flagging us down to find out what the heck we were running in that Formula. Needless to say, the high performance boating bug bit me hard at an early age.

We are from St. Louis Missouri, but every year we vacationed for 2-weeks up on Lake Erie. The first picture was taken in 1983 in Sandusky Bay between Johnson Island and Bay Point. I was driving in this shot (17 years old). I probably have more high speed seat time in that 20CL than my Dad since he would rather watch the boat run. I remember that day was windy and the chop in the cove was great, but I did wander out more into the bay and really caught some air and broke the hinges on the engine dog house. My Dad is so understanding…

The second picture was taken in 1995 on the Alton pool of the Mississippi River where my Dad ran it in a radar run for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

My parents still own this 27 year old Formula and it is in excellent condition (interior was totally redone several years ago). They also have a 32’ Nordic Tug on Lake Erie. I have a lot of great memories with that 20CL…

Re: Rare Formula?
 

Cool boat.Get a photo of it beside your new 292 and send it to Formula for their newsletter.

Re: Rare Formula?
 

nice

Re: Rare Formula?
 

Great story! That thing is definately standing on its tail. Nice to see some vintage stuff in really pristine condition.

Re: Rare Formula?
 

They must have change the model name to 20 SC in 1981. It's the same boat as my never ending project. I bought it with a fine running Merc 888 and Mr drive. Of course, I couldn't leave that alone, and now a 330 horse 355 resides under where the doghouse was.

Here's what it looked like the day I brought it home.

Re: Rare Formula?
 

Here's what it looks like now. I just need to build an interior for it, and a hatch. It hasn't seen the water in over three years. I've got so much money sunk in this thing, I will never be able to afford to sell it. :( :( :p

Re: Rare Formula?
 

I thought you would like it, Robert. Next year I will get a picture of the 292 with my Dad's boat and my brother's '82 Fomula Three 21 LS all together and send it to Formula.

Re: Rare Formula?
 

Cool! These boat have to be the largest feeling 20' boats ever made. I know my Dad's has to be the heaviest. I like the new paint! My Dad's interior has back to back seats on both sides and small seat pads next to the doghouse. 330HP small block... she should run pretty good, and without all that tail weight. That 24° V with a rounded keel can make it a handfull at times. :p

Re: Rare Formula?
 

It's the best riding 20 footer I think. I also have a 20 foot Donzi Minx, and I swear the Formula looks twice as big. When I first got the Minx, I had to get out a tape and measure them both. :D