zimm17

I'm looking to upgrade from my 22 Donzi Classic to something with twins that can handle bigger water. I fell in love with the new 292's at last year's boat show. I'm in the Norfolk/VA beach area so there's no limit to how rough it can get. I also plan to do some overnighting for 2, poker runs, etc. Boat will be trailered everywhere, and be parked next my house.

I need at least 70mph to be happy, I worked hard to get my boat over 71mph. I need to weigh the following and figure out what model Formula to go for-

Price: $40-60 is great, $80k a stretch, but if it gets me an almost new trouble-free boat- that's ok. Boat has to appraise for full asking value so I can get a bank loan.

Trailerability vs. rough water handling- how much diff between the 292 and 311?

Engine compartment room? I do all my own maint. and spend a lot of time crawling around the engines making sure everything is perfect and I do tuneups way more often than required. I don't want to have to use twin universal joints and three arms to get the spark plugs out.

Cabin room? I only room to sleep two, have a porta potti, and space for a big beer cooler.

Recommendations/advice? I'd hate to buy a 292 and need to upgrade in two years if the 311/312 is that much better. I'd also hate to buy a 1988 boat and find I need all new gauges, throttles, drives, etc etc and find I could have bought something 10 years newer for the same money.

I'm currently on deployment until December, so I can't buy anything yet- I know how you guys love to offer your boats for sale right away. (But maybe this winter...)

Thanks!

t500hps

I just sold a 312. A local had a 292 and evryone said my boat was much bigger.....it was, and is worth the extra money. Twin 502's and it would run low 70's GPS anytime. Ran down to the Ocean Marine Poker Run in 5 footers and although uncomfortable, we made it fine. The 311 is even bigger, but as you said, it's older.

offthefront

iTrader: (1)

311 is a whole lota boat ....working space in engine room is good ... 311 is 33' overall ....downside ... they getting up there in age ...but I have never seen a boat you didn't have to work on ....

by the way .... thanks for serving ......m

zimm17

So a 312 has a smaller engine compartment and a single step in the hull- is that it? Anyone have pics of the engine compartments and cabins to compare?

I'm thinking something made after 2000 would be best- EFI, serpentine belts, etc. What year did they swap over to the 496HO? I think a Gen VI 502 would be best with the forged internals, etc.

How do the 312's do at the boat ramp? Are they too big to drop in off the trailer everytime, or is it do able?

t500hps

I trailered my 312 for 2 years....now I trailer my 382. (everyone around here trailers boats, 35 and 38 Cig, 38 Formula, 37 Active Thunders (3), 42 Sonic, 43 Black Thunder)
The 312 engine compartment is a little tight, but 2 BBC side by side in any 8 1/2 foot wide boat will be. (the 311 has more room in front of the engines though) I never had any problems with mine at the ramp, but it's all what your used to. Do it a few times and it will become no big deal.

My 1998 had the 502's with serpetine belts. I prefer the 502 over the 496.
I added A/C to mine.......

Treads

Just my .02, but with a price range of $40k-60k, can you get into a 2000 or newer boat? Would seem to me that you would be in a mid to later 90's, especially if you want something more than the 292.

Live Wire II

Hay, this may be your lucky day, as my 2003 292 is up for sale. I was asking $82,500, but will except reasonable offers.

Live Wire II

The custom bimini and enclosure really makes overnighting nice.

the duke

Not to tell you how to spend your money , but buy the most you can afford, in other words the newest. Rememeber that Formulas' comes with a 5 year warranty. Buy a 2003, and you are getting 2 seasons of warranty left, buy a 2000, you get zero warranty. The 2003 breaks, you let warranty pick up the tab. The 2000 breaks, its your problem.

bob_t

You will definitely need 502's or better to get 70+ mph on a 312. They weigh in at 8000 lbs (add a trailer and your are a little over 10K in tow weight - need to consider that when shopping unless you already have a big truck ). We towed a 35 Fountain twin step (8600 lbs) on an aluminum Myco (2100 lbs), for a while with our V8 Chevy 2500HD 4WD extended cab truck, and it wasn't pretty! Check your states laws, too, because in NC, you need a CL-A Commercial Driver's License for a trailer 10K or higher capacity - another consideration that sucks!

Another thing that I recently learned when I talked to Progressive is that they stopped taking boats over 30' in coastal states, so that adds $$$ to go to ACE or Markel insurance, which is where you will end up for a "go fast" boat ... Progressive will insure a 292, though.