Originally Posted by bck

Based on the pictures of the Stinger that were posted, this boat seems to be a modified Stinger. It had a Formula type windshield installed which goes farther forward than the original straight one. This brought the compass inside the glass and necessitated the cutting of a notch in the center ridge. The part of the deck that used to be just in front of the windshield is now part of the dash behind the window. Look at the side panels to the rear of the bolsters, they are identical to the Stingers. The panels directly along side of the bolsters, where they used to wrap into the seat were replaced with flat panels when the bolsters were changed which is why those panels don't match the ones behind them. Also look at the raised edge along the edges of the cockpit floor and the relationship of the wheel to the controls. The reasons why this does not seem to be a Formula are too many to list. It just looks like one on the surface because of the use of Formulas two most noticable traits, the curved windshield (which isn't quite right) and the exhaust through the swim platform (which also isn't quite right for a silent thunder). So you've got a boat that seems to be a Stinger and a VIN that says it is a Stinger. But why the mistake on the beam and weight ? I think I would be more concerned with why this work was done and its quality. Your state seems to require police documentation for boats without a title and some boats with a title, so make sure all the paperwork is good.

This boat was Documented for one year from Sept. 98- Sept. 99. It was under the name Stinger and the vessel ID was D1069034 out of Ft. Wayne Ind. It also seems to have had a Ind. reg # IN2582BG. The owners name was Brian P. Greiner and the boat may have previously been called "Greiner". On the documentation the manufacturer and the year are unknown. The beam and weight are listed incorrectly as previously noted.

Originally Posted by Stitch King

Found this in a google search and am bringing this thread back from the dead...

FWIW, I spoke to the owner of this boat in Put-In-Bay (Ohio) back in 1997 or so when I had my 415 Stinger. I was asking about the origin of this boat and he said it was a Stinger hull (9"6" Beam) with a Formula Deck fitted/grafted on it. It was two decades ago but I remember he either bought a wrecked formula or had an "In" at the plant and got a scrap deck somehow.

I have a photo of this boat in the water at Put-In-Bay. Will try to dig it up.

I'm curious if this boat made it back in the water?