i have the option of an 89 311 with a nicetrailer, trs drives and 454 420s for 19000...needs the gimble done
or a 89 292 with 454s and bravos with no trailer for 19000...needs nothing
wich is the better boat/deal
how much do the trs drives hurt the 311
where is the best place for service in new england
what should i be looking for before purchase
any help would be great
thanks

I personally don't have an opinion either way, but I'll bring it to the top for ya cause I'm curious to see the replys from the boys in the know. Good luck.

had a 89 242 and went to a 89 292 and loved it, uncle had a 90 311 and thought at the time why would you need such a big boat? I don't think you can get replacement parts for a trs?

You can get replacement parts for TRS yet, you just have to know where to find some of it. Some of the parts in the gimble can get quite pricy IE- steering arms, pins. I just fully rebuilt two TRS gimbles for a 357 Formula, and was able to get all parts needed.

Tough call .... I can honestly tell you owning a 311 there is one hell of a bang for your buck. The ride is awesome and there is decent room on the boat.
I have twins that are 5yrs old and i am not the least worried about being caught in any type of big water.
Fortunately I cruise with two other 311s all of which are '88s mine and one other have bravos and the other has trs drives. Don't be scared o the trs drive .... it actually is a great drive for the 311 .... the hull runs a bit "cleaner" in the water with those drives on it.
The one with the trs drives just re-powered his 311 and still used the trs drives ... the boat is running mid 70s with no problems at all.
Besides all of that it is a great looking boat with that retro offshore look that is timeless.
Like I tell all of my friends "this my Chevelle on the water" it is a hot rod that looks fast that cruises with no problems at all. Key word being "cruises".

Good Luck !!!

Jeff

I have a 89 311 with trs drives. the boat rides great in any water conditions. not a problem to get parts forif you know were to look. the best thing you can do is flip a coin both are great boats...

Tough call but I would not let the TRS issue drive it. I would rather have the TRS drives. They are stronger then the bravo's and IMO the bout balances out better. It is a little harder to work on the front of the motor but other things are easier so kind of a wash. The 302's and the 311's IMO are two of the best boats that Formula has ever built when you take cost and so on into account. My 420 trs drive 311 is touching on 70 and with some prop testing I am sure it will get there. The boat runs very flat and does not porpois at all. The 420 back in the day and still is a kick butt motor. It has the roller valve train and all the good internal parts and was hand assembled. If you can drive them drive them both and see what you think. If you want a ride and are up in Maine you are more then welcome to come for a ride in mine.

Before I bought my 311, I was hung up on a 292. Searched high and low, found a nice one. However, once I actually got in a 311 I said "why would I buy the 292? Same price basically, tons more room in the 311, speeds almost identical"

So, I bought the 311 and am glad I did. Formual didn't make nearly as many 292s as 311s. The 292s are actually pretty hard to find.

In any event, considering you like the condition of both boats, one needs a trailer the other needs gimbal work. Trailer is going to cost more than getting the drives reconditioned.

What aobut other stuff like engine hours, canvas, options? Have you got any pics of the two boats?

311 ........

When I was looking for a 311 I only considered Bravo boats because of the repair parts "issue". I turned down a lot of really nice boats thinking TRS's would be too much trouble. But then along came Konrad and now you can buy whole replacement drives ... I would buy the 311 if you like it.

Like somebody else said you lose some room in the engine compartment with TRS's, but it's worth it to get those 420's which weren't available with Bravo's !!!