what is the small hole for 242LS?
 

There is a small hole with a plastic piece on the very front of the boat not far from the Keel. Is it there on purpose for some reason. I have seen it in pictures of other Formulas
as well. Does anyone know why it is there or what it is for? It is behind one of the rubber wheels touching the keel. Sorry I don't have a better picture. The boat is still in storage for at least another month and a half. Any help would be great. Thanks guys.

I had a 223, 242, and now a 311 all with the same little hole. I asked Formula TAG directly and they said it was intended to be an anchor locker drain. I said "anchor locker, in the bow and only accessible through the cabin!!!!????!!". They said "I know, I know". Obviously, even they thought it was stupid.

Thanks ThirdBird,

did you ever plug yours with some silicone or anything else? Right now I have a piece of clear duct tape over it.

Yes, I plugged it with something. Can't remember what I used.

Damn thats a sharp 242

It's definately an anchor locker drain, my 272 has an anchor and windlass fitted, the drain is needed when the chain/rope goes back into the locker after being in the sea.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/f...0/image049.jpg

I've heard it was an anchor locker drain as well. I've been told if you don't have the anchor locker it's possible for water to come back in and get the interior wet, but not sure if that's actually possible. I plugged mine with a little bit of silicone as well.

Thanks for your reply Blitz,

There is probably not to many people with an anchor locker up front on thier Formula. I have a bracket for my anchor set up in my engine compartment and an old school milk crate to hold the line. It's kind of a pain in the ass to get in and out but it is very secure. I need to figure out something for my second anchor. The funny thing is that when I checked out the hole last fall. I found where the hole comes thru the hull in the bow. It looked to me that there was a small hole at the aft part of that area that would allow water to make its way into the bildge. Its seems to be made that way on purpose. I don't really like the idea of that at all. So I think I will plug mine with something.

WOW first time I ever saw a windlass on a go fast.

Although none of us would be crazy about the look of that, it sure would be nice!!! As soon as I get my crusier, it's going to have all of the convenience doodads that I'd never put on my 311.

Whats a crusier? Sounds slow

i'm not crazy about having an anchor and windlass on mine either but it really is much easier to live with where i boat. All my boating is offshore, so no lakes or rivers. it's just islands and bays etc. We also have 10 metre tidal range so i cant just put my formula on the beach at the edge of the waterline like you guys do in the lakes etc because of the tidal range. Hence the need to always hook up with an anchor. Had a 311 with exactly the same set up a few years ago. People seem to fit them this side of the pond cos of the nature of the boating.

I remember a Video Of a bunch of 357's running on your side and everyone of them had a Windlass ..... The Video is called "running Water" ..cool vid ..... :drink:

Hey Blitz,
If it were popular here and wouldn't knock down my resale and result in endless heckling from my boating friends, I'd have one!!!! I can't even count the times I've almost slipped of my deck while trying set out or retrieve my anchor.

To be perfectly honest, I actually think the windlass/anchor looks pretty cool. Of course, I'm one of those antique, traditional boaters who still thinks bow rails look good and have an indespensible function. Same thing with cleats you don't have to pop up to use, windshields you can look through and get behind, etc, etc. Yep, old school.

Yup, the ultimate goal is really slow. A 42' Grand Banks Classic with two little diesels. Live out the rest of my boating life at about 11 knots. Cruise all summer on one fuel-up.

Hopefully, the 401K will recover enough to allow for that dream.:(

400 SS baby:grinser010:

Running Water



[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ADOjgqTLw0[/YOUTUBE]

Looking at this right now .....not a GB but for the money we can at least find out if Cruising is for us .....m

Did you do that video???? :evilb::evilb: HOT HOT HOT 2:25 :D

Offthe front, That vid was sweet! we need another one.

freaking awesome video, really got me looking forward to summer

Naw cant take credit .....:drink:

ran across it 4-5 years ago ....took me a while to find it ....notice most if not all the 357's had a Windlass ....

Really is a cool vid ........m

Yeah i'm with you on this Thirdbird. Maybe we're a bit more lazy in the UK but having the anchor at the flick of a switch is pretty cool but you have to take the knock with the looks. I've got used to it!!

42ft Grand Banks sounds cool...keep the 311 as a tender for it..;)
Wish i hadn't sold my 311...totally regret it...there aren't many 311s this side of the pond!!