272 or 311 SR1's
 

Ok guys the help and enthusiasm on the Formula site is great. I am getting closer to a decision. Should I go with a 27 or 31? I am going to keep this boat for a while and build it into a faster boat. What do you guys think about lenght of boat to go with??? I f you guys hav e any you are selling that might not be posted let me know.:D

I am in the same situation as you. looking at both of these in the mid 80's. Missed a 311 I would have bought and looked at a 272 that needs stringer/bulk head relacement. decisions are never fun.

Brian

boats
 

You are right but remeber the fun is in the end not the means.

272 or 311
 

I have owned an 89 272 with big blocks and Bravos for 10 years and an 89 311 nwith big blocks and Bravos for 11 years.No contest the 311 is the boat to get.The 272 is too tail heavy with the big blocks, the cabin, cockpit and engine compartment are way too tight.The 311 cabin and cockpit are just big enough.With the Bravos there is plenty of room under the hatch.I'm currently repowering a 93 357.My 311 will be for sale next spring.

Realize yourself that a 311 running in the mid 80's requires a lot of power.
I recently repowered my 89 311/bravo's with HP500's and it hits 73-74 when running light on load.
To see mid 80's you will need at least 700hp per side to get you there in my opinion.

311 is the way to go. i've totally regretted selling my 311 and moving to a 272 but my 272 is in mint condition so it kinda makes up for it.

311 is better ride in rough water and like the others said, is less ass heavy.

Just curious why there's no mention of a 292? My '89 292 with bravos feels less ass heavy than a 272 and should have the same speed as a 311. It has a good sized cockpit and cabin. Engine compartment is a little tight, but adequate. With a pair of 454/365's built out to 420 hp it'll run 72 in fresh water. She needs alot of tab until I get her going to keep her from porpoising, but once she's running strong I can level the tabs for a perfect attitude. You should consider the 292 as well.

awesome point

I currently have a 1987 311 with 540s 600 hp 2inch shortys i notched the transom the boat run 90.4 on gps !

I agree I had a 272 was ass heavy ,kplanes would be a must, hard to find a 272 with them, Id go for the 292 or 311

I seem to find that most of them have kplanes unless there 350/alpha models

any pics of the notched transom or a thread on it available?

Is the 272 with the 350/alpha better balanced? I know, not as much HP available and slower, but still a decent boat for less coin. Either one is pretty reasonable right now, just how much you want to spend! Plus you can get more than 260 HP from a small block through an alpha.

Brian

great boat, only a cpl mph slower, build em up to 383's and get 70 out of it, night and day differance when it comes time to maintain, ask anyone with 454's:lolhit:

Just the engine bay room in a Bravo 311 is enough of a selling point to buy one. Try changing a water pump in a Bravo 272!!!! You litterally have to stand on your head. I can sit down in the engine bay in front of my engines in my 311. Winterizing is almost a breeze compared to a 272.

My 272 with big blocks and bravos is for sale at small block price........ I didn't find it too stern heavy, seems pretty well balanced, runs 70 with just over 400hp per side, great boat id love to keep I just have other things going on right now

Check your swap shop thread on this one...and get back.

Replied and pm'd let me know what ya think!

Do you want to buy my 1991 292SR1.Pair of 502s 20hrs on them ,does 78-80 gps hydraulic steering custom swim platform....

Yes, that is one reason I was looking at a sbc 272 vs. a bbc 311. the 272 bbc look REALLY tight!

272 vs 311 cockpit
 

OK, so what is the difference on the cockpit size between the 272 and 311? Also, is there a difference in the mid 80's square windshield and the late 80's rounded? Both boats are the same width I believe, is there more room between the front seats and the rear bench in either or is it all in the engine compartment and cabin? I have heard the 311 is "a lot" bigger, but have never been able to compare them. Looked at an older Scarab S-Type, that had a large cockpit but bad stringers.

I know the sq windshield 272's had 24" between the rear bench and front bolsters, but not sure on any other ones.

I try to find pics like this that show the difference in the cockpit room which is what I want the most of. A cockpit that is larger like on the 242SS would be nice, but larger boat.

Random 272 (I think) pic from the internet:
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...overview-1.jpg

I think one of the two happiest days of a boat owners lives is the day they buy it is due to the fact that the decision making process is finally over!

Waiting on pics of a low cost 272 and also considering the 272 sbc in the classifieds section here for $15.6k, looks nice. 311's are coming out with a nice Kaama drive up in Mi, Jiffy's 311, a nice 89 in the classifieds for $26k and others to include a 292 now.

I figure I will buy something from $8k up to $30k in the next 2 weeks to 6 months, the more expensive it is, the longer I need to wait for house refi, end of year bonus, stock options and tax returns.... :drink:

Depends on price, hours on hull and drive, condition. You can PM me the info if you want or email it to me at befunovo at yahoo. Gotta admit, I think the 91's have the non-smooth rear bench which I am shying away from.

Thank you, Brian

272 vs 311
 

I have owned an'89 272 big block/bravos for ten years and currently own'89 311 big block/bravos for the past eleven years.The 311 is roomier in all ways, and rides much better.The hull does not slap as much in rough water.The 272 does not like to go slow, too tail heavy, but the 311 will stay on plane at 20 mph with 4 blade props and the tabs down.It is about 2-3 mph slower with the same power than the 272.Engine compartment is very tight in the 272 with big blocks.In the 311 with bravos access is very good.You can sit down in front of the motors.Cockpit in the 311 is bigger than the 272 but not by much.Cabin in the 311 is pretty roomy whereas the 272 feels tight.When I owned the 272 it didn't feel too small , but after I got the 311, I was on a 272 and I realized how tight it was.If I was to own a 272 again it would be with small blocks. Just my .02 cents.

I like the formula boat. Have been considering 311 for about 6 months now. But Have notice there are a few with the teal color although it looks fine and they are nice looking boats i'm partial to red.
I'm just wondering if the color on the late 80's to early 90's are "gelcoated in",painted or whatnot.
Reason I ask, if I purchased a teal boat i would considering changing to red
And wondering what would be involved with doing that?? .
I have had some say put vinyl "pinstriping" over it. Also realize painting is an option but would paint be durable enough. Seen a Baja that had striping painted on and stone chips could be seen in paint. Just wondering????

the stripes on most are painted,, theres a 311 in MI with red

The cockpit is not that much different, but the engine compartment is night and day!!! My 272 has about no room to do anything as I am finding out.

But, with 454 mags I do not need any tabs what so ever to get going. I don't really use them much at all to be honest. Maybe a little to level out depending on the load/seating arrangement.

And almost all I have seen have had k planes. Even though I have the 272 I still think bigger is better!

this one?:drink:

no not that one:angry-smiley-038: theres another one on BT

the 311 is a great all around boat. nice size, nice lines, can rides like a dream in the rough. they are not the fastest boats, but they do everything well.

What do you mean you "notched the transom"??

I have a 89 272 w/ bbc's, and I agree about the heavy rear. But w/ K planes Its managable. I can get on plane without going over 2800rpm( K planes all the way down), which is great when the kids want to wakeboard/tube.

Trimmed out w/ 330hp (stock) and 23p props I can consistently hit 65 gps. And I'm running over the rpm range.

They are all great boats, Look around, you'll find some great deals. Be sure to get one with the bravo drives. (89 and newer)

88 and newer:grinser010:

I am pretty sure i've seen some 88 311's with trs... mabye i'm wrong- theres a first time for everything. ha

thought u were talking 272's

311's for sure had trs drives at least thru 89, my buddy had a 89 311 with 420's and trs

not true, my 89 has bravos

U guys are difficult,,, :angry-smiley-038::lolhit::lolhit:

the 311 had both. they started using bravo's in 88 with 454, 454 mag, and 502's, the merc 420hp package had TRS drives, I don't know how long they were offered but I know at least thru 1989

+1

Formula 311
 

I have a 1989 311 with bravo's , super boat and for sale . White, red,black and gray beautiful boat. Bravo's are the way to go imo because parts are available. Propwash

This my formula 311 420 trs punch out to 496's makin 525hp a side http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/...yWallpaper.jpg

If anyone is interested, I have a '88 in immaculate condition with dual 454 (462ci) over 30 525hp each. no tears cracks or blemishes on seats. One motor lost oil pressure and wipped out bearings. Going to get rebuild, but will sell as is. Comes with trailer. I'm from Warren, Oh. If intereseted email [email protected]. Extremely nice boat that won't cost you 30k. Thanks, Tim