Info on the infamous Formula 311
 

Hello all,

Love this site - Hoping someone can help me out here. Owned a Baja Force 265 for about 10 years and blew the motor. Time to upgrade. I've had my eye on the 311's for some time and figured now is a goot time to pull the trigger.

I am looking for speed estimates on the different stock motor packages with Bravo Drives: 330's, 365's, and 420's.

Also what would be a reasonable price range for a 1990 or 1991 in good shape?

Any info from you guys would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

I think with the 420's and bravo's you should be in the high 60's Mine goes 69 on any day but I have seen 72 a couple times with a TRS boat (those are GPS numbers). I would think that you can get a very clean one for the mid to high 20's with a trailer.

Oh ya HAVE THE BOAT SURVEYED!!! Make sure the guy pays very close attention to the transom, stringers in the engine bay, and forward bulkhead.

Audio is right close with speeds do a search on speeds that will give you a good idea.

He is also right about the stringers and bulkhead. i am going to put mine up in about a month for sale.

Whats the price tag on it going to be?

I think the big difference you will see in the Formula will not necessarily be the top end but handling heavier seas at speed when everybody else is in your wake getting pounded.

true dat

I thought the 420's only came in TRS models??

My 420's are paired with trs drives. Not sure if there are any with bravos. I second the survey though. I paid for one but the guy was worthless. I spent well over 5k last year on a burnt tranny from a slow leak and a broken spark plug. But the boat looks great and it had everything I wanted and more.

I would hope there still listed between 20-30k depending on cond and motors/drives setups. I have seen some 330's with trs's I think I'd steer away from those if ur looking for something to run in the mid 60's.

As far as ride goes these boats eat up rough water. It's amazing how it pushes water instead of water pushing you. Also pay attention to the props when you buy, would a great buy if you could find one with 4 blade bravos.

They did come with Bravo's and TRS drives. TRS seems to be more popular (more out there)

Sorry bud, the 420 was TRS only. It was the HP425 that was offered with Bravo packages.

72 on GPS w/420's? :poopoo: why do you feel the need to lie Jon? :lolhit: (9.6% slip w/bottom paint?) I've beaten your boat with my own hands, it barely reaches 70 on the dreamometer:evilb:and you know it! I say 64-66 on gps w/420.

Now that I've hurt you feelings lol!...Get those 525's off the shelf and into the boat before they rust up into a ball of worthless poo! - -Just ran the numbers, if you bump the total hp to 1050, it should run 74 on gps.:evilb:

:eekdrop::eekdrop::eekdrop:

A buddy is sporting a 311 with stock 420's and Bravo drives, all original, confirmed by Formula. There is always that odd duck sold during model transitions...

I did not say the 420's came with Bravo's I said that the 311's came with bravo's. They did, ask Doug, his had bravo's. So you be wrong again.

You can prove the data about bottom paint slowing a boat down? My boat is faster the Mikes boat that is a year newer and no bottom paint. Old wives tail prepetuated by people who don't know what they are talking about. :poopoo::poopoo:

I would put those drives on my boat but Arti said it will just porpoise like a broke fin dolphine. :eekdrop:

Whats that Biggus? I think the Crikets are chirping... :poopoo: I think you have been proven wrong enough in one post, don't want to hurt your feelings. Have a nice day.

:party-smiley-004::angry-smiley-038:mission accomplished.:evilb:

Ha!!! :d

I would make ya a drink when I get up there but..... can I? :D

My 311 has 425 valve covers with TRS drives. It's an 88'.

Thanks for your feedback guys. I really appreciate it! From what I've seen for sale, it looks like 1990 and 1991 all come with Bravos paired to either 330's, 365'5, or 420's.

I know that the Formulas are no water rockets, but I was just wondering fs the 330's run at a respectable speed or if I should really be looking for the 365's or 420's.

People have tried to steer me in all directions besides the Formula trying to get me to buy their boats, but I think the 311 is the coolest looking boat out there for the money!!!

I would ONLY look at 365's and 420's/425's. They have the good parts inside and will give you a much better performance. I would think with 330's you would be topping out at 55mph maybe?

Got Twins has a 311 454/330/bravo's it runs 62mph, so thats at the bottom, I would think each upgrade from there is 2/3 mph

An 87 with 330 and TRS will run 60 balls out and cruise about 40-45.

My 89 Bravo with 415 HP 502s ran 72 and 75 with 500 HP's, but needed more prop.

Ted STOP Lieing!! Biggus said it can't be so it can't be! :D

There is going to be a 1988 311 Bravo boat for sale pretty quick from a member on here. PM me and I'll give you his number if you are interested. Boat is clean, you'll have to discuss the details with him.

Dave

Thanks again for the info and comments guys. Hope to have my 311 soon!!!

I agree, My 292 with 330's will run 63 MPH with 24" hydromotives. From what I've been told the 292 and 311 will run close to the same speed with the same power. A 311 with 420's is going to run faster than 68, unless their worn out.

My 302 ran just shy of 60 with 330's in it.

MY buddy has a 90 with 365's and Bravo, 23Mirage 3 blades... best she has ever seen was 63, has 12000 hours now... shes doin 58-60... rebuilds coming...

Another buddy had 88 with TRS, with 600 ish hp it went 78-79 all day on gps, when he returned em to stock 502/500 it went 74-75 gps but needed right water to air it out, flat water they are slugs like any other non stepped boat..

Here is a comparison sheet from 87

I've only owned Formula's. A 223Ls 400hp it would do 60 mph and my new to me 86 311 sr-1 with the 420's stroked and bored to 496's with TRS drives and she's a "MONSTER"
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/...allpaper-1.jpg

Congraats
 

:bunnydance:

Hi Guys,

I finally got my "new to me" 311. Got the colors and year I want but motors are 330's. Not exactly the motor package I was looking for but that will work for now - LOVE the boat! Have a question about deck cleaning.

Boat is in GREAT shape, but it looks like the previous owner waxed right over the dirty deck, and I spent a few hours this weekend trying to rub it out. There has to be a better way to get down to the clean gelcoat base. I heard acetone is the best bet, but that sound kind of harsh.

Any suggestions?

Here the boat!!!

congrats, don't think I seen that one listed, bring it to buffalo for the poker run in aug, lots o boats coming from your area including Got Twins in his 311

Thanks - Will definitely be there. Heard its a blast!

Great! stay tuned to our poker run thread, there will be a train coming down the 90 again, last years had 6 boats i think, this year were gonna try and get someone on a overpass for pics

Looks good, use 1200 wet sand paper on hull then buff it out if there is enough gel left to it... that will make it look new! lots of work but worth it..

Isn't acetone or muratic acid a whole lot easier? I'm just wondering if it will get out the grime.

My opinion... when the sun and dirt eat into it, no matter what you do you will not get that gloss without sanding into it some, you can get it good, but not great...