I am looking for a 303, 311 and or a 357
 

I am looking for a 303, 311 and or a 357 for under 20k with bravo drives and trailer. I have found a large hand full with trs drives but I am trying to stay away from that.
Last week my friend picked up a 311 Sr1 for 17,500 it was everything I wanted so I know they are out there.

A decent 303 for under 20k is going to be tough to find. 357's that are decent can be had sub 30 with some looking and 311's that again are halfway decent can be found in the 20's and maybe a little below. This I think is a nice looking 311 that just needs a trailer that might be close to what you are looking for.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o41019-en.html
Just depends how clean and close to perfect you want or if you are willing to have a couple projects

This is probably one of the best 311's for the money, was my buddys boat till 5 years ago, he had a fortune in it, tons of updating, nice trailer, and the new owner painted it and it looks amazing...

this boat will runa true 75 on gps all day long and not many do that, hydraulic steering also, not many with it...

I bet this guy would take 17-20 for it and thats a deal considering my buddyn had over 90,000 in it when he had spent over the years of updating and purchasing it...

http://erie.craigslist.org/boa/3061204143.html

Couple 311's that you might be able to work down in price...
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/bod/3130786469.html
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/boa/3157273457.html (not sure if bravo's looks like it)
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/da...065658133.html (trs boat boat but looks nice)

357
Not sure if you are looking for turn key or a little bit of a project
http://hartford.craigslist.org/boa/3133098579.html
This doesn't look half bad little higher than you are looking but only year newer you would find is a '92
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/3157718890.html

The one in warren is over priced for a bad engine, saw that around, bravo boat yes...

Personally I would much rather have a TRS 311, they ride a ton better, unless your in a flat lake then bravo is fine, if you get in any kind of buigger water stick with TRS

I swear you will not find a 311 with more power and updating then the one I posted... trust me... my buddy was very particular and had or may still have full documentation on it, he did all his own work and when them engiens had the 525 cams and edelbrock alum heads it went 80, thats insane for a 311...

you buy one that needs work your gonna have a ton wrapped up in it... trust me... it snowballs out of control..

FF I agree with you I wouldn't shy away from TRS boats especially if they are clean. That 311 you posted looks like a great deal if it all is up to par.

If this is 25k Might be able to get him down close to 20. Looks like a clean 303
http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/3157885783.html

it was a great boat when he sold it, all it needed was poaint, that was done by the owner now with a body shop, look at older ebay listings, better pics, boat look NEW

303's are SMALL.....

you can sink yourself real fast in a boat that just needs TLC, almost EVERY older boat will need stringer/transom/bulkhead work, just figure on it, I don't care what anyone tells you unless it's been done at least once, especially a Baja Formula stinger scarab they didn't seal them well when drilling holes and that invited water in...

engines will cost a ton unless you build em yourself and know what your doing... best survey is knowledge and a small hammer... and someone who can check out engines/drives

I made the mistake years ago withn a TLC boat, I ditched it after spending too much this year, bought a dry 35 Cigarette and am happier then ever that I don't need stringers/paint and such...

research and listen to what guys tell you, luckily I am my own mecahnic painter and such and it still costs a ton.. I could not imagine paying someone to do all my work..

The one in Wisconsin is priced good, offer 14 cash and you would probably be ok, looks well kept

I woukld pay real close attention to gas tank bulkhead and cabin bulkhead on older Formulas....

X2 on what full force said. I just spent $12.5k on parts alone to get mine back up and going before boating season is over. I can't imagine what it would have cost if I had to just take it somewhere. Luckily mine is a 414 hr boat, bought it with 250 hrs on it. Good luck, if you want a good one you will most likely have to pay for it.

I can't sell it for 20, but if you are looking for a no nonsense, ready to go boat I can help.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...-pictures.html

:drink:

that's why I posted about the boat in Erie.... it was my best friends boat and until I got my cig I regretted not buying every day after what I did to my 32 baja

I definitely want to stick with the Bravo set up. I have had both and don’t want to go back besides I have many Bravo parts and eve a couple spare drives so I don’t want to have to change. I am not looking for a project boat anymore because that is what I have always had and im tired of working more than having fun. I have seen a few 311 boats go for my price range and believe me they were not projects. I can be very patient when it comes to looking for the right boat. Thank you guys for your help, I have looked actually seen all of the ones that you both suggested except your friends old boat (Full Force) but think I will keep looking. I also liked the first one that (cuposterchild) had posted but it was sold about a month ago.

You got the right idea....another couple months, and you might be able to hit someone up towards the end of the season not looking to store something all winter. I will keep my eyes peeled. I am always kinda looking for something in this range so will pass on whatever I find

Ok, 311's

Great deal as long as it checks and sharp! but TRS.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/da...065658133.html

This could be the one maybe he'll negotiate or get close to 20,

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/boa/3158838077.html

really like that one.

Yes 303's are a tad smaller then the 311, but PWR VS PWR +10 mph depends on what ya want.... I wanted 70+mph:evilb:
with that said the Denver 303 looks nice, and your not as far away as the rest of us, his location is killing him trying to sell I bet you could buy it good. also on OSO class there's a 303 here in Buffalo NY, he needs it gone... BUT for the money Artie's 303 is the nicest machine available

Also IMO if your gonna consider a 303 or 311 you might as well consider the middle

292

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/boa/3158352517.html

292 is 31 overall so longer then the 303

Does anyone know the actual sizes of these things? That would probably help with making any decisions.

Does anyone know the actual sizes of these things? That would probably help with making any decisions. I have a 28.5 single 502 Mach-1 now and well I’m an American so I want bigger and faster.

with any 80's-91 SR1 model, 242/272/292/311/357 you will add two feet, these models were measure actual hull length, swim platform was bolt on and not considered.

In 92 Formula integrated the swim platforms, so the 271/303/336/382 include platforms and are overall lengths

I understand the swim platform part but I still have no idea what each ones length is?

The numbers are the lenght messured in feet :-)

I HAVE A 311 IN CLASSIFIEDS...HP500S NEW IMCO STEERING REBUILT BRAVOS MINT INTERIOR

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/3119627034.html

80's-91
Model Length

242 26-2
272 29-2
292 31-2
311 33-1
357 37-7


92 up
Model Length

271 27-1
303 30-3

336 33-6
382 38-2


Is this correct? I know it sounds simple but I would like know for sure.

pretty much nailed it

Full Run down on the perf boats Notice that the platforms vary through the line up on the older models (this is via 1990 and 1995 brochures)

Model/Length/Overall
206/20'6"/22'1"
223/22'3"/24'1"
242/24'2"/26'0"
272/27'2"/28'11"
292/29'2"/30'11"
311/31'1"/33'0"
357/35'7"/37'7"

Model/Length
271/27'1"
303/30'3"
336/33'6"
382/38'2"
419/41'9"

Thats correct .
:-)

A lot depends the conditions, in Lake Erie personally I would NEVER have anything less then 32 ft ever again, I am now spoiled, if you are on inland lakes buy anything really, the light chop they get would make any boat fun!!

Lake Erie hands you your azz on the right day.... people have no idea....oceans are easier on boats the LE

I currently have a 1990 formula 311
Bravo Drives
454 Mag Mpi's
On a Trailer
Hull Is Mint
Silent Thunder Swim Plat Form
I Had 454 Carb Engines In it
Blew One So I Decided To Buy 454 Mag MPI's
The Motors And Drives Are Out 100% Working Cond
Everything to Put It Back Together
Let Me Know If Your Interested

What kind of numbers are you seeing with that setup?

Wow, that 89 311 in Chicago looks really clean. He is pretty proud of it, judging by the asking price, but maybe rightly so. I would love to be in the market for one of these old 292's or 311's, but the biggest stumbling block for me right now is the idea of buying a bigger boat AND something heavier duty to tow it with!

Seems like I have seen this boat for sale several times, unless there are a few of them floating around with the same graphics. I like the 303's, but if I am going to spend the money and get into a boat with twins in the 30+ foot range, it is going to have an enclosed head. That is the only way I will keep the static down with a wife and two daughters. I can GUARANTEE you that I will have a much more enjoyable time on the water with all that estrogen floating around if they have a private bathroom. Right now I am on borrowed time with the boat I have, since they are only 8 and 10. Just wait and see what happens in about 5 years. :eek:

I still say the 303 is small, plus no front hatches, it gets stuffy up front without em, my Cig don't have em above v berth... I use 2 fans to move air around...

I agree on the stufffy part i also use fans my 271 was same way. the 3030 is pretty versatile where the ndxt step up loses some of the things we like most enclosed head for me would be a storage locker

Hey new here... what do you mean exactly about the stringers, bulkhead neediing work.... etc... I am just looking into older formula boats and trying to understand what is good the bad and ugly of older formulas. 80's til late 90's. thanks..

Almosy ANY older boat will need work in the bulkheads and stringers if it was not completely indoor and trailer kept, or never got rained in or used at a beach, Cigs and Apaches seem to be sealed up in the rigging process WAY better then other brands of the era, there are also "friday" boats...

that being said, there are plenty of great hulls out there that were taken care of, I can tell normally from pictures of engines alone how the boatw as kept up...

if engines and bilge are drity or paint flaking off valve covers and such, WALK AWAY as I gaurantee it sat outside way too much...

As far as Formulas go, the bulkhead under step rots because the windshields leak and there is nowhere for water to go, the rear center stringers rot easy on them for some reason, and also the gas tank bulkhead.... transoms are hit or miss, depends how much stuff people removed and installed over the years, a leaky gimble or exhaust pipe will destory a transom easily as the holes were not sealed much if at all back then...

best survey is a guy who knows what to look for and give him a hammer to tap around...

expect stress cracks above the head in 311 and 357 formulas, very common and not a big deal, walk all over the deck also and make sure hatch windows didn't leak and rot that too...

personally I like TRS 311's over Bravo for the ride in big water, if you are inland lake it wont matter...

good luck!

still playing with props but low 70's cruises at 47mph at 3300 rpm which is perfect

Thanks, Yes, I am new to PowerBoats and just looking for info on these types of boats as my last boat was a 88 225 Four Winns Sundowner. Just looking and learning right now for a hopefully newer Formula. Well, 90's-2000 err... I hear you about big Lake as my cottage is on Lake Superior and as you said about Erie, Lake Superior can gobble you up in an instance. Most of my cruising will be out there, with some tours to some small inland lakes around Indian River, MI area...