1997 Formula 280 Sunsport help
I just bought a 1997 Formula 280 Sunsport on eBay. I am having a marine survey & mechanical inspection performed tomorrow or Monday. Here is the link to the eBay listing.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=...#ht_512wt_1021

Everything looks in order except for the 454 mag mpi engines. Should they look that rusty being installed in 2007 or is it old parts put on the new motor. The price is fair if all checks out. He threw in the trailer with it. I have not seen pics of the trailer but it should be decent shape from what the guy said.

Lastly I will need to rent a 3/4 ton truck to pull this to Cleveland, Ohio from lake of the ozarks in Missouri. Am I better to do this or pay someone to haul it back?

Link does not work, as far as getting it home you better pay or get a buddy to go and pay him,

Also I have a reputable guy that hauls boats licensed insured the whole bit, I'd have to dbl check exacts, but to give you a idea he's around 2.50 a mile

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=...#ht_512wt_1021

The engines are older than 2007, you can find out what year from the serial numbers. A tech can also hook a computer to them and find out how many hours and at what RPM levels they were operated at and for how long.

+1,yes it reads new 454's were installed in 2007,,''new to him''

If the survey came back good would you still buy the boat?
I'm almost ready to walk away because the guy is either really busy or not communicating well.

If u get a bad feel move on, these boats care everywhere, all they need is twin 350's so not sure why someone would stuff 454's in there, these boats are every where and honestly you were border line on the price.

Typically 'new' engines installed during a re-power are remanufactured engines. You still can get the 7.4long blocks as new marine engines. The other parts were most likely transferred from the old engines, which is common practice with a new or reman. Long block replacement. It would be best to find out exactly what was done in 2007.

The 7.4's were an option on the 280SS over the more common 350's. It will probably do 60 mph with the 7.4's . . . Mid-50's with the twin 350's.

Is it the one that sold on eBay August 2nd?

The rust is the picture looks to be in the hatch lift . . .

Your winning bid price is about in the mid-point for the range of retail prices for a 1997.