New to Formulas
 

I am in the Army stationed in upstate New York and have 17 1/2 years in. I am looking at getting a boat in the next couple years and I know I want a Formula. I drove my buddy's 1994 272 SR1 that has a 502 EFI and man that thing was awesome to drive. I am between a Fas Tech 30'-35' or a 330/350 SS for the family, I been on a couple 312s and 353s and loved them. I have seen a couple 280's and 330's Sun Sports here on the St Lawrence river. I have 2 kids and when they come and visit I would like something I can take them out on the river in upstate NY or the the big lakes in North Carolina when I move back there. I would also like something I can take friends out on and have a good time. I would also like something I can do 70mph-80mph in as well. The boat will have to be something that I can tow to and from the water.

Any help would be great for a good all around boat.

Welcome to the world of Formula . . .

I am in the final stages of a boat search, having sold my 242SS a month or 2 ago. I looked at the 311 SR1, the PC's and the Sun Sports. Your desire to have a go-fast as well as an entertaining boat is going to be a problem. They are 2 different boats.

The Fastech's are only going to be good for about 4-5 people. It will feel like you are sitting in a car, as you will not have much space to move around. So, when family and friends come to visit, that will not be a good boat. The restroom facilities will be challenging for guests on longer outings, etc. Most of those boats will do the go-fast part just fine, and they will handle rougher conditions well.

The Sun Sports, either the 280 or the 330, are going to be awesome entertaining and all-round fun boats. They will go low-mid 50 mph, and be a bit more bumpy in the rougher conditions. The big thing is that you will have a boat that is far more nimble than a cruiser.

So, you will have to decide on what will work best for you. I have looked at a bunch of Sun Sports in the New Jersey, MA, CT, NY and St. Lawrence area, so PM me it you want. I may have looked at a particular boat that you are interested in.

Sounds like you need a 34' scarab III.

I love that layout, side by side bolsters with a rear facing bench, then the rear seat bench facing forward all in a typical go fast hull.

I am tired of seeing new boats with two bolsters and a rear bench. Wow, very creative guys. Big boat that seats 5 people. then again, maybe I am just a "bit" tainted hauling around 9 kids.......:lolhit:

Brian

Welcome! From one of the many Formula owners worldwide we truely appreciate and thank you for your dedication and commitment to your country.

You'll find that no matter what model the Fastech or SS, both will have the creature comforts to entertain both family and friends.

If your looking for a 70-80 mph boat then the 353 is the route to go, the SS's are a honest 50-60 mph boat. I have a 292 now, but the 353 is a dream boat. Having 2 kids as well, the 353 gives you a seperate head along with the front v-berth and the lounges which can be broken down and made into a sleeping area with the filler cushions. You can also find some older years with reverse cycle AC and heat. As I believe they stopped offering AC as an option in the newer models.

The 353 is still towable, but your going to need something with at least a 10K tow capacity although you'd be better off with something more around 12K.

Thank you for all the info guys. I guess I am looking for something I can take the kids out on to swim off and also be able to take adult friends and clients out on. I am an AMSOIL dealer and I will run my product in my boat. That way I can show them how it works. But to be honest I do like speed so in a way I am leaning toward the Fas Tech. Even looking at the older 311 SR1s. I have no problem getting an older boat and dropping in some 500HP+ MPFI engines :D.

befu I will look at the 34' scarab III and see if I like it.

splitdecision I was looking at the 353 for the Fas Tech so I got a laugh when you mentioned it lol. I am getting ready to buy a Dodge 2500 4x4 crew cab diesel. So the towing will not be a problem.

How many times will you have more than 6 on board?
At 6 the 382 is the best of both worlds but you need to go dually for the tow. Dually is best for tow stability anyway.
The 350SS is in this same range but slower.
Good luck. I have been researching for a few years too.

It will mostly be 2-4 (including me) that is on the boat. I am a avid scuba diver so I need to take that into account as well. An more suggestions would be great.

Does anyone else have any input?

As a bonus, the 330SS has storage for scuba tanks under the port side lounge seat.

We'd be all over that if we hadn't decided to be wimps and stick with tropical water diving. No cold water for us!

With our 496 mags, we get an easy 60mph indicated on the speedo. I just got the props tuned and hoped to run it for top speed last weekend but had outdrive problems. On a brief run, in 2-4 footers, I think I saw 65 but can't swear to it; I was too busy holding on...

This is my 311. We love it lots of room we us the head for storage. it has 2 525hp 496's so she's a runner.
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/...ker/photo1.jpg
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/...oatpics015.jpg
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/...troker/104.jpg
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/...lsphone327.jpg
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/...lsphone330.jpg