I'm new to OSO and would like an honest opinion from some seasoned Formula owners. I've been in the market for a 272 SR1 for a month or so. I'm majorly digging the late '80 s styling and most color combos. I came close to owning an '87 earlier in the month but it was sold out from under me. Anyway, trying to find one in really nice shape, priced right is becoming a hard find and even more so with small blocks. I have located another '87, 300 hour, all original 272 small block boat that looks like is just came out of a time capsule and the color is right as well. A few minor cosmetic issues, cockpit cover and a new rub rail will be near future projects. Otherwise this thing is in really nice shape. No trailer, just the boat.

Here's the catch....it hasn't been in the water in 15 yrs. It was winterized and put in rack storage in 1998 and hasn't seen the light of day until about month ago. I'm no stranger to boats, small block Chevy motors or Alpha drive so I do know that carb rebuilds, fuel system components (tank lines filter etc), all ignition parts, all bellows and lower shift cables, impellers, lubricants, and other wearable parts will need replacement or at the very least, cleaning or servicing. A good squirt of fog oil in every spark plug hole and priming the oil pumps prior to firing the motors would be a good measure as well. Even so, I still do not know the condition of piston rings and cylinder walls from the being in one spot all those years.
I also rapped on all the rear stringers with a large screw driver handle and all sounds solid- no signs of delamination or hollow stringers.

Here's the question. Without hearing those motors run is $12K too much to pay for the boat?

Provided the motors are fine, add a new trailer at $5K and price out all the above necessary parts at approx $1800 and I'm $20K in this thing with tax.
Finally, is this 25 year old boat worth this money?
No flaming please, just an honest gentleman's opinion would be very helpful. Thanks.
Dave......

Nada book
total price $66,200 low $8,050 avg. Retail $9,200
non running w /????
12k seems a bit high - maybe have the seller get it fired up

i think i sent a pm about a 272 baja sorry did'nt notice the frmula

keep looking..if i had the cash http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ula-312-a.html needs some tlc but?

Depends on what its worth to you, if your in the boat of your dreams for 20k seems reasonable to me, as far as the particular boat 12k is on the high side, you can buy a decent 272 with small blocks for 12-15k running, Ive seen a few recently I'll link em for ya when I find them again,

This will give u a feel,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BEAUT...item35c06b9041

Little high,

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/boa/3317446469.html

http://erie.craigslist.org/bod/3256922285.html

What's ironic about the boats you've sent links for is that I've considered all of them. In fact, I was the high bidder in the auction on the first ebay boat you have linked (reserve not met and seller wouldn't respond to my messages to find out what it would take to buy that boat- it was sold before the auction end- IMO). I think I've seen every SR1 on the net and most seem like their priced high. The lower priced boats looked like they been run hard a put away wet one too many times.
Anyway, this boat is the right color and has the right engine package for me. The overall condition of the boat is great. My concerns are with the unknown inside the motors from sitting so long. I am a bit concerned with other issues that may arise in connection with it sitting as well. I was hoping someone else reserected one that had been parked for a decade and could shed some light on any age related issues etc. as a result of sitting. It's just that the damn thing just shows so very little signs of wear everywhere else...makes me want to take the gamble and drop the asking coin.
Thanks.

I've got a pretty nice 272 big block bravo boat for sale for quite a bit less.

Thanks 'lil red. I like those colors but the big motors aren't for me. I would imagine at that money it should sell.