New to the forum, looking for my first Formula
 

I am new to the forum and wanted to say hi. I have grown up living at the lake my whole life and around boating (dad has a checkmate) and I have always loved how the Formulas looked. Now I am in search for one, I am looking for 223 LS of the 88-91 era. I would love to get a bigger boat but I think this is the biggest that will fit in the garage at this point. If anyone had any leads it would be greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to contributing to the forum.

Welcome aboard!! Check the classifieds here on the board. Others will chime in and maybe know of some for sale. I have a 272 and love it

Good choice, I've had two 242's and now a 292 SR-1 and they have all been great boats. Welcome to the site and soon the Formula family.

I've owned a 1990 292 SR1, a 1986 357 SR1 Kamma, and currently have a 1997 419 Fastec with triple 525SC's. All those boats have been the best. As you can see from my screen name I also have a 2006 Fountain 38EC, it is also a great boat, it just has some cabin features and layouts that Formula just doesn't offer. My advise would be to purchase the absolute largest Formula you can afford, even if you have to keep it outside. Once you own one of these boats and then start to look at what else Formula has to offer, you going to get "bowmosis". If you could get a twin setup like the 272 or 292 SR1, that puts you in another league IMHO, as twins are just a blast to run. Anyway, you have chosen a great brand to go after and you'll love whatever size Formula you get.

From a Formula lover, we've had two and loved both, they have great looking classic lines, I'm sure there's a few like you want out there, just don't rush and take your time, you'll find one, when you do come back and show us, good luck with your search.

I know you said 223 but the 242 is an all round better boat if you can make the logistics work. Here is a nice one I came across the other day it seems. I will keep my eyes open for a clean 223
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...ula-242-348234

Not sure if you have seen this one. It is local which is a big plus and prob freshwater but I am not a huge fan of the colors and drivetrain. Hopefully it is a bravo as the 223 is a pretty heavy boat. Also condition is not mint it apears but for the price if you can get them down and it checks out might not be terrible.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...L%29-101928072

I don't think a 223 will fit in a standard garage (24 feet) . . . so unless you have a larger garage, like about 28-30 feet, it probably won't fit . . . boat, trailer, etc.

If that is the case, then a 24 would be much better . . . The SS has more cockpit room than the LS, so it is better for water sports, etc. It is a matter of what you prefer.

I started with a '91 242SS and now have a '96 330SS

friend has a 88 223, great boat, 242 has the 24 degree hull, only 2 ft but rides way better, Ive had a 242, 271, now my 303, can't imagine another brand, especially looking at 20+ yr old boats

My 2cents hold out for a 242

Thanks for all of the replies. I was hoping to put the boat in the detached garage I have, garage at the house isn't deep enough, detached one is 24w x 28d so that's why I was shooting for the 223, only thing that has me worried is the height to get it in the door so I would have to measure height on the trailer. I started looking 2 years ago for a 242 and was going to pull the trigger on it until it failed the inspection so I put my search on hold and have just been using my dads checkmate. Now I really want to find one. If the height doesn't fit in the door then I would for sure be looking for a 242 ls or my favorite, a 292 sr1. I took a ride in a 272 with big blocks and it seemed to rear heavy, I loved the 311 but its too much to be towing around. Thanks again for the help, I have been searching everywhere but you never find all the local ones that people on here might know about.

I'll find ya one LOL, price? and distance willing to travel?

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/boa/3610468759.html

Just saw this on CL.

Stick to 88-92, BBC/bravo, someone will always buy it from ya, anything else is a gamble, every year theres someone new on here looking for a 88-92 242

You will need about 8-1/2 feet of open garage door height to get your boat in. I was able to et my 242 in my garage with 8 foot high door, because I have a sloped driveway which kept the coupler of the trailer low as compared to the garage floor. this allowed the top of the windshield to just fit in the door opening.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Etpenfield...s/IMG_0345.jpg

If you had a trailer with a swing-away tongue, then you could probably get a 242 in a 28 foot garage with a 9 foot high door.

I like the colors of this one better than the palm beach color scheme but that is a lot of hours on the motor if its original. I'm not sure if the regular big blocks suffer the same fate as the 454 mags with the two piece valves coming apart around that many hours of run time, at the very least its getting close to time to freshening. If I do go the 242 route I think this one in Cleveland http://cleveland.craigslist.org/boa/3615951625.html
is the type I would be looking for, a nice rack kept or trailer queen.

The garage I would be keeping the boat in has a nice incline leading into it as well, the tongue would be pretty low leading into the garage.

Cleveland boat is nice, didn't notice the hours on the roch one, but for the difference in plus you could refresh

That`s a nice 242 in Cleveland a little high in price but you never know BBC and bolsters great set up.

I was told the 272 sr1 is bigger than the 292 sr1 ,so if you find it too rear heavy, you will probably find the 292 just as heavy, mine with BBC's feels and handles great.

(Disclaimer: I have never been on a 292 SR1 or fastech, only going by what others have told me)

Going to go out on a limb here state a correction to the above. I believe a 272 LS or SR1 is bigger or seems bigger than a 292 fastech. The fastech has the molded in swim platform so it includes that length. The LS and SR1 are both old school design with the seperate added swim platform. That is why the 272 seems bigger than the 292 fastech. That is what I was told, in real experience I am still an idiot! :cartman:

Brian

I have smallblocks in my 272sr1. Great boat. Not tail heavy. Runs right at 60 most days. Best of 63. All GPS. Fairly good on fuel. Don't rule one out if you decide to go that size. I've had 6 people total. 4 adults and 2 kids and boat performed with no problems.

The 272 sr1 is in no way shape or form, bigger than a 292 sr1. Now a 272 sr1 and a 292 fastech the 272 is going to be about the same size. My old 242 ls with the silent thunder was the exact same size as my buddies 271 fastech.

You are correct, i meant the 292 fastech not the 292 sr1 . Like Befu said i am also telling what i read here.

Wow, I was right! Aaahhhhhh, what a feeling. Been a long time....... Need to go smoke a cigarette now.... :eekdrop:

To much information? to descriptive? :cartman:

Brian

Still gotta check out a 292 fastech some day, they look nice.

My dad is rebuilding an 87 223 ls.It measures 83 inches to top of windshield with no motor or drive in yet and it is on a fairly low trailer and it all fits in 28 feet (tight). Hope this helps.Attachment 494540

Cleveland boat looks great. I have owned both the 272 and the 292 Fastech and yes the 272 is bigger

hi I might be interested in selling my 1990 242 ls. Its very clean and will run 75-80 mph. It has a lot of custom features. Email me at [email protected] and I will send info and pics. I love the boat just looking for a bigger bird.

TTT for Upstater if still looking
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Formu...item3f236f5da5

this is a nice find,

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/boa/3695294812.html

Nice find!!!