Help with my search....
 

Fellow members. My first time posting here.

First let me say that I have learned much from all who post and enjoy reading the responses and doing researching on this site. Thank you to all who take time to post answers to questions from those like myself.

With that being said, I am searching for a Formula 292 Sr1 or 303 Sr1, possibly a 311 Sr1 and have come across quite a few, but pricing on these boats has been all over the map. I have seen boats from $15k and the sky is the limit from there.

The search is on, but what is a realistic value for these boats with a trailer? I understand that condition is the great factor as well as fresh water vs. salt, but again, values do not seem to dictate condition. A marginal condition boat with 800 hours and a new trailer does not warrant a $40k price, in my opinion.

The information on OSO is so good that I would reach out to those on this forum for some answers and possibly an idea of where I might find a seller.

Thank you for your time.

Welcome, I would say for a nice 292/311 expect to pay 18-25k 303's are a different ball game, and still hold low 30's if there immaculant, biddding went up to 34k on a 95 303 last week on ebay, I would say 25-32 for a 303 is a real number,

Syracuse NY craigslist has a 292 on it, not sure if its a new owner or if he's playing the winter/spring game, but in the fall it was around 20k


http://syracuse.craigslist.org/boa/3613616613.html

This one looks nice...if it checks out aside from the one motor issue might be a good buy....hard to tell from pics and description
http://utica.craigslist.org/boa/3608300133.html

88242LS, thanks for the reply. I would pay $30k for the right boat if it was represented correctly. I don't want to waste a persons time with BS.

be patient and willing to travel, I'll keep a eye out, I payed all the money for mine but it was all the right boat too:evilb:

Harley,

I'd say your in range for a nice 303. Like 88242LS i agree you can't pay to much for a nice one, but you sure can pay way too much for a turd! The 303 is a great boat, I get compliments all the time, and they look way newer than an older 292 or 311 (I LOVE the old body style, BTW)

I was thinking of selling mine, but pretty much decided to keep it for at least another season. Whatever you decide on you can't go wrong with a Formula. :drink:

Maybe we will see you at PIB this summer?

-Artie

Oh... and welcome to OSO :thankyouthankyou:

As you say, it takes time and patience. I prefer to pay all the money for the boat I want, just like you.
:drink:

Thanks for the input! I have spent enough time chasing a boat through several states, only to be disappointed with the results, due to misrepresentation....

I really prefer the 303 and have seen several, but those are typically the ones that are "over the top" as far as prices are concerned. I like the old lines as well, but the 303 is just awesome!

I hope to see you in PIB this summer on my newly acquired 303 (if I can be patient enough to find it...):drink:

Harley,
I absolutely Love the 99-92 Sr1 the lines are timeless, year after year someone comes on here looking for one, and it seems as the Formula ownership pride is more so then any other brand, There are more 20+ yr old formula's running around then any other brand, also it seems there values have bottomed out, however every year i hear of someone paying big bucks for that special "one"

For us we came outta the 93 271, and there was just enough modern stuff that to go back to a 88-92 Sr1 one would have been a bit disappointing even though it would have meant jumping into a bigger boat, We came ultra close on a 91 292 with 502's because it had the 502's but we just could not do it and we had a 303 lurking (mine) and every time we went on the computer looking at boats I kept coming back to it, it was a little more modern, actually some of the lines are better then the fastech in my opinion,
A huge factor for me was if we made the leap I wanted a honest 70 mph boat, my 303 with 502's runs an honest 74, and with the Efi's its not to bad on gas, another plus,The prices on the 303 are all over the board so you just have to decide on your particulars,

Sam

ours,

http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/r.../IMG956757.jpg
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/r...6603845407.jpg
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/r...7-28164652.jpg
http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/r...5-25114627.jpg

This ones not to far off the mark with low hours,
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...SR-1-101822611

This is local to me and probably could be a good buy, needs a good clean and some cosmetics, boat has hardly ever been seen on plane, and not left in water,
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...SR-1-101881951

This one we almost bought, nice guy, seemed to be taken care of, lots of hours however and claimed to be rebuilt but I never found it to be true, even after contacting shogren where he got it from, but the colors were right and what we wanted as they were the same as the 271, interior was one season from needing to be recovered, ironically so was mine as its in the garage now, even after I paid all the money, bad scratch on bow bye bow stop on trailer, in green stripe at very tip of bow, otherwise rest of gel was great, trailer was awesome, I think it was close to needing canvas also, and only had a ice box not a fridge
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...-SRI-101874677
BTW he bought a 330ss so I imagine hes ready to move, might have been a 370 not sure

Also considered this one, but liked ours better, but seemed to be right, was on craigs for 33 in fall bye owner (st louis)
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...SR-1-101710111
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...SR-1-101710111

This ones been bopping around for a while also don't remember much about it anymore

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ws...529541368.html

Also worth noting is the dashboards are much more attractive to me anyway on the 92-94, 95/96 not sure what Formula was thinking but they werent pretty

Wow! Gorgeous boat! Thanks for sharing!

I really love the lines of the 303! I have a line on a fresh water 2 owner, '96 303, with trailer, super clean, but at $36k it seems high from what I am reading....:eek:

Thanks again for the input! The Missouri boat has been sold I imagine. I called and never got a return call. The posting says removed.

I saw the TX boat and have requested further info but as of yet, have gotten nothing.

I just sent an email request for the Grand Island boat. This is what I'm looking for and the money appears to be right, as you say!

Thanks again!

For what it's worth I went to Missouri for my 292. I found the best tool to help me avoid a unnecessary trip was to get good pictures of manifolds and outdrives. I found that those two area's of the boat was a good guide to the condition of the boat. I even had a dealer offer to pay for my trip to and from the lake of ozark area. He then sent me pix of manifolds and drives, I didnt bother going after seeing poor condition of drives. Just remember the fun really is in the chase.

Thanks for the response. I understand what you mean by drives and risers. I like to see the bilge area as well. If they don't want to take the time to clean the bilge, chances are they don't take care of the rest.

I will travel, no problem. Just don't blow smoke up my arse and expect me to roll over and take it... the chase gets pricey after a while.... just sayin':whistle:

Make RT930turbo an offer he can't refuse! He has a very nice 303!

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

Harley, Did you keep a yellow spider at Copper Kettle in Lorain?

No sir, but my boat did originate from Copper Kettle. When I was reconditioning the hull, I could see the outline of the Copper Kettle Marina sticker on it.

Cool, I docked my old 272 next to it in the 90's was a sharp boat

What about a '89 w/700 hrs, fresh water, triaxle, 3rd owner, $20k?:whistle:

I like my Spyder, just looking to move up and really like Formula boats. Classic!

Thanks for the plug Jordan :) I honestly don't know if I'm ready to part with it.... but I guess as they say, everything is for sale! :drink:

I have a 311 its a project not sure if it runs or not I got it winterized and never unwinterized it
Pm me for info
Brett

Hey Brett, if bagger passes I have a buddy possibly looking for something along those lines.

Can you shoot me some details?

[email protected]

-Artie

Ill save your email!!
Brett

No Problem
:boat: