Formula SS
 

Question for you all on the SS models. I was looking at a 26 and 28SS more or less for future planning and what not. I am coming from or have a 29 Fever, and kind of looking at getting more of a family multi use boat than just pure performance. I like the 28 but its heavy and from what I have heard sucks fuel big time. So kind of narrowed it down to a 26. But was looking today and saw they offered a 252SS. What does 8inches more give you?

Anyways any thoughts on the 252, whats the weight, speed ranges, fuel consumption, amount of people you can have in it, water it can take on.

I would also post this question here http://formulaboatsforum.com/forumte...php?board=21.0

thanks

I'm actually looking to make the same transition. From the research I've done, the 252 has a way different cockpit layout and is the typical two front buckets and a rear bench seat. The 260 has the more "cruiser style" cockpit. I've driven a 260 and it's a nice riding boat and has a nice layout.

yeah to me it seems as if the 260 has the bar or cooler thing in there as well. I just cant imagine being a ton of difference in 8 inches. Now between the 252/260 and the 280 i could see it. Initially I thought about the 28 but with twins which I would like to get away from and the fuel cost to haul it and run it, probably counted that out.

The 260 SS shares the same/similar layout (u shape seating, etc) as the bigger 28 and 33 foot sun sports. The 252 is really the next evolution step from the 87-91 242SS. The layout of the 252 is pretty standard and a bit cramped. I believe they both are 22 degree hulls and 8' 6" beam.

My neighbor has a 260 with open bow and it is awesome for family usage. Volvo small block power with dual prop. Went out with 6 adults and 2 kids, had a blast and decent amount of room for tubing and swimming. Wasn't a speed demon but we ran all day and part of the next day on a full tank tubing and skiing.

gooddefine cramped, so I can get a picture. I had a 22ft crownline cuddy and then I have the 29 fever, which in reality the crown wasnt any smaller of a cockpit than the fountain. I would have to imagine the 252SS has to be quit bit larger, just from pictures it looks like an easy 6-8 person cockpit, vs what I have now is 4, with 6 if its small women in the back.

252 came in LS/SS/BR SS has u-shaped back seat and two front seats (pedestal only) LS came with rear bench and either front pedestals or bolsters. BR is same cockpit as SS but open bow. 252 was just a little bigger than the older 223 and was only 22* dead rise like the 223 I wouldn't say it was a step forward from a 242ss more like a 223LS/SS between length and dead rise. 252 is a more performance oriented setup I would say than a 260 but I would say a 260 maximizes the cockpit space a little better for taking more people. Never had a problem cramming 6 people in a 242 so I would say two more should be easy with the u-shape in the 252. They run well with 502s due to the dead rise but more harsh than a 242. All depends on what you are looking for too. You can get a single big block 280ss but I don’t think they are as efficient as the twin 350/6.2 setup. All 252's are 8'6" and approximately 4500lbs and change. I am kinda hung up on deadrise these days. Even my tiny 18ft is bringing 24* to the table which is huge in my book.

I have an '05 260 SS with 496 Magnum/Bravo 3 and couldn't be more pleased with it. Not difficult to tow, rides very well in chop, very easy on fuel, and runs 53-54 mph WOT. Counter-rotating props make handling/docking very easy. Very roomy well-planned cockpit. Last summer, I took a bachelorette party out on Lake Mead ... 14 plus me on the boat. Not sure I could fit that many women on my 382.

RedDog nice boat.

thanks for the info so far

Soldier here you go http://formulaboatsforum.com/forumte...p?topic=5342.0

Hey thanks. Right now I am more or less feeling the waters. And would like to do something with a trade which probably means a dealer. I love the fountain, but dont want to go through the hassle of selling first then being boatless with summer almost being done. Would like to trade get another boat and be back out on the water.

I totally understand. I am currently in North Carolina visiting my family but I would not mind hanging out and talking boats with you. Most of my boating experience is with outboards. Shoot me a PM and I will give you my cell number if your ok with it.

I figure my fountain if I were put it up for sale would go for about 25. And these late 90s 252 can be had for around 20 and 260's for 25-34. At this point in the summer and being on furlough throwing extra cash down isnt in the cards. So if I could find a dealer that would even straight up trade it might make me think about it.

But you know how it is up here we got about 4-5 weekends of boating weather left give or take, so selling and then buying isnt worth it at this point. Ive had the fountain for three years and love it and have always wanted it. But after a few years you kind of start seeing the fountain and performance market in general is a one trick pony. I know guys say they tube behind them and etc, yeah thats like trying to make a cavalier a fast car, its still a cavalier. I know other boats offer a little more room here and there, but regardless of brand and size for the most part they are all kind of same.

But getting rid of the fountain to me would be like dumping your hot girl friend in HS. very hard to do, and once you did it, you would hate yourself. But knowing me Ill be back on the boat this weekend and getting rid of it will leave my mind. lol.

Thank you EMSD! It's the perfect boat for Lake Mead.

Soldier I hear you. Its tough to find a setup that is one-size-fits all. I would like to eventually to go RedDogs route and go with a 382 and a 242ss/260ss/280ss. Best of all worlds at that point. Btw Red you have some killer looking 'birds.

The Chapparal SSI is the same lay out as the SS, any other models out there that would be sort of the same idea. Crownline, I know cobalts have some stuff, but even on a good day with my wallet, those things require a newborn baby to get one. Does Sea Ray have anything.

Yeah a do all boat is hard to find, and I dont necessarily want a boat that is great at fishing, great at water sports. I just want something that can hold 8 people or so comfortably and can do a little of everything.

Some of the older Sea Ray SS's are cool looking, Monteray has some stuff in open bow. Chris Craft is a cool unique setup but again pricey

We have a 2002 260 SS cuddy with a 496 HO that we bought this year. We had a 31 Sonic previously. We absolutely love this boat. It is a great all around boat for performance, family and cruising. So far we have had 4 adults and 3 children on board and had plenty of room for more. We would have been cramped with that many in the Sonic.

Soldier4402 – we are not too far from you. You are welcome to come and check it out sometime. PM me if you are interested.

hey thanks bn. Yeah I run around the cuse every so often and hit the river a lot. If I think of it and am around ill hit you up. I saw quite a few SS on the water this weekend but nothing close up. I think after looking at the specs the 25 or 26 foot, SS or SSI would be a good fit, the 28's really start getting into a big heavy monster.

The video tells you all you need to know about the 260SS. We looked at many boats before we bought the 260SS and nothing else even came close. Awesome boat in every way.
http://www.usboattest.com/boat-tests...la-260-ss.html

I've had a 252SS a little over a year now. By far the only thing I don't like about it is the cockpit layout; it has room for 7-8 people as long as everybody is sitting down but when anyone needs to move, it's cramped. The boat handles chop reasonably well, tops at mid 60's with a 502Mag and planes very easily, but the main reason I bought it was that I got a smoking deal for a very low hour boat.

Not bad at all, but budget permitting, 260 is IMO better. The only downside I can think of is that 252 sleeps two comfortably, three in a pinch, 260 does not.

Thanks CPC! My first boat was also a blue on white/charcoal PowerPlay 185 XLT. Nice little boat!

Glad I know I am following the correct path! :D They are WAY fun and extermely solid for what they are.

Well thanks everybody for the info. Drove my boat last weekend and still love it. But if the right deal came along I would definitely be inclined to think about it.

Anybody in the northeast area has something like a 252 or 260 SS or the Chapparal SSI, and would like to trade hit me up. My boat info is in the forum. After looking at values, the trade I would want would probably have to be like a 97 or better and the chapparal probably a 2000 or better. Must have a trailer as well. I wouldnt mind throwing a few g's into the pot, but one for one is what I am looking for. Thanks all.

The Formula 260 SS will seat more people than the Chaparral 260 SSi due to the port lounge vs. port bucket. It is a bigger overall boat, too.

A broker told me that the cabin in the Chaparral is a lot smaller than the Formula. My problem with the 252 is that you have to climb over the windshield to get to the bow. Did that with my 382. Don't want to do it any more.

As was stated before, I am big on dead rise too because of how much it effects the ride quality. The Formula 260SS or even the 280 is 24° and is a mono hull. The mono hull and 24° together will "drag" in the water ALOT more than a stepped boat hull. The stepped hull will be more fuel efficient because of it's ability to release from the water drag but water sports behind a stepped boat is a bad idea and not recommended, even though some do it! That said the fuel efficiency is not really a legitimate comparison, to me anyway, because the water sport boat and the "go-fast" boat are worlds apart and drastically different uses. The Formula SS in the "Sun Sport" version is all mono hull but the SS as the Super Sport version is stepped. If you look on Formula's web site you can see what is available, in sizes you want, if the fuel efficiency is a strong concern. I don't believe the difference in the hulls can compare to efficiency because the stepped is going to be better but has limitations to use. That is the best way I thing to describe the two hull types; they are both good in specific uses.

We shopped for a long time, went to many shows, got on a lot of boats before pulling the trigger on our Formula's. That is the best thing I would recommend, get on the boats and get the feel. There are Formula SS's that you may like over others for many reasons, some that are better felt and seen than told. The space and layout is very practical in the Formula line and to ride on one you would see how the ride is renowned among owners of the Formula line up.

I have the mono hull 242 just for the water sport reason.

Thanks for the information. Really right now just feeling it out, and maybe take the step in the next few years or so. Really like what I have and its nice. Just tired of hopping over the windshield to get to the bow and only having 6 people max sucks, no place for even a cooler, Im not gordons fisherman, but wouldnt mind throwing a line over once a while which with the fountain forget it. Then tubing, and skiing, lol yeah not happening. So well see what happens. Ride quality matters, not so concerened speed, still would like to get 55-60mph.

Fuel efficiency is a concern, I wouldnt mind spending the same amount on fuel, but would like something that gets some range.