Don't know how old those pics are bigdog, but if recent I'd say Perfect storm should be proud

The lines on the 311 are timeless. It sits right in the water, the windshield looks right, and the interior just works. My biggest gripe was working in the engine compartment. Aside from that there is very little downside to owning a 311.

I agree with most of this, but there are other boats that have MUCH less engine room......

my 303 :(

but not as bad as a 272 BBC :D

I owned a 32 Baja that SUCKED to work on...

I always loved the way the 311 looks sitting in the water.........

Buddy's 311
http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/...psee74dfd5.jpg

I forgot how much fun it is to look for a boat the only problem is that none of these boats are real close to be able to just take a afternoon to see.

I flew from florida to new mexico to look at a 419 only to find it missing drives and the guy didn't even bother to get the drives on and ready to test drive as I spent two days in new mexico waiting. Found my Fountain in NJ and had it towed down to florida. Flew in to NJ to do the Fountain deal. Boat was delivered with dead batteries at 11:00 at night, had to get one from wal mart to get it off the trailer in my hometown. Aside from that, been a great boat. Point is, don't be afraid to travel to find the right boat. Once you own it, you own it. Take your time and wait for the right boat.

Great advise, be patient also, closest boat I bought was 4 hours away, then I went to Alabama, then Tennessee,

'89 311 330's Bravos....Available as of Sept 25, 2014.....

http://www.boatcrazy.com/search/details.php?id=55525

http://media.boatcrazy.com/55525-pre...c8e8636ece.jpg
http://media.boatcrazy.com/55525-pre...c466fd8d24.jpg

Boat has been for sale, was cheap for a while then had issues, I think repowered and now relisted, or it could be the identical boat that I'm thinking

How bad is it to take the thunder box off of these boats? Any modifications that need to be done other than filling some holes and re finishing? I think I would be interested in putting a aluminum tube platform on the boat. Any thoughts on this?

Don't put aluminum on one, I think the factory platform makes the boat look great and fits the boat just right, I told sky that when he took his off!![ATTACH=CONFIG]531103[/ATTACH]

Pulling the platform isn't too bad, helps if you have access to a forklift. I pulled mine when my motors were out. I know some people don't like the ST platform, but I feel it really makes the boat. I cut down the dams in mine, but it was still pretty quiet. What really opened it up was removing the rubber flappers. That totally changed the sound for the better.

We gutted my buddy's (the pic) sounded sweet!

This is what mine sounded like after the modifications:

http://vid290.photobucket.com/albums...psdef425b3.mp4

I wouldn't but its your boat,

I like the way that it looks, just love the sound of two Big Blocks!!! So I would just need to gut it.

Take a hole saw to the lower part of the box where the drain holes are and pull the rubber flaps. You will hear it.

I agree.....the alum platform ruins the look of the boat.....
http://git.me/photo/2014/08/28/13214...311-SR1-31.jpg



You definitely don't EVER want to do this.........:crazy: Thru hull exhaust at or BELOW the waterline is a big nono......
http://www.boats4sale.pro/detail/us/...LA-F311-SR1-31
http://git.me/photo/2014/08/04/15607...311-SR1-31.jpg

I cut 8" holes in the bottom of mine on my 357 and then installed the screw in access plate. That way I could have it loud when I wanted or quiet it down a bit by installing the access plates. Also, I removed the damn inside and removed the rubber flappers. I think the rubber flappers are the most annoying thing about the silent thunder. I really like the resonating sound they make when you remove the damn and flappers. I agree with Baja, don't get a boat with exhaust below the water line, just not a good idea.

Didn't you put like 5" access plates on the inside angled surface of your 292....that sounded real good too.

forgot about those, yes I did. That is one thing I actually liked about the silent thunder that I don't think too many buyers think about until you own one is that there are actually a lot of options to "tune" your exhaust noise to what you want and what you family may or may not want. It also really enhances the look of all their SR1 boats, no doubt!

Well, using the deck access plates was ingenious on your part...as screwing the plate in gives you less exhaust sound (important nowadays with noise restrictions) and with the plate removed for an aggressive sound, the hole has the outer ring for a finished look. Good work !!!

Anyone have some pictures of these mods done to their thunder box? Liked to see the different way's it's been done.

Call scott he's got pics I'm sure of what he did

Many big power cats in south Florida have through hulls below the waterline. Danger zone has a single 6" through hull under the gimbal. Just has to be a steep enough drop.

That boat isn't some big power cat with the engines further away from the transom.....that is an improper installation by anyone's standards. From CMI website..
http://www.custommarine.com/images/p...ementguide.gif


All vertical dimensions are for standard height manifolds and taken on the outside of the transom with ruler flat against transom. CMI requires precise measurements ensure system fit. Plus or minus transom measurements indicate minimum and maximum dimensions in which tailpipe transom holes may be specified. Radius angles are an additional charge. See Measurement Guide for instructions to measure tailpipe installation.

I guess stingray, baja, cobalt and a handful of others that do through hulls below the platform and below the waterline are doing it wrong. Never mind the aftermarket and riggers.
Stingray 230sx and baja 240 both have the exhaust through hull below wTerline from the factory

Btw those are measurement reference points. A 272,292, and 311 formula do not have std bravo exhaust locations. I've taken those measurements and made custom tails once or twice.

You are correct they are right at the waterline. However I do like what the guy did modifying the ST box to get actual thru hulls on it he just needed to raise the center ones about 8 inches.

That platform is the one before they came out with the Silent Thunder, so he made no mods to that platform.....only mods are the thru hulls tips which Formula would never have done in such ridiculous way.

My bad I thought it was modified and very true on the thru hulls

BTW you being from West MI do I know you?

No biggie....I had that platform on my 272, the factory would run the exhaust above or onto the platform...not the best for longevity. I did pup upwards of 800 hrs on that boat, had to refinish the gel coat and add some stainless bars to keep the top from swelling.
We probably never met as I am further north....I have been down to Grand Haven/ Spring Lake a lot, but usually with the waverunner and not always with the boat.

Well I have been looking around at different things and I have a friend that is thinking of getting rid of his 303. The boat is a 92 with 454's bravos and hyd steering. Nice package with a good interior and tri axle trailer. What do you guys think of the 303's.

Joe? Great boat but I would want bigger I think the ass beatings on Lake Erie will get old, that but does run good though! One real good thing is you know the boat....

We love ours, wish ours had hydr steering thou, thats a huge bonus, with mags it will run 66/67/69 depending on conditions, I have 502 EFI's and get 74 regularly it handles lake erie just fine,

This boat runs around the same speeds. The 454's have some slight mods putting the hp rating around 420. This is getting to be a tuff decision. I found a really nice 311 also but this 303 is in my back yard and well the owner is like a brother. The other problem is last night my wife tells me that maybe we should get a bigger boat!!! WTF

303 isnt bad, I'm spoiled I will never have less then 35 in our end of erie lol I would look around for a café or 38 a gun pretty cheap some of those are getting awful cheap now