311 Advise
 

I am looking at a couple of 311's and I may go see one this weekend in my area. It is a 87 311. What are some of the things to look for structurally on the boat besides the transom, engine compartment stringers and bulk head. Is there access to see the fuel tank? Cabin framing and stringers? Deck? Any little things that owners know about that most wouldn't look for or know to look for. Any advise is appreciated!

Really nothing?? No one has some insider info on specific things to look for?

I am just getting started on mine but the transom is a big thing .and as for the gas tank there is a access panel on the cockpit floor but all the seats have to come out and all the screws have to d me out and they calked all around the opening . But good luck hope you get a good one

You can see the back part of the gas tank on a TRS boat, not sure on a bravo boat. Check to see if the silent thunder platform is leaking around the gaskets. Check the tailpipes to see if they are loose. Formula didn't bolt and nut them and they loosen up and leak fumes into the bilge. To repair that you will have to pull the swim platform. Check the transom as well. Check the bolsters on the older ones, they break free from the pedestals and you will have to have those welded. The hydraulic actuators for the bolsters tend to go bad. They can be rebuilt by Crane Aerospace for about $115 bucks each but you have to have an account with them, and that is kind of a pain to setup. I can't stress enough how good a boat the 311 is, find a clean one and you will love it.

Finally talked to the owner of the boat that I'm looking at and he informed me that a highly respected service shop in my area replaced the stringers from the engine room through the cabin Last Spring. I am going to look at the boat Tuesday and hopefully it is as nice as he says. The only problem is that he says that it has bottom paint on the boat. I hope that it isn't to crazy because I will be taking it off. Fingers crossed.

Thanks for the info on the thunder platform. It is a TRS boat. I have always loved the 311's. Did the 311's come standard with A/C shore power?

If I do purchase this boat I will be putting air in the boat. Has anyone installed one on these before? Where is the best place for the unit?

a bottom painted 311 id heavily deprecated, and very hard to sell, not sure what the price is but pay accordingly, but for me bottom paint, already replaced stringers, I'd run, there are plenty of nice 311's out there,

o ya years ago i was looking at a bottom painted boat, OSO steered me the other way since I to planned on removing, its not a easy job at all

It's not an easy job, but it is easier than replacing stringers and transom. Not sure how many you'll find with 0 rot

Once I see it I will be able to tell if the bottom is going to be a big deal. I feel if the boat is in order and the stringers and transom are looking good I won't have a problem with buying the boat and taking the bottom paint off over the winter.

thats a lot of 12 packs LOL but at least you won't be bored,

I agree......wouldn't even waste time looking at that boat.....

There are so many nice 311s out there for such good prices that I would not pay a lot for that boat unless it is exceptional in some way. Also if you can find a Bravo boat (89 or later) it will be faster and have more room in the bilge, and you have one less part to fail (the trans). The 87 I have seen with AC had the condensing unit in the rear seat and hoses run to an evap under the v-berth. I have also seen units mounted on a plate in the engine compartment and then run a cold air hose along the gunwale into the cabin. Either way works but I would also look at a portable unit which is more than enough for that cabin, and not lost when you sell the boat.

I am all for finding a nice clean boat. I just haven't seen that many 311's out there and this one is close to me. If there are some that I'm missing let me know. I would appreciate any leads

I have a very clean 88 with Bravos on an aluminum Myco, fresh power, with newer paint.
Glenn Labor
Performance Boat Center
573-873-2300

Give me some time I'll light ya up with links,

I had a 1990 292 with 365 mags and bravo drives. I installed a 5K btu air conditioner under the sink. This is generally where formula mounts them also, under sink or under other storage area next to head. I would also look to run a small duct under the seat back up to the "V" berth to get some direct air up there if you plan on sleeping in it. I think I just tied the water cooling line into the sink drain just before it went through the hull. It really wasn't that bad of a job. I would also highly recommend looking for a bravo boat with no bottom paint and no stringer rot. Transom rot is one thing, but the entire stringers up to the cabin is another. The bravo boat is faster, drive parts are plentiful and I would think cheaper. I would also plan on installing external hydraulic steering. I did on my 292 and it ran like it was 10' longer and on rails. Couldn't believe how much nicer that boat ran, and the 311 is actually a lot more boat than the 2 extra feet. Good luck and happy hunting. the 311 is one of the best models Formula ever produced IMHO.

Funny story, friend had a 90 311 with 502's in central florida. Sent to engine shop and got the 502's to about 550hp. Boat ran an honest 80 mph. Owner was not into running hard, but a certain Baja owner of the large K-9 variety ran that formula flat out in 4-5' seas in Key West and smoked him a cat!!! I remember the cat owner just couldn't believe that a formula could run that fast in those seas. Those 311's can flat out tame the rough stuff far more than their 31' length.

I have a 1991 that I bought from the original owner with 502 mags that I was going to put on the market next spring. Send me a message if you think you might be interested. Haven't figured out how to post a pic. Email is [email protected] and I can send what I have. It's on a 2011 triple axle Manning Marine trailer.

Duke Sent you a email. I'm looking at all options at this point. Need to get ready for summer! lol

Yeah....that was fun, and "I beat me a Talon":p

http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/...f.jpg~original

Pretty sure we talked about this Sat night, I was a tad loopy so not sure what we covered LOL

If you want a 311, check the step, gas tank bulkhead and center stringer, them are first to rot, then the normal transom and all that, gas tank has foam around it so that can hold moisture also....

Look for the typical gel cracks above head about 6" from windshield, if its bad there its gonna be a loose boat....

I personally think the ride is WAY better in a TRS 311 then a Bravo, of course you lose a few mph, but I like TRS better that's me....and them smooth trans are nice at the docks....

with 575-600 HP a TRS will go solid 78-79 mph, 80 ONCE! been there....

AC will easily fit under V berth, Hammy's is there in his, easy access....

make sure cabin door isn't broke, very hard to find....check all over for rot in and out, when I parted Scotts old one out I was surprised at some things I found qualitywise, but still a good boat for the money... I would buy one if the deal was right and I didn't have my Cig lol

I think the 311 is a great boat for the money.... lots of space, decent ride and it runs like a dirtbike after 75 mph....!! = FUN

We did talk about this Saturday! lol It's amazing what that Island will do to you!! hahaha THanks for the info I think I am heading to look at this boat today even though I am getting a lot of just run from it vibes. I need to see it with my own eyes. I mean why not look at some boats that's what we do! I'll have pictures.

Text me pics let me know what's up, you get my FB message?

Came across this ad......it's in Ontario and $ may be Canadian???

http://www.boats4sale.pro/detail/ca/...pecial-Edition

http://git.me/photo/2014/10/12/12867...al-Edition.jpg

Another ad....

http://fortwayne.craigslist.org/boa/4662162877.html

http://images.craigslist.org/00F0F_g...vp_600x450.jpg

So I went and looked at the boat that was close to me today. It's not anything that I want to get into. It's not horrible but more of a project than I want. The guy that owns it is in his 60's and it's a second boat for him. He put some money into the stringers that's for sure and they did a nice job. The rest of the boat needs tlc and the painted bottom is just a bad deal. When he painted it they barrier coated it which is good for th bottom but they took it into the paint towards the transom so it would be a real ***** to fix.

The good thing is, getting on a 311 and going through it made me realize that I really do like them and it is a great boat. On the hunt still!
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/a...psed4qzrw6.jpg

Older ad (4mo).....420's TRS....

http://git.me/used/boat/us/156168237...mula-311SR1-31

http://git.me/photo/2014/06/26/15616...-311SR1-31.jpg
http://git.me/photo/2014/06/26/15616...-311SR1-31.jpg

Don't mean to hijack a thread, but BigDog you got me wanting one now. I really like the 420 boat with TRS. So many to choose, and I'm just getting into good boating weather down here in Florida!!!!!!!

This boat is Perfect Storms old boat, he maintained it brilliantly I mean this thing was mint and my dream boat i still love it, not sure how it has been taken care of since it left buffalo, but it could still be very nice, don't remember exactly but seems he put about a 100 hours on it maybe 150, not sure about the 420's with those hours no personal experience, my money says that boat is still very nice that guy paid a premium for it and those kinda guys usually take care of there stuff

I think I saw that over summer needs interior work too? The one I saw was 25,000 and nedddd gauges and interior bad even gel was faded, or is this different one?

BigDog Thanks for the Ad's. I talked to the guy on the one with the graphics on the side. He is supposed to be getting me more pictures. Those other two look nice also. The one in Canada looks nice but i'm not sure what all is involved with bringing a boat back from Canada? Anyone have any experience on that?

FF this is the same boat. It needs a lot for what he is asking for it.

Yea if I woulda realized the other night I woulda saved you the time lol

If you want to spend 25k I just repowered a trs 311 for a customer. Merc 425's Gil exhaust. Clean interior, drives could use some cosmetic tlc

Those 420's look sweet in a 311.....like a classic car hot rod !

http://git.me/photo/2014/06/26/15616...-311SR1-31.jpg
http://git.me/photo/2014/06/26/15616...-311SR1-31.jpg

I was on an identical new 311 at the Ft Lauderdale show back in '89.....funny if it was the same boat??

http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/...psa2d558ec.jpg

Yeah, I don't know about a hijack......who doesn't like talking about and seeing pics of older Formulas!! Between the two of us, we have a huge amount of experience with them. Here's one of you in your 292 SR1 giving a tow to one of the raceboats at the Key West races !!

http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/...ps085b1b85.jpg

I agree. It's cool to see pictures like these. I hope to bring one of the classic Formula's home and have some fun with it.

I agree....they are great looking boats. I was so disappointed when they came out with the new design....at least on the smaller models (336, 312 and below) because the half-round windshield took so much of the bow. Good luck with your search....I will help whenever I can ! More of that 311 in Erie to taunt 38Fountainman...:D

http://git.me/photo/2014/06/26/15616...-311SR1-31.jpg
http://git.me/photo/2014/06/26/15616...-311SR1-31.jpg
http://git.me/photo/2014/06/26/15616...-311SR1-31.jpg
http://git.me/photo/2014/06/26/15616...-311SR1-31.jpg

Thanks for the old pics, those are really cool. I remember a guy with a brand new 311 when I was 12 or so and wanted one ever since. He came up to the coast of maine from new Jersey and told me he ran it hard haha.