Thinking about moving up to a 292 from a 22ft checkmate have a few ???
 

I currently have a Checkmate Convincor 220 which is about 23.5 ft. it has a single 350 mag mpi. I have been looking onto the formula 292 fastech's. I boat mainly on the Chesapeake bay so I will see from .5 ft to 3 ft waves depending on the day. on nice days my boat is perfect but I miss out on a lot of boating due to the smaller boat.
Will the 292 be the right choice or will I regret it and should go bigger? Currently I can only cruise at 45 and top out at 60. I would like a boat that can cruise at 50-55 and top out around 70-75. Are these numbers realistic with the 292 and small blocks?

Also looking at a 2002 or newer so i'm guessing between 45,000 and 60,000$? for one with less than 300 hours that's in good condition?

Did i also read correctly these are composite boats? instead of a balsa wood or cored boat? so they will theoretically last much longer?

Any and all information is appreciated.

I think 292 will serve you very well. Just sold a 26 Scarab that was really good in the bay. We were able to go out on any day we wanted. The size will be fine. We now are running a 353 Fastech which is a major jump up. Speed wise for the 292 I can not help. I would think you can get into the 70's.. I think you will love the 292...Lord knows we love our 353. Good luck with the search. If I can help in any way do not hesitate to ask.

Chris

A friend of mine had one. It was a really nice boat. Handled the chop well. It had the 350 magnums. I think its realistic speed was 68 to 70. Said 75 a few times on speedo but was not GPS. Pretty sure it wasn't going 75mph with those motors. It was also available with a Scorpion motor I think it was called that was more horse than the 350 mag. Think those put it over 70mph. I could be wrong. Not a Formula expert so any body chime in to confirm or correct. All in all don't think its a bad choice. Really liked it.

I also don't want to make to big of a move that it isn't needed. I'm still in the deciding stage on what boat to move up to. how are the 271's in comparison? want to make sure i make the right decision before spending the money.

Cant speak of the 271 but the 292 I spent a lot of time on was really nice. The cockpit area was big for a 29 footer and the cabin which no one really spends that much time in was also more than adequate. Again Im no expert but I would think for the difference in money the 292 is the way to go. I also currently have a checkmate. Love it but its 21 pulsare with a 250 proxs merc. Runs over 80 and Im on the Barnegat Bay in NJ where I get pounded when the chop gets big. I understand your move. The 292 I was in handled 2 to 3 footers very well. Good luck with your decision and Happy boating.

292 will be a great choice, there quick and agile, IMO take some time and try and find a Scorpion motor boat, without a dought get the 6.2's which will get you 70, still easy enough to tow, I would also consider a 312 as the prices are just about the same, but as far as the 292 the small block bravo combo is very hard to beat, the 271 is also a great boat, I had a SR1 and loved it, handled chop very well but no speed demon, even the newer ones only get you 62/64 unless you find one with a blue motor.

I will say i had a 242, for many reasons ended up in a 271 after, and now a 303, make the jump, you will not regret it, going from a 22 to a 27 may leave you wanting more,

I appreciate it. I think you are right that it would leave me wanting more especially on rough days. I think I'm going to focus on the 292 seems like there are a good bit of them out there for sale right now.

Owned a 2003 292 for 3 years. It's a great boat in 0.5' to 2' chop.Short chop 3's is doable but starts to get pretty bumpy. As mentioned definitely go with the 6.2L's. I'd definitely stick with a Fastech line. Don't go with an sr1 or anything older, granted they are nice boats if you have 45-60k you can find a 292 and even a 353. With a 292 and small blocks the 50mph cruise and 70mph is all doable.

The stringer grid is fiberglass (foam filled also I believe), the transoms are wood core.

The Fastech and Super Sport lines use the fiberglass grid system, whereas the PC and Sun Sport lines still use traditional wood core stringer system the wood is "Perma Panel" on the newer boats.

Mine is a 2008 with 6.2's. We have run it at LOTO with no issues so it will handle the chop you see on the Bay with no problems. As for speed, you will cruise at 50 MPH at 3800 RPM's and speed will touch 70 but not much more than that. These boats handle extremely well, and the mid range acceleration is impressive.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Dave

I have owned a 90 292 SR1, an 86 357 Kamma SR1 and a 97 419 Fastec with triple 525SC's. Formula makes great boats. Moved to the Fountain for interior room and layout. Before the formula's I started in a 16' Bayliner, then a 23' VIP. I would suggest looking at the 353 Fastec, especially if you want to run in 3' seas. You just can't beat length when you are wanting to run speed is larger seas. Also, the 500 and 525 hp big blocks with bravo drives are a great engine package. Finally, whatever you get, it must include external hydraulic steering. The hydraulic steering may be one of the most important tools in gaining the best performance out of your Formula. My 292 felt much "larger" in seas with the hydraulic steering compared to stock mercruiser steering. Good luck!

292 is a great little boat, I love mine. 6.2s would be the motor of choice, very reliable. Depending on how often you see 3-5fters and whether or not 353 is just too much boat at this time, I'd definitely consider the 312. Probably the most solid, trailer-able boat Formula offered IMHO. Definitely offers a more stable ride in any water over the 292. You can find them with SB 6.2s or BB 7.4s in the earlier models. Pick your poison. Good luck with your search.

I have owned my 292 since 2006. It has the 6.2's and factory installed Latham hydraulic steering. Definitely try to find one with hydraulic steering. As has been said, makes it handle much better. I upgraded to 280S K-Planes after a couple years of ownership. Big difference compared to the stock Bennetts, especially in bigger water. When it is really rough I can run 30-35 mph with the tabs down. This keeps the full length of the hull and sharp V entry down and is suprising how smooth the ride can be in really nasty water. If you try and fly over them she is a bit tail heavy with those twin engines back there. It does fine flying over 2' and under, just when things get bigger than that.

What is the deadrise on your Convincor hull? The 292 is 24° and weighs 7000 lbs dry which helps in the rough. The twin steps also help performance and efficiency. I have SmartCraft and see 1.8 to 2.0 mpg running 45-55 mph. Top speed is 68-70 mph loaded in the summer and 70-72 mph lightly loaded in cooler weather.

I don't think you will regret getting one. Our 292 serves our needs perfectly. We love it.

wow i appreciate all the responses. looks like i will be making the right choice moving to the Formula family. Hoping to find one at a dealer in which i can just trade my Checkmate in and leave with the Formula. but that is proving harder to find. wishful thinking.

The dead rise on the Checkmate is also 24 degrees. but the boat is only 3300lbs.

Isn't "HarleyBaggers" Formula for sale? I believe its a 312 freshwater boat.

we are a loyal bunch lol, they all have issues, but Formula seems to have less, still in business, and as I have stated in the past when I call for anything they help as if i just bought new, not 20+ years old,

despite what some thing, I would not be afraid of a 303/336 SR1, for the money you get quite a boat, If I had to pick on the 292 it would be because the cabin is very basic, I have a 303 and am very spoiled bye the fridge shore power and other goodies, including cabinet space, I have 502's and get 74+ all the time 454's gets you 68-70

it is??

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/20...tech-102106513

This boat is for sale from dealer...seller is motivated and is close friends of gentlemen I bought mine from. This might be a good take if your looking to trade to a dealer??? Just a thought. Wannna see you get into that Formula quickly so I have another running buddy in Pasadena. :ernaehrung004:

Chris.

It is for sale... Thanks Rob!

PM being sent....

Why?

Purchased a new toy.....

Where about in Pasadena do you go out of? My boat is at the Atlantic marina on the Magothy. I am out usually every weekend at least once for the entire day.

Clear your PM inbox, I'm headed out of town for the weekend will contact you when I get back.

Chris

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

hoping to get her sold so i can be in a pretty 292 soon.

That Checkmate is clean! Nice colors too. You should have no problem selling. Are you the original owner?

Good luck on your 292 search. You will really like the control around the docks with twin engines. The midrange acceleration compared to what you are used to with that single 350 will be a nice improvement too.

I am the third owner, I have the receipts from every service done on it from day one. I bought it with 170 hours on it. second owner only had it one season.

For what its worth I travel across 30 miles of open water to Pelee Island on lake Erie almost every weekend. I had an 03-292 twin 377's. I sold it two years ago and found the 271 Fastech with 502 works better for me. Both had standard Bennets. The 271 stayed on plane better at slower speeds in the short Lake Erie chop. Sounds crazy but I would not go back to 292. Check out 271 or jump to a 312 Fastech. Just my 2 cents

I don't want to be making the wrong choice here. I boat mainly in the Chesapeake bay. I'm looking for something that will handle the bay better than my Checkmate as well at allowing me to make longer runs and be comfortable. Most of my trips are day trips, but i do stay on my boat from time to time. I'm not able t cruise slower than 30 mph right now with the Checkmate without falling off plane. Are there planning issues with the 292? if so how would moving to the 312 make that any better?

I wouldn't call them issues, but if you search you'll find many threads on it. Each owner will have a different technique but it takes some seat time to get it down right but you definitely have to finesse it a bit. Some believe it's the tabs, others think it's propped wrong with the 28s, many recommend dropping down to 26s, some will say it's both. I didn't upgrade to the k-planes but I was able to find a pair of bigger Bennett plates, I believe they are 12x16 instead of the stock 12x12s. I only got to boat with them for a week when I took the boat down to Florida for vacation this past December, but I was able to stay on plane at 30mph and just below in some boat traffic, something I couldn't do before with the 12x12 plates. So I definitely feel that was an improvement with the bigger trim plates. I would like to try a set of 26s to see if there is any difference getting out of the hole. Don't care if I lose top end, 4700 is where I pretty much max out on RPM wise on the rare occasion I ever decide to open her up to let her breathe a bit. So I believe I can accommodate the RPM increase with dropping down in pitch.

My 292 with labbed 28" pitch Bravo's, tabs all the way up and drives neutral will hold a good plane at 36 mph. Slower than that and she will want to start to fall. No big deal.

Now with the K-Planes down a bit and drives tucked, I can pull my kid tubing at 27 mph.

I like having the twin engines and counter rotating props. Most of my 'cruising' is 50+ mph over mixed water = fun.:drink:

We also do quite a bit of overnighting on the water. The full enclosure is nice to have if that is something you plan to do.

I'm putting her in the water this Thursday and looking forward to a nice loooong weekend on the water. Good luck on your search!

Very interesting 31 fastech with duoprops http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/boa/4998862593.html

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dVV72kyhBn4

Day 1

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1bLHsbpOHdM

Day 2

Tickfaw 200 Poker Run
Our 292 fastech ran with the big boys.
Twin 6.2's
26 pitch props
113 gals of fuel
19 gals of water
Two coolers of beer in the nose
5 adults
We needed a runway to get on plane
We topped out 65-67mph
Ran about 147 miles burned about 105-110 gals
ZERO issues

With me and my wife on the boat, 1/2 tank on SALT WATER 74-76gps
Fresh water 72gps