312 fastechs are not a wise buy?
 

The more I look into 312's, the more i see people ragging on them. Are they right? I mean, they WERE only made for a couple years.

I have never been in one myself there were a couple guys around here that one both of them said that at cruise they were great but when trying to trim out for speed the boat tended to rock on the step. Almost like a constant porpoise that the boat would not power out of. Again I never rode in one or drove one.

A 312 was my first "go-fast"....and we then moved into a 382 :). The 312 was too close in price/size to the 353 IMO and the twin step 353 was nearly as fast with the same power. I don't recall a porpoise problem but it's been 10 years. Mine had 502's and ran low-mid 70's. Typical heavy/slow Formula but the quality was good and it served us well. We overnighted often and upgraded for the space.

I've rode in a 312 on several occasions and was always impressed with how it rode over my 292. I wouldn't rule it out from consideration...IMHO.

Never heard of problems with the 312. Seams like most of them have low hp 454s or 5.7 or 6.2s and the speeds are not impressive with that power . Jeff Wurl

I have a high horsepower 312. At times it tends to chine walk when wound out, but I'm probably well beyond the power that formula ever designed this boat for. I think mine rides fine and was a big upgrade over my 271. I went 312 because a 353 was out of my price range and a 292 wasn't really much of an upgrade over what I had.

Yeah, the 353 is out of my price range and the 292 seems too small of an upgrade for me. Anyone ever ride in a 312 in lake michigan?

I loved my 1997 312,....it had stock power 454.

where are people saying this? 312 is definitely a heavier boat, I know a few who owned and loved, they just went bigger, I think like said above most are underpowered with 454/310 mpi's you most definitely want 454/385 or bigger

Don't rule out a 303, We love ours there a great all around boat,

I actually need a 280ss for me and my family to do the harbor thing except i think the cuddy will be too small for the three of us. A 330ss would be ideal except the price tag kinda high on the nicer ones. Lots of fugly ones in the late 90s with the pink, teal and purple too.

Here's one i read today for example.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...-32-fever.html

ya we were there once, 280ss is definitely to small for 2 let alone 3, we almost went 330, but you commit to the dark side and don't get the full plate, 330 really will only sleep two as well, the couches fold down into a bed, with us the 303 actually gave us seperate area's we were gonna make a center piece like a friend did but now weve become day boaters, and when we do over nite its adult weekend, + he's 16 now ;o)

You can find all the opinions you want on here from all the oso experts who has a buddy who talked to a guy whoss friend had one but at the end of the day you need to find one you are serious about and find a way to get out on it to judge for yourself. The boat will sell itself with the right guy at the helm....

Is it a rocket ship? No. But you are not buying a Formula for that reason. If you were close to Jersey i "knowaa guy" and could show you what a 312 can do.

I have a 2000 312 with 454 MPI's (310 HP). We have had the boat 2 years and love it. It is a bit under powered but with 4 adults & full fuel it will run 62 mph on GPS (speedo says 64-of course). I cruise at 3500 rpm & 47 mph in 2-3 foot chop and it rides great. If it gets rougher, I go faster & it does very well in the 50-55 mph range. I think they made the 312's for about 5 years & I was told they discontinued because there was enough differential in the 292 & the 353 size-wise????? Bottom line....it is a very nice mid-size performance boat that looks & sounds really good. I would buy the boat again for sure.

Bought a 1997 312 with 454 Mags brand new, put over 1000 hours on it with no rebuild, just new stainless marine exhaust. Loved it, rode great, only got rid of it to get a 382, wanted A/C, a real head, more room

Love my 97 312. I customized it my way.. Twin 454 mag MPI labbed 30p I run 72 no problem boat loves 1-2 on tabs and 3 on trim great ride even in rough water.. Easy to dock, trailer and fits in my pole barn...

Which water you on?