Found my way back to Formula
 

Hey Guys -

New to the Formula forum. I’ve owned two in the past 20 years, then I moved over to a Wellcraft 26 Nova with twin sb Chevy’s. Overall, being disappointed would be an understatement. I couldn’t take it anymore and had to come back home to Formula.

I just picked up this 1989 242 LS last week. It’s in good shape and turn-key. Hauled it from up state NY to the Maryland Eastern Shore. I just love the classic lines of these older Formulas.



http://s783.photobucket.com/user/spy...tml?sort=3&o=0

Nice looking ride, congrats! Where in MD you boat?

Thanks,


Wicomico River, Choptank River, Ocean City and the Chesapeake Bay. I'm about 15 mins to the Bay or the Ocean from my house.

Nice boat. And it has bolters. Even better. What engine are you running?

454 Mag, 365 HP - Bravo drive, 23P mirage prop. All original factory setup. Sea trial was 56 by GPS/ and speedo @4800 with two aboard. Boy, I never realized how much I miss that smooth Formula ride. No comparison to Wellcraft. None whatsoever.

I read your entire thread on yours. Nice job.

Thanks. It's far from finished but it's usable. Still gathering stereo parts. Unfortunately didn't get to use it this weekend as planned. Spent the weekend in the hospital with my wife.

Beautiful boat spyder, and welcome back to the Formula family! We'll rename you prodigal son!

Congrats!

Crap... Hope all is ok with with her. I lost my wife of 18 years a couple of days before Christmas this year (2016). She was only 44. Take good care of her.., and that boat!

Thanks man! I'll take it. It's nice to belong.

Yes sir. Just got home. She had some blood clots in her lungs. Hopefully she will be on the boat next weekend.

Your'e a lucky man. Take care of that girl. We had no time. Found out June 14 she had Cancer and by December she was gone. Live it up while you can.

I hate that for you. I hope the new boat can give you some enjoyment to help with the healing from loosing someone.

I've been watching that boat on the internet for weeks!!! Very nice Formula! Where are you based out of? I am in Denton and boat in the Choptank all summer. We will have to link up. We have the Chesapeake Bay Friends and Family Run next weekend if you're interested, still time to sign up.

I'm just down the road from you in Hebron - Salisbury - ( Mardela Springs). Thanks for the invite. I'd love to hook up with you at some point regardless. Unfortunately, next week is out for me. I have a regional office in Cambridge so we are definitely close.

If you don't mind though I have favor to ask of you. I know you have a 292, vs. my 242. But I have a suspicion that the cockpit is the same size (area wise) that I need to get the snap in carpet for mine. I just don't want to pull the trigger until I'm sure.

Could you measure yours? Just in overall length and width? That would give me a base line to work from.

Can't wait to hook up with you this summer...

Measure your Cockpit for me, and I'll meet and take you for lunch and all you can drink at the Hyatt on the Choptank. All on me!

She loved the water... She'd have preferred to sleep in a cuddy on the water than anywhere else. That's where she got her peace. But she didn't like the Wellcraft, and always reminded me that we need a Formula again. Smart girl she was indeed.

Unfortunately I don't have the carpet for mine but TomZ does for his 311 and we will be comparing his to mine this weekend so I can make a template. I am picking up badmonkey's carpet tomorrow after work from his newer Fastech to see if it's close enough to make work. My 223 had the carpet and I should have measured that before I sold it. Either way, we will get it figured out. I will be uncovering mine this Thursday to prep it for the run and will get you some dimensions. I have been a lonely Formula on the Choptank for the last few years so it'll be good to see you out there. My best friends father is the pastor at the Hebron church in town so I am familiar with that area. Shoot me a text, it'll be easier to chat. 4104908172. Welcome back to Formula!

We''ll hook up every cahnce we can this summer. No Formula owner should ever be alone. Thanks for the contact info and I'll text you for sure. I think the 272 is the same cockpit size, '8 beam, just a longer bow and lounge area in the cuddy. So the 272 or 292 should fit. Off topic was it the uprising church in Hebron?

They are all 8' beam, little differences here and there. The 292 is way bigger than the 223 but I've never been in a 272 to compare but the 242 looks similar in cockpit sizing.. We will know for sure this week when I measure. It is Nelson's Church in town by the bank.

I'll measure my carpet for you tomorrow if you want me to.

Congrats with the Formula and condolences for your wife. The new bird can help with some water healing.
Happy boating and good times.

That would be greatly appreciated... Matworks has the 242 LS carpet, but it's for the one that has the captain chair style seating. But they also have the 272 carpet for the bolster seat set up. I swear the 272 and 242 have the same cockpit size. Just not enough swearing to it to buy it and have it not fit the 242 lol!

Here's the link.

https://matworks.com/collections/for...it-carpet-sets

Thanks so much. It's been a long winter. Looking forward to getting on the water and Decompress.

Clean looking ride! Enjoy.

I'll try to get out there tonight. I don't see any dimensions on the website to compare to but I'll get you length at the longest point, width, and distance from rear to bolsters.

Just talked to matworks.com and they are sending me the dims for the one in the picture for the 272 on their website and i will measure mine on Thursday to see how close it is as well.

That’d be a big help. The grey and teal color scheme as in the pic on their website would be a perfect match for my 242. Those were a pricey option through Formula back in the day when I bought my 242 new.

I know they can get hot in the sun, but it surprises me people didn’t keep them, at least for the cooler days or for when they sell the boat. As soon as I can confirm the fit, I'll pull the trigger.

Thanks again for all the help guys.

I apologize Spyder I haven't been able to uncover the barge and measure for you yet

No problem... It's been raining up here in MD for the past several days anyway. I've been busy ordering a chit load of stuff for the boat. Nav equipment, radio, safety stuff lighting all new gauges etc, Lol! All of it should be here today. Like they say,if you can't afford it, effin finance it. It's supposed to be nice for the next few days so I have plenty to do including cleaning the cabin and a coat of wax. No rush.

What are you doing with the factory gauges? If they are in good shape(by the looks of the boat I imagine they are) put them in the swap shop and see what you can get out of them

Perfect and THANKS!.

I'll give Matworks a call and get it ordered. Glad to see you're out and about with the Bird.

No problem. Sorry it took so long. Hopefully you can have yours in the water soon.

beauty. that is one of my favorite three color schemes. i also have an '89 242LS on the exact same trailer, and pull it with a black F-150 haha.

Thank you, mine as well. Subtle but different than most Formula's. That's a friend of mine's truck, and was kind enough to let me use it to get the Bird. I don't know what Ford has done, but this one is the STX with a 5.0. Going through the mountains in upstate NY on the way back, the truck didn't even know it was hauling the boat. The trailer was just as impressive. Pulls nice at 55 - 70. No complaints. the 8 hr trip was the same, hauling the boat or not.

i went from a powerstroke to my F1 and was skeptical about how it'd do, but i've been nothing but impressed as well. and mine is older with a 5.4 and 5 speed trans.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...E675CAE188.jpg

very nice looking

Nice colors!

I like it! They're both sweet looking. Very nice setup....