|
No more 292 Fastech from Formula
Talked to Formula today, the 292 Fastech line will be discontinued in 2 months. They already took it off the website. The 353 is off also but they said they are still being made but why take it down. Just thought I'd share with everyone.
|
It’s all going hard tops and egg beaters. I think Formula was on to something with the 292 poker run edition. I would have loved to see a standard 292 fast tech with a single 600 hp motor and drive package. It will all come full circle in 10 years and they will bring the old shapes and rumble back. |
Originally Posted by ph1971
(Post 4640830)
It’s all going hard tops and egg beaters. I think Formula was on to something with the 292 poker run edition. I would have loved to see a standard 292 fast tech with a single 600 hp motor and drive package. It will all come full circle in 10 years and they will bring the old shapes and rumble back. |
Noticed this the other day as well. Only the 270SS and smaller bowriders are the only trailerable boats you can get without needing permits. Have noticed the trend over the last few years has been CC's and outboards. This pretty much priced me out of ever thinking of acquiring a new Formula. Wish we could bring back all the late 80's models. I was looking through the vintage catalogs just the other day with the biggest smile on my face. Will be interesting to see if the performance boat market makes a come back or not.
|
Formula and Baja seemed to be the last real hold outs producing traditional go fast boats in a production capacity. To enjoy a new boat now, you have to look at some pretty big dollar custom boats; or opt to play in the used market. |
How many 292's have been sold in the last 5 years? Not been a smart a$$ but a big manufacturer of quality boats can't justify maintaining and updating the production tools for a boat that just doesn't sell. I haven't looked for a while but Formula's website showed retail prices for everything then a manufacturers discount of 20% automatically. Even with the discount, a 292 was about 200k I think. That ain't gonna sell. I know it's not an apples to apples comparison but when Baja can put a 27 footer on a trailer for 100k, in 2018, that is an entry into sports boats. 200k is not what I'd call 'entry level'. Dealers don't want to own new stock or pay interest on floor plan and the factories don't want to build boats that aren't already sold. The times aren't changing, they've already changed, some years ago. My 2 cents......... You want a new sports boat......? Dig deep and talk to one of the custom/semi-custom builders. RR |
Completely agree. |
I get it. But what a huge shame!!! |
I think the shift of boating interest and the economy are to blame. The general boating public just doesnt care for go-fast boats anymore. Everything that appeals now are wake boats, bow riders and center consoles. Look at Sunsation, do they even make go-fasts anymore, all I find on their website is center consoles. Formula is investing alot into their bow riders and cruisers. They didnt even have a Fastech at the Chicago boat show. And on to the economy, many people cant afford owning a go-fast boat. The fuel, the maintenance, insurance and storage. My 02 was 180k new (have the paperwork). A new one, which I priced on the website before they took it down, with my same features and minimal graphics was about 210k. 30k in price difference, but 16 years is a long time for inflation and economic decline.
And with Baja, you get what you pay for... which is why I bought a Formula. Baja has appeal because they're cheap window sticker. I rode in a 35 foot Baja outlaw and was disappointed to say the least. It was fast but didnt handle the water like a Formula, that's for damn sure. Just my opinion... I hope someday Formula will revive its massive go-fast lineup. Like The 271, 292, 311 and 419. One can dream right? |
Originally Posted by TomZ
(Post 4640937)
Formula and Baja seemed to be the last real hold outs producing traditional go fast boats in a production capacity. To enjoy a new boat now, you have to look at some pretty big dollar custom boats; or opt to play in the used market. |
Originally Posted by Smoke eater
(Post 4641110)
I get it. But what a huge shame!!! |
Additionally: I don't want an I/O with cat converters. Way too much money for these 'new' engines over something that costs way too much money to repair. So, there goes that.
|
Originally Posted by SB
(Post 4641146)
Additionally: I don't want an I/O with cat converters. Way too much money for something that costs way too much money to repair. So, there goes that.
|
Read and weep:
https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/...ve/mercruiser/ And yeh, they have had some problems with them. Screw that. :( |
read this thread and below quote:
https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...cked-up-5.html Here is one of the bulletins from years back: Service Bulletin 2011-03 is what is being talked about. A rather lengthy bulletin for new 8.2L cat equipped engines. there is a 30 page service bulletin on the 8.2 for hydro locking issues. Boat purchased 6/08/11, service bulletin issued 6/10/11 Here's the gist of it. Situation Mercury Marine has determined that some 8.2 Sterndrive Emission Control engine models within the Models Affected serial number range may experience a hydraulic lock after hard running conditions and keying off. This situation may prevent the engine from restarting and could damage internal engine components. In addition, Mercury Marine is taking this opportunity to address potential fault codes set due to corrosion in the oxygen sensor connection, misfire codes due to spark plug wire damage, and a propulsion control module (PCM) replacement to address injector driver issues that may cause the injector to stick open or closed. Also, Mercury Marine determined that the position of the clamp on the flame arrestor may have resulted in differences in the amount of torque applied to the clamp at the factory. Owner Notificaton A letter will be sent to every registered owner of an affected 8.2 Sterndrive Emission Control–powered boat. The letter will advise the owner to take the boat to any Mercury MerCruiser authorized dealer for certain upgrades to the engine. Some affected power packages will have been updated before shipment. Visit MercNET or contact MerCruiser Customer Service or your regional service center to determine whether repairs have already been completed on a given package. As a Mercury MerCruiser dealer, you should also contact affected customers to make them aware of this recall and to schedule an appointment for the repair. A copy of the customer letter is attached. Correction An exhaust elbow inspection, and replacement when required, coupled with the installation of the vent valve assembly are corrections intended to prevent the hydraulic lock situation. Inspection of the oxygen sensor, oxygen sensor connections, and spark plug wires, including replacement of these components when required, is necessary to correct the potential fault code issues. Replace the PCM when indicated. Engines without PCM replacement are required to receive a PCM reflash using the CDS G3 tool to update the calibrations and software to the latest version. Inspecting, repositioning, and tightening the flame arrestor’s clamp to specification eliminates possible differences in the torque value applied to the clamp. Follow the procedures in this bulletin and complete each action for an affected engine. Sterndrive Models: 8.2 MAG ECT 8.2 MAG H.O. ECT SeaCore 8.2 MAG ECT SeaCore 8.2 MAG H.O. ECT Engine Serial Number Range 1A350340 – 1A352732 In short, if a customer has purchased a boat with a MerCruiser 8.2L ECT, and it's affected by this bulletin, one would receive a letter. Unless perhaps in Canada, with the postal strike going on... |
I question if Formula isn't going to be up for sale soon at this rate. their whole lineup is sadly turning into dinosaurs. I can't tell the difference between a new PC or SS and one from 10 years ago. I'm no boat designer, and I'm sure it's not as easy as I'm imagining, but I still could never figure out why they don't just use the existing fastech molds and create a new center console deck for them and start churning out some beautiful go-fast center consoles. You know they'd come up with something special and killer. feels like they saw the center console as a fad and hoped to just wait out the storm.....I think they may have misjudged and sat on the sidelines way too long. that new 43 dual console thing was kind of late to the market, and feels like a bit of a hail mary pass. around me the hottest markets are ski/wake boats, tri-toons, and center consoles. and they don't have a player in any of those categories. never gonna survive making boats no one wants....just sad.
|
You have know your market. And the market isn't producing new go fast boats. Its very much a dying market with low returns. Now I totally agree with bickkat on they should be producing a center console. I recently saw were a 311 SR-1 was cut up over in the Bahamas and turned into a CC and honestly it was one of the best looking CC I've seen. Seems like to me a new deck cap mold and they could built a *****in center console that would sell!
|
Blkkat, I agree with you. To me, the pc fell into a hideous state in the mid 90s. I like the classic styling and lines of the late 80s.
I cannot fathom why any moron would pay what the new cc cost. They do absolutely nothing but fish. They shouldn't cost but half what they do. When it rains, your wet, when you want to sleep, it has no ac, no amenities of home. |
Im glad im not alone with all of this. I love my 89 272 sr1. I bought it last year, havent been out on it once this year yet because motor issues which when you only get 3ish months out of the year to run it and your getting close to the end you get very angry and eager. But thats another story once its all done It will be better then it was before. But Im still convinced someone screwed up when it was getting winterizied but oh well.
|
Man mine is covered with the engine at the machine shop half way through the summer. But it's a life we chose. Always wanted one. Have it, no regrets.
|
And you wonder why people are buying up anything with outboards at an alarming rate? These new 4 stroke outboards are pretty much bulletproof.
|
Dont wonder at all. I have 4 stroke outboards. I love the fuel efficiency and reliability. Take the styling of a go fast, combined with 4 400r mercs on the back and you would have yourself a fine machine that is easy to work on.
|
Just sold mine last week because it is just not fun being the only performance boat it seems on the water. We used it less and less and I heard that they where going to stop production soon. To me that drops the value of that model. If it isn't available as a new model people will be concerned about parts.
We will miss it but it was the perfect time to let it go. It sold in 24hrs!.... |
Congrats on the sale. I've tossed the idea around myself lately, but I just don't know what I would get to replace her. Formula's hold their value pretty well. They haven't make SR1s in over 20 years they still pull a pretty penny. I do love my 292, don't get me wrong. I wouldn't want to be in anything smaller in the waters I boat. I can overnight on her if needed. Whether in Atlantic City for the weekend or island hopping in Florida during the winter, just what we need for the 2 of us. She's trailerable without needing a semi to haul her around and she'll be paid off in a year or two. Looking forward to boating without a payment, just means I can afford more fuel.
|
Originally Posted by blckkat
(Post 4641188)
I'm no boat designer, and I'm sure it's not as easy as I'm imagining, but I still could never figure out why they don't just use the existing fastech molds and create a new center console deck for them and start churning out some beautiful go-fast center consoles. You know they'd come up with something special and killer. feels like they saw the center console as a fad and hoped to just wait out the storm.....I think they may have misjudged and sat on the sidelines way too long.
The SS line is still pretty popular, at least at LOTO, but I don't see their approach to entering the outboard market as a wildly successful one. We certainly don't see a lot of SS boats running around with 4 Verados hanging off the back, so I'm not sure that market approach is going to be a home run for them. It always makes me think back to that discussion with Scott, and how he so decisively dismissed the idea. It makes me wonder what Formula output would be now had they considered a CC. We all know their quality. IMO they could have been a, or THE prime player in that market. I still wish they would do it. Although I can attest to one thing, my 34 NorTech totally smokes the rough water ride of a 350 or 370SS. And does it without one creak or grown, which I cannot say for the 350SS. |
I've wondered why Formula (and maybe Sea Ray) are not pursuing the CC market, ^^^ even Chris Craft are doing it. As mentioned above, the fastech line are probably too narrow to compete with space for entertaining and also for the keen fisherman. CC's are generally wider beam, higher freeboard, big flared bow and set up for outboards. Formula build quality boats and they are missing out on a big part of the market by not moving forward with CC's. I guess they know a lot more than I do but to quote a little known boat fanatic, "Moving forward is only one small step ahead of barely keeping up". RR |
Formula has great vision, and they build a top quality product, so what they're doing makes sense. There's no doubt in my mind they will continue to thrive. We'll see a whole lot more design changes; some subtle, some bold, some technology driven, some comfort driven, but many lifestyle driven. The boating and outdoor activity lifestyle continues to evolve, and they are simply adapting, designing and building to meet demand. Think about the vehicles we drive today vs years ago. In April, Ford announced they are dropping sedan production to focus on SUV's, trucks, and the Mustang.
I loved my go fasts, but I love the 370 SS we own today. And in a few more years, I'll probably want a hardtop CC with outboards. The days of crawling around in a bilge where everything is installed with a shoehorn, and requires Cirque de Soleil type acrobatic skills to reach things will come to an end for me one day. Personally, I'd like to see Formula build a 370 CC with top and outboards, but the CC market is already saturated with builders. That said, if center consoles are as profitable to build as I think they might be (think trucks vs cars), I would not be surprised to see Formula building CC's at some point. Whatever the case, Formula is a great company with a loyal following, so I'm not counting them out just yet. |
Am I the only one that hates engines hanging off the back of a transom? Not a fan of outboards... I could care less that I'm the only go fast boat. I honestly find other boats boring and everything is a cookie-cutter design. Jmo.
|
Originally Posted by Franks292
(Post 4641147)
Wait a minute, they're putting cats on boats now?!?!?!?!
Yamaha outboards have a cat outboard made way back in 2001 Have no idea where it went or what happened to it. |
and for the record outboards break everyday. The verado itself has so many SB 's thru out the years for issues and updates plus currently the 400 r breaks propshafts all the time.
One can not over come the fuel issues that all marine engines experience overtime at some point in their life span regardless. I/O or outboard.. The cost of a 400 hp outboard is about 1.25 to 1.5 times higher than a 400 I/O with catalyst system - .. And the big one --- owners of outboards do not have the vast experience nor the tools to fix them nor can one run down to the auto parts store to buy parts. No Jegs buying for those. The boat dealers and manu of outboards are loving that end of it by leaps and bounds taking the do it yourselfer out of the mix completely.. Also Once an outboard powerhead lets go - one can not take it down to their local hot rod shop and have that machine work done either, Very limited for outboards what one can do with them for anything. 10 years from now these current outboards will have issues that everyone will be talking about and then *****ing they can not fix them or get them fixed. Mark my words. When outboards require cats when that day ever comes, --- that will be a game changer for their sales. IMO outboards are way over priced and too many systems that will fail down the road especially if a catalyst is mandated. |
Amen brother! Egg eaters be damned! And 500k for a boat with no place to funk? ...please! |
Originally Posted by blckkat
(Post 4641188)
I question if Formula isn't going to be up for sale soon at this rate. their whole lineup is sadly turning into dinosaurs.
never gonna survive making boats no one wants....just sad. Their new outboard boats are ugly and expensive. Sea Ray is phasing out of the large boat business and focusing on the smaller boats so that will put more pressure on Formula. |
Originally Posted by COOPS
(Post 4641360)
Just sold mine last week because it is just not fun being the only performance boat it seems on the water. We used it less and less and I heard that they where going to stop production soon. To me that drops the value of that model. If it isn't available as a new model people will be concerned about parts.
We will miss it but it was the perfect time to let it go. It sold in 24hrs!.... Sometimes out of production "INCREASES" value too?!?! |
Originally Posted by Franks292
(Post 4641143)
I think the shift of boating interest and the economy are to blame. The general boating public just doesnt care for go-fast boats anymore. Everything that appeals now are wake boats, bow riders and center consoles. Look at Sunsation, do they even make go-fasts anymore, all I find on their website is center consoles. Formula is investing alot into their bow riders and cruisers. They didnt even have a Fastech at the Chicago boat show. And on to the economy, many people cant afford owning a go-fast boat. The fuel, the maintenance, insurance and storage. My 02 was 180k new (have the paperwork). A new one, which I priced on the website before they took it down, with my same features and minimal graphics was about 210k. 30k in price difference, but 16 years is a long time for inflation and economic decline.
And with Baja, you get what you pay for... which is why I bought a Formula. Baja has appeal because they're cheap window sticker. I rode in a 35 foot Baja outlaw and was disappointed to say the least. It was fast but didnt handle the water like a Formula, that's for damn sure. Just my opinion... I hope someday Formula will revive its massive go-fast lineup. Like The 271, 292, 311 and 419. One can dream right? As far as "reviving the go fast line-up" it probably won't happen unless a Saudi prince orders a handful of each model. Think about Ford getting out of the sedan business recently, they said they are phasing out car lines that don't sell and focusing on trucks/SUVs/Mustangs. Now next time you are sitting in traffic, look around and note how many new Ford sedans you see next to you compared to SUV/Trucks? |
Originally Posted by Franks292
(Post 4642238)
Am I the only one that hates engines hanging off the back of a transom? Not a fan of outboards... I could care less that I'm the only go fast boat. I honestly find other boats boring and everything is a cookie-cutter design. Jmo.
I don't even want a outboard on a pontoon... |
| All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:44 PM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.