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272 Questions?
Howdy!
So, my buddy has an 87 Formula 272 SR!. I have loved the boat since I first sat in it. Once I posted pics of it on Facebook and another old friend of mine, that had moved away, replied that he had the twin to it. He sent me pics and sure enough, same year, make, model, colors. He recently told me he needs cash and is going to sell the boat. I went to look at it and the only difference is that my friend Will's boat has the fiberglass swimstep with the Silent Thunder exhaust. The one I am looking to buy has a teak swimstep with normal through-hull. Are there other differences that I should be looking for/aware of? I am not sure what models/options there were, so I am a little lost. I was disappointed that it didn't have the glass swim-step, and would hate to discover that this is some kind of a base model. My buddy that has the boat I like is not available for me to talk to for a couple days and I am supposed to go test drive the one I am eyeballing tomorrow. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks! John |
I absolutely loved my 272 LS it was a 1984 with twin small blocks and alphas, I beat the holly crap out of it and it never let me down, You will be very happy with it if it is in good shape.
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If it has a teak platform it is an older pre 1987 flat glass boat. 87 up had silent thunder and more radius glass. Not a base or anything due to platform just an older boat. If stringers/transom are solid the flat glass boats really bring in the classic look.
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Well, the glass is rounded. As soon as I get 10 posts I can show it. just trying not to spam the boards just to get 10 posts...
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Just checked the HIN, it comes back as 87?
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Great looking boat! |
Thank you. some interior parts need to be redone, cracking. But all in all, super great condition.
He is asking 10K, seems pretty fair, any thoughts on that? J |
Guys, I reckon yall are going to teach me something. Was this a transition? I've never seen a rounded glass boat with teak. Possibly someone added it? Looks great.
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Good looking boat Sheikh. These boats can be wolves in sheep’s clothing so look it over well. $10k is an enticing price and if the owner has been good to it , I say swoop. The 272 is a great boat. Trailer is a negative but not a deal breaker imo. |
The 1987 was really the first year for the rounded windshield and the through platform exhaust. So you will see some ‘87 models without the platform but teak. In addition.... on some 1986 models.... you could come across the rounded windshield as well...rare... but has been seen as the new style was developing. So so really nothing “basic” or bare bones about the 272 sr1 with the teak platform other than you don’t have that classic mellow throaty sound which was unique only to formula in the late 80’s. I think if if it has 350.... it is a very reliable package. My only issue is I don’t think trim tabs are enough.... it needs k planes. I had an 87 242 sr-1 and it only had tabs. Needed a very little of tab for certain condition and the tab would bend..... maybe I had something whacked with my tabs.... just think the weight of the formula requires a k plane. You are looking at the rounded windshield model... I think the lines are classic. Check the transom or stringers as you would as well the sun pad. Can give some ideas how to do that if necessary. Good boat at that price. Really should have the swim platform with exhaust vs teak in my opinion. But if you like the louder style... it’s perfect. |
10k, as long as it’s not rotted that’s a steal. |
Agreed on all counts. Late ‘86 and early ‘87 was a transition period where there was some overlap. Check for rot: 1. Engine and cabin step bulkheads at the gas tank. 2. Engine stringers. 3. Transom. Be thankful that you do not have the Silent Thunder platform! The boat will perform better without it (200+ pounds, dry, hanging over the props is never good). They also rot and break. I’m not sure of where you are, but I have the one that came off my 311. If you’re set on having the ST.... free to a good home! Small blocks run nicely, and are easy to work on. Big blocks are tight! Hope she checks out good! |
Well, everything seemed to be solid.
Thanks, all, for the advice. now to learn how everything works and give her a good cleaning! Really excited to put her in the water and try things out. J |
Congratulation on your acquisition. Welcome to the Formula family. You are going to LOVE that boat! Great choice.
Best of luck |
That was quick! And congratulations!
Post up some pictures! |
Thanks all! really, really excited to get her cleaned up, put her in the water and do some putting around.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...11c1d9c71a.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...aa070c9d2a.jpg |
The only thing I ever owned with twin engines was the wife's Sea-Doo.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...162ad44027.jpg |
272 is one of the best boats Formula ever made! What a fun boat.
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Originally Posted by Jay336
(Post 4678838)
272 is one of the best boats Formula ever made! What a fun boat.
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Originally Posted by The Sheikh
(Post 4678808)
Thanks all! really, really excited to get her cleaned up, put her in the water and do some putting around.
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Thanks all. Really excited. I wanted to take it out this weekend, but my brother has his over there already, and there is only one buoy and no place to park a truck and trailer, haha!
Gonna have to drive his, I guess... |
One thing the boat doesnt have is a cover. I would like the snap on cockpit cover, as well as a full cover. Do y'all recommend anyone?
Also, the vents over the air intakes are cracked a bit. is there someone that makes a replacement for parts like these on an older boat? Thanks! John |
Originally Posted by The Sheikh
(Post 4678981)
One thing the boat doesnt have is a cover. I would like the snap on cockpit cover, as well as a full cover. Do y'all recommend anyone?
Also, the vents over the air intakes are cracked a bit. is there someone that makes a replacement for parts like these on an older boat? Thanks! John Bilge vents... the side vents can be had pretty easily. They may not be originals, but not hard to update them. The triangular forward vents are another story. I've seen where someone had some stainless vents to replace the plastic pieces. Anything like that is going to be custom. Finding them in good shape used is tough. |
Originally Posted by TomZ
(Post 4679023)
Covers are something more of a custom nature. You'll probably need to have someone make it for you. They are not too terribly expensive; I'd guess under a grand to make. The pole for the original may be somewhere in the boat. A generic full cover can be had for not much money depending on the material used. Custom will be a lot more. The covers on my 311 were custom made for the boat at some point (aqua colored... original was gray). Both have reinforcements around the cleats, lights, windshield frames, etc. I've been told that to reproduce the full cover would run me $1500-2000.
Bilge vents... the side vents can be had pretty easily. They may not be originals, but not hard to update them. The triangular forward vents are another story. I've seen where someone had some stainless vents to replace the plastic pieces. Anything like that is going to be custom. Finding them in good shape used is tough. Gotcha. I guess Ill need to have someone make me something. I am really just looking for a Cockpit snap on cover for when it's sitting in the drive or being towed. |
I only use the cockpit cover if she’s docked (short term) or stored indoors. I always use the full cover of sitting outside for more than a day, or if rain is coming (windshields leak on these old girls). Keeping the cover on keeps the cabin dry. |
I was told it could be towed with a cockpit cover. I will never make that mistake again. It destroyed it within what I would guess to be 10 miles. It was dark aoni didnt notice until it was too late. I tow with my full cover on synched down nice and tight. Unless of course I'm only going a few miles.
I have another cover that is a full canvas made by Fisher Canvas Products in Burlington NJ. It is very heavy. Very well built. I use it over the winter. |
Agreed on not having covers on the boat when towing. The covers themselves get pretty torn up easily, and the cover can damage the finish of the gel coat and paint.
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Don't tow with the cockpit snap on cover, don't ask me why I say that bad day.
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Check out westlandcovers.com . My boat came with one of their mooring covers and it has been great. It is vented and breathable and very sturdy. It’s made of sunbrella fabric and has held up in Florida with only slight fading since 2012. As far as a cockpit cover goes, you might ask around a sailboat marina. I see canvas guys working on those boats all the time down here. Good luck and nice boat! |
If your interested I may just have the silent thunder swim platform laying around pretty soon if you wanted to upgrade from the platform you have. Just a thought. Shoot me a pm if interested. It’s off my twin 89 272 sr1 |
Originally Posted by Smoke eater
(Post 4679457)
If your interested I may just have the silent thunder swim platform laying around pretty soon if you wanted to upgrade from the platform you have. Just a thought. Shoot me a pm if interested. It’s off my twin 89 272 sr1 J |
I need the measurement for the bow stop anchor loop to the bottom of the transom to set up a new trailer. I have a 1988 272 SR1. Can anyone help me?
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Originally Posted by flena
(Post 4680431)
I need the measurement for the bow stop anchor loop to the bottom of the transom to set up a new trailer. I have a 1988 272 SR1. Can anyone help me?
J |
I do not have my boat to provide you with a picture of the measurements that I need. The measurement would be from the front Eye- loop on the bow to the bottom of the transom where the drain plug is, it should be roughly 25 to 26 feet in length but I do not know the exact measurement or close to the proper measurement to set up the bow stop on my new trailer so I can pick up this boat that I just purchased. |
I will measure that for you this afternoon.
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Originally Posted by Smoke eater
(Post 4679457)
If your interested I may just have the silent thunder swim platform laying around pretty soon if you wanted to upgrade from the platform you have. Just a thought. Shoot me a pm if interested. It’s off my twin 89 272 sr1 J |
Those valve covers are not tge stock ones. Fyi
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Originally Posted by oconnor marine
(Post 4681732)
Those valve covers are not tge stock ones. Fyi
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I believe they're factory on Volvo. The motors may have been replaced at some point.
Mercruiser motors will have a serial number tag on the even side of the block above the starter. |
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