Just a little history on the boat. It is an 88. I have seen it listed as an 89. The original owner bought the boat new in 89 so the dealer put the small square 89 tags on it as a joke. It was in Holland Michigan until I bought it and it came to New York in the finger lakes area. I was the third owner. Ran the boat for a year and then swapped out the engines. They are not 502's. They are 454's stroked. They are around 500 hp per side. They are bullet proof though. The best I have seen was 77 on gps spinning 27 pitch mirage plus props. I then sold the boat to a friend of mine and he put the hydraulic steering on it. He had it for a few years then it went to Virginia last year. The boat is a great boat. Never any problems with it. Actually we thought about buying it back when we saw it go back up for sale. Here is a link of it running . If it doesn't work, just look up 2015 Chicken Wing run on you tube and you should be able to find it. Good luck with the boat and hope you have fun with it. If you have any questions I will be happy to answer them.

Thank you so much for reaching out. How could you tell this was the original boat ( I didn't give you much to work with... are you a detective😊? I feel your affection for the boat and I am already getting attached to it. I am curious on any motor specs you might have, they are STRONG. What cubic inch is the 454 stroked to, compression ratio, the year that they were installed, spec sheets, etc...
you can p.m. me if you prefer... I don't want to bore this forum with specs but then again as the 311 seems to be a popular platform maybe everybody would be interested in how you got it to 77 miles an hour.

You won't bore us with bore specs. We all live to make a hot rod faster. We enjoy the engine conversations.

I'm coming out of the car world and one of the things I'm having to come to grips with is the Gulf of Mexico has no speed limits so I am only limited by the two "B"...budget and cajones.

😊😊

This is true. But that ***** can kill you. We were about 150 miles out in the contender a few weeks back and storm blew up on us. We all just said our prayers and held out. Luckily it passed and we got back on the fish.

I fully subscribed to the crawl crawl crawl, walk walk walk, trot trot trot, run philosophy. I want to develop the skills not just the thrills.

For about a month or so, this boat will be outdoors. I have a factory cockpit cover (with two vents) and a factory bow cover on her. Additionally, I have a full boat cover (canvas) cover over those...so two levels of protection. After a week of rain, I checked the cockpit and it still is dry and no musty smell. Any recommendations about the way its covered? Should I be concerned about "fogging" the gelcoat/finish on the deck (when the sun comes out in North Carolina)?
Thanks

Unfortunately that is basically how mine has been since last year. But with 3 covers lol. I have no issues with the gel coat or the interior. You'll be fine in my opinion.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d80cc4269d.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ae34c2288f.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f3f1d76b15.jpg
Just wash and treat the full the full cover twice a year with 303 protectant and multi use cleaner.

Good point on the 303 protectant!

Is this a custom made custom fit cover 97?

No, semi-custom, they call them styled fit now, from carver. 10% Military / Veteran discount for those interested. Must call to order and ask for discount.

https://dealerguide.carvercovers.com...searching=boat

Had the vents installed by Sail repair gal, plastic PVC caps to cover ladder posts and front marker light. I used the float worms to place over all the cleats. Used the float worm to put under side of cover where gas vent is, allows it to breathe better.

I did not use cover to travel, because of the vents installed, used the cockpit cover and blue taped edges to prevent ballooning.

Delete

Today I took my (new to me) F311 SR-1 out for a day on the water at Belews Lake, North Carolina. She performed flawlessly.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6ceef5f7ea.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2c24e13e6f.jpg

Not a bad choice on the Carver cover, have one myself and feel it is a great bargain.

Congrats on the new to you boat!

While I am awaiting my new boat lift in Florida, I added the name/graphics to the F311. I started on the port side and learned a LOT of lessons. They came out okay BUT the starboard side came out essentially perfect. The boat, oriented on the lift, will display the starboard side...so I am cool with the look (for now).
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...190cd09c26.jpg

I kind of dig the name. Especially being your history of flight.

Hopefully we'll be boating together soon down there.
Speaking of flight...could you makeout the "wings" in the blue trim?

I sure did, itll be a neat sight seeing a 311 and 242 of matching colors and years tied up at crab island.

Looking forward to that and the Blue Angel air shows

100% come along. It's not crashing the party if you are the party. I'm just getting into boating on the Gulf. I'll need all the experience friends I can get:-)

Hunter, you got your motor back together and in the boat?

Nope, motor is still sitting in a friends shop. Have to get the house project finished up first.

F14A Water Jet. Sorry I have not gotten back to your PM, I have been busy. I bought your boat new in 1989 from a dealer in New Buffalo MI called Oselka Marina. I did the noise cones, tail pipes, intakes and some work to the carbs. It ran 67/68 with the 330s. and Lab 25 three blades. I also did the Euro Gray hatches to match the gel coat. The 5th owner did the black rub rail with the SS insert and your trailer, it came with a Continental. It was one of the first 311s to have Bravo Drives.
I owned it for six years and then sold it to buy a friends 1990 311. It was owned by five different people in West Michigan and then was sold to Dave in upstate NY. The first five owners all keep it on a trailer and in doors when it wasn't being used. I have always loved the Euro Gray gel, it is so rich and classy looking.
That has always been such a great and well cared for Formula, congrats.
I will PM you my number if you have any question about it's history. Rick

The love that you (and the previous) owners had for this boat shows!
Sure its "vintage" but its been used not abused.
Each owner seems to have upgraded with the times/technologies.
Its in a garage in North Carolina right now but hopefully I will be able to post a picture of it "wintering" in Florida/Perdido Key.
Thanks again for reaching out to me and this is a GREAT forum!!!
Tom

Ps-My wife LOVES the colors...a vital aspect to ownership.

Haven't figured that out yet. We are looking at Smith Mountain Lake, etc...
Dragging it is "work". Plus Perdido Key/Pensacola boating is EASY as the boat stays in a lift ready to go.
Our door/dock will always be open to you in Florida.

Then come on down and join us is Fla.

I see Bad Monkey sold his go fast. How do we get you to down to the Gulf Coast?