311 vs 292...first REAL boat
05-02-2019, 08:17 AM
#1
311 vs 292...first REAL boat
Hello Forum,
I have been lurking for awhile...
I am moving (part-time) to Perdido Key, Fl. (Gulf of Mexico). I am transitioning from the performance car habit to the performance boat habit...can't do both. :-( I had a small Glastron-Carlson for 25 years but I am now ready to step up. I’m looking at two boats (same price) and would like some first-hand experience:
Boat 1: 1989 Formula sr1 311 fresh water boat with twin 454 mercruisers (1997, 200 hours) with Edelbrock marine carbs. aluminum myco trailer, fridge, bathroom, sink/ wet bar. New bimini top. Open cooling system. Speedo says 70mph NEW INFORMATION TRS drives
Boat 2: 1989 sr291, super clean salt-water boat. Owner is “retentive” maintenance/upkeep. Fresh-water cooled 454s (300 hours on refresh), bravo 1s (2018 refresh), Latham hydraulic steering (2018). Dual axle aluminum trailer.
Thanks for any inputs/insight.
Tom
I have been lurking for awhile...
I am moving (part-time) to Perdido Key, Fl. (Gulf of Mexico). I am transitioning from the performance car habit to the performance boat habit...can't do both. :-( I had a small Glastron-Carlson for 25 years but I am now ready to step up. I’m looking at two boats (same price) and would like some first-hand experience:
Boat 1: 1989 Formula sr1 311 fresh water boat with twin 454 mercruisers (1997, 200 hours) with Edelbrock marine carbs. aluminum myco trailer, fridge, bathroom, sink/ wet bar. New bimini top. Open cooling system. Speedo says 70mph NEW INFORMATION TRS drives
Boat 2: 1989 sr291, super clean salt-water boat. Owner is “retentive” maintenance/upkeep. Fresh-water cooled 454s (300 hours on refresh), bravo 1s (2018 refresh), Latham hydraulic steering (2018). Dual axle aluminum trailer.
Thanks for any inputs/insight.
Tom
Last edited by F14A water jet; 05-02-2019 at 05:34 PM.
05-02-2019, 09:12 AM
#3
VIP Member
VIP Member
The 311 is known as being one of Formula’s best boats. Very timeless. They’re not known for being very fast, but are incredible wave crushers for their size. My boat runs about 70 with 502 MPIs and TRS drives.
The 292 is also a great boat. I believe they have more in common with the 242/272 hulls.
Fit and finish on both will be done excellent for the time period. Look for rot in the transom and stringers, and the bulkheads fore and aft of the fuel tank. You may have to unbolt the cabin step to get a good look (this is a must, don’t buy without verifying integrity there).
If the boats are the same price and check out well, my vote would be the 292 with its Latham steering. That’s easily a $5-6k upgrade alone, and completely changes the way the boat handles. Someone really loves that boat!
Post up some pics! It’s possible that we may know the boats/owners.
Tom
The 292 is also a great boat. I believe they have more in common with the 242/272 hulls.
Fit and finish on both will be done excellent for the time period. Look for rot in the transom and stringers, and the bulkheads fore and aft of the fuel tank. You may have to unbolt the cabin step to get a good look (this is a must, don’t buy without verifying integrity there).
If the boats are the same price and check out well, my vote would be the 292 with its Latham steering. That’s easily a $5-6k upgrade alone, and completely changes the way the boat handles. Someone really loves that boat!
Post up some pics! It’s possible that we may know the boats/owners.
Tom
05-02-2019, 09:26 AM
#4
Originally Posted by Redneckcustoms13
Id get the 311 being as it is a fresh water boat. Put a closed loop system on it and have fun playing here in the gulf with it for many years to come.
05-02-2019, 09:32 AM
#5
Originally Posted by TomZ
The 311 is known as being one of Formula’s best boats. Very timeless. They’re not known for being very fast, but are incredible wave crushers for their size. My boat runs about 70 with 502 MPIs and TRS drives.
The 292 is also a great boat. I believe they have more in common with the 242/272 hulls.
Fit and finish on both will be done excellent for the time period. Look for rot in the transom and stringers, and the bulkheads fore and aft of the fuel tank. You may have to unbolt the cabin step to get a good look (this is a must, don’t buy without verifying integrity there).
If the boats are the same price and check out well, my vote would be the 292 with its Latham steering. That’s easily a $5-6k upgrade alone, and completely changes the way the boat handles. Someone really loves that boat!
Post up some pics! It’s possible that we may know the boats/owners.
Tom
The 292 is also a great boat. I believe they have more in common with the 242/272 hulls.
Fit and finish on both will be done excellent for the time period. Look for rot in the transom and stringers, and the bulkheads fore and aft of the fuel tank. You may have to unbolt the cabin step to get a good look (this is a must, don’t buy without verifying integrity there).
If the boats are the same price and check out well, my vote would be the 292 with its Latham steering. That’s easily a $5-6k upgrade alone, and completely changes the way the boat handles. Someone really loves that boat!
Post up some pics! It’s possible that we may know the boats/owners.
Tom
One boat in Denver....the other in NY.
05-02-2019, 01:25 PM
#6
Registered
Is the 1st boat Bravo or TRS? If so go with boat with Bravo drive s
05-02-2019, 01:47 PM
#7
Originally Posted by Nothing personel 353
Is the 1st boat Bravo or TRS? If so go with boat with Bravo drive s
05-02-2019, 02:01 PM
#8
VIP Member
VIP Member
A 311 TRS boat is a better balanced, and basically bulletproof, combination. The TRS set up is old and finding parts can be somewhat more difficult (but they also don’t really break so that’s a mute point). I love my TRS boat!
Unless it was originally built with 420s, the 311 will have Bravos. The 292 is Bravo for sure.
Not sure I can really comment on the speed deal without seeing them/knowing the motors. The 292 probably has some good power in it if the owner added hydraulic steering.
Got any links to the boats boats in question?
Unless it was originally built with 420s, the 311 will have Bravos. The 292 is Bravo for sure.
Not sure I can really comment on the speed deal without seeing them/knowing the motors. The 292 probably has some good power in it if the owner added hydraulic steering.
Got any links to the boats boats in question?
05-02-2019, 02:19 PM
#9
21 and 42 footers
Platinum Member
Originally Posted by TomZ
..............................The 292 probably has some good power in it if the owner added hydraulic steering.
Got any links to the boats boats in question?
Got any links to the boats boats in question?
