Looking for a 311
 

Well I think its finally time to upgrade from my 272.I love my current boat but would just like to go a bit bigger. The plan is to sell the 272 after I bring the new boat home. The seasons are to short up here in Michigan to risk not having a boat haha

With that being said, does anyone know of any leads or looking to sell themselves that may not have posted it yet? Haven't been able to find much listed out there right now. I'm in the Detroit area but I'm willing to travel for the right boat. Looking for Bravo's and preferably white/Red or White/blue.. Not really looking for a project but I do realize these boats are 30+ years old so it may need a few things here and there.

Here's a few pics of my 272

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a17f7a4360.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d873c1ecdc.jpg

your 272 looks real nice. I like the colors.

The only 311 I have seen thus far is a yellow one on clist up in your neck of the woods.

If you wanted a 357, there is a guy down here in the Cincinnati area that just recently put his 357 on market. Think it was black and white with red. He took swim platform off and looks like engines and everything is 100 percent from pics.

I have a 311 yet am not parting with it yet.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...92dd8d9c7.jpeg
I always seem to be looking... will let you know if I see anything.

Chris

Thanks for the compliments on my 272. Your 311 is sharp! I don't blame you for not wanting to sell.

It looks like a few nice 311's recently sold within the past few months so I'm hoping that a few more will pop up soon as they start coming out of winter hibernation ( or maybe I can convince someone to sell theirs! haha). I was hoping to pick something up relatively soon to make selling my 272 easier and not risk storing it through the winter but if that doesn't happen its not the end of the world. I need to learn to have a bit more patience. Once I make my mind up I have a hard time sitting back and relaxing. I'm more of an instant gratification type haha

That yellow one near me looks really nice and for a good price considering the upgrades it has but that yellow just isn't for me. Also I would really like to stick with Bravo's. The TRS's are arguably a better drive but the added room in the engine compartment is very appealing to me.

Appreciate the help!

-Jim

Just look at myisland’s picture. The Formula 311 has the best performance boat profile that I have ever seen. The balance of squatted transom and bow up but not too up, is perfect. I love those boats. It’s the ultimate Formula to me. Good luck with your hunt Jimnut.

I think your inbox is full? I sent you some links let me know if I can help

Thats strange. Site only showed I had 4 messages between inbox and sent. I cleared them all out so hopefully now it will go through. Can you please try sending again?

Thank you!!

New message sent

Ps-I am on the Gulf of Mexico, so that drove my requirements of two engines and robust handling!

what drivetrains are in your 272? Looks great.

that yellow boat caught my eye also. I really like the engines he has. A LOT of yellow. I have a yellow 242 so I don’t mind yellow. I’m not a big fan of all the yellow on the dash of that 311. If I had a few bucks laying around I’d be making an offer along with some updates.

good luck in your search.

Yellow can be wrapped or painted or appreciated

Boat came with a rare package and has the 320EFI small blocks with Alpha SS outdrives. About 2 years ago I removed the EFI setup since you can't find any parts for them and wanted something a bit more reliable. I switched over to Edelbrock RPM air gap intake manifolds with QuickFuel marine carbs. The drives are 2.5" shorter than a standard alpha and have factory low water pickups. It is a great package and performs awesome. All of the performance of big blocks with the bonus of a better handling boat due to less weight and better on fuel. Best I have seen in perfect conditions was 67mph on GPS. Most days its a solid 64-65.

I'll see if I can dig up some pictures

Best pictures I could find.

320 EFI Engines:

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4bf3bc3fc7.jpg



Alpha SS Drives:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ca9aa81560.jpg

That’s a really cool setup. Shoot me a pm down the road if you decide to sell.

Well I went and looked at an 89 311 yesterday but decided to pass. The forward bulkhead under the front step was soft and had about 3 inches of standing water there. Fortunately the rest of the boat helped to make the decision easier as there were a lot of little things that it was going to need. Also had a LOT of sun damage. Crappy part is it was a 7+ hour drive each way. Oh well. Onto the next one!

I'm starting to get the feeling that it is going to be very difficult to find a boat that is in as good of condition as my current 272... I know I have only been looking for a couple months at this point but I'm starting to get a bit discouraged. There just doesn't seem to be a lot out there for sale. Maybe more will go up towards the end of the season who knows.

I found this search to be an all consuming, full-time job. I "skimmed the surface" (casually looked) for about a year during my last year of employment and then spent my first six months of retirement chasing down leads/boats. I had friends (car buddies from my other hobby) look/take pictures of some boats that were too far away to run and see BUT I spent many hours driving...GOOD LUCK!

Is it just an optical illusion or did Formula really add such a pronounced hook in the outer running surface of the hull? Look just in front of the trim tab.

I was entertaining looking into big/better than my 311 for a while and found that most were not going to be as nice as mine for the money, and that moving up (at least from the 311) wouldn't really gain much of anything for me for the kind of boating I do. The boat does everything that I need it to and I can tow it with my heavy duty Suburban.

These boats are getting old and many are going to need work. Sounds like you're in a similar situation.

Not an optical illusion at all. I was just as surprised when I seen it the first time. One of the reasons why
these boats need as much power as they do to get up and run.

I’ve heard that once they’re out of the water pretty good and at speed, the hook doesn’t matter much being that it only on the outside (is that true?).

The 311 and 357 hulls do not have that at all.

I'm okay with a boat needing some work to get it to the level of my 272. What's most important to me is seeing how the boat has been cared for and being structurally sound. Some faded paint/gelcoat and a rips in the upholstery doesnt bother me as I know it can be fixed but it's usually a good indication of the previous owners.

Like you mentioned, these boats aren't getting any younger so finding the perfect one will be difficult. Im not expecting a killer deal by any means and I'm willing to spend the money for the right boat as long as it's a fair price (for me as well as the seller)

I've seen a few really nice ones sell this spring but I wasnt looking as hard as I am now and missed out. I'm sure more will turn up as time goes on. I'm just a bit impatient and it would be nice to sell my current boat now at the beginning of the season.

A 1988 popped up on this face book page. White and teal one. Check it out.

https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...ing-311-a.html

That one on Facebook looks real nice! Anyone on here?

311
 

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...42e3338e27.png

We have decided to sell our 311 and posted it on Craigslist last night. I can provide pictures if you’re interested

post the link

It’s not allowing me to post a link to the Craigslist ad because I don’t have 10 posts yet.

It is on Craigslist under Buffalo NY. If you do a search for Formula it should pop right up.

awesome thanks for the heads up. Just post 6 more posts and youll be good to go

You’re welcome. The boat is gorgeous. We get comments on it every time we’re out. It has a chameleon paint job, that changes from purple to teal depending on the light.

Thank you so much for posting the link for me. I appreciate it!

Trade?
 

I have an 88 311 I would consider your 272 on trade located north east Pennsylvania

Well the search is over!! It actually has been for a little while now but I'm just getting around to updating this thread. Been to busy enjoying the new boat!!

Back in May I picked up an 89 311 that was out on Long Island NY (about a 12 hour drive for me) that looks like it just came out of the showroom yesterday. Not the exact colors I was looking for but the condition of the boat made it an easy decision and to be honest the colors are really starting to grow on me.The family I purchased the boat from have a summer place in Pennsylvania and that is where the boat was always used. Previous owner purchased the boat from somewhere in Iowa in 2016.

And now the part that everyone cares about

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...30a3b5585f.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...41ce732d0c.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b52191d4a9.jpg

I'll try and get some more pictures posted soon showing the cockpit and cabin but it is every bit as clean as the 272 if not cleaner. It's amazing that these boats are 30 years old and can still look the way that they do.

Thanks again to everyone posting links and leads to boats for sale!

Congratulations! Beautiful boat.

Fabulous find!

The palm beach colors are what date the boats properly. I love it! All the updated paint jobs on them ruin the classic appeal in my eyes. Good looking bird.

What motors and drives? Congratulations :-)

Had a fantastic weekend on the boat. Took a 160 mile round trip from Lake St Clair, down the Detroit River and then across Lake Erie to Put-In Bay. Boat ran absolutely flawless and the weather was just about perfect. Lake Erie picked up a bit Sunday on the way home but even then was only 2 footers with the occasional 3 and the 311 handled it like a champ. Like usual I wish I had taken more/better pictures but there's always next time. Below are a few from the trip down Saturday morning.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f9f8137deb.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...084fe232d0.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...feac1ca514.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a439afda44.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...482e73be91.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...80676e2985.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2759191798.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a789b95839.jpg

Good luck with that beauty