Most people would probably say that the Pantera is probably a bit better in the rough, but is there a huge difference? I'm looking at two boats for sale and the Formula is half the asking price of the Pantera. Just wondering if the Pantera is worth twice as much?

I value rough water handling most of all, and I know there are plenty of other boats that would be good too, just wondering about the difference between these two particular models, so how is the structural integrity of the 272? I know some old boats have rotten transoms and stringers, but that's a generic problem for all boats built using wood (which is not all bad although it requires good maintenance), but other than that? Will it handle the same amount of punishing pounding in rough seas, and if so - will it keep up at the same speed as the Pantera?

I responded to your question in the General Discussion forum.

Post up the boats and we’ll be able to dig a little deeper.

More than likely, Pantera is what you’re going to want.

Formula 272's do well in the rough...

Just in case some may be reading that I don’t think a 272 is a good rough water boat…

Everyone here pretty much knows me as being loyal to Formula. My thoughts are that the 272 is more than capable in rough water to a point.

With that said… the OP asked for a comparison to a similar-sized Pantera with an overall emphasis on rough water usage hence my vote for the Pantera.

I'll skip the pictures, since the boats look like any other Pantera 28 and Formula 272. The remaining facts might be of interest though:
They are both single engine BB boats, with approximately 550 HP mated to Bravo outdrives. (Yes; the Fornula has been converted to a single engine boat.)
As far as flying through the rough, I know most Pantera racers have preferred single engine setups to fly more level...)
What do you think?

The 272 has always been a twin engine boat. Are you sure you’re not looking at a 271?

I think there was a guy over in the UK (or may it was Australia) that converted a Volvo powered 272 to a single BB. Not sure how it ran, but I don't think it ran well. It's a heavy boat for a single engine even with 550 HP - That's maybe a tad more than the twin 350s it would have came with but instead only doing it with one wheel vs two. I don't see the advantage there. And that doesn't included the structural issues that come from removing the center stringer that helps tie everything together in the stern. Not sure I'd even consider it.

Where's the Formula located?

And pictures are always great!!

The Pantera should be just as heavy, and most people consider the single engine Panteras to run better than the tail heavy twin engine boats, so the Formula should run well with a single BB too, right?
TwinAfter all, both hulls are about the same size and weight.Twin stringers probably do a better job of connecting everything with the transom than a single center stringer - especially since they can form an ongoing continuation of the twin stringers that already run almost the entire length of thr boat - all through the cabin, underneath the cockpit and onto the bulkhead in front of the engine compartment. That is - of course- if done correctly, which is quite an extensive job. Here are two pictures of the British boat, converted to a single engine:

100% Sure:

One of those looks like it maybe a 292.

I wouldn’t consider these as being good alternatives to the Pantera.

The Formula is a very heavy boat for its size; the weights listed by Formula did not include fuel, oil, water, and gear.

Take the 311 for instance - it’s advertised as weighing 7400 lbs - not even close! They weigh about 2k-2.5k lbs more ready to run. And that doesn’t include the water that they’ve probably soaked up over the years either. 9500-10k lbs is probably more realistic. The 272 isn’t much lighter and a 292 is just a couple hundred pounds off. I think the 272 comes in around 8k lbs - remove a drive package and you’re at 7k lbs.


A single engine Pantera 28 weighs in at just under 6k lbs with fuel per owner comments here on OSO.