Hi everybody

I’m writing from Finland and have been looking for my first boat of this type for some weeks now. I think Formula 311 is my choice. The problem living here is that the selection in used offshore boats isn’t that great. There is one being sold for little less than $60K and one for half that price. To my untrained eye they look the same 😅

The cheaper one has trs, borg warner and hp420 from -89. The more expensive has hp500’s from 2004 with some version of bravo i guess. They are both ”very well maintained” as you would expect. The cheaper one has these fins under the drives cut smaller for some reason. The seller said someone probably cut them to reduce drag. But.. Is there any sense in that? Should it be a red flag?

The more expensive one is clean looking, but I was thinking is 60K way too much for 311 with hp500’s with 1000h’s in them? The seller hadn’t heard anything about valves needing to be maintained every 300h’s, so I’m thinking they probably haven’t.

I guess I’m writing to hear it from you to hold my horses and wait for better candidates.

hp 500's or 500 EFI ? usually when the skegs have been shortened its because of damage and they cut them to match

I’m pretty sure they are hp500’s. Carbs on top.

Anyone nearby that can do a good survey complete with sea test, compression test and moisture meter readings of the structure? That alone could save you many thousands and untold hours of frustration/downtime.

That might be a good idea. Should they be specialized to these kind on boats or will anyone do? Isn’t it quite basic tech after all?

There is a third option available to consider. A 357 with TRS, cbb 502 mk6 engines and mercury transmission. Haven’t found much info on the engines, but I assume cbb means Chevy Big Block. So is it a car engine marinized? Mercury tranny seems to be the less favoured option of the two available.

Again, it’s a clean looking boat, but.. I’m going to visit our naighboring country to see the 311 with hp420’s, so might check this one out on the same trip. But it would mean 3-4 h more driving.

Heering80,

Spam an old thread and get your post count up to ten, then post some pics if you have them. You'll get a lot more and better advice if the experts here on OSO aren't trying to advise blind.

Thanks. Brad.

Boat in Finland LINK
Boat we’re going to SEE
Third one, 357

So we’re going to see this one boat soon. I requested to see the boat on a trailer before test drive, but the owner said he’ll be launching it before we get there. We can then pick it up afterwards to see the hull, he said.

Now, when going to see used cars, I’ve gotten to think it’s very informative to see engine starting cold. Is there some potential flaw with these boats that might reveal itself more easily right at the launch? For example if the fresh water pumps are going bad, might it be that they require some fiddling on the first start, but function normally after that? Any other ideas why it would be good to see the launch?

Not sure why the seller won't wait for you before he launches the boat. That would raise suspicion for me but maybe he just wants to save time ? Maybe the engines are hard starting when cold. As far as the pumps, if there's an issue with them that will show up regardless. Keep an eye on the engine temps. Watch the engine compartment , look for water leaks. Good luck