357 with SSM #3 drives?
 

Did Formula build any 357s with SSM #3 drives from the factory? This particular boat has been for sale near us for at least a year. Just wondering if this was a factory set up or something done after the fact.

Also, I've heard rumors that the 357 is not exactly a stiff/solid hull, and that leads me to wonder just how it would handle at the 80+ this guy is claiming. Any thoughts?

I have an old technical brochure on the 357 that shows it equipped with 8.9L/540/500hp with #3s (top speed 66mph) or 8.9/540/575hp with #3s (top speed 72 mph).

The 357 received Powerboat Magazine offshore boat of the year in 1987 and the brochure states that the 311 and the 357 were layed up entirely with AME 4000 resin, which is what some builders still use today. Formula now uses AME 5000. I'm sure the 357 could handle the 80 mph, just don't known if anyone has ever powered one to go that fast. I have seen several Cig 35 Cafe Racers, which weigh the same (9000 lbs) as the 357, powered with 650-750 blower motors that run 75-80 mph. The bottom line is heavy boats and with no steps.

That 357 for sale in your area is advertised as having 572/600hp that would probably push it at a realistic 75 mph. If I had the money, and could afford 50-60 gallons an hour to cruise around; I would buy it in heartbeat. My 20 gallon an hour 272 will have to do for now.

Unchained, thanks for the info. We're currently boatless; our last boat was a 280 Powerquest. Nice boat, bought brand new and it would run 65 mph. Only problem is that it was too small - we'd get beat to hell on our local lake, which looks like a washing machine most weekends. And the boat really wasn't big enough to pull a weekend on, at least for us.

I'm really looking at something that is big, heavy, traditional deep-V that can run relatively fast despite the conditions. That's why older Cigs and Formulas are on my list. The windshield on the Formula is a big bonus, as our season up here can get mighty chilling in spring and fall. Love the looks of a Cig though; and it is a Cigarette. The appeal of owning a classic....

Still and all, I think a 311 or 357 (my preference) will probably be the way we'll end up going. I just wonder how much it will cost to redo the cabin interior. Love the lines of the SR Formulas, but those interiors are something else.... :eek: Even worse in red!

I had the first 357 with Kaama's. When you say the boat is "not exactly stiff," you're correct. Lots of flexing, but (while I had it) no major cracks.

I re-powered to 500 HP, and never saw an honest 70 MPH. I think it would take really BIG power to see 80 with #3's.

dockrocker,
as you know this particular 357 has been advertised on traderonline by 2 or three different brokers.
i called about this boat last month and they all said it was sold, however the ads are still running.

where are you located in michigan?

i'm flying into detroit tommorrow to look at another 357.

RNH,

I'm north of Detroit, in Macomb Township - where are you headed? We're 30 minutes from Lake St. Clair; if you're staying overnight, maybe we can hook up and I'll buy you a beer. Cell is 586.292.5301.

Mike

dockrocker,
i'll probably get a room tommorrow night near the airport.
i'll try to give you a ring when i get in town.
i think my flight arrives around 2pm.

see ya,
rnh

two that i know of at the loto both 89's with the 575hp 540's and III's right at 80mph

RHN, while your in town you should stop and look at mine. I live 45min. north of the airport.

586-615-5067 Jim

The big and heavy I can help with, fast is another story. Just put my F-402 in the ads forum. It definatly has a big luxary cabin (white, not red). I've never used the cabin (hense the desire to goto a cat) and I don't think the original owner ever did either as it's like new inside.

-Greg

If you are looking for a real wave crusher, I'd check out GregP's 402. That is a lot of boat for short money.

cuda, I'd look long and hard at that boat - if I had the scratch. Just doing some research now; we're hoping to be in a good position this winter, maybe this fall.

Best part about a big lead sled like that one is that you may not be fastest, but you don't have to slow down for much... :D

357 Top Speed
 

I was a little surprised a the top speed figures listed on this string. I just bought an '85 357 SR1. The hull has 700 hours on it and the engines have 80. They are B&M blown 454s (540hp each). That will push the boat to 76 mph (confirmed on gps). I was thinking that with more prop it would be faster. Right now it will turn 5,200 rpm without any trim at all. So, I figured more prop would let me get more trim at the same rpm and hence more spee. But, after reading some of the strings and looking at how much this thing weighs I am wondering now if it will ever do 80. Any opinions?

Not likely.

Re: 357 Top Speed
 

Once you get to 70 mph, the speed get EXTREMELY costly to improve. I think by the time you saw 80, you'll wish you had bought a different boat.

That being said, there aren't many boats going to pass you at 76 in a poker run. Many of the lighter, faster boats can't take the beating in the slop of a poker run. The big ol' Formula will just crush it's way through!:)

dockrocker,
I have the boat your looking for, great ride and performance. Its a 1988 F311SR1 with 530 HP 454's, bravo drives. See the classifieds

dockrocker,

I'm not sure if you'd be interested but there is a 1986 357 in Ft. Lauderdale at Banyan Bay Marina. I have not seen it. I do know that it needs power and trans. (missing). I spoke with Eric at 954-893-0004. They were asking like 16k, but are down to 12k. Sounded interseting. Alas, I need a smaller boat. Good luck.

bryanspeedracer,

thanks for heads up - alas, I need a bigger wallet! :D Actually, we've managed to get a couple of "other" issues squared away and might be in the market come next fall - hoping next season is our last boatless one!

Dockrocker,

Ahh yes, I suffer from the same sickness- myfundsalow.

It seems that only two boats exist.

!. Ultra expensive ones that I'll never own
2. Someone elses headache.

Good luck

357sr1
 

Dockrocker,
I bought the boat your talking about,in june I think.
The broker was allstar marine on jefferson ave. I had
the hull & engines surveyed. The hull had one small
scratch. The engines compression test averaged
225lbs. on the port engine & 210lbs. on the star. The
motors are 502s with merlin steel heads bored to
572ci. They are 650hp. not 600hp. Ingnition is all
msd boxes,coils,dist. crane,lunati,these motors are
built with the best parts. I talked to the engine builder
he says the guy had opprox. $60,000 in the engines.
The owner installed no.3 speedmaster drives & reworked trans. Since I've owned the boat I had a
new white rub rail installed,had the scratch fixed,
& installed new white graffrig gauges & graffrig gps
speedometer. It has gaffrig mufflers. I added checkered
race graphics. You'll love the name BAD-ASS. She'll
cruise about, an on a good day with the right temp.
I can run 81-83mph. Rides like a dream. I put on 63
hrs. I only problem I had was a broken hyd. steering
line. This boat has always been on a lift or inside, I
now keep the boat in rack storage. I supprised a lot
of my buddied with go-fast boats with this 357. If your
looking for a hell of a boat buy a 357 you will not be
sorry. The owner was going to lose this boat to the
bank, I paid $59,000. My bank values the boat at
$122,000. give me your e-mail address & I'll send
you some pictures. Good luck finding the boat right
boat I looked for a year.

bobbarker, sounds like a helluva boat. Post the pictures on here for us all to see.

pics. of 357
 

I'am new at this, how do I post the pics. of my 357

You can post a pic right at the bottom of the reply. Just hit attach file and it should resize it to fit automatically. Here's the engines in my 357.

post pics.
 

bford1
Thanks for the info. on to post pics of my 357

I think I've seen pics of your boat before. It looks awesome! Looking forward to seeing on here. How do you get in and out of that thing without a swim deck (the former owner removed it right?)

Since you bought it have you had any good weather to take it out? I think the ad stated that it would run 83mph. 76mph is about it for mine. But, I think I could run faster with more aggressive props. My 357 will turn about 5,200 rpm with the trims all the way down. So, with max trim and full throttle I'll hit the rev limiters (5,800). My thinking (if correct) is that with a more aggressive prop I can get more trim at the same rpm and hence more speed. How does yours handle 80 mph? These 357s are so big and not so rigid that those high speeds are a little troubling to me. Have you noticed how your deck flexes at high speed in rough water? On mine the hatches move noticeably as it flexes.

bford1
You're right the former owner removed the swimplatform, he also installed big ass gaffrig
muffers & water bypass system for the big
stellings exhaust it doesn't leave much room for
brackets,plus speedmaster drives are a lot bigger
than standard drives. The props have a huge pitch
but there are no markings so I don't know what the
pitch is. maybe somebody can help me out with that.
As far as speed with two people on board & half
tank of gas, 81-83mph on a gaffrig gps speedometer.
As far as flex you'll have to do what I had done by the local fiberglass man. remove the rub rail tighten all
the screws that hold the top & bottom of the hull
together . Then fill all the old rubrail screw holes with
epoxy . Then he inslalled a new white rubrail. No more
flex.Total cost approx. $1000.00 . You're motors look good, I;ll post pics of mine later.

bob

did you get a trailer in that deal too
i was contemplating that boat. a buddy looked at it for me and knows the engine builder. the boat has been taken care of. don't knowwhy people were scared of that boat. it was first posted at $80k+, even at $63K on traderonline it was a steal!!!!!

you lucky dog!!!:doggy:

Rambunctious,
No I didn't get a trailer with the 357, but I don't
realy need one since I keep it in rack storage on the maumee river in toledo, oh. an yes I was lucky to buy
this boat for $59,000. Did you receive a pic. with
this reply, having seendig pics.

Looks awesome Bob. Would love to see some engine pics too.

I was also wanting to change my rub rtail anyways so that's a great idea.

Thanks.

engine pics.
 

I can send you some old pics. of the engines , but I;ve
made major imorovements . Rright now I have the
stellings exhaust sent out for polishing, & the 1050
dominators carbs. out for rebuild & center bowls powercoaded red & the end bowls chrome. I'am
also doing a major part of the engine room in
diomond plate. I'am getting excited about spring.

engine pics.
 

I can send you some old pics. of the engines , but I;ve
made major imorovements . Rright now I have the
stellings exhaust sent out for polishing, & the 1050
dominators carbs. out for rebuild & center bowls powercoaded red & the end bowls chrome. I'am
also doing a major part of the engine room in
diomond plate. I'am getting excited about spring.