2003 312 -- What should I pay
 

Three Qs for the experts:
My local dealer has a new 2003 312 with 350 mags. it does not have the electric footrests (not sure of any other big options to look out for). they have come down to 102K but after joining this forum I have learned that they may not be able to move the boat because the power may be too small. What would be a god price for the boat?

How fast would this boat go with the 350 mags (anything that can be done to improve this without hurting the warranties?)

The dealer contends that they could add a small generator and air cond. to the boat because of the smallblocks and the extra room in the engine compartment. has anyone seen this in a 312?

If you add A/C you'll slow the boat down more. I have a 292 with 6.2's and it runs 72mph GPS! Personally, I wouldn't buy a 312 with that power.. Not for the speed but you'll be a half hour getting it on plane. Also, rumor has it that they are going to discontinue that boat. Maybe you don't care? With the rebate, I should think the price should be around 95 - 97K.:rolleyes:
Rick

If you add A/C you'll slow the boat down more. I have a 292 with 6.2's and it runs 72mph GPS! Personally, I wouldn't buy a 312 with that power.. Not for the speed but you'll be a half hour getting it on plain. Also, rumor has it that they are going to discontinue that boat. Maybe you don't care? With the rebate, I should think the price should be around 95 - 97K.

Dirtydee, for the kind of money you're talking, take your time and find a preowned Formula. You can end up getting a lot more boat and motor by doing your homework. For example, find an older 311 SR1, climb down into the cabin, then climb back down into tht 312 and you won't believe the difference, you'll think you climbed back into a 27 footer. Yeah, the newer hulls are a little faster with equal power, I'm not convinced they handle the rough stuff as well. I have an 89 311-SR1 and can cut through 4 footers with no problem whatsoever at speed, launching off larger rollers she lands straight and true. It's a thought anyway.

Thank you
 

Thanks guys, this forum is great. Im very serious about getting a boat in the next month and your help is greatly appriciated

I agree with the used boat option. If you've got 100k to spend, as it looks you do, you could score a really nice late model with minimal hours and the right power package and a trailer!!

I don't know if I would go all the way back to a 311 (I own a 311) only because you are going to be getting into some wrenching and finishing projects. If you've got 100k, man there are tons of perfect used ones out there. Just start shopping around, that's half the fun anyway!!:D :D

Good luck, I hope you land a nice one:cool:

Troutly makes some good points, however a new 312 sizewise is still basically an old 27 footer. I didn't mean to suggest you necessarily look for a 311, I was just using that as an example. I will tell you one thing from experience, you get out into 3/4/5 ft. seas with that 312 no matter what you have for power, an older 311 with basic 454/330's is going to walk right away from you. Again that's personal experience talking. It all goes back to doing your homework. Find out the history of the boat. Who has owned it. Where has it been kept. Formula can usually provide some history of it's boats. I was the 3rd owner of my 89 311, (I bought it November 2001) and except for some very minor scratches on the rub rail, it looks like new, inside and out. You could have performed surgery in the engine compartment. The only thing that gives it away as an 89, except for the Palm Beach Graphics and the 89 emblem on the hullside behind the windshield, is the black dash. At some point I want to redo the upholstery basically white and will paint the dash to match. But that's down the road aways. All in all don't be afraid to buy an older boat. There are some real diamonds out there, you just have to find them.

:D :D 1989 with white panels and white guages:D

Plus water pressure , oil temp and fuel pressure;)

312 with small blocks will be a dog. For your price range a lot of nice Formula's out there for sale. Why settle for something that underpowered? Of course that could be why the dealer still has it.

I am taking a 2002 292 on trade I want to sell it CHEAP 350 mags on a trailer 407-402-0300