Phantom,

I do the same thing. I've got quite a collection now.

'91 311.
Nothing has ever come loose on this boat.
Cabin door DOES need secured for hard running, but other than the "decorator pillows" finding their way out into the cockpit, I've got no gripes.

Well, I did think of one issue. The four glass hatches originally came with standard "locking knob" friction locks to hold them open. Not acceptable for running hard with them partially open.

I replaced them with custom locking telescoping struts so I can run with the front two hatches open just a couple of inches (yes, I do close them if there is a chance of punching the nose through a wall of water).

I hope the build quality isn't going to crap. That's supposed to be Formula's claim to fame...

I am a serious Formula fan. Have always loved the boats and thought of them as put together better than all the others.

We looked seriously at a 382 when we bought the AT. And though we have had a few issues with the AT, It appears that one thing is true of all boats...........They all have their "issues".

I hope you get yours resolved to your liking.

The Warrior

mcollinstn-

Ever run in the ocean......offshore? If I ran on a lake I'm sure that "no problems" would be true.

OH yEAH,
i HAVE A NICE LOCK NUT COLLECTION from my 292 can't keep the sun pad nuts and bolts on either but its is minor considering those engine mounts and latham bolts are all still in place! Yea ha a little maintainence keeps you alert to potential things that could really hurt you. Rev limiters tend to go hand in hand with some loosening parts. And the cig boys have to have an occasional nut or "screw" loose too!

OH yeah,
That lake thing until you run some of those Great lakes
you might be quite surprised at the violaint conditions they have.They just don't look like the lake we all imagine! 4 to 5s and up !

Nort.

No salt. This puts me squarely in the middle of the guys who don't run in the ocean. I'm sure that my boat would disintegrate if I tried to run it in the ocean (especially your part of the ocean :)).

I have run hard on "big" lake conditions with 4' windwhipped whitecaps. I've beat it hard enough to shake the guts out of the second Pro Mariner battery charger and pounded several Kenwood CD changers to bits (I had to mount it in a neoprene sling). I've broken both gimbal rings and 3 Bravos.

And, on further thought, I regularly tighten the fasteners on the McLeod bolsters (twice a season).

But no problems with anything actually breaking loose or structural issues. Hull joint is tight as ever, cabinet doors, accessory mountings, etc, all fine.

I hope that your situation with the 382 is an isolated one.