sweet love the backwards zig zag

She's a beauty. What do you have in it for power?

My buddies 87 ls had a teak platform and I think one I liked at was an 88 also with teak.

All square windshield F242 and F272 models were designated "LS" models even if they had twin engines (1986 and older). Round windshield F242, F272,F311 models were introduced as 1987 models only, although a few were built in 1986 (still 1987's -kinda like cars). After 1986 all twin engine sportboats were designated as SR-1's until the Fastechs. After 1986 all single engine sportboats were designated as LS except SS models. Therefore in 1987 the models were F-206-LS; F206-SP Spyder; F223-LS; F242-LS; F242-SR1 (yes with twins); F272-SR1; F311-SR1; and F357-SR1. Fiber glass swim platforms were only offered on ROUND windshield models. My guess is that someone either put a late model platform on the older "square windshield" models themselves or managed to talk their dealer into ordering a fiberglass platform for a carried over boat. The First round windshield boat was the F206 in 1985. Fiberglass platform was on it but it was not Silent Thunder. Exhaust on the 1985 and 1986 F206 came out through hull on top of the platform. Silent Thunder was not made available at all until 1987 but prior to that some "Round Windshield" SR-1 models didn't even have it available. That's why you see so many 1985 and 1986 F357's with no platform or a teak platform. Formula was still tinkering with the fiberglass platform designs well into 1986 for the larger boats. Round windshield boat introduction: 1985 - F206 and F357; 1986 - F311(very few); 1987 - F223, F242, F272, and F311(officially). The fiberglass platforms of any kind were always an extra option on SR-1 boats. They were standard on the LS models but Silent Thunder was an option on all sportboats 1987 and on. I have a NON-Silent Thunder fiberglass swim platform on My F311. At some point they made the Fiberglass platform standard on all sportboats but to my knowledge Silent Thunder was always a paid for option.

This all sounds spot on...obviously you have done your research. That being said..maybe you can solve a mystery. We have a member with a 1985 272 LS with a Curved Windshield
!! (I.C.U. Lookin). The last digits in his H/N are 85 and it is a TRN (Miami Plant) hull. I had a '86 272 LS with "Flat Glass" that was the last "Flat Glass" 272 built in Miami. Do you have any thoughts on this one?

My guess was that his hull was a dealer return or demo boat that had a defect in the deck...was sent back to the factory and refitted with the '87 and later style deck/curved windshield. This would be a good question for Scott Smith in Formula customer service. I have heard of units being returned to the plant for warranty re-work but nothing this extreme.

That is a good one. By 1987 all production had been moved to Decatur as far as I know. I'd like to see a picture of that boat,not that it would be obvious that there was a difference. WOW! Does it also have a fiberglass platform?

85 with rounded window?? How is that possible with old style deck?? Unless it has a newer deck somehow??

Look back thru this thread and you will see pics of it...I.C.U. Lookin. The plant on 144th & Biscayne built boats for the '89 model year as they were phasing out in late '88. By the close of '89 all production was in Decatur.

It has the deck and windshield of an '87 and later with the H/N of an '85. I think the entire deck and inner liner were different. I have made detailed comparisons of '86 and '87 hulls and can tell you they are from the same molds...so the difference is the deck. It could be that there was an over run of 85 hulls and this one received a '87 style deck.

In any case it's a unique boat and rare to be sure.

I have another one for you. My friend Diego just bought lil Reds's '89 272 SR-1 with twin 454's and Bravo's OEM from the factory with that power. I had often thought that the 272 SR-1 was the smallest boat Formula ever put twin Big Blocks in...that is until I got my 255 Liberator and started looking into the history of that model. From '76 thru '82 the 255 Liberator was available with twin 330 HP 454's with TRS drives. I also learned that it could be specially ordered with twin 420 HP 454's!!! According to a few old timers I have spoken with the twin 420 HP 255's would run close to 85 and would run 60 + with a half ton of "organics" on board...a smugglers dream:evilb:

[IMG]http://i705.photobucket.com/albums/w...eratorad-1.jpg[/IMG]

Check the bottom of this 1976 magazine ad....

"Available with motors up to twin 330 Horsepower"

Just a bit of trivia for all you "Bird Heads".

It had a fiberglass when I bought it. What sprink says makes sense best possible answer. If you want specific pictures let me know ill take and post them. The silent thunder platform looks to have been added later as there 2 different sets of exhaust outlets inside boat. Very strange for sure.

ICU
That is really wild! Huge amount of work had to have been done. With the two sets of exhaust holes it makes sense that the factory did it. Exhaust might have needed to be lower to get into the silent thunder platform. Cool story. Ever check with the factory for some History?