Formula 34 PC
01-03-2004 | 12:24 PM
#1
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Formula 34 PC
I am considering the formula 34 PC and am seeking some feedback from current formula owners (34 PC preferred) on the boat and manufacturer. (ride, performance, build quality, durability, etc.). Am thinking of powering with either the merc. mx6.2 horizon bravo three or mercruiser 496 magnum bravo three.
01-06-2004 | 02:46 PM
#3
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 82
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From: richmond, va
Thirdbird is right it's mostly go fast boaters but there's a few others who lerk about. I've got a 2001 280SS and have had excellent support from Formula. They have pretty much fixed every issue I've brought up. I email all kinds of questions to Kerry Davis and get prompt answers. Bottom line, if you have a good dealer with Formula support behind them they are as good if not better then most other manufacturers, not cheaper.
As for the engines, the small blocks will save gas but may hurt on the re-sale. You also, may want to look at the Volvo setup for their outdrives.
As for the engines, the small blocks will save gas but may hurt on the re-sale. You also, may want to look at the Volvo setup for their outdrives.
01-08-2004 | 05:38 PM
#4
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,896
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Lake Ontario
I've got to chime back in on this one. I agree with Troutly 100%! Get the biggest engines you can get even if you have to give up some other features.
Why??????
Well, here's why!
1) The only reason manufacturers put small engines in large boats is to make the final price more attractive. Boats, almost all boats, need massive power to perform well. Just let off the throttles and see how long you stay on plane. Nuff said.
2) Gas mileage between big engines and small engines is almost identical. Actually, in some cases, bigger engines result in better fuel economy efficiency wise. You gotta shove the joy-sticks alot further forward with wimpy little engines.
3) Engine life. Big engines will last longer than small ones because they won't be worked so hard.
4) Resale, resale, resale. Boaters that know boats always want the bigger power. When you go to sell that wonderful 34 PC in five or ten years, nobody is going to want those small, clapped-out, overworked, half-blocks. Truth be known,,,,,,, you'll probably be selling that wonderful 34 PC for that reason,,,,,,,, the engines were too small from the begining.
5) OK, lets say you bought that wonderful 34 PC with the Briggs and Stratton engine option. You've got this big cruiser that can easily accomodate what,,,,,, 8 or 10 people? Now, how bummed are you gonna be when that wonderful 34 PC wallows and moans and groans and stands on it's stern for like 12 minutes trying to plane off? Not cool at all man!!!
In summation (then I'll get off my big block soap box) get all the power you can possibly afford. Skip the generator, skip the windlass, skip the superwhamadyne music system, skip the air conditioning. Skip what you need to in order to get the proper power in that boat. That's a big friggin boat and you need big friggin power. You can add all the other goodies later. OK,,,,,, I think I'm done,,,,,,,,,,,, no wait,,,,, one last comment..........
I can't stand these guys with their big huge cruisers and all the glitz-gear with teeny-weeny engines. To me, that just says "he don't know chit about boats"
OK,,,,,(pant,,,pant) I'm done
Why??????
Well, here's why!
1) The only reason manufacturers put small engines in large boats is to make the final price more attractive. Boats, almost all boats, need massive power to perform well. Just let off the throttles and see how long you stay on plane. Nuff said.
2) Gas mileage between big engines and small engines is almost identical. Actually, in some cases, bigger engines result in better fuel economy efficiency wise. You gotta shove the joy-sticks alot further forward with wimpy little engines.
3) Engine life. Big engines will last longer than small ones because they won't be worked so hard.
4) Resale, resale, resale. Boaters that know boats always want the bigger power. When you go to sell that wonderful 34 PC in five or ten years, nobody is going to want those small, clapped-out, overworked, half-blocks. Truth be known,,,,,,, you'll probably be selling that wonderful 34 PC for that reason,,,,,,,, the engines were too small from the begining.
5) OK, lets say you bought that wonderful 34 PC with the Briggs and Stratton engine option. You've got this big cruiser that can easily accomodate what,,,,,, 8 or 10 people? Now, how bummed are you gonna be when that wonderful 34 PC wallows and moans and groans and stands on it's stern for like 12 minutes trying to plane off? Not cool at all man!!!
In summation (then I'll get off my big block soap box) get all the power you can possibly afford. Skip the generator, skip the windlass, skip the superwhamadyne music system, skip the air conditioning. Skip what you need to in order to get the proper power in that boat. That's a big friggin boat and you need big friggin power. You can add all the other goodies later. OK,,,,,, I think I'm done,,,,,,,,,,,, no wait,,,,, one last comment..........
I can't stand these guys with their big huge cruisers and all the glitz-gear with teeny-weeny engines. To me, that just says "he don't know chit about boats"
OK,,,,,(pant,,,pant) I'm done
01-09-2004 | 07:32 AM
#5
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 1
From: Toledo, Ohio/Las Vegas, NV
I strongly agree with all previous comments about bigger power. I have had a 311 and now a 382 ... I don't think there is a better boat company to deal with. Technical assistance is outstanding.
A couple of years ago, I met Scott Porter at a race. A year later, he remembered me by my first name. When I was considering trading the 311 for a used 382, I called to talk with him. I got his voice mail ... he was having lunch in the cafeteria with his employees. He called me back the next morning and said he recognized me by my voice. He told me if there were any problems with the 382, they would work with me to take care of anything. I called the factory on my cell phone from a parking lot in California with the hull number on the boat I was looking at. They checked the records and were able to tell me there were no warranty issues or dealer repairs to the hull.
Formula created a memorial fund to help the family of one of their racers who died last year. They have also donated money to upgrade rescue equipment for the Great Lakes Silver Cup Series.
At a race at Metro Beach this past summer, Scott was washing the Formula pace boat himself. On of the other Formula reps commented "the boss" does everything .... he even goes out to relieve the guy mowing the lawn at the factory for his lunch break. You WILL NOT find a better boat company to deal with.
A couple of years ago, I met Scott Porter at a race. A year later, he remembered me by my first name. When I was considering trading the 311 for a used 382, I called to talk with him. I got his voice mail ... he was having lunch in the cafeteria with his employees. He called me back the next morning and said he recognized me by my voice. He told me if there were any problems with the 382, they would work with me to take care of anything. I called the factory on my cell phone from a parking lot in California with the hull number on the boat I was looking at. They checked the records and were able to tell me there were no warranty issues or dealer repairs to the hull.
Formula created a memorial fund to help the family of one of their racers who died last year. They have also donated money to upgrade rescue equipment for the Great Lakes Silver Cup Series.
At a race at Metro Beach this past summer, Scott was washing the Formula pace boat himself. On of the other Formula reps commented "the boss" does everything .... he even goes out to relieve the guy mowing the lawn at the factory for his lunch break. You WILL NOT find a better boat company to deal with.
Last edited by RedDog382; 01-09-2004 at 07:48 AM.
01-16-2004 | 02:37 AM
#8
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: West Los Angeles, CA
I went with the 400SS 415HP engines and wish I had gotten the 500HPs.
It was a big expense for about 5 mph but would have saved me money in the long run.
Make sure you can live with a top speed of about 42 with 2x375-hp MerCruiser 496 MAGS. Talk to Steve Tester or somebody else at Formula and see if you can get it with a 496 MAG High Output - 425 HP engine. Formula is putting the 525s in the 400SS, although they do not advertise those engines with that model vessel.
Good luck, I have had nothing but great support from Formula.
Ed
It was a big expense for about 5 mph but would have saved me money in the long run.
Make sure you can live with a top speed of about 42 with 2x375-hp MerCruiser 496 MAGS. Talk to Steve Tester or somebody else at Formula and see if you can get it with a 496 MAG High Output - 425 HP engine. Formula is putting the 525s in the 400SS, although they do not advertise those engines with that model vessel.
Good luck, I have had nothing but great support from Formula.
Ed
