I was hoping to get around 70,000 but it does not look that way. All the older one's are around the 50 to 60 range.

try pricing a newer model 35-38' formula.
$50-60k for a nice clean 357 seems like a bargain to me.

I agree your boat at 60,000 seams like a great deal. I was hoping to get close to 70,000 for mine. I hate to wite a check for 20,000 just to sell it.

You won't find an argument from me - I think I've let it be known that I love the 311s and 357s. But, here's a couple thoughts on why they don't seem to be worth as much in the used market:

• TRS drives on most of them. True or not, the "dock talk" is that TRS are hard to find parts for and I think that really hurts the resale
• Ugly ass interiors. No matter what color, they are uniformly bad, though red borders on hideous. When the CFO/Admiral sees acres of red velour, she doesn't exactly get that warm fuzzy feeling
• Dark gray/black dash - really dates the boat and is not cheap to alter
• No step. Some folks like the straight V, but all the marketing hype is "steps steps steps"
• Carb motors, no EFI

Add it up and you get the perception that these boats are "yesterday's technology" - when Joe Buyer is looking at boats and he sees that Formula doesnt' build boats like this anymore, it's all white dashes, Ultraleather interiors, step hulls, in the current models, it kind of dates the boat. Add in the fact these boats are pushing 15-20 years old, well... there's only one brand of boat that holds significant value over that amount of time and it has a big red #1 on the side.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that a 311 or 357 needs a special buyer, one who does his homework and appreciates the solid build of an old Formula and likes the idea of a wave-crushing deep V more than 3-5 mph on the top end.

My 2 cents (and a 311/357 is on our short list of boats if we're ever actually able to scrape together the cash to go boating again...)

I bought a 1989 357sr1 last year with 420hrs stage 3 420hp mercs, with all options and an eagle galvanized tri acle, freshwater only for 35k. All depends on where you look...

I just listed mine in boattrader. I own two boats this one needs to go.

mfb, did you cut down the windshield? It looks "shorter" than normal, or maybe it's just the perspective from the pictures?

mfb357,

Cool 357, have some folks coming to look at my lil' cig this week.
Have gotten a few other nibbles from the ol' OSO network. (wouldn't be interested in a neat little BBC
20' Cigarette, would ya?).
May have to talk to you about yours!

Oh, and I known a little Gailic there too my friend.
Pog Mo Thoin

Uncle Ernie

If you're so concerned about what it's worth, put it up for sale and see what happens. Oh, that's right, you did that - and you still own the boat.

Guess that tells you it ain't worth as much as you would like.

Bottom line is that anything is only worth what someone will pay for it. Plenty of "real world" responses in this thread indicating that a 357 is a 35-60K boat, right or wrong that seems to be the market for these models.

The performance boat resale market is extremely SOFT!
I can remember back 3 years ago to all of the boats that I would see online could be sold in as little as a month. Now, I see the same ads over and over again for months.

Blame it all on insurance or rising gas prices ( 2.27 per gallon for 87 octane at 76-not even on the water) I too am in a quandry trying to sell my Formula now for 3 months. Subdued and neutral in color, I thought that I would appeal to a broader market. Most boats out West are tribal or flame graphics.

Dockrocker is correct. A 15 year old Formula is a "classic". Only a select few can truely appreciate the timeless styling & beauty of a well-built hull, although dated. Most will opt for more technology and fuel efficient, lighter weight hulls. Complete with warranty and "new car smell".

Good luck with your boat sale.

Hugh