Well my dealings on the 87 242 fell through, so the quest continues.

Found what appears to be a nice 1993 F-232 w/ a 350 mag and alpha drive, and 360 hours.

Freshwater, stored indoors year round (rack-stored).

The guy's asking $14k, NADA says $10-12k, but I've seen comparable ads for over $20k. What's a fair value?

How fast will these go?

What's the deadrise of the hull?

Formula has the original brochures available in .PDF format. go to this link and find the 1993 sportboat brochure, you should find the 232 in there.

http://www.formulaboats.com/vintage/...px?type=0&ag=1

20* deadrise it says in the brochure, not 100% sure on what speed you could expect, I would guess low 50's. I have an 1988 223SS with the 7.4/bravo and can 58 on GPS.

If the boat is clean,$14 is fair. Most 232's had 7.4's but the 350 Mag does a nice job, low 50's is about right. Wish Formula still built the 232, rumor has it we will see it's successor next fall.

Those mid-90's smaller Formulas never impressed me much. Flat hulls, crappy looks, just not up to Formula standards. As we see, they didn't last long. Heck, an older 223 will bring more money than that 232. Formula made a mistake with those boats. Same with the whole Falcon line. Actually though, the Falcons looked to me like reincarnations of the old molds for the 223/242 lines. Anyone know if that was the case. The falcons bore a lot of resemblance to the older "Birds".

Anyway, go find a real Formula!! Sorry to offend anyone with a mid-90's 232, 252. But, I just don't think they were what Formula is known to be, good offshore boats with lasting strength and resale.

Gotta have that 24* deadrise.

Don't lose sight of the fact that the 232/252 was never intended to be like a Fastech or SR-1. They were sporty family runabouts,just smaller versions of the current 260BR/SS. The 232 was 20 degree deadrise, the 252 was 22 degree,just like the current 260.Actually,fit and finish and amenities were first class for their market. Falcon is another story,of course. But the current 260 is a great boat and a very good seller,and 2005 will see a 240BR,built from scratch like all Formulas, and should do well. I know I need it in our line badly.

I'm going up to take a look at this boat this weekend.

I'm 21 and in college; at this point I don't have money to maintain a "true" offshore. I'd love a 336 or 382, and imagine one will be in my future along with a 400SS , but for now the 232 seems like a decent boat to cruise out to the beach in, go out to dinner, go skiing, etc.

I like Formula's because of they quality is almost unmatched. I've had hands on experience with boats throughout the quality spectrum, and feel that the Formula's are well designed, will hold up, hold their resale and provide years of trouble free fun.

I've test driven a 223 and a 242 and don't like the "isolated" feeling while underway. I like to feel the wind rushing around my body when I'm on the water and in the sun. The 223 and 242 both feel like "cocoons" to me b/c the seats are low, and freeboard and windshield are high. The 232 is an open bow, so it should expose me to more of the elements.

Thanks for all your help guys, and gimme a few years; then I can come run with you in the poker runs.

Sounds like you know what you want Supersport. Hope the boat looks nice and I hope you make a good deal on it.

[QUOTE=Supersport59] The 223 and 242 both feel like "cocoons" to me b/c the seats are low, and freeboard and windshield are high. [QUOTE]

Before you write off 242's take a ride in one with bolster seats. Only way to fly in my book

I've always wanted a Formula with these seats. I remember when I was 15 or so going to the boat shows in 1987-89 and being in awe. Fast forward 15 years and finally I've got one.

The 242 isn't as big as I'd like to get someday but was a good place to start.

242 is a fantastic boat.