Re: Formula newbie
 

Man, all these classic Formula pictures are giving me a chubby!

Bford, I'd pull the swim platform and leave it off. I love the look of a clean transom.

Re: Formula newbie
 

Formula Outlaw , Did You Modify The Swim Platform On Your Boat ? I Did, And It Was A Little Bit Of A Pain In The Ass Job, But It Sounded Much Better . Even With The Power I Have Without The Modifications It Sounded Like A Stock Boat Basically. Once I Did The The Modifications It Sounded 100% Improved .i Have A Few Friends Who Took It Off Completely After Major Engine Modifications , And Their Boats Were So Loud You Could Not Hear Yourself Think , And They Got Hassled By " The Law " Just About Every Time They Went Out ! Mine Is Nothing Too Loud You Can Still Think And Enjoy Your Boat And I Didn't Get Hassled By The Law . But When Romped On It Sounded Like There Was Some Juice Under The Hatch . By The Way Your Unit Looks Sweet, Clean N Classy ! Good Luck With Her !

Re: Formula newbie
 

"357" thanks....Yeah, I've modified my silent thunder box. I cut the partitions completely out and then enlarged those small circular drain holes into big honkin' rectangular holes. When the boat comes up on plane, it get's noticeably louder, even though it is much louder/rumblier at idle than it used to be. Then when you get to oh above 40 or so and the boat starts climbing further out of the water it gets noticably louder again. At that point the entire box is out of the water by a few inches and the noise escapes cleanly. So it's kinda got three volume levels. Idle, on plane, and really up on plane. When I pass 60 it's screaming pretty good.

I also like the look of a clean transom. If I had my way I'd keep it like that but Deb is really insisting on some type of platform. I'm sure it's gonna run "clean" for awhile though. Putting some new six inch thru hulls on her.

"Oh no honey, those won't make the boat any louder, honest they won't"....:D

Re: Formula newbie
 

Hey Newbie -

I've had my 311 about a month now and I love it. Just don't run the engine hatch down until you hear a ratcheting sound and you'll be all set !!!

If you do, you'll be spending some quality time in the engine compartment removing and rebuilding the lift - I'm speaking from experience here and it wasn't fun.

Re: Formula newbie
 

Hey "Has a Formula"
Thanks for the tip... I have had our since late fall of last year. We have been out a total of 4 times. I kept getting water in the oil on the starboard engine. Finally determined that it is a bad exhaust system. The folks at revolution marine were very helpful.
Todd, told me how to pressurize the engine, separate from the exhaust, to see if I had a leak in the block or heads. I performed this test and held 22 lbs overnight. So I was sure it was the exhaust manifold. When I took the exhaust apart, I found water in the exhaust area. The first time I took these off ( suspicious ) I had to take the riser, spacer and manifold as one unit. This time I was able to do each section, cause I did not glue the long manifold studs in with locktite, just used a teftlon sealer. I have ordered the new exhaust and hope it will be here next week. Hope to get a couple more rides in before winter. All we seem to get here is rain lately. Glad you are enjoying your boat. They are fun when they run. Geez the parts are heavy and expensive. I found out what BOAT stands for.... Bust Out Another Thousand.
We love em though.
Take care and enjoy.. Again, thanks for the tip...
Doug

Re: Formula newbie
 

"357"

Thanks for the encouragement~ From what I've gathered so far, these boats just need a little "TLC" to get them back into shape....Basically these boats are rugged, and the vintage look keeps up with any new boat out there.
Great job on yours....

QUIK D

Re: Formula newbie
 

The older Formulas are as solid built boats as are out there, that's why there are still so many left and running. Yeah, they need maintenance, TLC, and patience, but in the long run I, and many others, think they are worth the effort.

I was in the Hyatt Basin docked two summers ago and some rather inebriated individual came up to me to talk, or rathe slur, boats. He was going on and on and on about his new Baja. After listening to him for ten minutes, about nine minutes too long, I just said, come back and tell me how good your boat is in twelve years. See if it runs, looks, and is as solid as this "old" Formula, and walked away. To this day I don't think he had a clue to the point.

Re: Formula newbie
 

Here's one of Formula Outlaw's 311. I don't think I ever emailed it to Russ.

Re: Formula newbie
 

Here's a nice one of Masi's Formula!!! :D:D:D Sorry just ventured here to have a look at QD's ride.

Re: Formula newbie
 

GLH,

I can't stop looking at your ride.....absolutely, breathtaking :D

Re: Formula newbie
 

Quickdecision-

I don't know how I over looked this thread for 4 months, but now that I saw this thread congradulations on the purchase of your 311. I have a 1991 311 that redid last year. I hope you like your as much as I do mine. I belive formula's are the best built boat...period. Here a few pictures of mine.

Don

Re: Formula newbie
 

Don,

your 311 is awesome!!! I love the windshield. and the paint!

I love my 311...It is the boat I have always wanted, in (my personal opinion), you just can't beat the looks, ride, and feel of the vintage 272, 302, 311, 357, 402 , Formulas.

Please post more pictures of your 311, I just love it...

QD

Re: Formula newbie
 

QD-

Thanks for the kind words. Here the link to my entire project from last year.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ht=project+311

Don

Re: Formula newbie
 

"Cooder" if you still have the picture, could you please email it to me? I'd like to have that one file as proof that it HAS been in the water despite "viscious rumors". I would like to have the picture though, that was backing it in after I'd blown the port outdrive. Thanks.