Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

Hold on guys, nobody pays retail. :) :) If you know anybody that does,send them to me. Last time I sold something for MSRP was in 1969 when a 20hp Mercury outboard was $395,and I think I threw in the tax :)

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

With due consideration to the concerns noted, I believe this could be a viable model for a few(not all) Formula buyers. I just ordered one with 496HO's,mechanical trim and tab indicators,carpet,and Gold series graphics,total MSRP $212,000. I could have left off the $5740 Gold grahics and been at $206,260, but the Gold graphics look SO much better. I believe that with a reasonable discount and Escape program rebate, this is a super deal for some people. I still expect to sell more loaded blue motor 353's, but since Formula did step up to offer a choice,I will back up their decision. We shall see. :) And, Troutly, I have a feeling T2x and I are about the same age so don't mess with us old guys :drink:

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

What Troutly said last!

A PRODUCTION boat priced like a custom build. :rolleyes:

Don't get me wrong, the reputation as one of, if not the highest/most consistent quality PRODUCTION LINE, MASS PRODUCED boat still stands...but they are just that!

But they ain't no custom built piece...zero exotic components in thier recipe.

The pricing is insane. A quarter million dollars + for a 35' (34'?) performance boat. :mad:

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

O.K. Troutly...I know you and I have some differing requirements of options, we've hit on those before, but...

If I'm following you (which I am...kinda), put together a "performance special".

footrests, Latham, fairing or windshield (your choice), 525's...

options:
choose paint (platinum included)
boxes or not

This is where you and I come to odds 'cause I say leave out everything else.

This is the only special build that makes sense and maintains a high level of desirability now and later.

Keep the boat light and racy looking...
And run 90 + MPH everyday, anywhere, anytime w/boxes
damn close to it without.

Retail it for $219,995

+paint
+boxes

Sell'em like hotcakes...based on PERFORMANCE and build quality

I mean, you can't sell this thing for more than a 42' Reggie X w/ staggered 525's...but if you were right there you could sell quite a few to those who want to wave the Formula performance flag, for less than the price of a third world country.

Back up the paint on my boat, and the all the "world champion" marketing by making real performance available to the masses of Formula faithful for alot less than $300+K!

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

I'll take one, if the powers (Porters) that be are listening!

Stellings for me, for the aditional 5" of setback. ;) Unless Merc's having an ITS give away as in the past. It does make for a clean transom.

Keep the Corsa's and the Silent Thunder I'll make my own choice in muffling.

Don't even think about charging me a premium for a boat that is least labor intensive to build, compared to the rest of the line.

Better off building up and on an existing interest (in performance) than trying to build down to create a new one...remember Falcon?

A realistically priced hot rod Formula would add alot of sparkle to the entire Fastech line-up.

What a great marketing move... :eureka:

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

Not to mention getting your butt kicked by a single engine 496 something that paid 35% or less of what you paid. I want the speed with the luxury's.Rex

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

Ahhh...GREAT MINDS think alike. :p

So now what do we do? Sit and wait to be heard? :rolleyes:

Speaking of heard...what you said earlier!
keep the sink which never gets used, and put a couple of quality 10 or 12" sealed box subs forward in those side panels, and an additional pair of speakers in the cockpit!

Give the hot-rod guy want he wants...top performance and a quality, well thought out sound system!

quite frankly, when we overnight, we live out of duffle bags, a cooler, and carry bottled water. Keep the rest of it! Keep the boat simple and light!

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

Here's another angle to consider Trout-man

Isn't today's ridiculous new boat pricing structure, and the healthy price increases per model year the last 3 years just Formula (and the banks they are in bed with) looking to get back the losses (read: gains not made) of the Escape program? :confused:

The short term beating the used market took from Escape could turn around if they continue to have to raise new pricing to "pay it backward" if you will.

It worked for them in terms of keeping people working during the worst time(not a bad thing) ...bless them, but...
net gains not made then, in the interest of keeping the boats building, in the long term, must be made somewhere.

I mean you've got to do it with pricing...how much kick can they get when available locked rates are still around 5% for strong credit consumers?

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

Here's one odd coincidence...I get the 2005 fastech brochure and related propoganda sent to me with one 353 test article reprint. Guess which one?

DING DING DING...you guessed correct Troutly!

The 98' 353 FasTech Special race/pokerrun boat! :eek: You know, F-275 the Infrared one.

I have this in my archives already but it is odd considering there are other magazine tests of a more "typical" 353 to send out.

87.2 MPH radar on carbed 500's no boxes, 7600 lbs. No doubt "tweaked" but still...

I'll take it with a simple cabin. :D

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

330.000 $ Retail for a 353

In 1998 the retail price for a 419 with Triple HP 500 was 320.000 $ -
Triple 502 EFI was 270.000 $

Seems that the price stays the same only the boats are shrinking