This is one of the most interesting threads we've had here in awhile. I've have owned two Formulas, first and foremost for the quality of the boat. First was a 242 LS with twin small blocks, currently an 89' 311 SR-1. Fully understanding they are not the fastest boats out there, but the quality, when compared to other boats their age was head and shoulders above everything else out there. Looked at a 91 Fountain just before I bought "Outlaw" and it was a joke. My 311 is now 16 model years old, and as long as the hatch door is secure there ARE NO RATTLES anywhere. Try that test in a 15 year old Fountain. The few small "stress" cracks in the gelcoat (besides the graphics and black dash) is the only real way to tell the boat's age. Everytime it goes out (been awhile now) it gets washed and waxed. You can read the classified (backwards) in the finish on the hullsides.

On the question of the economy model 353, I see both sides of the fence. Personally, I don't use the anemities as much. In my exhaust swapover, the silent thunder box has been yanked off for good. New Stainless Marine thru hulls with internal flappers will take it's place (we don't have noise issues here). I never have turned on the fridge in four years so it's going to come out too. I like the idea of Shore Power, but the onboard battery charger apparently is not working properly so it will be replaced in time.

I would be MUCH more apt to go for the "performance" oriented boat as discussed above, a thousand times over. If Formula offered the boat as discussed above, I don't think they could make enough of them. AS LONG as they priced it right.

That being said, unless I hit the lottery I doubt I will ever be in the shape to buy a new boat. Just too much money for me. I own a house on a canal five minutes from the Intracoastal and eight minutes to the Gulf, and the way these new boats are priced, they are as much as my waterfront house. Sorry, just could not justify that much of an expense.

I plan on keeping Outlaw for a long while. Barring any more unexpected financial downfalls (like kidney stone issues) and I want to repower her next year. That and a paint job. But like everything, time will tell. Right now I just want to get her back in the water and I keep running into walls with this exhaust swapover, little things like Eddie Marine no longer offering the 3 inch spacers I need so I have to have them made up. If it wasn't for this issue, the whole project would be done, or real close to it.

Quality I believe is what is the basis for most, if not all, Formula owners. That is one thing that cannot be taken away from them. And I have read WAY TOO many test reports on their boat comparing them favorably to higher priced "custom" boats.

I would just like to see a little more speed out of them. I believe that is the sentiment of most of us.

Rip,

I believe there's a 35 ZR on the way which pretty much fulfills most of your "hot rod" needs I've seen you outline in this thread. Hell, the 38zr with 500s and zr drives is over 90mph. C'mon over, ya know ya wanna.