New Model-353 Sport
 

Need your opinions. Formula has just introduced a new 353 Sport at a reduced price with less standard equipment and limited options. Basically it is the same 353 as always but 496HO is largest engine option. No electric footrests,no lathum steering,no silent thunder(Corsa mufflers instead) and limited option availability. At first I didn't like the idea but after looking at the pricing I might change my mind.Compared to the way I normally order(525's,Stellings,Platinum grahics,etc) a Sport with HO's could have an MSRP of $100,000 less.I'm guessing 75 mph (help me out here Rippem). What do ya'll think? Should I order one for the Birmingham Boat Show and park along side my loaded one? Do you think it will sell? The earlier 292 and 312 Sports didn't do very well, but maybe this one would? Help me out here. Robert

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

Hey Robert, I recieved my holding tank, etc. from the former owner..they had not reinstalled since motor change.

I have had the boat in the shop here (GT Perfomance) checking out everything, and installing new dash with proper boost, fuel psi, etc. gauges.
so far things look pretty good (nothing major in the wood pile).

Ran it the one day I called you... it ran out great..very strong!!
Will be taking out this week with the Gary Teague and tuning pro..the engine have not been tuned since dyno run.

Thanks for all your assistance,

Kevin Laney

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

Robert, I e-mailed you a 100 hour performance report. :D

A 353 without Latham and footrests??? Blasphemous! :eek:

As an addendum to what I had to say in my mail to you...
Throw out 3-500. lbs of options...
The right set of labbed 28's...
light on fuel and gear...
75 is possible and probable.

The real acid test of the pricing thing is not how the Sport compares to your typical loaded big power 353 that you bring in...
But rather how it compares in MSRP to a boat like mine...
Loaded with options but minus 70K++ in blue power,boxes, and further (platinum) paint.

70+ MPH 35' performance boats without hyd. steering is not where the industry or marketing should be going...

The power footrests, as has been said many times...in conjuction with the seating, is what makes those boats move to fit anyone and make them comfortable at the helm.

I don't see this model doing well.

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

Also, I dont know about that 353 Sport??? I think people that buy the fastech Formula's want decent performance with some pretty nice creature comforts..it's a his and her boat.(as bad as I hate to admit it) if you remove many of the comforts then it becomes a his boat...then they might look at something a little more perfomance oriented.?? Like some of these base linetype fountains, Eliminator, etc.

But no one should have a better feel for that than you.

It's an interesting strategy

KL

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

What other limitations are being placed on this model? Graphics ect.?

Or limited to some "Sport" "standard" graphic like the Executioner? YUK
:rolleyes:

With these attempts at stripped models Formula seems to be targeting a demographic for them that doesn't exist...and no clever marketing of a "stripper" will create.

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

Graphics can be any of the '05 Silver as standard and any of the '05 Gold as optional,just no Platinum. There are some gorgeous designs available, so we should be ok there.No stereo upgrade option, but no big deal,carpet is $300 retail,that's easy. Tab indicators and electric footrests are an option, steering is not an option, however.Props are not labbed,shouldn't matter much on a 496 boat. A few minor deals such as no cabin pillows or shore power. The only issue I wonder about is the steering and is it a real issue in a 35'/low 70 mph boat or more of a perceived issue. I believe a 353 will handle just fine with standard steering(tie bar std of course) but will it be a marketing liability since most of the competion has it? I don't know, I've never sold any 353's without blue motors but maybe it's time I did, and that's why I asked for opinions,please keep them coming. Robert

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

For a hundred K less, I'd damn sure look at them if I were shopping.

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

Well Fred...anything will sell if it's priced right for what it offers.

I mean to say, it better be priced appropriately.

How much cheaper Robert?, paint for paint, available option for option, than a "regular" 353 with the same black power...?

As a Formula seller/buyer which boat would you (I) rather have for sale, or would you (I) be looking to buy in 3-5 years?

The stripper...or the boat with all the bells and whistles the Formula demographic is expecting?

Who has one of the best customer loyalties/repeat buyer performances in the business? and what do these customers expect for features in the product?

Speaking of which, they are shooting themselves in the foot. This latest move will confuse the Formula 353 market and drive down values even further. The customer base in the larger sense is not fond of this...

I bought extremely right and at the right time, so I'm not crying about my own situation.

No shorepower means no fridge or battery charger also...

Getting to be a pretty long list of things you aren't getting.

The econo model had better be 40K MSRP less to stand a chance.

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

Ok, based on the first post and the last, the sport version better be a lot more than 100K off the 525, platinum, stellings version. If that retail at 330K, a base boat with 496 ho is 234K retail, with a lot of the goodies they would leave off the 353 sport. If they subtract the retail price of the missing standard features of the 353, that wouldn't be enough to justify the stripped down model to me. The 40K off base retail would be a good starting point, which would put it at 194k.

Crap, what am I saying. I'll still buy used...

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

Roger that Billyboy!!!!

I'll let the rich guys get done playing with them first, then I'll take their hand-me-downs.

330k for a 353,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, WTF!!!!!!!

Rippem, thats gotta make you feel even better about your "steal", eh?

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

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

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.

Re: New Model-353 Sport
 

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. :D