Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Hey, everything is relative right?

The 242 is a great boat and I would be content driving it around for another season or many years. Luckily now I'm in a situation where I could get the big one. When I was 17 or 18 in the mid-80s I remember going to the powerboat show in Annapolis and being in awe of the new formulas back in 1989. I also remember thinking....someday. Getting the 242 was also a big deal for me after 10+ years in Boston Whalers and then a small Sea Ray. I mean the 242 has big V8 engine and bolster seats. Coming from humble beginnings makes it all sweeter. :)

Not sure about the tow vehicle. I may get a used F250 to drop it in the water on the weekends or find a lift slip.

I also like the 330SS, seems like a nice compromise between performance and comfort. But I have read so not so nice things about Bravo III drives decaying in salt water.

Chuck

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

I couldnt agree more chuck, I got back into it a few years ago with my Donzi Z25, reaqquainted myself with them and had a blast, then went to the 311, had mad fun with it, and used it to teach my daughter about boating. Now with the Tiger arriving soon, things will be more relaxing...Rob

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Mods..... They won't let me type that much :D:D

Formula 302. Forumula used to have the 302 and the SR-1 well now there is the Special adition Audiofn version :rolleyes:

Every piece of wood is getting replaced on this boat. Every square inch repainted, Every fastener evey wire replaced. Fuel tank is out and new one going in. We are making a new dash that I think is more ergonomic. I also have new Mcloed bolsters, and will have to make my own back seat and blower hatch for it.

My new motors are almost ready to go on the dyno. They are 454's 30 over with 177 wiand blowers on them . They are built so that I can go much larger on the blowers if I want to and only have to change a few small things. We are hopeing to see some were around 575hp out of them. Should make this old girl get up and dance. IF it ever sees the water again.

First picture is what I started with. Looks better in that picture then it was. The old owner had taken the stripping that looked like Hellen Keller put it on and actually ran it OVER the bottom paint and all :eek:

Next picture is what it looked like after I had painted the sides and bottom with new Gell coat.

Last picture is the new dash

If you look at the middle picture that is Dads Porsche all coverd in dust :eek: That will lern him for leaving it in my shop :D

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

86' 357SR1, Surface Drives, Pumped 454's(could use more Hp) I get about 65mph on flat and pick up a few more on some chop. Sits on an Eagle Trailer that sits behing an 04 Silverado DM Diesel. Love the boat!! Currently sitting in the garage with the cabin interior pulled apart. I am redoing the lounge cushions, carpet, and installing a flatscreen. Also installion Aqua Mat carpet in the cockpit. Maybe next year I will trade the 454's for some 525's. Then it would be complete. What am I thinking it's a boat they are never really complete. If I had to replace it, I would be looking for a 353, 525's w/ext boxes.
One can never talk enough about boats!!! This pic is from late September in Northern Mi.(Torch Lake) almost 80 degrees!! Awesome fall boating. Can't wait until Spring!!!

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Nice looking boat!!!

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Dukenrock-
Thanks and Right back at ya!! That new 382 is killer. I bet you are looking forward to spring even more than me. That is if you not somewhere in the south already boating.
PM

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

[QUOTE=dukenrock]1. 2005 382 Formula (Just need to pick it up form Robert Nelem's!)
2. Lazer Graphics, 525's, Stelling Extensions, 26" 5 Blade props
3. Prestige Triax Trailer, 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 w Banks 6 Gun, 4"SS Exhaust, ATS Torque Converter w/ Trans Command, 19.5 Rickson Wheels, Air Lift Suspension
4.Maybe look at the new Hydro 6 blade props and alot of wax![/QUOTE/]

NICE!!!!!!! :D :D :drink:

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Thanks! It's nice to see the older Formulas. They're timeless!
Maybe going to take a ride to Alabama this weekend and drop off my '01, pick up the '05. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. Never been in one with 525's.

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Should be a great ride!!!! :D

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Duken those things can ride insane once you set them up right.

Jon

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Hey Perfectmix, the wife and I boat out of Charlevoix. Look us up-up there! Tracy

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Robert says this one's dialed in pretty nice. My '01 with 500 EFI's ran awesome. I had the Silent Thunder w/ captains call on that one, this one doesn't have the silent thunder (setbacks). Gotta sound even sweeter than my 500's. Can't wait! Even the wifes gettin fired up.

QUOTE=Audiofn]Duken those things can ride insane once you set them up right.

Jon[/QUOTE]

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Wrink--
I live 20 minutes from Charlavoix. Love to throw the rig in there and run Lake Michigan. We are having a Poker Run on GT Bay in July(not during Smoke) if your interesed PM me.
What a small world! Josh

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

99 271 - 500hp
97 F250 PSD
Mod wish list: hydraulic steering, bigger tabs and maybe someday a whipple. Would like a 353 someday, so the smart thing is probably not spend the money on it. It really needs hydraulic steering though, so may add that this year.

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

2001 382 500efi's on stellings. everything but generator. 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 cummins diesel with nearly 425+rwhp. BD tranny
6inch superlift. Eagle trailer elec/hydraulic brakes on all 3

boats for sale looking for a top gun or tiger. :rolleyes: :cool:

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

1988 272
stock grafics with twin 320hp. efi's 500 hrs.
rebuilt 88 t-bird trailer with 2000 f350 crew cab diesel
currently doing complete platform rebuild

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

1) 1995 336
2) Imron #3, Manhattan, HP500's and 1.36 Bravo's
3) Tow with an 03 2500 Avalanche on a POS Prestige trailer
4) I plan on painting the dash white, new dash panel and gauges with room for a flush mount GPS. I'd also like to add hydraulic steering, but the announcement of no bonus at work may stop that.

On the trailer shot -
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/a...chmentid=54431

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Bill, Nice shot of the 336 catching air!!! :D :eek:

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

1) 1989 F311 SR1 T461's & Bravos
2) Damn shame, I don't even know what they called this graphic package but it still has a great finish.
3) 1998 Chevy 3500 Dually
4) New Props, Gauges and maybe a pair of Sea Demon carbs

Hoping to convince the wife that we really NEED a 382 :D

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

1) I have the standard issue 89 311
2) ever popular palm beach
3) Bear trailer (ok for the $) & 03 F250
4) Mods? white rub rail and hopefully not modifying the blocks with big holes :rolleyes:

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

2000 382, Volvo/Innovation 600's w/DPX drives, A/C, Hot Water, Generator, full canvas (thanks, Troutly!), and one-off silver Flagship paint. No trailer, so no tow venicle.

Mods for 2005:
Mufflers so I can hear myself think.
Silver boot for the bimini.

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

2003 382 525, Stellings, 28 P5's labbed, CMI mufflers....Eats TG's with 500's for breakfast! Another of Roberts boats!

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

that standard silver level graphic looks pretty good! I really liked the Bayport color combo since the first time I saw one for '03.

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Great looking Formula's everybody lets keep them coming!!! :D

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Here's a few more pics of the engine upgrade in 03. BTW, the old '89 311 is now for sale! I think I convinced the wife! :evilb:

Will be posted soon in the classifeds with some in-water pictures.

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Croozin2,

Can you tell us about engine upgrades to the 454s?

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Spent the weekend washing and waxing Outlaw getting ready for next weekend "Boater's Rights Rally".

Here's a few shots, doesn't clean up to bad for an 89'...........

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Chuck, had an engine shop here in South Louisiana do my bottom end and heads (Diamond Engine) and had Kip at Cam Motion grind a cam for it. Claims this package has made as much as 512hp on previous builds. Didn't have mine dynoed.

.030 over 9.5:1 CR JE pistons (up from 8.75:1)
Balanced rotating assy
Cam Motion custom grind single pattern hyd cam (236 @ .050, 561 lift, 112 LSA)
GM 990 Rectangular Port Heads
Mild cleanup on the heads
Crane Gold Rockers
Ferrea Valves (230/188)
Stock Mercruiser Dual Plane Aluminum Intake w/1" spacer
EMI Thunder Exhaust w/stainless risers
Crane HI-6 Marine Ignition w/Crane Coil
Holley High volume marine fuel pumps
Q-jets that now have velcro instead of screws so I can disassemble them quicker :D All kidding aside I couldn't tell you how many hours of tuning went into the carbs. I know Holleys or BGs would have been easier to dial in and would make more power but I'm a hard-headed old Super Stock drag racer. BGs will probably be added soon.
Stainless crossovers and thermostat housings
Lots of fresh powder coating and braided hose.
I also changed the rotation on the props from out to in. Won't do that again. Made handling around the dock more of a chore. :mad:

Don (Diamond Engine) really does a bunch of research on friction reduction. He and his son are now heavy into AMA Pro-Star motorcycle racing and Karting too. They have seen increases of .5hp on a 5hp B&S kart motor just by working with bearings. That's 10% just by reducing friction.

All-in-all, the motors are very conservative but gave me approximately a 9 mph increase. Went from 62-63 @ 4800-
5000rpm to 71-72 @ 5500-5600rpm w/23P Mirage 3-blades.
Haven't changed the 23P Mirages yet as I rarely ever run it WOT anyway. I plan to put some Mirage 25P or Hydromotive Q-IV 24P and that should not only increase my cruise speed (where I want the increase) but WOT as well. I also re upholstered the interior while the boat was down. It was an expensive venture but, hey, that's what boats are.

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

C-Spray, I love that silver flagship on the 382. I wish they would offer that from Formula. That's my favorite color scheme on the 400SS as well.

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

1994 303 SR-1, Palm beach graphics.
502 EFI's, Bravos, only 250 orig. hours!
2002 Loadrite alum I-beam trailer

Towed with a 2000 K-2500 Suburban.

BOAT IS FOR SALE!!! LOOK IN THE CLASSIFIED SECTION.
$62,900 OR BEST OFFER! SUPER NICE!!!

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

1994 336sr-1 with soon to be installed 540 bulldogs.

2 502 efi's soon to be for sale 3500.00 each complete. one is rebuilt with approx 10 hrs.

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

1)1983 302sri W/04 Mcleod Power Bolsters,gaffrig Gauge Upgrade. Merc 420w 250 Blower Shop Blowers. Low Mount Colored Hatches, Colored Rubrail Custom Interior.
Kaama Drives. A Original Betty Cook Boat.
2)2004 F250 Lariat 6.0
3)this Years Upgrades Will Be New Steering Wheel,whiteing Out Dash,all New Switches,ggb Mufflers,larger Oil Coolers.

Boatman 302

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

welcome, we need to see some pics!

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Boatman302--welcome to OSO. We need Pics of that gem. I too am a kaama boat owner.
PM

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Formula 419 SR 1 - 1998 (first time in water)
Changed from TWIN 465 to TRIPLE 496 HO
Tow Vehicle Mercedes Benz Truck 440 HP 958 cubic inch Diesel
modified panel
planed modifications - Imco Extension boxes

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

That's a heck of a towing rig! Nice launch shot!

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Wow, need a lot of big water to launch that 419!!! That boat is heavy

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

Thanks. The 400SS/Volvo diesel package is our "some day..." boat.

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

It's great to see all the other devoted Formula owners. I am doing more work on mine than anticipated, but wouldn't trade it for anything!
1-1978 233 Interceptor
2-stock yellow gel with 1- 2" black stripe
engines currently being modified to 383's w/alpha drives
3-towed twice a year on the cheapest trailer I could find with whatever truck I can beg borrow or steal!
I purchased it a year ago under the impression most of the structural work was done correctly, but I was wrong! I am now replacing all the stringers from the cabin aft, motor mounts, and transom plywood. This year its structural, engines and gauges and next year I will do the upholstery.

Re: Calling All Formula Owners!!!
 

1989 357 SR-1
454's 420HP Hirel MPI
Palm Beach graphics
All new interior including white Imron dash and gauges.

Pretty much a stock powered boat other than the FI
has 23P Mirage props. will only do 60 MPH needs more pitch and maybe another blade. Thinking about a power upgrade to 496 MPI w/500hp...well see!