First Boat- Saying hi
 

Hello all.

I didn't know this forum existed.

I posted in the Formula forum but I dont think that was the right forum to start with.

I have just signed to get a new 310SS Formula which will be my first Boat. I can still change it since it is a factory ordered boat. I am just not sure I made the right decision and dont want to get a new boat next year. I would like to keep it for about 3 years+.

The problem is I have read that the 6.2 motors may not be sufficient for this boat and that I should go with the 496 motors instead. The Dealer talked me out of the 496 motors saying that I will not see much of a difference and that they are too large for the engine compartment.

So that leads me to a 35Ft Formula SS that I was told is better designed for the 496 MOtors.

Has anyone purchased a 35Ft boat as their first? IS it suggested to go smaller? I plan to hire an expereinced captain the first season to spend alot of time with me training on the Boat. I wont take it on my own the first couple of times.

Anyone have any thoughts? Should I be looking at a different boat? I dont need large cabin quarters since it will be stored at my shore house. But I do plan to take family and friends cruising and I like to have the power:D available as well.

Thanks very much!

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on getting a new Formula. Formula builds a very good boat, but I'm not qualified to answer your questions. I see you posted in the Formula section, hopefully you will get some needed responses to your very good questions. Good Luck

hello welcome,
im not sure on the answer to your question but i do know that they put twin 496ho motor's in plenty of smaller boat's 28ft
with a 8 foot beam . i would think that the 6.2 would be way to small for that boat having to work those little motor's to hard .
they mite not want to sell you the 496 motor's cause then they would have to raise the price to much even though the motor package is not that much more then the 6.2 motor's whole sale .
but when they want retail for them watch out ..
i think the whole sale price on the 496 ho motor's are around 17k per package that include the better drive and gimble ring .
hopefully other's will chime in with better knowledge the i .
good luck
by the way i could get you hooked up on a new 35 baja outlaw for with 496ho motor's for close to the same price as the 31 formula it will run low 70's
good luck
mike
mike

Hi cmcjo and welcome to OSO. A bunch or crazy boat nuts like I am. Many members with some great knowledge and info.
THere are a bunch of info in reference to new or used boat new to some one. Read them as much as you can. I have a few posts, thread on the subject as well, but first, you got to decide boat usage, budget, size, speed and location of use. Then you can make better deceisions. Also.. bgger is better.. period, It might be a larger insvestment to start but you will get a better (and faster) resale. Don't get hang up on the dealers sales pitch. They want to sell "something".. anything. Formulas are great boats, and the 496's will prvide a pretty good and reliable all around performance. I would not rely to long on a "captain" for your boat. Good idea for the first few times out, but you have to learn the ropes, and the joy of boating yourself. THink about getting a smaller one, may be used.. for a while and step up like many of us do. "Stepping up" is a great adventure in the boating community.

My .02 Good luck

If you only plan to keep it 3 years, you are going to loose your a$$ when you go to resell/trade it. I would have bought used, especially for your first boat. The biggest depreciation is in the first 3 years. You can get a lot more boat for less $$ buying used. Kind of a moot point to ask for advice after the fact. I would definately get the 496's. They have a lot more torque and you will need it with a big heavy boat.

A 31SS is a huge boat for a first boat IMO. It also does not sound like you have much if any experience boating. It also depends a lot on where you are boating.

Hi cmcjo and welcome to OSO, If your any where WARM,SUNNY, & no friggin sno i may want to apply for that capts position:evilb:

cmcjo, welcome aboard, and be prepared for the OSO fix you will soon desire!! :D

Is this really your first boat?

Give us more info on where you boat and what you would expect to do any given weekend. That will help us to give you advice.

Mine would be, if this is your first, to start out with a smaller boat.

Welcome.

Hands down go with either the 496Mag or the Mag HO's over the 6.2's unless you're having to watch your spending. That's a heavy boat and it needs the extra torque and ponies. Otherwise you'll end up disatisfied quick.

Agreed, I can't see 6.2s moving that boat well at all. You'll get killed on resale too. 496HOs

Welcom. First rule of buying a boat is that you can never have too much engine. Go with the 496 HO package.

welcome to OSO..

so , did you sign the papers for the boat? has the loan gone through etc? all paper work signed or just a deposit?

what dealer told did you buy from if they are telling you that you can change the order?

have you called the bank? will the bank approve that?


imo , you should be looking at buying a used boat , for the amount of depreciation you will take on a new boat , you could buy a good , reliable 24-30 boat...

especially with the market the way it is..

On top of everything that was mentioned already your fuel economy may actually be worse with the smaller engines. Small blocks with a big load are sometimes worse than big blocks with comparatively lighter loads when it comes to fuel consumption. A boat like that would definitely perform well with the 496HOs and will be more reliable in the process. Welcome to OSO!

I'll reiterate what everyone else is saying, get the big blocks. The small motors will end up sucking as much fuel and you will always want more power / torque. I have a '29 Baja with 7.4's and there is no way I would want one with small blocks. I could use more power as it is (who couldn't?:D).

Second, my buddy bought a 36 outlaw as his first boat. He did have some experience but this was his first and he didn't have any problems. Everyone always want so to go bigger so get the biggest one first (especially if you are buying new). Upgrading can get really expensive!

I could tell you that in resale the people who are in the market for an SS boat are going to want 496's.

I wish man! Im living in freezing North Jersey!

Hi Griff. Your right, I have little boating experience. BUt I do plan to learn quickly. I definatly want a new Boat though. ANd it looks like 496 is the way to go
Thanks

You can never have too much horsepower, but having too little sux.

Hi Macklin. Yes this willl be my first boat. So I want to do it right with a new Boat with the options that I want. My plan is to cruise in the Bay and sometimes bring it to the Ocean. I plan to also have it shipped to NYC/ Long Island a couple times per year to cruise around there as well. It will be docked at my NJ shore house on a lift. I am the type of person that will almost imediatley want a bigger boat and that is why I am trying to get a larger boat to start with.
THANKS for your post

I do want the 496MAG motors. I am not trying to save money on buying a boat. I just could not understand why the dealer was talking me out of it on a ordered boat where I chose every option that I wanted. I am concerened becuase he told me there is not enough room for the 496 motors on the 310

Hey Thanks man!
I signed on the dotted line but that was yesterday! My deposit check is supposed to be mailed tommorow. I can change the boat if I want. I really dont care about depreciation. I care that my family will have the most fun and not really worry about upgrading to a better/bigger or more reliable boat for at least 3 years. My Dad tells me to buy a used 26Ft or so boat as well. BUt I know whats going to happen very quickly after that.

I didn't know that.. Another reason to get the larger engines:)

First thought:

What are you primarily planning to do with this boat?
Take the family out for day trips?
300 mile roundtrips over the weekend, staying on the boat?
Poker Runs?


Second thought:

If you are buying the 310SS, get the 496HOs. You can't have too much HP. New Formulas come with a factory 5 year warranty. If you are only keeping it 3 years or so, anything that goes wrong in that engine compartment is their problem; not yours. :D The only thing you will be responsible for is impellers, oil changes, and spark plugs, as long as you don't screw anything up.

Third thought:

If you can swing the bigger boat (payment, insurance, fuel, logistics) now, do it now. You are going to be ready for an upgrade before you know it. Four-foot-itis sets in quickly, and its a tough one to shake. :D :D Seriously, if you can handle it, don't be intimidated by the bigger boat. It only takes a little while to get the hang of your new boat.

First, I like your name. I was going to get a license plate for my car with that name:D

And secondly, this is exactly what I wanted to hear. Get the bigger boat now!!! And the wife actually agrees with me on this as well.

I had another first thought. :D

Let me guess.....Active Thunder? :D :rolleyes: :D

Did the dealer point out that the 496's aren't even an option on the 310? That's why I recommended the 330 with them and the new drive system on your other thread.

Good luck with your choice. Formula is in Decatur Indiana about 30 minute from me and I have been through the factory twice. You should call for a tour and check out the plant. Even go through when your boat is being built. They have a live well inside the plant were the boats are run and everthing is checked out. First class outfit, everyone is very helpful and even the production people you can tell are glad to be part of it. Well worth the time to see it.
Instead of hiring a capt you might want to check out this guy. I think a few around here might have heard of him. lol Going through one of his classes might help out alot.
http://www.performanceboatschool.com/home.php

Good luck and enjoy, Doug

We will not be sleeping on the boat. It will be a weekend boat at my shore house. And we will probably do just 5 mile trips on average. Occasionally, I would like to have the boat delivered to areas around Long Island for a few days.

He wasn't sure at first but then told me you can get the 496 engines in the 310 but they are a real tight fit and not reccomended. The 330 is the older style and I like the updated curved look to the 310 and 350. THANKS

I'd go for the 350 with diesel power

Did you look at the Fas3Tech line of Formulas? 353? 382? Other comparable boats?

I looked at Sea-ray boats but Formula seems to be a little better built from what I saw and also what I read.
As far as the fastech line, I wanted more of a family cruiser. The wife will never go for the racing type boats. She doesnt mind the fast cars:D but a boat is a different story.
THANKS

QUOTE=cmcjo;2374199]I looked at Sea-ray boats but Formula seems to be a little better built from what I saw and also what I read.
As far as the fastech line, I wanted more of a family cruiser. The wife will never go for the racing type boats. She doesnt mind the fast cars:D but a boat is a different story.
THANKS[/QUOTE]

Don't show this to your wife. Take her for wild run, she will change her mind once she gets above 70.. They all do and then they want even faster. Besides the 353 is very nice and roomy. (it's on my list)
One more advise.. Take every ones comments with an open mind, but when it's all done. . buy the boat that YOU want. Not one that the neighbor likes, the dealer want to sell, not the one that keeps up with the Jone's. Buy what you want..
(now.. if I could only listen to my advise.. I bought one by now.)
:angry-smiley-038:

I think you are smart to start with the bigger boat. My 36' Apache is my first boat. I have been around boats all my life and I knew that I wouldn't be happy if I got anything smaller.

Take your time at first and you will figure your boat out just fine. When I got mine I practiced parking at closed establishments to get a hang of it. Much better Idea then trying to learn how to park at a busy restaurant on a windy day.

It sounds like you are set on buying new, but I will echo the fact that you are gonna lose your a** on the depreciation.

Good luck and welcome to OSO

If you have been around boats all your life, and you are starting with a new 310ss, then you already know that you suck. Kidding of course.
:D I started with a bleach bottle raft and had to work up to a 1979 Nova 210.

I think that the boat you have chosen is a very sweet boat.

Good luck with the new ride, welcome to OSO.

Maybe if I can get her to climb into one I can convince her. My neighbor just bought a new Fountain 47 lightning and she just thinks its annoying. I think its the greatest thing though.


Thanks. Yeah I know I would want a bigger better faster boat while still in the first season. That is why I think over 30 is the way to go. I am also looking at changing to the 350SS with that new Axius system for easier docking and close manuvering.

Thanks man!

Welcome to OSO!
I have been boating on Barnegat Bay for a long time and can tell you bigger is better. The bay gets real snotty and you (and your wife) will appreciate the extra length (No pun intended!). Also, the 496's are the way to go for better performance, mpg cruising, and resale. Good luck with the new boat and I will see you on the bay come spring time.
Also, check out NJPPC.com. We have a great club and do alot of cool events through the year.

As others have said... buy the biggest boat you can afford.

I don't know much about that specific boat, but it sounds like 496's are the way to go. I'd call the manufacturer though, and ask specifically what are the differences in top speed and time to plane between the two options, and what is the difference in expected fuel usage. Modern small blocks are no slouches, the HP and torque differences may not be all that much, and the small blocks will be lighter. There may be not much to gain with the big blocks, I know there are a number of boats that I would prefer to run with twin small blocks over big blocks.

mercruiser says the 6.2 has 320 hp and weighs 993 lbs with a bravo 1, and the 496 has 375 hp or 425 hp for the HO, and weighs 1199 lbs. The 496's in that boat will probably be a better bet anyway, but i'd still ask the mfg'r for performance numbers.

http://www.formulaboats.com/models/1126911-prices.aspx

they don't list 496's on the menu for this boat, though. Maybe the dealer is right, maybe they don't fit.

Mmmm, now we are talking. :cool-smiley-011:

Welcome, post away, good luck w/ your new boat! Wrink