I'm looking to get my first offshore cigarette style boat and I was wondering what you guys think and if it would do what i'm wanting out of it. Currently I just have a 20ft bowrider with a 5.0 merc i/o in it, and I used to be big into skiing and wakeboarding. I moved to the beach here in wilmington nc and discovered that the intercoastal and ocean are way better than the crappy lake with only 6" visibility. Being able to see the lower unit while the boat was in the water blew my mind the first time. I get beat up slamming into the wakes of other boats while cruising around, and it's way to small to take out into the ocean. I found a formula 272 that is right in my price range and I was wondering how they would ride out in the ocean. All i'm wanting to be able to do is cruise around 40-45 in calm water and be able to hold 30-35 in 2-3 ft seas. Is this possible?
All my friends fish and have fishing boats but center consoles or walkarounds just don't interest me. I prefer cruising, and going out and snorkeling or scuba.

I'm not locked down on the formula, as i'm still looking at other boats. My biggest problem is that there are pretty much no boats like this up here in nc, all of them seem to be in fl or up north, so a test drive or even a ride in somebody's is not even possible. I was out yesterday in my friends 23ft walk around in 3ft seas at 30mph and it was a bit rough. Will an offshore boat be any better?

A good offshore performance boat with a 24 degree deadrise should help soften the ride. That formula 272 should handle 60+mph in 2-3ft seas.

A 272 Formula is not going to be a great rough water/ocean boat. Better than what you have, but not great.

+1 , that'll do everything you want.

Agree, I had a 25 Formula, and while its no wave crusher, it was a damn nice boat. The 27 would be a good step up into a performance style boat. In a few years you will want something larger, just a fact of life it seems once you get hooked, but that is a great one to get started.

2-3' seas running 60 mph in a 27 footer won't be comfortable in the ocean. Of course that will depend on how the ocean is acting. If the oceans stacked you won't be able to run it hard but if its a big swell with 12-15 seconds between the waves maybe. I have a 24 degree deadrise 28' offshore fishing boat but it is slow only 30 mph and my buddy has a 24 degree deadrise 28' CC that we fish regularly and 2-3's are comfortable at 40mph with the right conditions. Realize we run 40 miles offshore to fish so we try to get the best economy and ride at the same time. The intercoastal is fun to play and run around in.

Interested in a 28' Apache? What's your budget? Mines coming up for sale with all new driveline.
The 2-3's will be a walk in the park...

I have a nice 272 I just did up. Freshly serviced new carpet, upolstery, cockpit sunpad and rear seat recovered. SMall blocks, alphas just rebuilt new trim rams on both motors and a trailer build to the boat. Im looking for a 24x7
-Mike

Take a look at Superboat Y2K!

I don't think the Y2k will even plane at 35mph. Super nice boat though.