353 Formula Fastech
#61
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All good points. As I understand it, Formula's lack of production of Fastech's over the last few years was due to both the downturn an excessive dealer stock that had to be bought back and eventually disposed of. The effect was to drive down the price of both new and used Formulas.
As has been pointed out, Formula's quality is a double-edged sword. The long life and lack of tooling changes does make used models more appealing. Nonetheless, I still think the discounts being offered are fair, and should be appealing to buyers who want a new boat.
I'm just glad that Formula's other lines have saved the company. They are really good people who take pride in their products and have treated me very well.
As has been pointed out, Formula's quality is a double-edged sword. The long life and lack of tooling changes does make used models more appealing. Nonetheless, I still think the discounts being offered are fair, and should be appealing to buyers who want a new boat.
I'm just glad that Formula's other lines have saved the company. They are really good people who take pride in their products and have treated me very well.
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Retired! Boating full-time now.
Retired! Boating full-time now.
#62
Wrong again!!!!!
10 years ago PQ was past that fork on the road....
they had just come out with the single step 280...the 280 sc (cruiser)the 320sc (cruise) and the new 300 Revenge twin step ..so not sure what wrong path you are talking about???
PQ did not fail because of the product it failed because of management..
10 years ago PQ was past that fork on the road....
they had just come out with the single step 280...the 280 sc (cruiser)the 320sc (cruise) and the new 300 Revenge twin step ..so not sure what wrong path you are talking about???
PQ did not fail because of the product it failed because of management..
#63
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Despite anything being said about fastechs, whether they're dated or whether they aren't doing as good as other companies or whatever the case may be, I will say that formula is the ONLY company to bring any type of real speedboat to the new York show in the past couple years and for that, I applaud them.
#64
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there are those who apparently have a persistent bug up the azz about the 353/Formula FasTechs...
I ask have you spent any time in one?
A whole day?
An entire weekend?
Does the 353 in particular...
Ride well?
Forgiving and stable?
Overall very seaworthy?
Does the 353 make excellent use of space?
Have the near perfect allotment of individual spaces and dimensions for a 34' performance boat?
Use high quality material and vendors throughout?
Have excellent fit and finish?
Rigged at the very top end for a production boat?
Pack a TON of well thought-out, well placed ammenities?
Is the boat easy to use in terms of egress/layout for sunning, beach-time, cruising, running hard, and staying aboard?
Have excellent support from the manufacturer?
Does the product get respect consistantly dockside or at the ramp? Does it make a statement?
If you say NO to any of these points I say you've never been near one for more than 5 minutes!
So what do you do with a boat like this? Change it up and risk loosing any individual goodness noted above just for the sake of change ?
believe it or not, some things are done so right, accomplish the manufacturer's mission to the intended audience so well to begin with, they are a hard act to follow.
So now you can only piss about the speed/bottom.
No, not the fastest
but frankly only one bottom is any given day and the rest as you would say...
"are outdated and need a redesign"
I ask have you spent any time in one?
A whole day?
An entire weekend?
Does the 353 in particular...
Ride well?
Forgiving and stable?
Overall very seaworthy?
Does the 353 make excellent use of space?
Have the near perfect allotment of individual spaces and dimensions for a 34' performance boat?
Use high quality material and vendors throughout?
Have excellent fit and finish?
Rigged at the very top end for a production boat?
Pack a TON of well thought-out, well placed ammenities?
Is the boat easy to use in terms of egress/layout for sunning, beach-time, cruising, running hard, and staying aboard?
Have excellent support from the manufacturer?
Does the product get respect consistantly dockside or at the ramp? Does it make a statement?
If you say NO to any of these points I say you've never been near one for more than 5 minutes!
So what do you do with a boat like this? Change it up and risk loosing any individual goodness noted above just for the sake of change ?
believe it or not, some things are done so right, accomplish the manufacturer's mission to the intended audience so well to begin with, they are a hard act to follow.
So now you can only piss about the speed/bottom.
No, not the fastest
but frankly only one bottom is any given day and the rest as you would say...
"are outdated and need a redesign"
#65
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http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...1108&noOfPic=5
Another example. If that doesn't look dated you need your eyes examined.
Another example. If that doesn't look dated you need your eyes examined.
I like my 45 footer and the ammenties along with the head room. The deck on the Sonic allows for the head room. With Sonic you can and could of had pretty much any paint you wanted from the factory from 2000 and up..... thats hardly dated, and the new 39 is over the top in fit/finish, quality and updates. The interior is set up nice too....I would bet the room & seating below in a 35 Sonic surpasses the room in a 35 Fastech.
Irregrdless, both are nice brands. Its good that everyone has the freedom to choose what they like.
In this economy many cant afford to totally change everything up. When you start your own boat company, you can do just that as ofter as you wish. Besidies when something isnt broken, no need to fix it. Sonic held a pretty good pace with getting new boats out and sold and seems to have a good pace going right now. The Formula cruiser line is moving, the Fastech line isnt unfortunately.
#66
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I've never thought of my boat as "dated" looking at all. I actually think the fancy OL type paint jobs look "dated" one or two years later while mine is rather timeless.
Oh well.....my boat is basically going to be all new shortly and better than "factory".
Oh well.....my boat is basically going to be all new shortly and better than "factory".
#67
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Your paint is timeless and looks great. I agree the over the top paint jobs do date the boat, as do certain colors.
#68
Pretty sure skater doesnt build the same boat every time. Nortech comes out with something new it seems every year. Sunsation just came out with a new 36. Cig and Ol are always stepping it up. These are the company's that are doing well in a crap economy. Formula has done nothing.
You can hardly compare what a one off custom builder like Skater, OL, and Nortech do compared to Formula. They build a super high quality production boat. They aren't and never were trying to be one of the companies you listed.
#69
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I dont agree......Obviously you very much like your 29 footer and Formula. Formula does make a very nice boat, but you can pick one out from a mile away with the same ole 4-5 paint schemes. The carpet in the salon of the one pictured in this thread looks like Chit. Looks like some old house carpeting. And having to step up and over to enter the head..... ?
I like my 45 footer and the ammenties along with the head room. The deck on the Sonic allows for the head room. With Sonic you can and could of had pretty much any paint you wanted from the factory from 2000 and up..... thats hardly dated, and the new 39 is over the top in fit/finish, quality and updates. The interior is set up nice too....I would bet the room & seating below in a 35 Sonic surpasses the room in a 35 Fastech.
Irregrdless, both are nice brands. Its good that everyone has the freedom to choose what they like.
In this economy many cant afford to totally change everything up. When you start your own boat company, you can do just that as ofter as you wish. Besidies when something isnt broken, no need to fix it. Sonic held a pretty good pace with getting new boats out and sold and seems to have a good pace going right now. The Formula cruiser line is moving, the Fastech line isnt unfortunately.
I like my 45 footer and the ammenties along with the head room. The deck on the Sonic allows for the head room. With Sonic you can and could of had pretty much any paint you wanted from the factory from 2000 and up..... thats hardly dated, and the new 39 is over the top in fit/finish, quality and updates. The interior is set up nice too....I would bet the room & seating below in a 35 Sonic surpasses the room in a 35 Fastech.
Irregrdless, both are nice brands. Its good that everyone has the freedom to choose what they like.
In this economy many cant afford to totally change everything up. When you start your own boat company, you can do just that as ofter as you wish. Besidies when something isnt broken, no need to fix it. Sonic held a pretty good pace with getting new boats out and sold and seems to have a good pace going right now. The Formula cruiser line is moving, the Fastech line isnt unfortunately.
#70
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I dont agree......Obviously you very much like your 29 footer and Formula. Formula does make a very nice boat, but you can pick one out from a mile away with the same ole 4-5 paint schemes. The carpet in the salon of the one pictured in this thread looks like Chit. Looks like some old house carpeting. And having to step up and over to enter the head..... ?
I like my 45 footer and the ammenties along with the head room. The deck on the Sonic allows for the head room. With Sonic you can and could of had pretty much any paint you wanted from the factory from 2000 and up..... thats hardly dated, and the new 39 is over the top in fit/finish, quality and updates. The interior is set up nice too....I would bet the room & seating below in a 35 Sonic surpasses the room in a 35 Fastech.
Irregrdless, both are nice brands. Its good that everyone has the freedom to choose what they like.
In this economy many cant afford to totally change everything up. When you start your own boat company, you can do just that as ofter as you wish. Besidies when something isnt broken, no need to fix it. Sonic held a pretty good pace with getting new boats out and sold and seems to have a good pace going right now. The Formula cruiser line is moving, the Fastech line isnt unfortunately.
I like my 45 footer and the ammenties along with the head room. The deck on the Sonic allows for the head room. With Sonic you can and could of had pretty much any paint you wanted from the factory from 2000 and up..... thats hardly dated, and the new 39 is over the top in fit/finish, quality and updates. The interior is set up nice too....I would bet the room & seating below in a 35 Sonic surpasses the room in a 35 Fastech.
Irregrdless, both are nice brands. Its good that everyone has the freedom to choose what they like.
In this economy many cant afford to totally change everything up. When you start your own boat company, you can do just that as ofter as you wish. Besidies when something isnt broken, no need to fix it. Sonic held a pretty good pace with getting new boats out and sold and seems to have a good pace going right now. The Formula cruiser line is moving, the Fastech line isnt unfortunately.
I'm just curious... How many new 35 - 45 ft. Sonics were built last year???