school me on formula 272,s and 311,s
 

I am looking at both of these boats for next season.I have found they are falling into the same price range. I know they are old boats but I don't want to go over 20k on my first boat. If you have owned or have experience with these boats please chime in....

Great boats, well built, lots of amenities, not super fast but they ride great for the size. I've had friends w the 272 but never been in a 311 not sure what else is in em maybe a head?

272 has small blocks in almost all cases, 311s have big blocks. More room to work on engines and slightly larger cockpit and cabin. The 311 rides like a much larger boat, very heavy for it's size. Best 311 to get is after 88 when they had 454/Bravos, faster and better balanced than the earlier TRS boats.

the 311 was a great boat.... for the same money id go with bigger in this case.

comfy cabin
nice cockpit
great ride
all around good boats if takin care of

Faster maybe ... 311 hull was designed and balanced around trs package. In 88 they were powerboats offshore boat of the year with 420 trs package.

We had a 272 with 454's. The engine compartment was tight -- so tight we had to pull an engine to change the starter. The 454's made it sit heavy in the rear so that even with decent K-planes it would porpoise at certain speeds.

Other than that, it was a great, well-built, wave crushing boat. Once you're in the Formula family, it's tough to leave.

being in both many times, I am gonna say the TRS rides better, COG is better and thats what the hull was designed with when built, in bigger water the TRS is a much better ride..

Bravo is faster though, so depends what your looking for..

365mag bravo should run 63-64 tops in most cases..

420 TRS run 67-68 in most cases..

I would go with a 311 over a 272 anyday, both grreat but seems 311's are going cheaper right now then 272 and its much bigger

look under cabin step for rot and water sitting as the windshields leak a lot, most 311's will have stress cracks above head, rear bulkheads rot more often then not too.. and of course check transom..rub rails let loose often since not through bolted, but thats no big deal really..

otherwise go for it and good luck!!

Or if your lucky find a 292 with bravos 365 mags. My best friend has one and it runs like 65-67 all day and rides good. Took 3-4 footers at 40mph all day on lake Erie

292's are great bot a lot harder to find over 272/311's

both boats are great.well built and solid.they do well in rough water.trs drives would not worry me.really perfered in the 311.