What's out there for $30k??
 

I know there have been a lot of threads lately, but a good friend of mine is getting ready to pull the trigger on something for Lake Erie. I want to make sure there aren't any other boats that might be for sale. He's looked at all the usual sites. Really likes a Formula 357, maybe a 38-40 fountain, scarab, mistress etc.

-Must be a twin Big Block boat
-30 or bigger
-Big water ride is more important than speed
-Minor mechanical project might be okay, as long as all the cards are on the table. Not interested in a boat that "needs a starter" only to find out the bottom end is shattered :lolhit:

Hopefully he will chime in as well....

Thanks guys.

-Artie

Over the $30k mark, but still noteworthy IMHO...

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/boa/4324398183.html

Older Formulas fit the bill. Great build quality and the price is in that neck of the woods. Keep in mind even the 272 can be had with big blocks and it's a 30+ footer by today's standards because the platform didn't count back then. Here is a 311 from the classifieds. http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o56035-en.html

Check out Performance Boat Center's web site, they have a couple older formulas and a nice 33' Sutphen that are priced around that range.

Thanks, guys! Keep 'em coming.

clear your pm box

Pier 57 has an 89 Formula 357....asking 34K. I wasnt sure if he saw that or not.

I know a '97 Baja 38 Special. Twin 502s, gen set and A/C that would go for that or less. I know the boat well through its two last owners and have driven it several times. Has been kept covered on a lift but not run the last two years. They may sell it for much less than that. Was a very smooth riding boat with a lot of room. My pregnant wife was on it in the Gulf and said ride was great. Top speed about 62.

It's clear!

That's a deal right there

Facebook has a 90 42 lightning. 454s/420s trs. That should work. 27500. Boat looks clean no trailer

He has actually been talking with him. Not sure if they can get close enough with a trailer. We shall see!

You can pick up a 38 foot steel trailer for about 4k

What era of formulas had the hull to deck joint issues?

Those were some of the Fastech boats that were bonded with Plexus. Mostly 382's in the 1997-2003 range from what I've seen. All i know is mine is still solid, and the repair really isn't a big deal.

http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/24880

Not mine

Ck out my Sutphen in the classifieds

I like Formula and would own one for the right price, that being said, I dont think build quality is that good compared to other brands, to be honest not any better then Baja, they are both built decent, but I did find unsealed wood, and places things were not tied together, I think my 320 Baja was built better then the 311 I parted both so I know, I also thought the Scarab was better built, I also took apart a 34 ScarabIII and thought they were tanks, but not really.... for Lake Erie keep eyes open for older Cigs, 38 Scarab flat decks, and I even think older Fountains are built good, for that price range.... I am ver spoiled with ride quality in the Mistress, its amazing in any water...Scarab KV is supposed to be the same.. these are my opinions and I would gladly take your buddy for a ride in May if hes still looking to show him the ride quality over others...

I would entertain 28 foot Apache and 28 Panteras for sure, may be less then 30 foot but some serious rough water boats...!!

now thats a great riding boat also!!

This one is SOLD

Love, love, love this boat but his wifey says it has to have a cabin :drink:

I agree... But do you know of any for sale? :lolhit: Sure can't find any. He may have a deal working on a nice 311, courtesy of this thread. Keep them coming! Thanks guys.



-Artie

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/boa/4362161038.html This is alot of boat for the money great rough water boat with the right power . If I didn't already own my Flat deck I would buy this boat.
RG.

that 311 for 20,000 is a deal no matter what.... looks clean, let me look around bud

Bad ass for Lake Erie....

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o55705-en.html

Nuff said

[ATTACH=CONFIG]520207[/ATTACH]

very good boat....!!

yes, those are very good riding boats, my buddy has the restored silver one that runs 80, what a great boat!!

A Sutphen that needs a trailer and a trip to Mitcher T, but it's listed at $15k...

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/boa/4355715591.html

I need to stay off Craigslist before it gets really expensive 'round here...

This one might have a new home as well! He's been a day late and a dollar short on almost every boat posted :drink: Guess we all think alike....

Isn't that the truth! It's almost worse helping people find stuff because I find more crap I don't need!

i was climbing all over that boat last weekend checking it out with a buddy from buffalo. my buddy is gonna miss out by flipping the coin too many times between the saber and a pantera. chris's boat isnt gonna last. i was super impressed by the quality of the saber. ran with the boat a bunch of times but never took a indepth look at it til last weekend. dont sleep too long!

Fixed it for ya. And yes, awesome boats.

I too have been up close in Chris' boat. It is an awesome piece.

Sorry for no pics....

I have an 89 357 SR-1 that I would part with for 30k.

Two brand new 540cuin Merlin's with B&M 250's, dual 850's on each dialed in by Nickerson (tags still there) that dynoed 648 and 653 running through Borg 72c gold tags......

Oversized oil cooler
Oversized trans cooler
Steering cooler

Full hydraulic internal steering......external tie bar.....needs external for obvious reasons.

Ac, microwave, no genny. Every wire replaced, all lighting led.

Deleted the head....wasted space. Buck-it and dump-it.....or....hold-it.

Tri-axle trailer that needs help.

Bottom blue printed to fix a port hop (chine)

All livorsi carbon fiber monster with mega rim including gps speedo.

New port transom assy for trs

Both trs drive as better than new

4 blade solid hub choppers

Ditched the old crap and bought a fastec cockpit....McLeod elec bolsters......rear seat.....head rest.....

Fastec style cabin door.....slides to port....not the hinges and struggles with the original design.

All white hatches.

In 2000, separated the hull from deck, shaved everything except the forward cleat and chocks, rebonded and put and all white taco rub rail.

No grommets, snaps or otherwise except on the windscreen frame.

KVH compass.

11" standard horizon gps with rear facing camera.

Shore power.

Motors have less than 5 hrs each.....still fabbing custom **** and detailing, so no run time since dyno.

I need to install motors and drives.....if buyer is willing to gamble.....I need 30 days from commencement to complete. If not, I will sell to same for a 10k reduction. How's that?!?!?!?!

Oh.....

And new 33c cables

6 blue top optimas

Full stereo with (google it) 3 XES 2 channel amps (XES- M1)

All white boat. Purple and silver metallic accents. All interior has 0 hours in the sun.

Motors purple and silver.

Drives purple, lowers silver, props polished stainless.....there are pics here somewhere......

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/4364394301.html

Not mine don't know it, and it is much older. But seems like it has some upgrades and surface drives are always cool. And I bet you could get it for 15, however being an 85 the cabin probably looks like Reggie's clubbed out basement in his hayday

Good luck in your search.

Gil exhaust, thru hull with flapper, wet at tip.

CAN provide pics from phone....

239.349.5395

message sent!

This might be to far for ya.
http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/26759

Wow that looks clean. Hell of a road trip though...


Ryan... I know you're lurking... where are you :evilb: