Earlier I noticed you grouped the 271 and 272 Formulas together. The 271 is actually the same size as the 242. The 272 is about 3ft longer than a 271. The measurements on the older boats didn't include the swim platform like the 271 does.

Got it. So the 27' with swim platform is really 30' but the outdrives are attached at the 27' 2". When you pay for dock space by the foot, I somehow suspect it is a 30' boat :-)

When I used to hang around the docks, the length seemed to change, depending on the conversation.
When outright bragging, the overall length was used, when having to pay for docking, it was always at least 3 feet shorter. LOL

I have a buddy with a 30-31 ft Baja and he put stickers on it that say 27 Outlaw lol....cheapest bastard in the world.

Is your buddy's boat named "No Conscience"?

x2

You have some competition, haha! I spoke with him about a month ago, and I'm just waiting for him to let me know when it's out of storage and ready for the season.

I just got the survey results on a boat that had been my top contender for purchase, the survey came back unfavorable, so the search is back on again and I welcome your recommendations!

That wasn't on the 272 in Michigan was it?

1995 25 foot Sunsation Aggressor, brand new interior. $19,000 . You can probably scoop it up for $17,500

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/boa/5521691369.html

1995 Checkmate 261 $18,000obo

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/boa/5522843206.html

partlowr - Thanks for the referrals. it is funny that people post boat ads with pictures taken in the dark...why would someone do that? I do like the Aggressor, I just don't know about this one (cuz I can't see it). As for the checkmates, I have some deeply rooted and unexplainable thing going back to the late 70's that would never allow me to personally own a checkmate. I realize this is irrational and many good things have been said about them..it's just my thing .

LouieM - I don't think that is a question I can respond to one way or another.

I continue to like the Formula 272;

1) I like the length 26-28ft,
2) I like the twin screws (although I am less of a fan of any pair of small blocks running under 650hp, and less of a fan of the big blocks paired running less than ~ 750hp)
3) I like a nice cuddy cabin space and easy access to it
4) a really solid hull
5) Bravo or better drives
6) swim deck

Feature preferences;

1) hydraulic steering,
2) captains call,
3) nice canvases
4) power engine hatch,
5) power to run a tv :-)
6) solid trailer w/ brakes

I kinda feel like the search now starts again, but now I have a better feel for what I want :-)

See if the seller can Skype with you and show you around the boat while on Skype or Facetime. That might be better than photos.

Skype is a great idea, especially as things thaw and come out of storage.

did you see this one?
Corey Dolliver on powerboat swap shop

To be honest under 18k you can get a nice Starcraft or some sort of Deck boat, center console boat with a good Yamaha engine because they last for ever. My friend got a Starcraft with 21 foot boat with a Yamaha engine with only 40 hours on it for 11k. How ever my dream boat or yacht is a Azimut or Sea ray little 42 foot mini yacht so i call them, they go for like 250k-350k maybe my rich friend can help me with that.
https://www.yoloboatrentals.com/wp-c...in-462x285.jpg

24 foot Baja with 454 mag...you can't get any better bank for your buck without a doubt. I had a 1988 240 sport back in 1998-2001 which is the same boat but older it was the the best boat I owned. I had a few different boats in between then decided to go back to that hull and motor. So I purchased a 1995 24 ft Outlaw sst in 2009 that I still own today. The only boat I will even consider is a 29 ft sunsation or 32 sunsation which I may go to in the future. If that fails me I will be right back to the 24 ft baja

BTW...it handles the chop like no other boat I have been in thats in that size range and that's the reason I went back. Nothing like a smooth fast ride on a choppy day, watching the other boats get banged around. 24degree dead rise is what you want trust me...with big power..lol. But if you had a few extra bucks I would go for the 25 outlaw...better cabin and a little better style to it. But you would be over the18 that you wanna stay below

93 Shooter - I saw Corey's boat go up and sent him a PM right away, I do hope to hear back from him. It is a bit over budget but it looks like a sweet ride

ANy opinions on the Baja 280 with twin vortex 350's?

How big a hurry are you in to get a boat in hand?
I have an 88 272 that is in the middle of light resto - motors refreshed, interior, etc...
Power is 320 EFI's/Bravo 1's, I've seen 64 with 4 fat guys, 3/4 tank and 3 coolers. Had 650 hours on it, I doubt it slows any with rebuilds.
Comes on a newer aluminum triple axle trailer with 6 new tires and brakes on 2 axles.
We planned on keeping it and but both of us have gotten good promotions in the last year so thinking about upgrading.
Oh, I'm down in Des Moines so no need to worry about shipping.

Jon01 - UGPM

im not looking to high jack this post, I tried Private message but you box is full. anyhow
Hi I have the same boat as you. I just bought it. Im curious if you could tell me at what rpm do those 320 efi spin at when you are wide open and what is the best speed you ever got?
Thanks
Jim

Hey Jim I'll send you a PM.

My buddies selling my old boat 1997 2252 Arriva, 454, this image is factory but his has the graphics changed, its gonna be around 19k

I would think that a 280 would be too much boat to tow with an F150. Real overall length of those boats is closer to 30 ft, because I don't think they counted the swim platform. I have an 88 Force 235, and it is closer to 25 ft by today's standards. Not the fastest hull around, and it would have really benefitted with a 24* deadrise, but the cockpit layout has a ton of space and the cabin has very good room, lots of storage, and a fridge and porta potti, which the wife likes. :)

The older 240 Sport Baja's are nice boats, but I hate the cuddy access on them - it's like crawling through an MRI tunnel. The newer 25 Outlaw has a much nicer cabin and better access, but the cockpit seems a little tight to me. I like more legroom between the front and rear seats, maybe room for a cooler.

Formula certainly makes a solid boat with a lot of usable room. I also think you should take a closer look at the Powerquests - I think they make a really nice boat. The 280 Silencer with the weekender package (fridge, microwave and shorepower) would be perfect for your needs, and probably still towable with a half-ton. If that is too big, step down to the 260 Prowler. I looked at the PQ's at the local boat show years ago, and I was impressed with the rigging for a reasonably priced boat.

If I find the right boat and it is bigger than what a 1/2 ton truck can haul, I can keep this boat docked locally until I find the right tow rig to move it around. I do however have a 30-32' limit based on dock space.

I've started looking at the powerquest but I have only seen them in a single screw, I do want twins which is why I was asking about the baja 280 with twins.

Oh, OK, didn't realize you were wanting twins. If I was buying a twin engine boat in the 26-28 foot range, I would be very interested in something with twin small blocks with Bravos. That would be a very low-worry combination that would be turn-key for very many hours, and still probably give you good speed in a boat that size. I wouldn't necessarily be scared away by one with twin Alpha's either - they would probably hold up fine behind small blocks, and they are cheap to replace if one lets go.

PQ made a 29 with twin big blocks - 29 Enticer, I think. I also like the older Formula 291's, but that is a big boat. 271 is probably more in your size range.

I have always loved those Arriva boats. Even at 20 years old everything looks modern and current right down to the graphics.The way the exhaust exits the hull is a thing of beauty, looks like it should be on a Ferrari not a boat.

Thank-you all for this education. After chasing down all of your leads and suggestions which helped me gain clarity on what I wanted (and needed), I found myself choosing to go with the Formula 272 SR-1 with dual small blocks and B1's. It was through this thread that I found the actual boat and for that I am grateful to all of you and OSO.

Congrats! Post some photos of her.

Where did you find it and post pics. Congratulations. I bet you will love your new Formula.

Congratulations on your purchase - sounds like a solid choice. Hoping you have a fun, troublefree summer of boating!

Thats a great choice, now we need pics

I have not yet swapped cash for titles yet, but we have committed and have an agreement that I will be purchasing it as soon as the engine rebuilds and new vinyl have been completed. Once I take physical possession or am granted granted permission by the current owner, I will most definitely post pictures!

Great choice!
For your desired use, I don't think you could do any better.

That model is a favorite of mine.

I don't mean to curb yours or others enthusiasm but this needs to be addressed before any money is committed. New crate motors
installed, motors refreshed, new engine rebuilds, and other catch phrases sell boats. They can however spell disaster. Find out what
is being done to the engines and who is doing the work. Just in the past two years or so several guys have been burned this way.

Post away Scott, no worries man.

The motors are being rebuilt purely due to them having 650 hours on them.
I am doing the assembly work on the motors myself. I've been burned by too many machine shops and their failure to check clearances properly. If it needs replaced it will be with good quality parts to hopefully ensure the boat lives another 30 trouble free years. Basically I am rebuilding these as if I were keeping the boat - truth be told, if Scott doesn't buy it I probably will.

Sale Pending on that one. Ask me how I know.... :D

The boat I am picking up belongs to member Jon01. In addition to refreshing and improving upon the 320 EFI's the vinyl is being redone. Here are a few pics;

[ATTACH=CONFIG]554776[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]554777[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]554778[/ATTACH]

Meanwhile my 1969 monza is getting some attention so that this will be my little go-fast boat. Here are a couple pics of it, unfortunately these are prior owner pictures, I don't have any good ones of myself (except for one catching air, but I don't have that with me).

[ATTACH=CONFIG]554780[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]554779[/ATTACH]

Planned for this spring and/or in flight are;

1) new paint (it is going to be a red and white boat. where you see yellow now, it will be red - the interior is now red),
2) new "dashboard",
3) new gauges,
4)new billet throttle control w/ trim control,
5) a new switch panel with tab controls,
6) looking to get all existing chrome powder coated,
7) under water blue LED,
8) a new volvo penta 290 dp outdrive with a 28p SS duoprop),
9) 2 new optima batteries,
10) 2nd/backup bilge pump,
11) fixing one of 4 trim actuators,
12) converting the trailer from rollers to bunks,
13) repainting the trailer,
14) new carpet

At this point I will have just about replaced everything in this boat since I got it ~ 5 years ago.

As for the 272 sr-1, I am hoping this will be "turnkey" :-)

Argh, I thought this thread would have ended, but the Formula 272 I had hoped would be ready end of may drifted to early june, then ~ 7/4 weekend, to now the engine rebuild showed water in the oil and it may not be ready until late august or beyond. I still want the boat, but it looks like I lost the season waiting on the boat. I could walk away, but now "mid season" the good used boats are probably gone for the season or listed at the high end $$$.

Any leads on a ~ $20K fairly priced, well equipped, good shape formula 272 or similar type boat up to 32ft? I would not want to "settle", i'd rather wait. Hopefully my other boat will get out of the shop soon (it has been there since end of April :( ) ....so far planning ahead so I would have 2 boats to use this summer has left me without a boat....maybe it's an omen and there is a bucketlist worthy boat right around the corner.

Last, I may be hung up on dual engines. I want the maneuverability around docks and I just plain like the feel of them, but they seem to restrict my options. For example, this fountain.

Any advise? (besides quit the pitty party :D )

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...02-o66257.html