Back, back evil one!!! Damn, those painted hullsides do look nice.... and I bet they won't fade like gelcoat would.

Magicfloat - thanks for the thoughts on the rebate vs. financing - definitely something we'll think about, though I don't think we'll be buying this year (Momma is being strong for both of us :D )

As for the domain name, there is a substantial amount of case law in this area. Basically, if the guy has no association or reason for registering nelemsmarine, and you do, it is against the law for him to sit on the name, let alone redirect it to another site. Since you've been Nelem's Marine for umpteen years, I'd say you've got a good case. Having your lawyer send the squatter a letter (and one to Park as well) will probably do the trick. Otherwise, take the prick to court, you will almost certainly win.

I agree, I would also contact his registrar and make them aware of the situation. They may have more to offer, use the technical contact phone number from the whois post.

Steve

Hey Dockrocker, I was thinking about your situation this morning. If you spent the down payment on landscaping you would probably end up so ashamed you would fade away on OffShoreOnly.com and end up posting on LandscapingOnly.com!

I don't know, I just can't see you as "sodrocker." :D :D :D

Magic - tell the rat bastard his violation of cyber-squatting laws has cost you sales, perhaps some of the 80+ boats he's bragging about, and that your attorney will be seeking to recoup the lost profits in addition to the domain name. I think you could make a case for it.

That ought to get it transferred back real fast ;)

:D Maybe I'll have to change my nom de cyber to grasswhacker....

I think I'll at least run the numbers at the boat show, see what's what. We have a new Formula dealer here in town, and I haven't heard anything good or bad about them - which is strange, because they are one of the bigger dealerships in the area. On the whole, I'd much rather do business with Magicfloat or another OSO contributor when the time comes... hey UT, how about fixing that stock market gizmo - that would make my boat buying plans much easier :D

UT is on a roll today.....:D

Dockrocker...we are looking at a Formula also (370 SS or 400 SS). If you buy new, I would take the time and buy from Magicfloat vs some of the dealers in OH and MI. He has been very honest with me everytime I have talked to him or emailed.

But Too Old is right about driving down the price of used Formulas. I found out yesterday a boat wholeseller bought a 2001 400 SS with 500 EFI's for $175K (a boat I was looking at last year) and sold it again for about $195. Boat was in very nice condition. Compare that to a price of a newer 2002 and 2003 and you will see what Too Old is talking about.

We to will be going to the Detroit Boat Show, but probably not buying from around town.

I would also look at finding a used 2002 with the transferrable warranty.

Best of luck!!!

96Vyper, I was wondering when you'd show up in this thread :) I'm really thinking used as well - taking the hit on one new boat was enough, though if we keep it for a while, the financing options may make it worthwhile....

Bro, that's old news. The bear market ended back on October 9th. Going to need a better excuse than that!

Tell you what. To show how I can be "responsible" too, my wife and I will meet up with you and yours in Miami and help you "run the numbers"......right after I buy the drinks at the bar....he,he,he

Wait a minute, could this be right:eek: he,he,he....

Hey, Rippem, I still have the 01 Torch 353,plus an 02 Daytona Beach Gold #2 trade in.On the low interest financing, look at it this way,say you finance $160000 at the killer rate, if you take the $10000 rebate instead you are only financing $150000. Run the numbers, I'm a boat dealer, not an accountant or banker:) But in all the years Formula has offered these programs,only one didn't take the rebate. And as far as the Escape programs driving down the prices of used ones, I've gots lots of near new used Formulas. Anyone is welcome to take advantage of me on the low prices:):)

Magic, that 1997 280 you have is the one I sent to my wife - her response:

"THAT'S what I'm talking about! Now go get a new job so we can buy a new boat!" :)

Sharpening that resume up as we speak... ;)

Hey UT, aren't YOU the one who's shopping for a V-hull ocean runner? Hmmmm.... maybe you ought to be talking to Robert about some of those 353 or 382's he's got on the lot :D :D :D

No....this thread is about YOU! You started this thread by asking us to be the voice of reason - that's OSO speak for - please push me over the edge. I'm just being a good boat bro.....he,he,he.....

Dude, I've been over the edge for awhile and hangin by a thread known as Mrs. Toys. ;)

This dog has a prime rib appetite and a Dog Chow budget :(

Robert...are you teasing me? I'll fly down to look at the '01 Torch if you give me low blue (driving lessons included) for my mint '32 "Dangerous" (not). :D Make my 353 dream come true Magicfloat!!

Rippem, I don't need driving lessons for a pad vee:) I drove pad vee Allisons over 30 years ago, and as you know, that is basically Steve Stepps hulls. I'm only saying that the only big boat that's ever scared the ever livin' s**t out of me was a 320:):).What year is yours? I forgot since our last conversation. If we trade,would you give driving lessons to a prospective driver? Cause I won't :):):)

Please don't be offended Robert...never meant to offend, just havin' fun as I know the impression some have of this hull. Powerboat said it best "this is not a beginner's performance boat. Even a seasoned driver will need time to dial himself into it completely...Put in the time, learn the nuances and you'll end up with an exeptional ride. Expect to get it wired immediately and you're in for an awakening." PB Mag Feb. 1997. :) See my posts in the Velocity forum for more insight, worthwhile read about this hull, I promise. ;) By the way...dockrocker has some serious insight! Here at The Center for Devine Metaphysical Powerboat Marketing Research, we have found that if you flip through the '03 Formula catalog backwards at double speed the Porter's do appear to have horn's and deliver subliminal bubble quotes of "buy me...buy me " We didn't notice the Beatles or Ozzie in any of the photos, but we're sure here at The Center that they work in marketing. :D Please read those posts I mentioned, and if your serious, I'll call you.

Rippen, I wasn't offended at all, hope you didn't think I was. :) I'll check those posts.

I'm glad, I would hate to be misunderstood. :) I've found Steve's boats to be alot of fun once you get a handle on them. I LMAO everytime I see "exitement comes standard" in his advertising. Gee...do you think he's in touch w/ the personality of the pad bottom? ;) sounds like it!

Yeah, Steve is a good guy, and sort of a legend. I loved his boats, we just were not able to sell many. Awesome performance,dated styling, average detail and quality. His new stuff looks nice, but the 260 and 280 still have a bolt on swim platform, just doesn't work today,a pipe platform would look better but he would have a problem with the advertised length issues. If I wanted to buy the absolute fastest vee,step or non-step, it would have to be a Velocity.Unfortunatly, this is not what most of today's buyers want.

Ageed, I had a '26 w PC pipe platform, and if I were to do it again I'd do the same. I would be 50/50 on wether the styling should be referred to as dated, or unique? You don't mistake one for anything else, even at a distance, especially at speed! :D I've seen many of them in the last 10 years and am aware of the sometimes inconsistent finish work. My '32 is one of the best I ever saw come out of there, they did a very nice job on my boat (I ordered it) no goofy color combos, all done tastefully as I requested and have had zero build or finish work issues. That's saying alot as I'm a pretty fussy guy. I've been happy with the performance and finish I got for the $. I thought that bit about the backwards Formula catalog was pretty funny, I hope dockrocker caught that. :D

Rippem,check your Pm's

Oh yeah, I caught it ;)

It's going to be single digits again here in Michigan and I'm going on 18 months of boatlessness... this is not a combination that encourages rational thought around boat show time. :D

18 months of boatlessness ? :crazy: How much Paxil are you goin' through? :eek: If I wasn't making boat payments in January, I'd prolly do some foolish, fleeting, short term gratification, no lasting value stunt ...like a vacation to some tropical island paradise where it isn't -20 like it is here right now. :rolleyes: . Naaa.... I'd be going up to the drive thru looking to make a boat payment every month with no existing boatloan, wishing the teller would just play along and mime processing my payment......just for a fix. :D

Ok, just had to check this “rational thought” stuff with my buddy Webster.

Rational:
“1 a: having reason or understanding.” No problem, I fully understand the meaning of a boat payment.
“1 b: relating to, based on, or agreeable to reason: REASONABLE.” Ask Mrs. Toys, I am being reasonable i.e. I’m taking her to the Miami show.
“2: relating to, consisting of, or being one or more rational numbers.” Well, if the bank agrees to it, it must be a rational number - right

Sorry bro, you keep putting them up and I'll keep knocking them down. Only 21 more days to Miami :cool: :cool:

Hey UT

What boat will you be sniffing around at the the boat show. Or should I say which boat is going to be the one that will blow all rational right out the window for you. :D

Unfortunately, the ol' bank account is rapidly shrinking my rationalization. Not a pretty sight, let me assure you. ;)

Sorry Allen, this is a strategic boat show for me. Can't lay all my cards face up as there are many lurkers :eek: :eek: ;) ;)