I'd like to hear from those who have experience (riding/driving) in both of these vintage 80s boats. The literature claims the Formula is 3500lb and 2100lb for Liberator, but I can't believe there's that much of a difference. Both are considered solid well-built hulls for big lakes. Thanks!

I can only speak of the Formula F3...one of which my brother owns.

I have personally had that boat in 3'~5' seas offshore here with no fear or discomfort. I would take his across 65 miles of open ocean from West Palm to Freeport in the Bahamas on any 2'~4' day without hesitation.

I can't speak of that particular Four Winns model.

Thanks for the good experience info Sprink. I didn't specify that the Liberator (4-Winns) weight does not include the engine. They don't say anything about the outdrive, so I have to assume that's included. What do the small and big block marine engines weigh -- 600 to 800 pounds, or maybe more with the exhaust logs and stuff?

+1 for the F3 in my opinion

I had an F3LS with an upgraded 454 in it that did 65 on speedo and handled Galveston Bay 3ft to 4ft chop very well. Great hull design. I think it is an old Don Arronow hull.

Somedays I would like to have it back again.

Formula by far! Stay away from OMC stuff in the Liberators, especially King Cobra.

A small block Chevy with Cast Iron Manifolds ...complete with a Merc Alpha set up weighs around 900 lbs. A big block will add about 250~300 with a Bravo I.

It seems like Formula is both popular and admired on this site! I have had a 233 in the back of my mind for some time, but for the extra money, weight, and size (storage/parking hassles), it would seem that the F3 is prime. The F3 has wonderful designs and materials in the cockpit and cuddy compared to the 233, but you can't deny the 233's sea worthiness. Does anyone know how fast the F3 goes with a stock 350/Alpha? The one I'm looking at doesn't have trim tabs, and I'm wondering if that will be necessary on Lake Michigan. They could easily be added of course.

An F3 with stock 260 power is going to top out in the mid 40's with an average load of fuel and passengers. Include the addition of trim tabs in your immediate plans...they finnish the handeling characteristics of the boat and aid in getting you up on plane quickly.

Out of curiosity...if berth size is an issue for you on the 272 as well as the 242, why consider the smaller F3?...just wondering.

It would appear that the F3 has a larger v-berth than the 242/272, and the seller who is 5'11 told me that he can easily stretch out with his wife and doesn't go over the end. Since I haven't seen one myself I can't confirm or deny this, but it sure would be nice if someone could. Sprink, you might be able to handle this one.

Now it's down to the 255 (260x2) and the F3 (260x1), which may appear to be an odd comparison, but they both have their goods and bads, and I need to weigh them both model-wise and for the individual boats themselves. I'm sure both would make fine Lake Michigan birds, and living 3 minutes from the launch, long distance trailering isn't an issue (although an annual trailer trek to Torch Lake might be interesting).