this is a boat local to me, has been for sale for awhile at what seems like a decent price but I am looking for more info on these old Formulas. I know they are heavy but built strong from what I’ve been able to research.

this one has a single 260HP SBC/Alpha Drive. I have a ~500HP 6.0LS engine I want to swap into it and eventually upgrade to a Bravo or if I can find a good deal a KAAMA surface drive would be awesome! I’ve got a line on a couple sets of them for sale.

currently this boat had the engine rebuilt 3 years ago and the drive redone about 10 years ago, supposedly does ~49 according to the current owner. Also says the boat is solid and no rot but is missing the captains chairs so those will need to be replaced. The cuddy looks original and could use updated. It’s sitting on the original Formula trailer that is supposed to be solid as well. Also the boat is missing the trim tabs and will need to be replaced, I was thinking some 280s kplanes would work well on this boat but open to suggestions, also will eventually upgrade to full Hydraulic steering.

please share as much info you can, what to look for besides the usual, most of these I’ve seen are twin engine, so it this one being a single rare?

I eventually want to build this up to run ~75 too speed, I have a procharger I can add to the 6.0LS, also have a ~500HP 402 BBC I could swap in but I like the lighter weight of the LS setup better, so will take the 402BBC and put it in my 68’ Rayson-Craft Jet boat project.

Thanks for any and all help/info

yeah that’s what everyone says about these old Formula’s is that they are heavy, and according to NADA data online in 1980 they don’t list a single engine 255, but a twin is listed at 4970lbs dry weight. So I’d probably guess around 800lbs lighter then that with the single engine. The more I think about it, I think my 402BBC with the procharger that would be capable of ~900HP should make plenty of power to get where I’d like to be(for now...lol). Will definitely need to upgrade the drive through.

ok, went and checked out the boat, it’s a 23’3 foot hull and 25 overall with the swim platform. Engine was replaced three years ago and the drive was rebuilt 10 years ago and serviced by a local marina every year before hitting the water.

it needs a new headliner in the cuddy and new captains chairs and updated upholstery in the cuddy and really everywhere but it’s not in bad shape just original. Needs a new morning cover and always stored inside during winter and properly winterized by the same local marina.

Here is the HIN

I’ve never come across one of these with a single engine. Is she one of the fishing platforms maybe?

That’s a big boat for having a single small block. You’re going to need a lot of sustainable torque to move that boat anywhere near what you’re trying to achieve. A blown 402 is not going to make 900 hp (or even 600 hp) reliably for any real length of time. The published weight is only a starting point. That’s a 40 year old boat, and no doubt has absorbed some water in her time.

If you’re really serious about doing something with this boat, I would make sure to go over her closely checking the structure, and then if good, I would look at building something in the 540+ cid range, naturally aspirated to get you where you want reliably.

Now you’re looking into some big dollars, and with that comes the question of, “is it really worth it?” I’ll tell you, I (along with countless others on this site) have been there and done that. There are a lot of nice boats out there for sale for not a lot of money. Wouldn’t hurt to keep looking around.

Thanks for all the help and replies, yes the boat turned out to be a 23’ and 25 with the swim platform. It’s was a single 260hp 350 and alpha drive. I decided it wasn’t what I was looking for so I passed on it. Probably a decent boat for the 4K asking price.

thanks again