Show me yours Ill Show You Mine! (Formula That is)
12-11-2003, 09:59 PM
#125
Registered
Thanks Thirdbird-
I'm very excited about it and can't wait until next summer. Here's a little history:
My dad purchased a 272 LS new in 1983. After 21 years and 1470 hours it still starts right up and runs well and it is all original. When the 357 came out in 1985 I was 14 and knew I had to have one one day. I'm also a big car nut and an engine guy (other toys include a big block Trans Am and a blown Cobra). About 4 months ago I saw this '85 357 with two B&M blown 454s (540 hp) come on the market in VT. I really wanted a newer one (around 1991 or so with the 'glass swim platform)but I just kept lookng at those blowers :-) Being I am in TX (2300 miles away) I knew it would be a challenge. But, we struck a deal and over Thanksgiving I drove to VT in my F-250 and hauled it back to TX. The boat needs some cabin interior work and a few minor items but overall is in good condition. I did have it surveyed before buying it. The engines were built by Peter Pizzagalli at Pizzagalli Racing Engines in Vermont. The boat's owner is a friend of Pizzagalli and he has a great reputation so I felt comfortable with them. They have 80 hours since the rebuild in 1999. The former owner had $24,000 in the engines so I felt like I got a good deal at 31k for everything. But, I have some concerns now that I have read some of the horor stories about older boats on this site.
The boat will run 76 (according to gps) now. But, it will go 50 with no boost (it makes no boost except at WOT). And, the engines will turn about 5,200-5,300 rpms without any trim at all (rev limiter is at 5,800). The props were recently redone so I hate to replace them. But, it seems to me that with a more aggressive pitch prop I could get more trim at the same rpm and hence more speed. Or, maybe I shouldn't take a boat that's nearly 20 years old and try to go 80 in it anyway.
Here's my latest concern. A couple of people have told me that the hull is probably hooked after being on that trailer for two years. (See pic above) Nothing was mentioned about that in the survey. Having never trailered a boat that large I never even considered that the hull would hook if the transom was not supported. I also read that some of these boats have a hook built in. So, I can't wait to go to the Marina and look at it more closely. But, even if I do see this hook I don't know how to tell if it is factory or not.
I have the boat at the only Formula dealership in Central TX, South Austin Marine. While I think they're great I have my doubts as to their knowledge about high performance boats and need to find a preformance marina in Austin or San Antonio, TX.
I'm very glad to be here and looking forward to next summer. If anyone on this site boats in Central TX (Austin, San Antonio, Houston, etc.) drop me an email. Everyone I know either has a cruiser or ski boat and I need to find some Poker Run buddies.
Thank you,
Brent Ford
I'm very excited about it and can't wait until next summer. Here's a little history:
My dad purchased a 272 LS new in 1983. After 21 years and 1470 hours it still starts right up and runs well and it is all original. When the 357 came out in 1985 I was 14 and knew I had to have one one day. I'm also a big car nut and an engine guy (other toys include a big block Trans Am and a blown Cobra). About 4 months ago I saw this '85 357 with two B&M blown 454s (540 hp) come on the market in VT. I really wanted a newer one (around 1991 or so with the 'glass swim platform)but I just kept lookng at those blowers :-) Being I am in TX (2300 miles away) I knew it would be a challenge. But, we struck a deal and over Thanksgiving I drove to VT in my F-250 and hauled it back to TX. The boat needs some cabin interior work and a few minor items but overall is in good condition. I did have it surveyed before buying it. The engines were built by Peter Pizzagalli at Pizzagalli Racing Engines in Vermont. The boat's owner is a friend of Pizzagalli and he has a great reputation so I felt comfortable with them. They have 80 hours since the rebuild in 1999. The former owner had $24,000 in the engines so I felt like I got a good deal at 31k for everything. But, I have some concerns now that I have read some of the horor stories about older boats on this site.
The boat will run 76 (according to gps) now. But, it will go 50 with no boost (it makes no boost except at WOT). And, the engines will turn about 5,200-5,300 rpms without any trim at all (rev limiter is at 5,800). The props were recently redone so I hate to replace them. But, it seems to me that with a more aggressive pitch prop I could get more trim at the same rpm and hence more speed. Or, maybe I shouldn't take a boat that's nearly 20 years old and try to go 80 in it anyway.
Here's my latest concern. A couple of people have told me that the hull is probably hooked after being on that trailer for two years. (See pic above) Nothing was mentioned about that in the survey. Having never trailered a boat that large I never even considered that the hull would hook if the transom was not supported. I also read that some of these boats have a hook built in. So, I can't wait to go to the Marina and look at it more closely. But, even if I do see this hook I don't know how to tell if it is factory or not.
I have the boat at the only Formula dealership in Central TX, South Austin Marine. While I think they're great I have my doubts as to their knowledge about high performance boats and need to find a preformance marina in Austin or San Antonio, TX.
I'm very glad to be here and looking forward to next summer. If anyone on this site boats in Central TX (Austin, San Antonio, Houston, etc.) drop me an email. Everyone I know either has a cruiser or ski boat and I need to find some Poker Run buddies.
Thank you,
Brent Ford
Last edited by bford1; 12-11-2003 at 10:01 PM.
12-12-2003, 06:08 AM
#126
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Eastern Lake Ontario
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Brent,
Seems pretty unlikely that the hull would develop a hook from that trailer. While it is certainly not the best support I've seen, I would be surprised if it hooked.
As for a factory designed hook,,,,I don't think so. The smaller Formulas (22 and 24 footers) did have built-in hook sections just ahead of the transom. They were about 12 to 14 inches square and very obvious. I don't believe the larger Birds had hooks. As a matter of fact, my '89 311 almost looks as though it has a rocker to it. Not sure, never actually "straight-edged" it but it sure doesn't look like a hooked hull.
Send an email to Steve Tester at Formula, I'm sure he'll answer that question right away.
Email: [email protected]
Seems pretty unlikely that the hull would develop a hook from that trailer. While it is certainly not the best support I've seen, I would be surprised if it hooked.
As for a factory designed hook,,,,I don't think so. The smaller Formulas (22 and 24 footers) did have built-in hook sections just ahead of the transom. They were about 12 to 14 inches square and very obvious. I don't believe the larger Birds had hooks. As a matter of fact, my '89 311 almost looks as though it has a rocker to it. Not sure, never actually "straight-edged" it but it sure doesn't look like a hooked hull.
Send an email to Steve Tester at Formula, I'm sure he'll answer that question right away.
Email: [email protected]
12-12-2003, 09:48 AM
#128
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: http://www.cobaltboatsforum.com
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Old Floating Bird's ride
Let's see if I can get this to post....
I'll have to check with the boss to sse if she'll let me pony-up to see yours...
I'll have to check with the boss to sse if she'll let me pony-up to see yours...
Last edited by Old floating bird; 12-12-2003 at 10:01 AM.
