Pure Energy

www.1800runsnew.com I have a pair of their 502s. These are great motors!!! Look into the 502 service base motor, 435 hp it is a complete longblock minus intake manifold, exhaust and other accessories. With 1 yr. warrenty you can't go wrong.

RUSSSR1

Dockrocker,

For the cash you can't beat an old Formula SR1 any length. Awsome quality, solid ride, classic looks. I have an 89' 272 with 454 B1's and love it. 400 hrs. and not even thinking of a rebuild yet. Runs as good as new. Not much else out there that has this value in it.

Just my .02

mopower

DR,
I have an 89 272 with 711 hrs @ the end of last season. If those 330's have any type of care , they run forever. Mine use about a 1 qt of oil per season each. I am repowering this year but only because I got a deal I couldn't refuse a pair of 540's based on new Merlin blocks basically for parts cost
My personal opinion of old Formulas , if they've been well cared for you can't beat them. I still get asked if mine is new and it cost me $36,000 not $160.000. Don't forget , if you comparing to new , a new 271 ist 2' shorter than the old 272 and and old 272 is almost the same a new 292 (try a tape measure) since they now include the swim platform like everyboby else .

PS, I looked for nine months for one nice enough and did I see some $hitters

dockrocker

I'm really going back and forth on this one - on the one hand, what I really want is a new or recent vintage 280 or 330 SS, but the wallet says otherwise.

On the other hand, the Admiral tells me today "it only needs three seats and I like to go fast" - bless her heart. I've always like the 311's (freckles, I was pretty sure the 272 didn't have the enclosed head, that's one of the reasons I like the 311) and it seems like there's always a few for sale.

I think we'll go to the boat show in a week or three and kick tires. Another option is to just pick up something fairly cheap to kick around the lake with this year, and look for the "keeper" boat in anther year or so. Seems to be a fair number of 242's around, including one here in MI with bolsters and a single 454/bravo for around 20K. Might be worth a look...

This is the one I'm thinking about Formula 242. I figure this would get us around to the lake hot spots just fine until I can decide (or more correctly, till my wallet can afford) the "perfect" boat...

mcollinstn

the enclosed head in the 311 is great if you aren't 220 pounds. I just use mine as a closet (which is great indeed). wife can scrunch in the enclosed head okay and kids for sure. Big ole boys ain't got much room in there at all. Does have a stink fan for fume removal though.

(i still think it makes a wonderful closet).

Be aware that the 292 sr1 has NO room in front of the motors. If you never plan to work on it, then who cares, but I can sit on the treadplate in front of my motors in the 311 and work all night long without getting my spine out of whack.

Also would'a never believed it, but the 311 hull is both balanced better and every bit as fast as the similarly equipped 292. My 502 311 (91) and a 502 292 (also 91) were as DEAD even as two boats could ever be. Lord knows we ran with tanks full, tanks dry, half tanks, no people, loaded with people, in glass water, in whitecaps, short runs, fifteen minute WOT runs side by side practically touching. We swapped boats and raced each other in the others' boat. Still dead even...

I love my 311.

fstboater

I had a old 302 Formula a very solid boat took a lot of pounding at LOTO. Call some of the dealers at the lake there are a lot of them at LOTO. 330HP is ok low 60s around 500 should put one in the mid 70mph range.Most boats were loaded with options I never had much use for the head but it made a great storage locker.I have a Chriscat now no head or fridge no tv hook ups but a very good crusing boat and much faster with a full cabin. With two kids I would look for a 292 or 311 for the larger cabin.

Rambunctious

Dock

wise choice on the only boat worth considering!!!
I have a 272 with 380 hr. bout 4 yrs ago with 272 original hrs
manning triple axle trailer and a life of freshwater - started in lake st. clair, i boat on lake mich
planning to sell to go up to 311 or in my dreams a 357.


prestine 272's with a trailer - mid 30's
prestine 311's with same = high 40's, low 50's

wildthing357

Rambunctious,
Make your dream come true and come get my 357 so I can move
on to my dream!!

Rambunctious

let's all just trade up and I'll call it even

blue thunder

I've never seen a 272 with black and yellow graphic package. That baby is sharp as a tack Rambuctious!!

BT