Project Formula - 1979 Formula Liberator

[Ralph 123]

I figured it was time to share my project boat. It's a 1979 Formula Liberator 28', twin 350s About a 7' beam. First Pic is the before and the rest the after Plenty of refinement need before she is truly finished (if ever)<br /><br />

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[youngboater]

Re: Project Formula - 1979 Formula Liberator

Good job. It looks great and I'm sure if flys too.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Project Formula - 1979 Formula Liberator

Did you have to do any below floor work? Awesome boat, I imagine that's quite a thrill to open them babies up.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Project Formula - 1979 Formula Liberator

Thanks.<br /><br />Luckily no rot at all. The boat is like double hulled. In the center is the 135 gal tank that runs from the cuddy door back to the engines. Over that is a one piece fiberglass top that on one end has the cuddy stairs molden in and then is the center of the deck on the other end. All Gelcoated. The port and starboard sections of the deck are solid "boxes" that run the full depth of the boat and are filled with foam, glassed and gelcoated. Everything on the inside of the boat is fiberglass and gelcoated even the cuddy floor and sidewalls. Really incredibly built.

 

[dcpcccrc]

Re: Project Formula - 1979 Formula Liberator

awesome boat love formulas and they have always been a awesome built boat. that is awesome with the exhaust and all that but has anyone burned themself on those pipes yet. Great job on the boat

 

[thejeepster02]

Re: Project Formula - 1979 Formula Liberator

VERY SWEET

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Project Formula - 1979 Formula Liberator

has anyone burned themself on those pipes yet

Not yet They cool down pretty quick. The engines run pretty cool (120ish)<br /><br />Boat is crazy fast. I have not had the brass to push her over 4,000 RPM. Depending on sea conditions and trim that's around 60 by GPS.

 

[3gun]

Re: Project Formula - 1979 Formula Liberator

Sweet!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Project Formula - 1979 Formula Liberator

Did you do those motors Ralph, they look fresh? Are they stock?

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Project Formula - 1979 Formula Liberator

They are new stock marine remans (not rebuilts). I bought short blocks thinking I'd swap parts from the old but ultimately decided to not reuse anything.<br /><br />I pulled one of the engines myself and that was enough of that! The engines sit way below deck and I dissembled in place but when I went to pull the block it was very dangerous w/o a overhead hoist so I turned it over to a pro to pull the other and do the installs. I did everything else myself including wiring the entire boat from scratch. I also rebuilt the trailer - new axles, brakes, wheels, etc. <br /><br />It has taken me about 3 seasons to get it where it is today and I'm constantly tinkering... I just finished putting shore power back in so I can slip it next season. Next I am going to install some silencers to cut the noise down a bit and install some K&N velocity stack flame arrestors (although I don't need anymore performance out of this thing!) but was hoping the better air flow would help out with fuel economy.<br /><br />Lately I've been thinking I really need a little CC with an O/B for fishing rather than this big offshore cruiser. I have all winter to think about it

 

[sprink56]

Re: Project Formula - 1979 Formula Liberator

I have the same boat and wish I could see the pics that were posted here.