thinking about buying a formula boat??? input needed

[MountainManMyke]

hey guys, looking at a 1987 formula 20' open bow with a 360 hp engine. 560 hours and everything looks really well taken care of. I live in northern canada and want something for fishing big lakes and also, speed and wakeboarding. How would this boat hold up? I am mechanically inclined but I am not sure about older boats. Would this be a big block? how much would you think this boat is worth? its listed for 4600. thanks

 

[hall832]

Re: thinking about buying a formula boat??? input needed

If the boat was taken care then it can hold up formulas whole line was pretty solid in 87. Cant help you on price its up to you. If you think its worth it. I will tell you to look closely at every aspect of the boat. you already know what you like about it but what do you not like. take a compression check. look at the oil. take a long test drive.

 

[thumpar]

Re: thinking about buying a formula boat??? input needed

How is the temp swing where you live? If it gets down to freezing in the times you want to use the boat you will have do a mini winterization every time you use it since I/O engines will hold water even after taking them out of the water.

 

[MountainManMyke]

Re: thinking about buying a formula boat??? input needed

I am trying to get ahold of the seller to find out more of the details, ive been finding t tough to find a good boat for under 5 grand,also, this boat is about 6 hours from where i live.... The boats around here are usually winterized and taken out of the water by the end of october, early november at the very latest

 

[tpenfield]

Re: thinking about buying a formula boat??? input needed

Formula is a nice boat, but I might be biased

the biggest issue is the age of the boat. You will want to check the transom, engine compartment bulkhead and all of the stringers for signs of moisture retention and rot.

I do not believe that Formula put the big block engines in the '206' model (20 footer) . . . Probably the 5.7/350 engine, unless it has been replaced in the aftermarket.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: thinking about buying a formula boat??? input needed

Is this the boat ???

1987 20' Formula-Open Bow Sider Boat + Trailer-Exceptional Condition

Here is a link to the old Formula Brochures, so you can read up on the boat

http://www.formulaboats.com/vintage_formula/vintage_brochures.aspx

 

[MountainManMyke]

Re: thinking about buying a formula boat??? input needed

yeah thats the ad...........does that seem over priced for an older boat? they were hand layed fiberglass instead of sprayed fiberglass so they are less prone to getting water logged? They seem like pretty high end boats for their day ..... could be wrong though lol

 

[thumpar]

Re: thinking about buying a formula boat??? input needed

It looks like an Alpha drive. 360hp is way over spec for that drive. Find out the engine and drive info. I am not a Fountain expert but the openbow looks odd since it doesn't have the walk through window.

 

[MountainManMyke]

Re: thinking about buying a formula boat??? input needed

yeah im not sure how you get to the open bow and also, pretty sure its 260 hp 5.7, not a 360hp......

 

[tpenfield]

Re: thinking about buying a formula boat??? input needed

yeah thats the ad...........does that seem over priced for an older boat? they were hand layed fiberglass instead of sprayed fiberglass so they are less prone to getting water logged? They seem like pretty high end boats for their day ..... could be wrong though lol

The price is fine . . . They are hand layered glass, but all it takes is an imperfection or two and the 25+ years of age to retain water and rot. I had to re-build the bulkhead and some of the stringers on my Formula 242 a while back. You can check out my F242 web site from the link in my signature . . .

the strongest part of the design is the way the engine is mounted (Thru-bolted, not lag bolted). With a deep V hull the stringers have extra depth to them, wihich makes the boat stronger. But, it is still glass over wood construction, which has its limits in terms of longevity.

Looks like with the 'spider' models you have to crawl under the windshield to get to the bow. Probably a thing more for the kids than adults. Formula did not start making true bowriders for a few more years after 1987.