Thunderbird/Formula model question

[neworegonboater]

I had tried to post this earlier, but don't see it listed. At the risk of having 2 such posts floating around, I will try again.
My wife and I purchased a 1976 Thunderbird/Formula boat with an open bow. It has a kind of tri-hull, but not a full tri hull. From the bow, it looks to just have spray rails that are very narrow, just outside of the main hull. From the stern, there is no tri-hull visble, just a moderate V.
We bought it from the original owner and has a 85 hp Mercury OB.
Does anyone know the name of hull design and also, what is the model of our boat. We have looked at the original sales brochure (on-line) and see a name of "signa." When going to insure the boat, we were told by our agent that the closest she could come up with for a make is Formula and the model is Thunderbird. The ownership cert. indicates the make to be Thunderbird with no model.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks a lot,
Greg

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Thunderbird/Formula model question

Pictures sure help considering that a lot of glass boat were made like pop up pastry`s and their is about 500,000 different ones.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Thunderbird/Formula model question

Check this link - it provides info on 1976 Thunderbird/Formula boats.

1976 Thunderbird / Formula Series

 

[jestor68]

Re: Thunderbird/Formula model question

.
My wife and I purchased a 1976 Thunderbird/Formula boat with an open bow. It has a kind of tri-hull, but not a full tri hull. From the bow, it looks to just have spray rails that are very narrow, just outside of the main hull. From the stern, there is no tri-hull visble, just a moderate V.

Greg

I believe the Thunderbird design is referred to as a Cathedral Hull.

WellCraft took the design a little further in their Air Slot hulls.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Thunderbird/Formula model question

Signa is the boat brand that the Porter family owned before coming out with the Formula brand. I cannot recall if they bought Formula from someone originally. I think they did. Anyway, their primary company name has been Thunderbird products.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Thunderbird/Formula model question

I believe the Thunderbird design is referred to as a Cathedral Hull.

Well Craft took the design a little further to their Air Slot hulls. View attachment 174902

Well it was back in 1966 when I was out behind Cat Island (on the North side protected from the Gulf of Mexico waves), about 10 miles off the coast of Gulfport, MS. when a typical afternoon "squall" developed. I was in a 13' Taylor craft with a 22 hp Scott Atwater which, even though short, had the bow flare to make it out and back with no problems since the waves were either from the N or S and the distance from the mainland to the island had the same compass heading. The rain was horrific, accompanied by the usual lightening.

This guy with this 20' Thunderbird I/O, cuddy cabin with full canvas, pulled into the protected waters of the island very close to me and as the rain continued, he waved me over. I accepted the offer and upon entering, I thought the boat was the most beautiful boat for the size that I had ever seen. I think he said he had the 4 cyl. Mercruiser 120 HP. Didn't matter, we weren't going anywhere.

Back then I was in the USAF making all of $300 per month, wife and a couple of kids, and just to have a boat was a blessing. But I never forgot the boat and to this day I still visit the archives pulling up pictures of the Thunderbird Cathedral hulls and reminiss.

I did love to fish down there. This is the first time in my life I have shared this experience.

Mark

 

[neworegonboater]

Re: Thunderbird/Formula model question

Thanks a lot to all who responded. I'm really learning a lot from this forum.
And thanks, Mark, for the neat story. That's a great memory...and a good lesson.
Greg