Formula, Clev Boat Show.

K

keets

New Member
Jan 16, 2007
116
Ohio River Beaver co Pa
Boat Info
2006 260da
Engines
6.2l
My wife really likes the 2004 Formula 340pc at the Clev boat show. Twin 496 I/O. Any opions on that boat or the Formula 340s would be helpful. She wants to make an offer.
 
I have checked out that site already today. Lots of post to nav through. Funny tho, they have a post, will the high price of formulas doom them and they send a link to our post on the values of our searay boats. So we must have some members here that have knowledge on both Searay and Formula. Just looking for as much info as I can before I make the switch.
 
Seen that boat yesterday looks real clean. It's an I/O boat not my choice for a boat that size? but thats just me.
 
We saw that 340 at the show yesterday as well. Definitely a nice boat in great condition (I wish my wife had the same thought as yours). While I can't speak to Formulas from first hand experience, we did buy our boat from South Shore Marine who had that 340 at the show. We were very happy with them before/during/after the sale, and would definitely buy from them again when we go to get our next boat. Good luck..
 
We were there yesterday also. That is a very nice boat. Apparently my wife was doing some note taking. When she got off the boat she took my beer out of my hand and said
"go look at the towel bars attached to the back of the head door and figure out how your going to make two of those for our boat" :lol:
We should wear CSR hats or shirts so we can meet at these events.
 
my3sons said:
We were there yesterday also. That is a very nice boat. Apparently my wife was doing some note taking. When she got off the boat she took my beer out of my hand and said
"go look at the towel bars attached to the back of the head door and figure out how your going to make two of those for our boat" :lol:
We should wear CSR hats or shirts so we can meet at these events.
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that's a great boat, i have friends that own the sea rays and the formulas, and they both are wonderful
 
CIC25 said:
Seen that boat yesterday looks real clean. It's an I/O boat not my choice for a boat that size? but thats just me.
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Is that for ease of maintenance or slow speed handling or other reasons? That is funny I bet we were at the boat at the same time. Maybe we should wear hats or pins when we go to events. I was there to look at some used 320da but that boat caught my wifes eye. I want to look around she wants it now.
 
I do like the looks of and the fit and finish of a Formula boat. They tend to equip their larger boats with I/O's from what I have seen. Not sure why. I would not buy a 37+ ft boat with stern drives. They are also wicked pricey.
 
Formula has always marketed themselves as the "Go-Fast" provider of power boats. It would only make sense that even their larger mid-cabin models would use sterndrives since they usually offer faster cruise and top end speeds then inboards. They will also out handle inboards when it comes to tight turns while on plane.
 
Keets

I wouldn't want the Extra cost of the maintance on the two I/O's vs the V-drives. I prefer the Handling of the V-drives at the dock also. I agree with the poster that speed is the goal for Formula and thats the reason for the I/Os .
 
A dock mate of mine has a 31' Formula. While it will smoke me on the way there, it does have a hard time maneuvering at the docks (IO's).

Fit and finish though is awesome. Overall an agressive looking ride.
 
I have owned 3: Formulas and will probably own another at some point. You can't beat a Formula for over all quality and sea keeping ability. The gel coat, structure, hardware and function designed into them are second to no one else in the business.

My brother now owns a 1982 F3 model (22') and it is solid as a rock....and he has been all the way through it. The only boats I have come across with the same quality are most Sea Rays, Cobalts and the Rivieras from Australia.

Know this...there is much more offshore heritage in that 34' Formula than you will find in the equivalent Sea Ray. Not a value judgment...it is what it is.:thumbsup:
 
Just talked to my boat mech. Got the same advice from him as I did here. Great boat, but would not buy a bravo 3 wet slipped on the river. Soo the search will go on. Still looking for a 320-340 da. Who knows with the prices on the bigger boats may even bigger.
 
keets said:
Just talked to my boat mech. Got the same advice from him as I did here. Great boat, but would not buy a bravo 3 wet slipped on the river. Soo the search will go on. Still looking for a 320-340 da. Who knows with the prices on the bigger boats may even bigger.
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Boat US did an issue last year that carried used Sea Ray reviews and values back to the mid '80s...do a search on this site because someone posted it here. I think it was RonDDS. If I run across it I'll hook you up. It had a bunch of great info in it and should be made a "sticky" if we find it.

John F.
 
keets..I don't understand what's up with your mech.?? The differences/benefits of I/O vs. inboards vs. V drives has been discussed forever and all have there place. To say no to bravo III's like that? Tell that to the zillions of people that have them and love them. With proper maintenence they will last many years in salt water never mind the river. I had them for seven years and they were in great shape when I sold the boat at 13 yrs. old...go figure. The only thing neg. I would say about that boat is it really could use a bow thruster for close handling in wind/current Ric
 
keets said:
I'm finding it very hard to get some pricing numbers on that boat. NADA only goes to 2001.
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Emailed you some pricing on the formula and Sea ray's that had sold in your area last year.
one formula and 32 sea ray's
 
The Formula does have a bow thruster. I am keeping the Formula on my list while I look at other boats. I'm not dogging the Bravo 3s I have them on my boat. They are holding up pretty good. His advice was if he was buying a boat that size and wet slipping he wouldn't go for Bravo 3s. I agree that they do have a place. Most of our boating is no wake 1/2 mile, run on plane 2-3 miles, raft up or float on your own, run back. Fuel burn is not that big of an issue. We do take 2 or 3 30 mile runs a couple times a year tho.
 
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