FORMULA boats

[Sundays_Child]

Does anyone have any knowledge of, or experience with, FORMULA boats?

www.formulaboats.com

They are supposed to be superior to Sea Ray / Regal / Four Winns / Monterrey etc, but any first-hand advice would be appreciated.

I am most interested in the 31 or 34PC.

 

[RIMCOas01]

For what it is worth there was an old Formula on the hard-standing at the marina over the winter with original twin petrols.

Owner had major problems removing the shafts as the rudders had to come off first ... but h-ll what do I know with only VP outdrive experience.

Enormous amount of space ... the beam larger than anything I have seen for it's length. Owner told me it drinks fuel like an alcoholic ... but as he only runs it for ca. 40hrs a year the cost was neglible compared to having diesels and considerable weight saving. He basically used it as a floating "hytte" (cottage ?) and it had every creature comfort imaginable.

Surprised at the "build quality" ... it looked tired/- well used, but remarkably everything closed/- opened/- folded, etc and very little flexing.

M

 

[Sneds]

Got a photo of it?

 

[LAMBADA]

I've owned a Formula in the past, only a small 206LS but 4 boats on I still miss it. I know other people who have owned them and they only have good words to say about them. They are a in a class above the other makes you mention but a word of warning buy one and you will be hooked forever.

 

[pelicanpete]

I used to own a 1990 Formula 292 SR-1 purchased new from the (then) dealer in Port Solent. The reason I bought it was because of its superior built quality and finish to anything else on the market at that time. The GRP had a high-gloss, glass-like finish. The Imron graphics were amazing (this is the paint system they use on commercial aircraft!). I visited the factory in Decatur, Indiana and, again, was incredibly impressed with their state of the art processes. In the 17 years since, I assume they can only have improved.
Mine was fitted with twin Mercruiser Magnum 454 engines coupled to Bravo One drives, racing spec. Keikhaffer trim tabs, etc. Capable of 75 mph it was some boat.

When I retired to the Bahamas, I shipped it over there (I loved this boat so much!)where I kept it for three years then drove it across from Nassau to Central Florida on its own bottom, where I used it before selling it in 2000.

You may be looking at one of the PC versions which are more family friendly, beamier and slower but just as well built. Good Luck!

 

[SilverTT]

good performance boats. better than donzi

 

[muckypup]

Very nice. I'll put an order in for a 40PC with IPS as soon as I match 6 numbers on the lottery. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I suspect that US built boats are good value at the moment with the £1 at over $2.

S.

 

[Sundays_Child]

Sadly my HK$ income is pegged to the sliding US peso, so no advantages for me.

Thanks for the posts! Opinion seems very consistent!

Here are some boat weights that I came across... FORMULA don't skimp on materials!

Formula 31: 14,100 lbs

Doral Intrigue: 12,500 lbs

Sea Ray 300: 12,500 lbs

Chaparral 310: 11,400 lbs

Four Winns 318: 11,200 lbs

Rinker 300: 11,100 lbs

Bayliner 305: 10,850 lbs

Monterey 302: 10,700 lbs

Cruisers 300: 10,600 lbs

Maxum 3100: 10,800 lbs

Regal 3060: 10,500 lbs

Larson 310: 10,400 lbs

 

[BrendanS]

Weight means little. If done correctly lower weights can be stronger. Formula 1 race cars and NASA space vehicles are examples of using high tech to reduce weight, and layups of boats has decreased over the years as technology has become better.

 

[pelicanpete]

Unlikely. The British importers of everything American, incl. boats, seem to view the exchange rate windfall as a 'profit bonanza' passing little, if any, on to the great British public.

You're unlikely to succeed in buying direct if the manufacturer has a British agent, even if you take a suitcase full of money! There are ways around this but it's a convoluted and time consuming process, plus having to deal with RCD is a PITA... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Whitelighter]

Just specced one up on the Formula webiste. The 31 with twin D4's came to $340,000 plus tax and shipping. even with a favourable exchange rate that is still nearly £200k inc VAT.

 

[Sundays_Child]

FORMULA boats do cost more.

In the US this is mitigated somewhat by their financing schemes. On the BoatUS forums I read of 20 year financing with 0% for the first two years and 1.99% for the remainder.

In HK we don't have VAT

 

[Whitelighter]

[ QUOTE ]
FORMULA boats do cost more.

In the US this is mitigated somewhat by their financing schemes. On the BoatUS forums I read of 20 year financing with 0% for the first two years and 1.99% for the remainder.

In HK we don't have VAT

[/ QUOTE ]

Jeese, that is worth nearly 20k a year in charges alone on the full balance. Well, fair play.

As for not having VAT, that's just not fair... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

of the more US commercial builders
I think they have one of the best seakeeping deep vee hulls around, a real seaboat

 

[Kipper]

You should speak to Mark Rowlinson at Ocean Powerboats in Pwllheli. He is the sole UK importer and a very nice chap. I am in the process of sellingmy boat and will hopefully buy a new Formula from him. Worth a call for advice. They are extreemly well built. Much better than British and most US power boats. Styling a bit US but getting better.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Good point and something I've referred to in previous posts myself. The price of boats from US $ demoninated countries have not reduced at all. Why is'nt a Trader, for example, which is made in Taiwan, much cheaper now then it was a few years ago thanks to the fall in the $? Chris Crafts are terribly expensive in the UK compared to Euro built boats. Why?
It can only be as you say that the importers are making an absolute killing. They may try to justify that by saying that they are keeping up new prices to protect used values but it's a rip off all the same

 

[JamesTT]

Kipper, which Formula are you considering?

 

[Dave_Snelson]

I have no experience of their cruiser range but I do have some experience of their sprts boats. I helmed a 252 powered by a 7.4L from Porthmadog to Barmouth and back. Excellent - no slam, great performance (awesome actually!) and quite reasonable fuel consumption.

Dunno about the cruisers and don't like the pictures I saw on the site anyway. The yanks have a nasty habit these days of building horrid slab-sided high freeboard things and then parking a plastic tacky greenhouse on top. Floating caravans...YUK!!

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Mike, as you have eluded to, ultimately that "chain" of keeping resell prices high collapses at some point and benefits no one other than the concessionaire.

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Yeah but can you finance the thing outside the US - half the planet away in fact. Doubt it (OK I am happy as always to be proved wrong..)