Conference vicki::boats

    
    
    Dennis,
    
    	need a few more facts.... What year is it? How many hours?
    Older nonroller trailer... Does it fit the boat?
    
    Rick

    Dennis,
    Without seeing the boat it would be hard to say whether it's a
    good deal or not. There are some other important issues to think
    about first though. Do you have any previous experience with
    loading and unloading? Rules of the road? Will your passengers
    be able to assist with any of this? Any experience with boat
    handling and navigation? Maintenance and repair?
    
    The reason I ask all this is a 20 foot Formula is a lot of boat
    for a novice. Tooling along at 50 mph is no time to try to figure
    out what that red buoy up ahead means. People in line behind
    you at the ramp can get a little upset when you find out it's a
    3 person job to load the boat and there are only 2 of you. If you
    decide it's really the boat for you then go for it, but make sure
    you can really handle it. Good luck with whatever you decide.
          
    Rick Wilson

    More data on Formula.
    
    - The boat year is 1976.
    - The engine has 320 hours on it but has supposedly recently been
    rebuilt.
    - Trailer is the older nonroller type.
    - Trailer and boat fit well together.
    - Hull and inside are clean with no apparent damage or discoloring.
    - Engine compartment and the engine itself are suprisingly clean.
    
    To answer the other thoughts, you are right in assuming that my
    navigation and boat experience in general is minimal.  I must admit
    to some reservations about starting with a boat this large.  My
    original intent was to start a bit smaller but this appeared to
    be a good deal that was worth investigating.
    
    Thanks for advise,
    
    Dennis

    
    
    Dennis,
    
    	Generally I am not a fan of buying a boat of that age. My
    last boat was a 1964 Correct Craft that was great when it
    was running but keeping it running was another story. It's
    main problem was that it had seen 20+ previous summers.
    
    	Judging by the fact that this is a Formula, it's obvious
    that you want to go fast. Have you looked at new or late model
    outboards? You could purchase a very nice 2-3 year old Glastron
    type outboard for ~8k and a 17-18 foot boat with a 200+ outboard
    on it is nothing to scoff at when it comes to speed.
    
    Rick

    Although I know nothing of Havencraft, I have seen a flier suggesting
    an employee price for DECies at MARINER PLACE, in Sudbury MA. 443-5337.
    The flier shows a 23' model @18k, a 21.5 @14.7k, and a 17' @8.5k.
    Also featured is a 26" @32k.  It might not hurt to give a call.
    Carlo

re: < Note 61.0 by NCMWVX::LAFAVE "Dennis LaFave, DTN 446-2445" >

Dennis,
Formula makes a super boat not to be afraid of. The lifespan of 
outdrives is something elso though. I would recommend that you 
check with a couple of repair places to see at what age the drive 
parts become hard to get. 
Good luck
norm

For the record, I ended up passing on the Formula.  A part of the story
not previously revealed was that the boat was not privately owned but
rather was on the market at a Porsche car dealer.  I found out that
the boat was traded in on a 928.  The dealer refused to budge on price
stating that it was worth every penny being asked for and because he
had no hard evidence as to how well the boat was maintained, I passed
it up as being a touch to risky.  
    
Thanks for all of the advise on this adventure.
    
Dennis

    
    Wise choice Dennis. Being a novice and having $8000 to spend I
    think you'll be much happier in one of the package deals in the
    16-18' range that many manufacturers are putting together. Try
    looking at Sea Ray, Four Winns, Sunbird, Larson etc. They all
    put together very nice package deals in your price range, and
    you won't have the hassles of an older boat breaking down. They
    are also a much better boat to learn with, and if well maintained
    will hold their value very well when you decide to trade up in
    a few years. And you WILL want to trade up. Trust me. It's a
    disease for which the only cure is a bigger boat.  ;^)
    
    Rick W.

Moved by moderator...

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Note 676.0                   Formula Boats..Quality?                  No replies
NRADM::SPENCE                                         4 lines  29-MAY-1990 11:30
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     Anyone know of the quality of Formula Boats. I understand
    that their built by Thunderbird Inc. I'm looking at a used
    88, 27' with a 260 merc. Any comments are appreciated.