Formula Fishing Boat?
 

http://providence.craigslist.org/boa/378481074.html


1973 Formula hull, 23 ft double thick hull with cuddy below. Heavy boat cuts through water. 8 FT beam, Hard Top, Electronics box, new cushions, 93 oz cooler. Engine make 1999 Merc cruiser 5.7 liter, 250 horse, bravo 3 in/out board. (275 hrs.) New fuel pump, starter, belts, batteries, and hoses. 100 gal steel fuel tank. Full boat snap on cover,16 rod holders. Boat in excellent condition, perfect for fishing or cruising. Trailer included, easy load 2 axle. Asking $7,500.00 includes dock space for rest of the season. Please contact [email protected] for more details.

Looks intresating ;D

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

My father owned a 73' 23 foot Formula Center Console. It was a great boat and really handled the Del. Bay chop w/ ease. He had a 454 that made the thing scream but boy was it a thirsty boat.

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

CB and I just went and looked at one just like it this morning, I turned it down and it was FREE!!

But needed floor and stringer work, had no trailer, just more then what I wanted to do, but this is the boat I am looking for!!

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

fished a 233 several times, it had a pair of AQ151 Volvos, probably the most fuel efficient offshore ride I've ever been in. From Charleston Harbour to the Georgetown Hole and back, with a full day trolling, 82 gals. BTW the tank held 90, nothing like cutting it close

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

MJ, those are great hulls while underway, but i thought you liked to drift fish. my cousin had one & they are real tippy when they are sittin still.

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

I knew a guy that had one and he swore by it. Smugglers used them a lot back in the day. They made a center console model with the same hull that I really admire. I've seen a few on the net with bracket conversions and twin outboards on them. They were designed by Don Aronow(sp?) who also designed Thunderbirds, Donzi, and Cigarette. Buy one MJ! 8)

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

Real popular project boats. I'd like to find one.

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

yeah those were made in Fla on Thunder Alley or Thunder Road where Don built his interprize

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

if you look real close at those boats, you will notice they are the same as the 24 Albemarle, and the early 25 Contenders. They did modify them a little, but basically the same hull. I found out later( we had a hard time keeping the bow down on the 233 we ran) that Formula added soem hook between the outer strakes on later models that made them a little slower, but they would ride a bunch better, if i had known that when we ran that 73 233, i would have added some wedges to the hull. Just look betwen the outer strakes and you'll see the hook at the transom where it fills in betwen the strakes. Albemarle and Contender just added a foot or two to achieve the same thing without loosing the speed. We had our 233 in a lift right beside a 24 Albe, it was funny looking at the two boats, from the rail down they were the same

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

What I want is a sweet riding boat and I have fished a Formula for a long time qwith a friend and love them.

Yes I know they are a bit tipy when drift fishing, but you get use to it.

I have seen a few in the past few weeks, and this is what I am shooting for. We shall see?

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

I too love the old Formula's and have been fortunate enough to put 2k hours on a 24 Albe.

My question...given the same wave you hit, wouldn
t you have blown out the windshield on the Formula as well? Good chance I'd think.

I've taken tons of green water over the bow of the Albe over the years...

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

I am sure results would have been the same!! also with its roll I might not have saved the boat?

But I am not planing on hitting another wave like that soon!

This is something that has been on my mind for sometime!! This accident only moved it along a little faster cause now that I have to fix the boat I might as well go all the way.

And then there is the fact that there has been alot of boats for sale at good prices!

Belive me I have been in the V twice now with out the windshield and if I have to keep it I don't have a problem with that either.

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

OK, as tough as it to say this...it sounds like you are of sound mind ;D Did I just say that about MJ ;D ::)

Because in all reality, moving from 20 to 23 feet of boat is not a huge difference. That being said, remember that the Formula will hold about 120 gallons of fuel.

One of the main reasons I have the V instead of the Albe...I can afford to run the V more often. The Albe would sit longer between trips as it costs more to operate and maintain.

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

MJ, the reason my buddy got rid of the 233 Formula was to build a 23 SeaCraft Scepter, the Scepter is a much bigger 23' boat, and is better off shore. I know two people with Formulas that tried to convert them to bracket/outboard boats with horrible results. If you notice, Albemarle offers their boat with a jackshaft and the engine placed in the middle of the boat, it needs allteh weight it can get up front. Given the choice of both of these great boats, i would not hesitate to pick the SeaCraft over the Formula. BTW, if you haven't allready found it, check out classicseacraft.com, be fore warned, they're a couple of snots on there from time to time

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

I know the site well spare!! And the choise of formula over seacraft is $$$$ The\m Seacrafts demand a lot of cash and its cash I don't have!!

But any one that see's a 23 Seacraft for around $6000 from maine to new York just let me know!!

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

those things show up in groups. My buddy found one for $2500( solid project boat), the next week we found one for 5000 with a good motor, then found one for $6000 with a hardtop( no motor but an I/O that would have made a easier conversion). They're around, you just have to keep your eyes peeled. Ms Phin had one for sale around here, I'll see if its still up for sale, there is also a Formula for sale on Charlestons Craigs List thats been for sale for quite a while, the guy is piecing it out, pulled the MPI and Alpha, selling them separate from the boat

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

http://charleston.craigslist.org/boa/383360259.html

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

When I was looking at boats... He11, I'm always looking at boats, the Formula 233 was on my short list too. There were quite a few in the right price range but most needed so much work that the reality was that I would not be able to get on the water anytime soon so I passed them up. I did see some bracket conversions that did not look very well balanced in the water. I came across this photo on the web at some point and saved it as it shows a 233 with a bracket that seems to work very nicely. It's the boat in the back ground...

http://www.monkeybutler.com/boat/2007_0801/formula.jpg

I'm not knocking the Formula but the hull design is more of a high performance sport boat along the lines of Scarab, Donzi, etc. Very good at high speeds in rough conditions but still not ideal for the kind of use that we are talking about. My thoughts on the ultimate rough water fishing boat hull is along the lines of a Blackfin, Bertram, or a variety of Ray Hunt designs. These boats are obviously out of my price range but here is one model that I could possibly afford some day...

http://www.monkeybutler.com/boat/200...northcoast.jpg

it is a North Coast 24 and was also made by Shamrock for a while as a Grand Slam model. The hull is desiged by Charles Jannace who also did the Blackfin 29 and 33 and it shows. If you ever see one of these in person the vee and the sharpness of the bow are unbelievable. This is one boat that I think could handle a 10' wave! There seem to always be a handful for sale in the low 20's but I came across one that for sale at 9k w/o trailer and needed engine work but I am sure it could have been had for much less. I still regret that I didn't at least try a lowball offer. I wouldn't have a working boat right now but boy would I have the ultiamte project boat! Of course I would need to keep it in a slip but I want to do that at some point anyway. Now don't go and burst my bubble by bringing up the fuel burn.

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

Thanks guys and the search goes on!!

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

The best part of this is he states it has a

93oz cooler *:o ;D

What's that one of those Super Gulps mounted to the floor?

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

Mac, I know it's a little further south but check out west palm beach fla craigslist under seacraft. There's a nice 23' with twin 225's that might need work.

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

I forgot to mention $5000 for that package

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

All the good deals I find are in FL, I just might have to drive there and drag one home!!

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

There is a reason all the good deals are in Florida. Those boats are usually sitting in the water year around, and have allot more wear and tear then the ones up north. *;)

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

plus the fact that the competition with used boats is very high especially. This past year they surpassed Michigan in number of registered boats, they are number one now.

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

And MJ if you go let me know, we can bounce in for some pie and Jack Daniels, I know where a stash is located ;D

Re: Formula Fishing Boat?
 

That sounds like fun willy!!