Formula Fishing Boat?

[Airslot]

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...

[macojoe]

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.

[Airslot]

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.

[spareparts]

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

[macojoe]

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!!

[spareparts]

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

[spareparts]

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

[Monkey Butler]

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...



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...



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.

[macojoe]

Thanks guys and the search goes on!!

[Stillrunning]

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?