Toying With Making a Big Change

copb8tx

copb8tx

Well-Known Member
SILVER Sponsor
Jan 26, 2008
2,839
Highland Village, TX/Port Richey, FL
Boat Info
SOLD 2005 420 DA w/T-8.1S Horizons
Engines
2018 Sea Hunt 255se w/Yamaha 300hp
Currently I have a 420DA on a large lake 75 miles from my home in Texas. I've owned the boat for just over 10 years and love the boat and have had a wonderfully active dock life with great friends. We recently bought a place in Port Richey Florida and plan to spend anywhere from 10 to 12 weeks a year there. We bought a 24' Four Winns runabout to use while we're there.

We've used the TX boat less and less due in part to new grandkids, COVID and we've pretty much seen all corners of our local lake. We've enjoyed the runabout but it's limited on the distances we can travel in it. It does ok in the gulf but other boats we've ridden in handle the chop better.

Now I'm feeling the itch to explore more in Florida. I don't want another big slow cruiser. I want something that we can buzz off to a beach, restaurant, or sandbar and get there in a reasonable time but also something with a closed bow with a small cabin and somewhat seaworthy so we can make runs down to Sarasota, Ft. Myers and so on. I want the boat to be twin engine and rackable as there's a facility within 3 miles of our place by road or a few hundred feet by water. They have a 35' size limit for their covered storage.

After spending too much time surfing the web I've landed on a boat that seems to fill the need. I think a used 2017-2019 Formula 310 Sun Sport with twin 8.2's looks very appealing. It has the sexiness, speed and carrying capacity for what we looking to do however I'm wondering about its seaworthiness to go out in the gulf and run for a few hours outside the intercoastal.

Here's an example https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2017-formula-310-sun-sport-7544678/

So here's where y'all come in. I know it's not a Sea Ray but I'd love to hear feedback from all of you and especially those that boat in the gulf. Also, if you have any alternatives I'd like to hear them.
 
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I agree with that 100% but that's a new option and big $$$. I'd prefer to buy a few years old low hour boat that's already taken the big hit
 
I would look at the 345 whaler Conquest. My buddy has one and I think it would fit you needs.
 
Funny...in 10-12 years, I'm going the other direction. Nordhavn 43 or 47, single diesel, 150-175hp, see the world slowly.
 
copb8tx said:
I agree with that 100% but that's a new option and big $$$. I'd prefer to buy a few years old low hour boat that's already taken the big hit
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Bennett makes a really good point though. As someone with salty I/O's, my bet is that I/O's in salt will continue to take big hits.
 
Having the boat kept on a lift will negate most of the corrosion problems. Rinse and flush the motors each trip and it should be doable.

You can’t top the performance of an I/O compared to an outboard. You also get a nice clean transom and swim platform.

Regarding the Formula, They are solid boats and sounds like a great choice for your needs without dropping $300,000 on a brand new Boston Whaler.
 
The boat will be rack stored so not sitting in the saltwater long term. I like the idea of outboards for sure but either power unit will require flushing after each use. The cost of entry into twin outboards is probably higher than I'd like to spend. I was surprised that the IO's got better fuel economy and had a higher cruise and top speed rating. I'll be changing risers out every 3-5 years but get a great swim platform for the effort.

Again, all this is speculative still but I'm approaching the 50% probability at this point I think.
 
Follow up question.

Who here had experience with rack storage? Do most of these facilities offer a flush service? Also how did it work with their business hours? Are your limited with the use of your boat to their schedule?
 
copb8tx said:
Follow up question.

Who here had experience with rack storage? Do most of these facilities offer a flush service? Also how did it work with their business hours? Are your limited with the use of your boat to their schedule?
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Love formulas, they make a great boat, for their style, its the next level (quality) over sea ray, imo. some models i love the look, others, not so much...

i have seen people have issues with the rack storage seems that their swim platforms take a beating on the lower edge from the equipment hitting them when loading and unloading...
 
copb8tx said:
Follow up question.

Who here had experience with rack storage? Do most of these facilities offer a flush service? Also how did it work with their business hours? Are your limited with the use of your boat to their schedule?
Click to expand...

Yes - some offer flush service - if, or how well it gets done depends on your reputaion (tips) at the dry stack and whos working.....despite being a good tipper, I always flushed the boat myself, while still in the water - very easy with seacocks and eddie marine flush kits - if you get back after hours, your boat stays in the water until the next morning - if you anticipate taking off early in the am, launch at the end of the previous day - some dry stacks have a few slips you can use as available if you will be using the boat multiple days - If you get a boat that does not have bottom paint on it DON'T PAINT IT! Bottom Paint on any trailer or rackable boat in fla KILLS the value - If you buy a boat with paint, pay 1/2-2/3 what it would otherwise be worth.......as far as your coice of boat - yes, it will do what you want it to
 
I had a friend who bought an 18 foot Robalo brand new and rack stored it ,used it every weekend within the first season the boat got a little beat up. After watching their operation I did not seem like there’s any way to not risk nicks and scrapes etc. I can’t imagine storing 30 foot plus boat on a rack dropping it in the drink every other day. In my opinion I don’t think it’s a great idea to keep lifting a boat in and out of the water especially Heavy boats probably puts a lot of stress on the hull . Maybe consider Lift storing it in the water That way you’re in control of how the boat comes out and how it gets flushed etc.
 
WOW that Formula is gorgeous! I love them, but they are too expensive for my wallet.
I rack stored a 268 for one season. ONE season. Everytime it was bouncing on the forklift i was crapping my pants (so to speak). NEVER again. in and out once a year is enuff for me.
 
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Just so happens I drove by that boat yesterday. It is a beautiful boat that will handle the Gulf just fine. However, it has those outdrives. I will never ever own another boat with I/Os. They are high maintenance in fresh water. Salt water compounds the problem. You may want to look at a used 30 foot Tiara. It is a bit more than a day boat with a large cockpit and a small cabin that is exceptionally well configured. They come in gas, diesel and many have gennys. Great sea keeping abilities but small enough to slip in many restaurant venues. Popular in Harbor Springs, northern Lake Michigan where the open waters can be very dicey.
 
Aaaaargh! If rack storage is a poor option for a good sized nice boat then my whole theory goes down the toilet. There aren't many accessible storage facilities in my area and my condo complex has 24' limit on boat docks.
 
rack stored my 300da for 5 years - not a scratch - one of the places i was at racked boats up to 50' - $750,000+ center consoles etc...dry stack is very common in fla - they have it figured out pretty good - as far as the "tiara is a cure for everything" guy is concerned, he has obviously never ran in the waters your talking about - cant have much fun in the shallows or get to the fun very fast with inboards... my 300da had outdrives and a lot of the problems go away when you rack store
 
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We had rack stored boats for 20 years at different lakes in Missouri. Never any problem until the fork lift driver put a hole through the transom of our 25' Cobalt. They repaired it of course and were very apologetic , free rental of any of their boats while being repaired. That said, a new, hung over, fork lift driver can ruin your weekend.
 
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