Better ride...

[Boatally Insane]

I now have two project boats in the works and am trying to figure out....

1: Which one would ride best at cruise (35 mph or so) in rough "washtub" conditions....

2: Top speed difference between the two with the current power...

3: Which would be best to invest time and $$ in to....

They both have 454's and Bravo drives....

Canidate #1 is a 1967 Formula 233....





It's "cosmetically challenged" but has a new interior, floor, fuel tanks and 300 hrs on the engine though I'm not sure of the h.p. rating....


Canidate #2. A 1979 Excalibur 24 x 7...





This one is already sanded and ready for Gel Coat, has a fresh 454 mag but still needs the interior redone....


Thanks,

Doug

[rchevelle71]

Formula for ride at 35 MPH cruise, excalibur for speed, and everything else(fun boat to drive), but not necessarily a comfy family boat.

[old377guy]

F-233 for room and second softest ride around just behind Nova (or Nova Marine) 250. And of course Excalibur for speed and style.

[Buoy]

Wow, a 233, and a 24x7. Two iconic hulls.
As far as us guys that really dig the old classics, I don't think you can go wrong either way.
I look forward in seeing what you choose to do, and seeing pictures of the progress.
I'm partial to the 24x7 because the hull looks identical to my Pantera. Either way, you'll probably be completed and in the water before me...

[fund razor]

F-233 for room and second softest ride around just behind Nova (or Nova Marine) 250. And of course Excalibur for speed and style.

Agreed. All other things being equal.

The transom on that particular 24/7 looks sketchy in the one pic.

I'd buy the 233 and wet slip it at my yacht club for a runabout.

[Boatally Insane]

Well..... I already own BOTH of them....

The 233 was just too good of a deal to pass up as it IS "water ready" ...
We should have it out this weekend...
It has a new interior.. I'm just not too crazy about the layout.. We'll see, maybe it'll work out just fine for the family..



The Excalibur I bought basically as a bare hull and have been collecting parts for it over the past year. It originally had a TRS in it and the exhaust holes appear to have been cut by a blind monkey.. The transom is not rotted AT ALL but I'm trying to decide if I should just replace the whole thing anyway.. Might be less work...


Doug

[rchevelle71]

I would replace it, rather than piecing it, then fix the glss from the outside.

[fund razor]

I would replace it, rather than piecing it, then fix the glss from the outside.

Agreed. It is already completely stripped.

I don't know why I like that 233, as sort of ugly it is compared to the lines of newer boats. I had an older Nova once. Maybe I'm nostalgic. But I would buy it for the right price. Not surprised that you did. I like that stubby bastage.

I think that we've come to a conclusion: run the 233 and restore the Excalibur.

[Boatally Insane]

I would replace it, rather than piecing it, then fix the glss from the outside.

That's what I've been leaning toward as well...

.....And now since I have the Formula I can wait on finishing the Excalibur until I can afford to do it how I want to...

BTW.. any idea what the fastest 24 x 7 has been???


Thanks guys..

Doug

[Boatally Insane]

Had the Formula out for the first time today and all I can say is OMG!!!!

That is ONE GREAT RIDING HULL !!!!! We had a pos 23 pitch prop on it which was a little too big but it managed to run 48 mph at 4200 rpm...

I have a 21 mirage plus that I need to get fixed before I put it on which should be perfect....


I LOVE IT... best $1600 I've spent in a long time!!!


BTW it has a fuel flow meter on it as well... It burns 8 gph at 35 mph and 9 gph at WOT.... HELL YEAH!!!!!




Doug

[fund razor]

I had a good feeling about that boat.

[Buoy]

Good for you!
Glad you're out there enjoying it!
That's a helluva a lot more than many of us can say.
And...
While a little ugly and strange looking, the 233 was part of a beginning of an era. Congrats on owning her - a piece of history (if you believe in that chit like I do).

As for the 24x7 speed question...
I was told mine was running mid 80's when it started to get a bit squirelly with about ~500hp under it. I don't think in a true old-scholl 24x7 That I would want to go more than 80.
Just crush and splice waves at 50 while sipping a drink, and leave everyone behind.

[Boatally Insane]

Good for you!
Glad you're out there enjoying it!
That's a helluva a lot more than many of us can say.
And...
While a little ugly and strange looking, the 233 was part of a beginning of an era. Congrats on owning her - a piece of history (if you believe in that chit like I do).

As for the 24x7 speed question...
I was told mine was running mid 80's when it started to get a bit squirelly with about ~500hp under it. I don't think in a true old-scholl 24x7 That I would want to go more than 80.
Just crush and splice waves at 50 while sipping a drink, and leave everyone behind.

I LOVE the fact that I now own a piece of boating history.... I think it's way cool to own "the cigarette" even someone in the cove today noticed I was runnin' a '67 Formula.... Like I said... it's an awesome riding boat....


As far as my 24x7 .... I'm hoping to run OVER 100 in it... I had a '93 Checkmate 230 enforcer running 86 mph with 600 hp in it and though it was a chine walkin' hadfull it was FUN to drive... The Excalibur has to be a better hull than that was I'd hope.. We'll see someday if I ever have the $$ to get 'er done how I want it...




Thanks,


Doug

[Griswald]

..

[Boatally Insane]

..

Wow... small world isn't it....


How's your's running???


Doug

[Griswald]

How's your's running???


Doug

Thought you might like that.

Buddha motors never die................ Where's your boy Frank and his hotrod been hiding?

[htrdlncn]

I was on the boat with Doug and his two sons yesterday.
Blew my motor up night before last Poker run.
We should be running this next one in the Formula,
we will be putting it in my slip while we figure out what
went in the Carrrera

[Griswald]

That was quick. Man, you two are hard on parts. Can I recommend a good machine shop AND someone to tune it?

[htrdlncn]

Not hard on parts really,just cant afford good parts,
all my stuff is put together with used parts we have laying around,
To put it in perspective I have less than $15k TOTAL in my 27 Carrera+509 engine with supercharger+dual axle aluminum trailer+and E350 diesel box/tow truck..I make do with what I have,its all paid for and if I dont have the cash
I dont get it .Most guys have that much in engine alone.
Right now the plan is to run the Formula,slap the 454Mag
from Dougs former boat into the Carrera to get me out on the water then
tear into the 509 and see what happened.

[Griswald]

Understood.....However, the time and money you spend doing it over and over = one good motor and assembly. Hate to see you or anyone for that matter down all the time.

Let me know if there's anything I can help with.