82 Formula 233

[rwtrower]

Fixin' to pull the trigger and buy an 82 Formula 233 w/1992 Johnson 200hp

The boat is plain jane but clean and converted to outboard with a Gill Bracket. The motor is going by the shop to get checked out before I sign the check.

Comes with a crappy trailer, but I have a replacement.

Any opinions? I know that's like asking you guys if you ate today, but I really don't have a good reference on Sportfishing Boats other than what I can glean from the 'net.

I have had many boats but nothing in this catagory.

Oh, it's $5500.

Thanks

[HANG ON]

where is ri arkasas? ask 74rormula233 about these boats he will know

[SharkJP]

do you have any pics???

IMO, the age of a hull is irrevelant as long as it is sound and was quality from the beginning. There are a lot of manufacturers that are solid for MANY years. I looked very hard at a 1968 (i think) bertram and it was hard to pass on it.

Look at what 74Formula233 did with his. . . GREAT WORK. As long as you have a good pallet to start with, the possibilities are endless.

[74Formula233]

Hey, '82

Check the stringers and floor real good, best you can. Check transom real good as well. My brother's got an '84 that needs stringers, floor, and transom. My '74 needed none of that, so the year/age means absolutely nothing.

If all that checks out, then $5,500 is not a bad price at all, even if you get a few seasons out of her and decide to repower

These boats give an unbeatable ride for a 23-footer!

[rwtrower]

I split my time between Middletown, RI and my place in Arkansas. I love it up here in the summer, but I want to get on the water.

I saw what 74Formula233 has done with his and his passion for it is obvious. I need something for the bay and if it proves reliable, I want to be able to go off shore some.

No pics yet.

rt

[rwtrower]

74Form....You must get up the same time I do!

My keyboard isn't working so good after my drooling over your 74 Formula pics. Good job. Maybe one of these days I'll get to see her in the bay or between Pt. Judith and BI.

Everything on this 82 seems to be solid. I am going over it again this afternoon with a finer comb.

Thanks for the replies, this is a great formum.

rt

[74Formula233]

74Form....You must get up the same time I do!

My keyboard isn't working so good after my drooling over your 74 Formula pics. Good job. Maybe one of these days I'll get to see her in the bay or between Pt. Judith and BI.

Everything on this 82 seems to be solid. I am going over it again this afternoon with a finer comb.

Thanks for the replies, this is a great formum.

rt

You'll see me out there once I get my motor put back together. I'm all over the place, LOL, fluking in the lower bay and along the south shore, bassing out at Block, offshore for Tuna/Shark, and even just cruising around with the wifey!

You won't miss this yellow boat LOL

Check out that '82 real good, and if she is sound all around, you won't find a better ride for that price!!! She rides like a caddy, eats up the chop without spilling your beer, and will handle the 8 footers if you need to!

[rwtrower]

I let you know what I find. Thanks for your time.

BTW 351 heads bolt right up, so you may have to run down the numbers on the block to find out if you have the 302 or the 351W. Wouldn't it be great to "find" 49 more cubic inches!

Does anyone on here run outboards like the 92 model Johnsons?

rt

[74Formula233]

I let you know what I find. Thanks for your time.

BTW 351 heads bolt right up, so you may have to run down the numbers on the block to find out if you have the 302 or the 351W. Wouldn't it be great to "find" 49 more cubic inches!

Does anyone on here run outboards like the 92 model Johnsons?

rt

Yeh,

I know, they are the same block, different stroke, and the 351 uses "larger" (internally) heads. The 302 and 351W are like the 305/350

I'm wondering though if from the Factory, they made this 302 purposely with 351W heads, and 4-BBL, to get the extra performance, because all other 302's were 188 or 215 HP, etc, and all had 2-BBLs on them.

I know Ford did put 351 heads on 302 from the factory back then. Mine might be one of those versions......have to look at the block closer to verify.

[rwtrower]

You may be right.

For Marine applications, the higher airflow from the 351 heads with a cam and 4barrel could be normal.

I know it worked for a lot of Maverick hotrodders in '74.

Before your time though.

rt