View of the port side of the boat parked in our driveway

Comment by AUSF233 on August 7, 2011 at 3:34am

I think I saw this one on Craigslist a few weeks back. Hull looks to be in pretty good condition. What's it like up close?

Comment by Henry Todd on August 7, 2011 at 2:56pm

AUSF233, thank you for checking in and asking about this hull. 

 

Yes Sir, this boat was advertised on Craigslist here in Southern California by Jay Markley back in June and July of this year.  Apparently, Mr. Markley purchased this boat from the original owner's son who no longer had interest in the boat.  Mr. Markley purchased this boat from the original owner's son only to obtain some of the parts for his current restoration on another older Formula like a teak swim platform and other miscellaneous items.  After removing the pieces he needed, Mr. Markley no longer needed this Formula and advertised it for sale on Craigslist.  So, technically, even though Mr. Markley owned this boat from early 2011 through July 2011, I believe it is only a "One owner boat."

 

To be completely honest with you, the hull of this Formula is in really good condition.  There are hardly any scratches or gouges in the hull and it is straigt and free of any major damage.  The only things you can see are a few minute scrapes along the keel and a small scratch or nick here and there.  When I saw the boat for the first time, I was very happy with the condition it was in.  It was obvious that the previous owner did not abuse this boat.  Overall, I am VERY happy with the condition of this hull and I was quite surprised at the condition given its age. 

 

Obviously, there are other issues with this hull but most of them are due to water instrusion around the transom where the original drive unit was or from where fluid continually leaked from the old fuel tank that I just removed.  None of these issues were of concern to me though as I had originally planned on stripping this hull down from the very beginning.

 

If there is anything in particular you would like more information on, please let me know! 

 

Thank you for your interest!

 

Henry

Comment by AUSF233 on August 9, 2011 at 6:58am

Thanks for the reply Henry. Even though I'm down under I like to keep an eye on Craigslist. You never know, I might even import a 233 one day. Regards, Spiro

Comment by Henry Todd on August 9, 2011 at 10:28am

No problem at all Spiro!  I enjoy talking with other people who are interested in these boats.  You are all sort of an "Extended family!" 

 

Craigslist is a fantastic place to score some great deals too.  You never know what you may find.  What's that old phrase??  "One person's trash is another person's treasure!"

 

All kidding aside, are you seriously looking for a 233 to import??  Not that I have any leads on any other available hulls/boats but I would gladly keep my eyes open for you.  Consider me your Southern California connection if you dont already have one!  Just let me know!

Comment by AUSF233 on August 9, 2011 at 8:11pm

Thank you Henry, I am not looking seriously at the moment, but might be in the not too distant future. Thanks again for your kind offer.

Comment by Henry Todd on August 9, 2011 at 10:46pm

Well please keep my in mind and let me know if there is anything I can do for you on this side of the pond!

 

Henry

Comment by Captain Ed Cardinal on January 16, 2014 at 11:26pm

 Henry as of now I am looking at a Formula almost identical to yours but a 79 model.

There is pics of mine on here but its a 1973 (red) and it has some issues so I am thinking to possibly upgrade to a 233 Formula needing a lot less work.  This one MAY fit the bill.

Going to look at it tomorrow.  Don't know much about differences/advantages/disadvantages of the newer hulls like these then mine.  Also what I should look for.   I really want to use this ONLY as a powerboat since I have a fishing boat already.  It just had the older 350 swapped out for a running 305 alpha-2 but he said its not wired in yet but he can fire it up ?

Right now I want something I can quickly get going and use but is a good solid boat to replace the block with a magnum 350/bravo eventually.  If not something in between.

 

ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated.   Thanks so much.....ED.

Comment by Henry Todd on January 30, 2014 at 8:26pm

Good afternoon Captain Ed!  My apologies for not getting back to you sooner.

 

It is difficult to tell many differences between the older and the newer hulls.  As far as I have learned, the only difference is above the waterline (Deck configurations and the different gunnells.).  Other than that, everything below the waterline should be the same on the 233's. 

 

The fact that the previous owner swapped out a 350 and replaced it with a 305/Alpha 2 has me a little bit concerned.  These are HEAVY boats and I would think there "Could" be a lot of strain placed on both the engine and the drive.  Again, I am not a certified Mercruiser mechanic.  These are just my opinions for what they are worth. 

 

For this hull, I would have to lean more towards a Bravo 1 and a big block like you had mentioned.  What's the old phrase??  "There is no substitute for cubic inches."  ;)

 

Anyways, I am sure you will find what you are looking for if you are patient.  As you and most other users know, once you start poking around and looking beneath tank covers and such, you will see problems.  Now these problems could be cosmetic or structural which opens up a can of worms.  You know the story!

 

Anyways, please stay in touch and let me know what you decide to do.  As life has calmed down for me and is no longer throwing me curve balls, I should be able to visit this site much more frequently! 

 

Henry

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