Formula 233 - refurbished
Hi guys
I have always like the old Formula 233 models. Forget about the Eden Crafts and more recent models from Australia which weigh about 3.5 tonne on a trailer. I have access to a fully rebuilt Formula 233 (from the US). It will have a 250hp 4 stroke Suzuki for about $43k landed with an Aussie spec trailer.
The floor, stringers and transom have all been redone. The gelcoat has either been refurbed brilliantly or it has been repainted.
The good thing about the older models is that, believe it or not, the hull only weighed about 2tonne with twin 6cyl sterndrives. So, on an Ali trailer with a 4 stroke should be around the 2.5tonne mark.
Looking for your input.
Do you think it would hold its value?
Cheers
Brad
I did then the best that I knew how. When I knew better, I did better.
dodgy
Posts: 4578
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Yep. Still the benchmark for
Yep. Still the benchmark for an offshore trailerboat.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
Wazo
Posts: 84
Date Joined: 12/06/08
Edencraft 233
Hey bradz...
Ive got a 2013 Edencraft....amazing boat for West Oz fishing conditions.....highly recommend them to anyone who is keen.
Easytow trailers in Victoria have just developed a custom for Formulas in alloy and Ace Trailers in Wangara made the trailer for mine.
They did a good job...hard to get the trailer right for 24' deadrise so do your homework.
250hp Zuke is prob minimum horsepower id recommend as the hull loves to push fast but once you get it on the water...you'll love it.
Really, really really good hull...you wont go wrong.
If you gunna get USA trailer then see if you can overspec it to 4t axles etc..my US trailer was fairly flimsy and struggled offroad
Good luck
bradz
Posts: 693
Date Joined: 29/10/07
Thanks
Hi Wazo
Thats the main difference between the Edencraft and the original models...about 500kg. Makes a big difference to the HP required to get it up and running. Some of the boats in the States are getting 50mph with 2 stroke 250's.
The Yanks have the trailers for 233 hulls pretty much sorted because a huge number of hulls over there are direct flops from the original hulls (Contender, Tsunami, Carolina Classic, Albermerle etc).
The wife is not overly keen on it because she thinks its a Vintage boat. When I show her the pictures she says its a "James Bond Boat". That is supposed to be some sort of negative in her mind...I think its hot.
Plenty of deck space, wicked lines, large cabin. Great boat. Just got to convince her that it is a good idea and she wont lose much or any money on it over the next few years. I normally only keep boats for 2 or 3 years before I get itchy and start looking around.
I did then the best that I knew how. When I knew better, I did better.
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
Have you spoke to Justin
Have you spoke to Justin from Portsea marine (site sponsor)? It not I would definitely be giving him a call. He will be able to answer all your questions better than most.
•••••••• Electrical Contractor NOR ••••••••
bradz
Posts: 693
Date Joined: 29/10/07
Portsea
I may use Portsea to do the importing but at the moment I am trying to get an idea if it is a worthwhile exercise as far as resale goes.
I know there are plenty of these on the East Coast but not a great deal over here. I dont want to go spending 45k only to have it worth 35k in a couple of years time.
I did then the best that I knew how. When I knew better, I did better.
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
Yeah mate he would know I
Yeah mate he would know I reckon, and will give you an honest unbiased opinion. He's imported about 10 boats for me and mates and has guys and workshop over in the florida area. when we were looking we would find something on net and if he didn't know the vessel already he would go have a look and let us know whether it was worth going to the next step of Marine survey, mechanical inspection, sea trial etc. He said "no good" to many boats that looked the goods on the net so finding the best boat we were gonna be stoked with, rather than getting quick business is how he runs his show.
The importing is the last bit but his help in getting the right vessel is invaluable.
•••••••• Electrical Contractor NOR ••••••••
dodgy
Posts: 4578
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Cant see the value falling
Cant see the value falling below that anywhere in the near future. I've seen rough ones with old inboards go in the low 30's so a tidy one with a 4 stroke and good trailer will be in the 40's for years to come.
Have a look at what you can get for 45 locally. Not much quality one the market.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
Rob H
Posts: 5806
Date Joined: 18/01/12
they certainly are a
they certainly are a legendary design with an impeccable heritage. Nothing in that size will match them in rough water or a howling seabreeze.
Without a doubt they are a collectable item, and pleasure comes from owning collectables
But remember also that every boat is a compromise and if you want to fish in 30 knots theyd be perfect but with that also comes tenderness and a horsepower requirement.
Other thing to watch is not only its heritage but its restoration credentials.
A Dulux rebuild is worth less than original unrestored and if you are buying it for its resale then more importantly you need to be able convince someone else of it bonafides.
Id say that something of that ilk requires a personal inspection-much like if you were buying a 1915 vintage car, your RACWA bloke wouldnt be able to tell you much. The history is worth as much as the item itself.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
bradz
Posts: 693
Date Joined: 29/10/07
Heritage
I have the details of the company that actually did the rebuild so am pretty happy that it isnt a "dulux rebuild".
Definitely would not buy it without a proper survey.
With a 250hp 4 stroke the fuel burn should be around the 1km/litre or better. So thats not too bad.
I have heard about the tenderness...but tender compared to what?
The question is, do you spend 55k on an 11 year old seafarer Victory wtih a 175 Suzuki or 45k on one of these, which could be an early 1970's or possible even late 1960's but with a 250 Suzuki?
Fun and games, hey.
I did then the best that I knew how. When I knew better, I did better.
marble
Posts: 778
Date Joined: 03/09/09
Bradz we get 1.3km/litre on
Bradz we get 1.3km/litre on average with a 300 Suzuki on ours.
PMY 25 Centre Console DF300 Suzuki
Ben85
Posts: 442
Date Joined: 20/11/11
Just saw this- if you can get
Just saw this- if you can get that over here for sub 45k landed (in condition described) then sounds like a winner.
I'm also in the market for a new boat and saw a few weeks back on Ebay a guy in Victoria with an original 233 Thunderbird (1970's) with a new paint job on new trailer for $26k. he had no takers so I'd guess he'd go for low 20's by now. It had a 350hp inboard (not sure what structural work it had done)
Something like that you could pull the old in-board out and replace with a new 320HP 350MAG mercruiser for all up sub $50k. I suppose it would cost 4-5k to get it trucked over to WA though.
Seemingly there are very few 233's in WA unfortunately
Gray
Posts: 140
Date Joined: 10/02/11
Hi Wazo Did you go out from
Hi Wazo
Did you go out from Hillarys on Saturday a coupla weeks back?
bradz
Posts: 693
Date Joined: 29/10/07
different
As much as I wanted the boat, I couldnt convince the wife.
oh well, something else will have to do.
I did then the best that I knew how. When I knew better, I did better.