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I'm surprised there haven't been any comments on here concerning the boat show. I went on board the 37PC and attempted to discuss the differences between a Sea Ray and a Formula with the salesman. He told me, "If you can't see it, then I can't help you," and blew me off. I chased down the first...

I sold my 330SS a year and a half ago, but I'm in the market for a new boat (possibly - going to move slowly). I might go for another SS, but I am also interested in the Fastech series. But I notice that they all seem to lack three things that we used all the time: a power windlass, a bimini...

After three and a half years of ownership, I sold my 330SS in March of 2012. It was too much time, trouble and expense for the way we used it, which was picnicing for the most part. I thought I would miss it, but I never really did. I love getting up in the morning on the weekends without having...

Coming home today the starboard drive seemed to start working too hard. The noise changed and it sounded like the engine was choking up. It was fine below 2000 rpms but above that it sounded as though it was struggling. When I limped back to the marina I found the item in the picture hanging...

Sorry to bother you again, but I have yet another headache. Fortunately I went down to the boat today by myself to re-install the bimini top before taking a crowd out, and it turned out that the starboard 7.4 mpi wouldn't start. (Best to find that out by yourself, rather than with the crowd of...

I went to see the 400SS that is advertised on the net for $24K. It has no engines and no drives. It was originally a Volvo boat. I would have considered it if it were in otherwise excellent condition, but it is not. It will need new seat covers, new canvas, new bimini hardware, and all new...

On a short trip from Woodbridge to Quantico: 3600 rpm, 34.8 SOG. Take that!

When stranded on the river earlier this month without power, I realized I had no way to lower the anchor. There is a star shaped hole in the top of the windlass that looks like it would accommodate a tool to crank the anchor down. If that is what that hole is for, what is the tool one uses, and...

The mechanic doing most of the work getting my 330SS back into shape after recent issues made a couple of statements that surprised me: 1) flushing the engine is a waste of time unless you boat in salt water, and 2) impellers should not be replaced without also replacing the housing. It's true...

Are the Mercruiser/Volvo outdrive setups that Formula uses the going thing for all express cruisers? They are so temperamental that it seems there would be other options out there. When did Formula switch to these drives, and what did they use prior to that? Is anyone building other types of...

I accepted a deposit yesterday on my '99 330SS, and expect that the sale will be completed during the week after Memorial Day. That's it for me: no more boating. I owned a sailboat for eight years and this Formula for two and a half years, and the fact is that I could never muster the proper...

Anyone replaced the latch on the companionway door? I have a '99 330SS and have been having trouble with thievery in my marina (on a Marine Corps base, yet). My ignition key fits in the lock but won't turn it. I couldn't even figure out how to get the latch off of the door.

I'm really sorry, but I dinged up my boat bringing it back from land storage. I had it out of the water in late November for about two weeks replacing the B3's (corrosion ate them away) and while pulling back into the marina I hit the pier a little too hard and cracked the aft rub rail...

I posted an excellent comment in my own excellent thread in the winterization section, and no one has responded with the answers I need. Let's go. Chop chop. If you guys don't shape up, I'm going to have to go to Speedwake.

Can I test the water in the marina for electricity using a standard multimeter? If so, how? If not, how is it done? I have to solve the problem of the electrolysis around my boat that is causing corrosion.

I'm having a bad Autumn. In painting the bottom yesterday I smudged a little bit of ablative paint above my blue tape and on to the gelcoat. I tried to wipe it off immediately, but smeared it. What is the best method for getting it off?

Hauled the boat this morning and got the bad news about my '99 Bravo IIIs. The gear lube leak in the starboard drive I have been experiencing was due to a crack in the case near the props. It appears that the crack was caused by corrosion. The mechanics at the marina where the boat is said that...

I have searched the site, and still have the following questions. I am going to haul my boat today or tomorrow to service the drives, paint the bottom, and install Y valves on the sea water intakes. I won't have access to 30 amp shore power, but will have regular 110 AC. I'll need to get the...

Anyone have a lead on where I can get a stern drive stand inexpensively? I have seen the ones for sale on the net, and am just wondering if anyone here has any favorites or any other alternatives. I'm going to haul in early November and I'm going to remove the drives for some maintenance. I'll...

Am I chatty today, or what? I'm going to haul my boat, I hope for just a couple of weeks, in early November to tend to a few things. One of those items is the knot meter, which quit right after we bought the boat. Is there any way to tell whether or not it is working when the boat is on the...