The boat was initially supplied with a huge spec to an owner in Conn. Second owner was in SC and clearly looked after it. The third owner was in Clearwater, used the boat but spent little and now it falls to me to do some restoration work. Some bright spark told the previous owner that taking the boat down to the Keys would cause the gel coat to rot, and hull paint was the solution to protecting the hull. It is a shocking paint job, I have no idea what the cost was but $800 would be way too much. I am hoping that within the next two weeks it will have been removed and new gel coat will have been re applied. Photos will be posted.
I was looking at a 330 ss, was un aware of the 310 ss and was swayed by the deal I was offered, the slightly lighter weight and no loss in handling or performance. The spec on this boat is good and he other boats I viewed were well over $100 K and I did not wish to spend that and then some to improve.
Other options were few. Was not impressed by a Chaparrel, the Sea Ray lacked on deck seating and was cramped, I looked at a couple of pure powerboats, but like sports bikes they to me are one trick ponies and I wish to take friends out, family too, swim , cruise and cover distance with the odd night onboard if necessary. Formula Boats have good hulls, ride waves beautifully, handle in open water and don't lose their value like some. I had a look at a Sunseeker, put off by running costs and spares, looked at a Donzi....not for me, was and still am after a Chris Craft, but lets walk before we run and don't want to spend silly money without more boating under my belt around here. The Chris Craft is also more of a day boat, just stunning but currently I want something a little different and a sports cruiser works.
