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TIMEOUT90
RO# 19919
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 Posted - Dec 18 2007 : 23:03:15
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Just trying to get this board some posts. Does anyone have projects they are doing over the winter? My '95PC still has the 7.4ltr. Merc's with carbs, so I had those rebuilt. I've been haveing some difficulty starting them when their cold. Hopefully this will remedy the problem.
I'm also scheduled for new canvas next spring, right before launch. My harbormaster is kind enough to haul me indoors the week prior to launch to allow the cnavas guy to do his thing.
Also have some minor cosmetic maintenance planned, such as welding separated bow rail stantion (anyone else have this issue?) and general gel coat maintenance.
Anyone else got projects going?
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-Dana
Formula 41PC |
Homeport: Hudson, WI
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GSENT
RO# 12438
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Posted - Dec 19 2007 : 08:11:15
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I have many winter projects. Nothing major, just cleaning, polishing, etc. Tried that new polish called leverage. Wow, what a nice finish it leaves. It is so smooth. Hope it will last thru the summer like they claim.
Just finished motor and drive oil changes, had props scanned, changed all impellers, normal stuff.
last year, I upgraded the stereo system to include more amps, subwoofer, and ipod.
One thing I would like to share, I added a plastic milk crate looking container in the engine room to hold spare oil, anti-freeze, etc. Mounted it on the starboard side back out of the way. I keep all xtra impellers, filters, and stuff that just gets in the way. Its double the size of a regular milk crate.
Still have to change out Navman fuel transducers with new, and calibrate.
As far as your bow railing, I had the same problem on my 94 34pc. They were welded underneath the mounting flange, as not to see the weld. Did not last long, and had to be redone. They are thru-bolted, with backing plates. It was a real chore to get them off.
Ended up welding them above the flange, for more strength. Keep us posted on your progress.
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| GARY STALEY |
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Homeport: PGH, PA
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CMac
RO# 25792
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Posted - Dec 19 2007 : 16:10:46
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Having warranty issues done, like the rear bimini channel that runs around the back of the arch and holds the bimini to the arch. It was heating up in the sun, relaxing, and because the bimini was to tight, pulling out in places. They have to adjust the bimini supports to keep this from happening in the future. I like the bimini taught, but the back was rediculously tight. All supports are riveted too, or I would have adjusted it myself. Also, my bolster's were comming apart. Having them fixed.
While she's in we're doing outdrive service and alignment. I will do my own oil and filter when she's back. I will also do some protective poly waxing with Hot Sauce. Not much needed really Because she's so new.
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Edited by - CMac on Dec 19 2007 16:12:05 |
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Homeport: Phx,AZ
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TIMEOUT90
RO# 19919
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Posted - Dec 19 2007 : 22:44:37
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Gary,
I've had 2 of my rails top-welded so far, and I think I'll just have all the rest done. The shop that did the work (tig welding, I think) did a great job. The hardest part was finding a welder with enough liability insurance to do the work in the marina.
Cmac,
Have you had a fair amount of waranty issues? I've always been a used boat buyer, and I think that most new boats have some kind of waranty work that needs to be done. Do you think Formula has more issues than most?
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-Dana
Formula 41PC |
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Homeport: Hudson, WI
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CMac
RO# 25792
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Posted - Dec 20 2007 : 09:39:07
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Dana,
being my first cruiser and my first Formula, I couldn't honestly say they have more issues. I know that they take care of everything without question. It seems that most of the warranty items were out of the control of the factory, like sump float, microwave, sc5000 screen, etc..
This cruiser, compared to my previous bow riders, has a lot more working parts from other manufacturers that all have to do they're job together to make a happy boat. That being said, I expect some things to have to be worked out.
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Homeport: Phx,AZ
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GSENT
RO# 12438
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Posted - Dec 20 2007 : 17:38:16
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Dana,
I have had excellent dealings with Formula. I do not have a dealer within 150 miles, and they will pay my marina to do any warranty work, and pay their labor rate.
Cannot say anything bad. I did have some small issues that needed their guidance, and they provided materials, adhesives, etc. to get the job done at no cost to me. Will buy many more Formula boats.
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| GARY STALEY |
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Homeport: PGH, PA
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GSENT
RO# 12438
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Posted - Dec 20 2007 : 20:20:01
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Dana,
Forgot to add that the factory has a quality control department second to none. everyone that works on a boat carries a roll of red or green tape. When a tool is dropped, or something gets scratched, they mark the area for later repair. at the end of the assembly, all mistakes are corrected. Two people from the company check out over 300 items on a checklist. most are done while the boat is running in the test tank. All hatches, windows, door seals, etc. are sprayed with water for about 4 hrs. Any leaks are fixed, than the boat gets painted. Dealer does very little.
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| GARY STALEY |
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Homeport: PGH, PA
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TIMEOUT90
RO# 19919
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Posted - Dec 21 2007 : 15:54:40
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I have heard that Formula has exceptional after-the-fact customer service, just curious about the QC at the factory. I know my boat had issues when it was new, but they were all addressed. I'm guessing that most manufactures have a certain number of issues on each new model. I am on my 2nd Formula working towards my 3rd, and as far as I'm concerned there isn't another express style cruiser that measures up.
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-Dana
Formula 41PC |
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Homeport: Hudson, WI
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GSENT
RO# 12438
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Posted - Dec 21 2007 : 18:40:55
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Dana,
I was so surprised to see the guys at the factory go thru the teat tank report checking everything from windows to timing. They really check everything. There will always be little items overlooked, but always taken care of after the sale. Formula is quality.
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| GARY STALEY |
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Homeport: PGH, PA
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mannmade
RO# 12689
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Posted - Dec 24 2007 : 22:49:42
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My winter project is to have my props tuned. The rev limiter has been kicking in at 4950RPM's and I have travel left on the throttles. So I have taken them to Black Dog Propellor in Stevensville, MD where they are adding pitch and increasing the cup. Since they run in prop pockets having more cup will get more water into the pocket. If I can get 3-5mph at 3500-3800RPM I'll be a happy camper.
From my experience Team Formula tends to exceed expectations when customer relations are at stake. My boat was a 5 year old used cruiser when I bought it this past February. Since it was at the factory they put it back on the assembly line and gave it a quality check as if it were a new boat. Formula uses a lot of outside vendors and their new boat problems probably arise from these parts not quality control from their structural build.
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| "Here's to those who played and never got paid. They played for the love of the game." |
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Homeport: White's Hudson River Marina, New Hamburg, NY
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TIMEOUT90
RO# 19919
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Posted - Dec 27 2007 : 22:44:19
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George,
If you can get 3 to 5MPH with a a prop tuning you are doing better than most. i've heard the base formua for gaining MPH is 10HP = 1MPH, so getting the correct prop pitch/cup could be like adding an additional 50HP!
I've heard you mention before that you picked up your boat at the factory. Do they sell/broker previously owned Formulas as well as new ones?
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-Dana
Formula 41PC |
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Homeport: Hudson, WI
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mannmade
RO# 12689
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Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 13:06:33
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Dana, since Formula sometimes supports their dealer network on boat trades they have used boats at the factory available through Formula dealers. They are at the factory because the company has a financial stake in them, but they cannot be bought "from" the factory, you have to buy through a dealer. Last I heard they had a couple of 40PC's and supposedly were getting a 45 yacht - with shaft drive. I was particularly pleased when I went to check my boat before I purchased it how they had gone through with the tape Gary mentioned and noted whatever needed refurbishing. They were meticulous.
Regarding the prop tune, those are figures I was not aware of. I mentioned what I wanted to gain and Steve at Black Dog said it was within reason. He did say I would notice a difference in their performance. Rather than horsepower I was thinking I had about 600-800 RPM's at the top end to play with, so with a gain in pitch & cup if WOT was 4600-5000 and the throttles were "all" the way forward I was good to go. The downside is the cost if they are not right - $200/haul and travel back to Maryland etc., but that's not on the radar screen for now. After next Tuesday I can start the countdown to launch!
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| "Here's to those who played and never got paid. They played for the love of the game." |
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Homeport: White's Hudson River Marina, New Hamburg, NY
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GSENT
RO# 12438
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Posted - Dec 28 2007 : 15:07:49
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George,
I don't know how to do it, but I know a guy who programs his screen saver to count backwards saying so many more days to boating season.
Hope you have great success with the new props. keep us posted as to how they perform.
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| GARY STALEY |
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Homeport: PGH, PA
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C_Spray
RO# 898
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Posted - Jan 10 2008 : 08:20:25
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I've got a complete engine compartment/bilge birthday going on. Both engines, generator, water heater and all plumbing and wiring were removed, bilge repainted, and I'm now rigging it from scratch. It all started because the engine's were overdue for new valve springs....
Since I don't have a way to post photos here, you can see the entire process here: http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172804
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| Life begins on the water. |
Edited by - C_Spray on Jan 10 2008 08:21:33 |
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Homeport: Port Deposit, MD
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mannmade
RO# 12689
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Posted - Apr 19 2008 : 00:41:57
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I've got my props on, getting ready this weekend for a Wednesday launch, with a little luck(calm river WITHOUT debris)I'll have a reading on increased performance by next weekend. They added an inch of pitch, left the cup as was. Steve gave me a print out on the prop scan which is really interesting to read - it would be even better if I understood what it was saying, but the pretty colors are nice!
When I told the guys at the marina where I took them for tuning they asked, "why didn't you take them across the river?" My thought is this is where Formula ordered from, now I have the original scan form and a first tuning, so I will have a complete prop tuning history for the boat. I wonder also if the close quarter handling will be any different. Given the gas deal I may be doing a lot of close quarter maneuvering this year just to say I left the slip!
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| "Here's to those who played and never got paid. They played for the love of the game." |
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Homeport: White's Hudson River Marina, New Hamburg, NY
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Winter projects???