*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: This is no democracy. However, I do like to hear any well thought out, reasonable suggestion. ONCE. (Bus Mosbacher, America's Cup Skipper)
Bought a Formula 233 and I bought it as a 1978, but i have my doubts. The hull# is F 2312188 It's (NOT) an 88 and i don't believe it's a 78 either. I asked the formula tech guy and he said the # didnt come up and had no clue what yr it was. It has twin 165 L6 Mercs and MC-1 Drives. The engine #s just behind the dist stamed are Port eng. F8317960 Stbd eng. F8317960 .Here's pictures of the boat and the hull # thanks for any input.
Looks just like this one....Great find for the Formula person.....I'm no Formula buff by any stretch of the imagination. I saw this on CL for cheap and it may help you guage what you have...maybe it can help
looks like a 71-73 233. in 74 the gunnels did not have the droop in them and the side windows were curved. in 70 and earlier they did not have the teak trim on the bow or the openable lower windsheild segments. also most earlier models had OMC power (not all of them though) looks like twin inline 6 cylinder 165 HP mercruisers, same package in my 75.
__________________ "I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends"
I know in 1972 the law came out that the manufacture and year be in the hull id # So it's before 73 because some 72s didnt do it in time for whenever the law went into effect. Cmeboston i think you nailed it as being a 71-73 but if we discount 73 because of the hull # law it must be either a 71 or 72. Not a 78 like the guy sold it to me as. Also the hull is not foam filled like some were thankfulley, Around the fuel tank is the only thing foamed filled, dont know what years did that and what years didn't.
I know in 1972 the law came out that the manufacture and year be in the hull id # So it's before 73 because some 72s didnt do it in time for whenever the law went into effect. Cmeboston i think you nailed it as being a 71-73 but if we discount 73 because of the hull # law it must be either a 71 or 72. Not a 78 like the guy sold it to me as. Also the hull is not foam filled like some were thankfulley, Around the fuel tank is the only thing foamed filled, dont know what years did that and what years didn't.
I may be wrong Stars n Stripes but mine is a '72 and it has a HIN. Will post number when I get home. Might have been built late in '72?? This is a earlier hull
Check out robs website @ www.boathaus.net and check out the incredible restoration of don aronows original #1 233 hull the"cigarette". 1964 and did have teak deck trim original to the boat. lots of pics
Lot of good info but Mercruiser 6 cyl IOs were in formulas in 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by CMEBoston
looks like a 71-73 233. in 74 the gunnels did not have the droop in them and the side windows were curved. in 70 and earlier they did not have the teak trim on the bow or the openable lower windsheild segments. also most earlier models had OMC power (not all of them though) looks like twin inline 6 cylinder 165 HP mercruisers, same package in my 75.
How do I know? My father and uncle had a 66 233 with twin 165 hp mercs and 4 above deck fuel tanks. I worked at the marina when I was a kid like 15 or 16. It was called marine sport center in Atlantic City. we were formula dealers.along with whaler back then. Along with the twin 4 cyl omercruisers We sold mostly single OMC IOs with V8s { I also remember a few volvo V8 singles also}? but I remember a few mercruiser single V8s. the twin 6 cyl was usually faster tho.
I haven't decided if i want to keep the twin L6s yet. I bet they were faster at 330hp. I think they will like their fuel though. I might go with a single 5.7 setup, gotta think it over for a bit.
I talked to that guy with the 233 on craigslist. he said it's a 72 and his hull# is Ff 231276 compared to mine as F 2312188 Wondering if the 3rd digit from the end might be the 70s year? his being a 2 and mine a 1 ? Mine may be a 71. A;so it's weird it starts wit (Ff) I'm going to try and get some more boat hull#s from 71 and 72 to compare. Thanks for the tip on the ad.
Lets not start a love fest. That was all good info you provided.>>>
Quote:
Originally Posted by CMEBoston
Bly I never meant to say you were wrong or that early 233's never had mercruiser, just that most around here have or started life as an omc or volvo.
I actually got to meet with the manufacturers rep as a kid listening to original formula war stories being told. If my memorie serves me ? The mecruiser was a popular FL boat and the OMC was a popular motor to all the evinrude johnson guys in the north east market. And the history of the volvo is the beginning of it all> Including the deep V 233 before the 31 bertram was even dreamed of. Jim Wynn and dick genth had an experimental propulsion device{ The Volvo IO } and an experimental 23 ft deep V running around as a sailboat tender at a very important sail boat race. How important?Big time Yachtsman Richard Bertram saw the experimental 23 ft Deep V doing things that would break any normal boat in half from the rough seas. He commissioned Naval architec C Raymond Hunt to design him a 30 ft version of the 23 ft Deep V. So came the 31 bertram. But now guess where the 233 formula came from? Not the 31 bertram. That would be putting the chicken before the egg. I remember back then the fastest formulas and 31 bertrams capable of 50 mph+ were all straight inboards because the IO units could not handle all the power available from V8s back then.
Yeah this baby is original twin Mercs. I'm familiar with the history of them i've been studying them for awhile now. I'd take a 25 bertram too. I almost has a 1969 Chriscraft Sportfish. one uear boat with a nice hull. Ray hunt knew what he was doing for sure. I have a 16' O-Day runabout with a keel cavity ( which allows water to come in for stabilaty while sitting still and when you take off all the water runs out) I was told this little runabout was a Rayhunt design too. I also have a 1966 Hull# 36 18' Chris Craft Sportsman Sea Skiff With a 155 V6 and the OMC stringer. 1st F/G Hull Chriscraft built and they only made 70 in 1966-67. Pretty nice little boats. Well my 233 is narrowed down to a 71 or 72 and not a 78 as sold. I like it better than the newer ones anyway. Atleast it's not stuffed with foam like some i've seen on here, Appreciate everyones help here BTW ! Thanks
That looks so much like my 1979 Wellcraft Nova 250 it's scary! Definitely is a bit older, can see that in the lines. One heck of a rough water boat. I had to replace the gimbal housing and a bunch of other stuff on one side due to corrosion, the other was perfect. Must have been a failure in the zinc before I purchased. Mine had Ford 302 V8's. Ran real nice and fuel burn was better than my 21' Proline with that awful OMC sea drive.
From what I understand, the Wellcraft and Formula used the same molds, not certain at what point that occurred but for sure I can see my boat there. I recall that the bilge is conceiled by a faux bilge area where the engines are mounted. The wood below the glass was not treated or sealed, so I had issues with that. Your transom is a couple inches thick solid hardwood but the cutouts are not sealed so you may find water has done some harm. On mine it had not but that was over 20 years ago. Wish I still had her.
Formula 233 ID ? Any Formula buffs? 
I almost has a 1969 Chriscraft Sportfish. one uear boat with a nice hull. Ray hunt knew what he was doing for sure. I have a 16' O-Day runabout with a keel cavity ( which allows water to come in for stabilaty while sitting still and when you take off all the water runs out) I was told this little runabout was a Rayhunt design too. I also have a 1966 Hull# 36 18' Chris Craft Sportsman Sea Skiff With a 155 V6 and the OMC stringer. 1st F/G Hull Chriscraft built and they only made 70 in 1966-67. Pretty nice little boats. Well my 233 is narrowed down to a 71 or 72 and not a 78 as sold. I like it better than the newer ones anyway. Atleast it's not stuffed with foam like some i've seen on here, 
