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Hello all I just joined this site as I have read your post for some time now. I am a huge Formula 233 fan as I too grew up fishing on my grandfathers 1967, 233 fishing model. These are the style that I have seen for years.
What prompted this response is the post from Dolphin 233, it was weird as I too own the same sport crusier model. I purchased it a little over one year ago from a guy who was going to destroy it by cutting off the cap and turning it into a CC with outboards.
I had never seen a 233 like this one (sport cruiser model), so that lead me into a search that is still going on today. I have learned a lot about Don Aronow, Jim Wynne and Waltman Walters as Jim and Waltman were the orig. designers of the 233, also Wynne held the patent on the Volvo stern drive for many years.
I am currently in communication with Formula to try to determine if my 233 was Wynne's first stern drive 233 prototype. First, its a 1964, 233 with left hand drive (stock), it has several details that do not match any of the production sport models but match some of Don's "The Cigarette" racing 233 design trademarks (have several pics).
Formula also tells me too they have no record of this vessel, which only makes the search harder. Most of the old timers that were around when Formula was being formed have passed. Soon, I will be looking to contact the three guys who restored Don Aronow's race bread 233 #16. They do know much of the history as they were in communication with George Peroni who bought the #16 from Don back in 64.
I am very interested in Dolphin 233's boat, his model will be the only other crusier style that I have ever seen. You dont see any of them on the water or internet. The history is fascinating to me., all those old timers were on the cutting edge of marine design and performance. Design that everyone takes for granted these days. Today its all about production and profit.
But then again there are no boats on the water today that can compete with the 233's quality and beautiful lines. She truly is a boat with class, style, performance and stands the test of time.
keep this thread going as its great . wish I was so inclined to do it as the 233 formula was one of my favorite boats as a kid - next to the 31ft bert of course
Hello all I just joined this site as I have read your post for some time now. I am a huge Formula 233 fan as I too grew up fishing on my grandfathers 1967, 233 fishing model. These are the style that I have seen for years.
What prompted this response is the post from Dolphin 233, it was weird as I too own the same sport crusier model. I purchased it a little over one year ago from a guy who was going to destroy it by cutting off the cap and turning it into a CC with outboards.
I had never seen a 233 like this one (sport cruiser model), so that lead me into a search that is still going on today. I have learned a lot about Don Aronow, Jim Wynne and Waltman Walters as Jim and Waltman were the orig. designers of the 233, also Wynne held the patent on the Volvo stern drive for many years.
I am currently in communication with Formula to try to determine if my 233 was Wynne's first stern drive 233 prototype. First, its a 1964, 233 with left hand drive (stock), it has several details that do not match any of the production sport models but match some of Don's "The Cigarette" racing 233 design trademarks (have several pics).
Formula also tells me too they have no record of this vessel, which only makes the search harder. Most of the old timers that were around when Formula was being formed have passed. Soon, I will be looking to contact the three guys who restored Don Aronow's race bread 233 #16. They do know much of the history as they were in communication with George Peroni who bought the #16 from Don back in 64.
I am very interested in Dolphin 233's boat, his model will be the only other crusier style that I have ever seen. You dont see any of them on the water or internet. The history is fascinating to me., all those old timers were on the cutting edge of marine design and performance. Design that everyone takes for granted these days. Today its all about production and profit.
But then again there are no boats on the water today that can compete with the 233's quality and beautiful lines. She truly is a boat with class, style, performance and stands the test of time.
Sorry for the delayed response. The sports model like this does seem harder to find. I have been in contact with formula over the past few years and I email a couple of ladies from there every so often. I can tell you that they will know nothing of your boat. The only information they have on the older model 233 has come from me, or at least that is what they tell me. They have sent me pics of some of the 16. But as far as technical info they seem to be lacking. If you have a 64 I would say that is pretty rare. I will have to check but I am pretty sure formula wasn't sold to thunderbird until 65. I have also seen a picture with a 233 with inboards. It was pictured coming out of the water and you could see the shafts and wheels. I have never seen or heard anything about it again. In my research I found that they experimented with different set-ups in these 233's. If you find out anything on you model please feel free to post it, also you should post some pics up for us to see.
Finman
I plan on keeping this thread alive until I finish my project. I have done more work since my last pics but not really enough to post new pics. The weather has been bad here on the weekends which has slowed the sanding process.
I have also seen a picture with a 233 with inboards. It was pictured coming out of the water and you could see the shafts and wheels. I have never seen or heard anything about it again. In my research I found that they experimented with different set-ups in these 233's. If you find out anything on you model please feel free to post it, also you should post some pics up for us to see.
I have seen splashed formula hulls with an inboard configuration, I cant recall the name but it wasnt a formula. I take it the one you saw had formula badging? this one had a 120 HP cummins deisel and almost made 18 KTS..............
__________________ "I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends"
I have seen splashed formula hulls with an inboard configuration, I cant recall the name but it wasnt a formula. I take it the one you saw had formula badging? this one had a 120 HP cummins deisel and almost made 18 KTS..............
Well the picture it was in came from some of forumla's archives. The boat was in the water so I am not entirely sure of the configuration or badging. I would take the i/o's over the inboard anyday.
18knts may not get you there in a hurry but I bet a tank of gas would last a few trips.
Hi all I am new here or should I say Ive bin lurking.
I to am a fan of the 223 I had one a 1974? in the late 1980s it was powered by a 188 merc
sold it and now I wish I cold fined it agent so when I get a chance like this I post the photo!
In case some one has seen her if nothing els hope you enjoy the photo!
I now have a 1968 Donze st Tropez 19'cc based on the old offshore racers like the 223.
Beny
I also have a Formula 233. I'm in the process of rebuilding as well. It originally had two 350 stern drives. I removed them and replaced them with a single yamaha 250. I'm now rebuilding again (Poor job the first time). I'm thinking of either a single 300 hp (Four or two stroke), twin 200 two strokes or twin 150 four strokes. (decisions decisions).
Here's mine. I've now removed and sold the tower and put a 225 Johnson on the back last fall. Great fishing machine and it screams with the Johnson 2-stroke.
Tom
__________________
You can have a lot of pleasure on a fishing boat... but you can't have a lot of fishing on a pleasure boat!
I have a couple projects going now on my 233s? Anyone need a good wind shield complete and clean? I have a bimini? front hatch? PM me. I am in South Jersey and might just trade some removal labor for the windshield?
Bly, wish you were closer. I have really enjoyed the pics you guys posted.
It was nice here today so we started sanding again. had to park her under a shade tree though. Also included a few pics of the helm I have been working on. Slow going but it is coming along.
I have been working on it, but with summer it is hard to stay in the shop. We are actually still getting it ready for paint. After we sanded all the old paint off, we realized that bondo had been used some time ago to fill crew holes and such. It is so saturated that it is almost like a soft putty. We have been getting rid of all of that and redoing it with the epoxy. I will post some pics when we start the painting.
I got this awsome boat, but I need to fix it first. Any one know where I can get a wiring diagraam for a omc/ford motor ? I seem to have extra wires with no home, and the others are not attached either.
I have a nice 67 with a omc/ford302 that my wife wants gone,,, I just got a new alt, and starter,and need a new battery.The previous owner undid the wiring under the dash. does, any one know where to find a wiring diagram for it?
I have a nice 67 with a omc/ford302 that my wife wants gone,,, I just got a new alt, and starter,and need a new battery.The previous owner undid the wiring under the dash. does, any one know where to find a wiring diagram for it?
You should start your own thread, maybe someone can help you if you post it somewhere besides buried in someone elses thread.
__________________ "All bad precedents begin with justifiable measures."
Julius Caesar
Pretty much got the boat prepped for painting. It has been slow with so many thing do do for the summer, and this being one of a few boats had to enjoy the water for the summer. We were sanding the transom down and founf that the boat had been named twice. The fist name being
Mostly Martha out of Columbia SC
and the second
Wave Dancer out of Edisto Island SC
Just wanted to post so if anyone had ever heard of the boat maybe they could give me some info. I will post some pics of the painting process soon.
Got a little more done this weekend, winshield and first coat of primer on the top. Some of it is still wet in the pics, but it all went well for a first time.
Okay here are a few pics from our first coat of paint. We had a few runs in some place but they should sand out and we are going to try to be a little more careful on the next coat. The paint was slightly different than the primer, and the roll and tip is an acquired technique. Anyhow here ir is.
gotta try that on mine 
). 
