2008 Custom Built Formula 233 Center Console Twin Outboard Contender Regulator
I am selling our center console boat. I bought the hull for this boat in the spring of 2005 and finished it in 2008 with over $60,000 invested not counting my time. It is originally a 1970 Formula 233 "cuddy cabin" boat. The previous owner, who worked at Merrit Yachts in Florida, had started the project by stripping the boat of everything including stringers. He then put new composite stringers and floor in. This is when I bought the boat. I brought the boat home to Ohio and started working. After much research, I built the top "cap" and decided that fiberglassing was not for me. I heard several great things about a boat builder in Connecticut so I took the boat there and had a "professional" do the glass work and paint. In the meantime, I did more research and bought items for the boat. Now, for the specifics: Here is a thread from a forum that I posted a lot on when working on the boat: http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-outdoor-photos/146343-formula-233-project-update-reel-memories-updated-5-10-08-a.html For those of you who are not familiar with the Formula 233 hull, it is an awesome hull with a great history. Don Aronow designed the hull. He started Formula Boats, started Donzi Boats, started Cigarette Boats, and also built offshore patrol boats for the United States Customs. There have been a lot of boats come from the Formula 233 hull with Contender being one of them. This hull has 24 degree deadrise. It is one of the best riding hulls under 30 feet period. The hull measures 23' 3" "bare". We then added an Armstrong bracket and motors makes it around 28' from bow to back of motors. This boat is built better than most new boats. The bottom measures nearly 1/2" thick! It has: Center console bought new from Contender Boats which is very large with lots of storage roomT-top from a 27' Contender and re-powdercoated. Spray Curtains for T-top15' Outriggers as part of the T-top Leaning post with 40 gallon live well from Triton Boats30" offset Armstrong engine bracketTwin Yamaha OX-66 Saltwater Series outboards (this was a pair that I bought used. One is a 1999 the other is a 2000. One counter rotator and one standard. They had 200 hours on them when I bought them. We put new fuel pumps and injector pumps on them and also had the injectors cleaned and tested. I have put 195 hours on one motor and 192 hours on the other. So you can say they both have roughly 400 hours on them.Trailer is a Load Rite tandem axle that I bought new in 2007. We custom fitted the bunks for the bottom of the hull.We put in all new wiring and rigging.The fuel tank is a 90 gallon tankGarmin 4212 Chartplotter with XM weatherGarmin Fuel flow Furuno 585 fish finder with Airmar 164 transducerStandard Horizons VHFYamaha gauges and controlsCD player with 6x9's in the stern and 6" speakers in the bowEdson Marine steering wheelTeleflex SeaStar hydraulic steeringVinylester resin was used on the fiberglass workAwlgrip paint Lee stainless steel rod holders, flush mount.Blue Seas Systems switch panelBlue Seas Systems batter selector switchesTeak cap on the back half of top deck This boat has been an absolute joy to own and fish out of. The reason for selling is that I don't use it enough. We live in the heart of corn and beans in Ohio. We have mostly used it on Lake Erie which is 3 hours away (that is the closest body of "big" water). We have taken it to Lake Michigan for salmon and it has been to the Keys twice. So most of our use has been freshwater except the two weeks in Islamorada. We had it 15 miles out dolphin fishing and had a blast. I also have a pair of Big Jon rod holders and a pair of Big Jon downriggers that I will be selling if the buyer is interested in them. There are already mounting pads for them. We finished the boat in 2008. We have put on roughly 200 hours so it is not "brand" new. However, it is very nice! There are a few stone chips in the black paint near the bow from road debris while trailering. There are also some very fine stress cracks which I posted pictures of and is normal from the boat flexing. I am only mentioning these items because it has been used and I want to accurately describe it. This boat is for sale locally and the auction may end before it is "over" and is sold as is, no warranty. Any fishing rods, tackle, tools, trucks etc. are not part of this listing. Only the boat and items that are "permanently" mounted. I will also mention that I have a driver headed to southern Florida at the end of May. If someone buys the boat near his route we can arrange delivery. My name is Ryan and I can be reached @ 937-214-0460 until 9 pm EST Thanks for looking! (and bidding!)
