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View Full Version : Older Haines Formula 233 copy? Help - Looking to buy!



COOLHANDRACING
05-08-2014, 12:33 AM
Hi Fellas,

Long time lurker here.

I am from Carnarvon, WA, and have been looking for an offshore boat for heading out to Bernier and Dorre Islands about 27NM off the coast from here.

I have always wanted a Haines Formula 233 but they are really expensive for their age and a lot of them need a lot of work. I have found this boat for sale and have been emailing the owner recently.

The owner states that it is WA built by Alan Lacey. Anyone heard of this builder or know anything about these boats? Looks like a copy of the formula hull. Thoughts? I wonder if he built his own mould?

Anyway, here are the pictures. What do you guys reckon. It has a 250 (1999 model) Merc EFI Offshore outboard on a factory pod with 272 hours. He says it cruises at 25 knots with WOT about at 40 knots. Sounds pretty standard to me.

He is chasing around the $32k mark which is stretching my budget so am hoping he might negotiate a bit. All licenced with a really good trailer.

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z406/CoolHandRacing/KGrHqNHJB8FHYcM-RYBSZllqgSg48_20.jpg (http://s1188.photobucket.com/user/CoolHandRacing/media/KGrHqNHJB8FHYcM-RYBSZllqgSg48_20.jpg.html)

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z406/CoolHandRacing/IMG751.jpg (http://s1188.photobucket.com/user/CoolHandRacing/media/IMG751.jpg.html)

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z406/CoolHandRacing/IMG750.jpg (http://s1188.photobucket.com/user/CoolHandRacing/media/IMG750.jpg.html)

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z406/CoolHandRacing/IMG725.jpg (http://s1188.photobucket.com/user/CoolHandRacing/media/IMG725.jpg.html)

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z406/CoolHandRacing/IMG620.jpg (http://s1188.photobucket.com/user/CoolHandRacing/media/IMG620.jpg.html)

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z406/CoolHandRacing/IMG625.jpg (http://s1188.photobucket.com/user/CoolHandRacing/media/IMG625.jpg.html)

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z406/CoolHandRacing/IMG744.jpg (http://s1188.photobucket.com/user/CoolHandRacing/media/IMG744.jpg.html)

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z406/CoolHandRacing/IMG606.jpg (http://s1188.photobucket.com/user/CoolHandRacing/media/IMG606.jpg.html)

The Black Unicorn
05-08-2014, 07:08 AM
Boat looks OK but I would be suspicious of those hrs on the motor. That's only 18 hrs per year! Seems a bit pricey as well. Maybe look a bit smaller. 27nm is not really that far.
Cheers
Leo

myusernam
05-08-2014, 07:37 AM
have you done the sums on a two stroke on that hull? If you cant afford the 32k then u might want to reconsider the fuel bill.
27n, is nothing. and you end up going out on the same sort of days as smaller boats anyway.

Camhawk88
05-08-2014, 09:37 AM
The hull shape looks very much like the formula but what it looks like and how it handles are 2 different things- definitely want to take it for a spin.
My concern is that trailer looks rather feeble with a single long draw bar.
27Nm isnt too far but I know what those waters are like and how regularly the wind blows so I understand why you would want a boat of that size. Much smaller and you would be very limited in the number of days you could use it.

COOLHANDRACING
05-08-2014, 10:17 AM
The hull shape looks very much like the formula but what it looks like and how it handles are 2 different things- definitely want to take it for a spin.
My concern is that trailer looks rather feeble with a single long draw bar.
27Nm isnt too far but I know what those waters are like and how regularly the wind blows so I understand why you would want a boat of that size. Much smaller and you would be very limited in the number of days you could use it.

Thanks for the replies. You are spot on Camhawk88. I won't be heading out too far but I do want to be able to head out in the comfort of a largish boat that is still capable of decent speeds if I have to get home quickly for any reason. The wind and swell can pick up quickly in these particular waters so having that assurance is great. The ability for 2 or 3 of us to camp overnight on the boat reasonably comfortably is also a massive drawcard. We couldn't do that on a 5-6m hull very easily. Even the 5-6m cats don't have barely any internal cabin room. This thing even has a flushing toilet for the girls when the venture out with us.
Yeah it does seem to be a copy of the Formula 233 hull. I personally love the look and the reputation of the hull. Would have to take an experienced Formula 233 owner out for a test ride to see how it compares.

robothefisho
05-08-2014, 11:46 AM
Trailer only has override brakes and would be illegal from this alone not to mention it looks light on for the job. Whole thing looks a bit tired. Could be a nice boat but a lot of unknowns and overpriced for age/motor/trailer.

Sprinter1
05-08-2014, 01:41 PM
Trailer only has override brakes and would be illegal from this alone not to mention it looks light on for the job. Whole thing looks a bit tired. Could be a nice boat but a lot of unknowns and overpriced for age/motor/trailer.

Im no expert but that was the first thing I noticed. Dont know what the rules are in WA but that trailer would be a fail in ACT/NSW. The interior looks older than 1999 to me. Again Im not in WA so I googled "Alan Lacey boats". This boat is the only hit? May mean nothing.

COOLHANDRACING
05-08-2014, 02:06 PM
Im no expert but that was the first thing I noticed. Dont know what the rules are in WA but that trailer would be a fail in ACT/NSW. The interior looks older than 1999 to me. Again Im not in WA so I googled "Alan Lacey boats". This boat is the only hit? May mean nothing.

Yeah now I see that the trailer looks a bit light. For WA I reckon the boat isn't all that bad of value if what he is saying is true regarding engine hours, etc. Everything seems to be 20% more expensive over here. Got him to send me a photo of the trailer plate. Thoughts?.........

http://i1188.photobucket.com/albums/z406/CoolHandRacing/IMG1161.jpg (http://s1188.photobucket.com/user/CoolHandRacing/media/IMG1161.jpg.html)

The Black Unicorn
05-08-2014, 05:47 PM
I reckon that boat would be over 2T. Just sayin....

bobbyb
05-08-2014, 08:53 PM
how long has he owned it. don't see any cover for it. rot in a glass boat is going to hurt in the hip pocket big time.

goona
06-08-2014, 02:51 PM
I reckon that boat would be over 2T. Just sayin.....

Agreed. My plate 24ft is 2760kg dry. mind you my trailer looks a bit more heavy duty so take of 300kg for that and it would still be way over.

walruss
06-08-2014, 10:00 PM
See if you can drop it on a weighbridge. That will at least confirm or solve any weight issues

ozynorts
07-08-2014, 07:17 AM
Just had a look at the WA regs and they are the same as the eastern states.
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/licensing/lbu_vs_ib_107.pdf

COOLHANDRACING
07-08-2014, 11:35 PM
Do any keen eyed people here think that the hull could be an original formula hull and the 'custom built' might just mean bit of an old school refurbishment?
I can't see how anyone in WA would have been able to copy a formula hull like that without a proper mould.

Shark Poker
08-08-2014, 07:49 AM
If it performs well on a sea trial ,I would be quite interested at around $10,000. Again IF it performs well.

Anybody buying a boat of that age should have some funds in the budget set aside for transom and floor repairs, trailer upgrades and new electronics.
The windscreen, windows and lots of other fittings are all decades old and you won't buy replacements for them on eBay.

The outboard, even if it is in very good order, has a street value in the hundreds of dollars. Whilst a replacement is what, $30k?

I wouldn't stretch your budget on the rig alone. Or you might find it too hard and expensive and be trying to sell it soon after.
better to look for something a bit smaller but in better order , and easier to repair/ maintain.
Just my opinion. Cheers