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revkev6
06-30-2015, 03:22 PM
Hey all, I've been looking at smaller Donzi's for a while and came across a formula Jr for sale... it's rough.. gutted... basically has a bunch of parts with it that don't necessarily go to it. I fell in love with the lines of the boat.. I'd like to put it together with a 350 and an alpha drive... I haven't bought it yet! should I??

does anyone have a source for things like the air vents and hinges etc if I can't find them??

I've done some boat reconstruction work.. but nothing this extensive... It's 99% going to need the hull split. anyone here have some good pictures of going through the rebuild??

also! some basic pictures. If I'm going hunting for random stainless/chrome i'm going to need to know what i'm looking for that came on it! I haven't seen many good pictures of these boats...

thanks for your time and I hope to hear some helpful insight....

OFFSHORE GINGER
07-02-2015, 07:03 PM
Just curious is the boat located in Mich ?

revkev6
07-06-2015, 10:08 AM
no, it's in new england. real rough... haven't seen one around anywhere that wasnt either a finished boat or already someones resto project... Sitting and rotting away... thinking i should grab it and at least save it.

johnnywhale
07-07-2015, 11:16 AM
Black / dark blue in color? Been on / off craigslist for a couple of years. Make an offer!

revkev6
07-09-2015, 09:49 AM
going to look at it tomorrow.

does anyone know what outdrive/power options were available for these boats?? transom pattern appears to be mercruiser??

I will update after I look at her

OFFSHORE GINGER
07-09-2015, 10:37 AM
http://i59.tinypic.com/2n9dj7r.jpg

OFFSHORE GINGER
07-09-2015, 10:48 AM
I have seen a few different packages on the Formula JR from Merc to Eaton .

revkev6
07-09-2015, 12:09 PM
yes, the eaton drives were the ford powered interceptor series... I've seen these more often than a merc. I found some mercruiser advertising from 1965 that lists what drives went to what power. it appears that 120-150hp 4 & 6 cylinder got the "mercruiser I" drive (pictured in the add above) and the 190-310hp v8's got the "mercruiser II" drives.

I can't seem to find much information on these drives. I'm guessing that the I drive is the precurser to the alpha and the II drive is the precurser to the TRS/bravo drives?? just trying to figure out what the transom pattern is like here. does the mercruiser I & II share the same transom pattern?? or does the II have the 2 bolts above the transom cutout like a TRS/Bravo?Alpha II?? I'd like to find that this boat is already setup for a V8

mercruiser I drive:
82597

mercruiser II drive:

82598

OFFSHORE GINGER
07-09-2015, 03:55 PM
Funny thing my uncle built Eaton drive's at Eaton manufacturing in Saginaw Mich my home town .

Ghost
07-09-2015, 04:03 PM
yes, the eaton drives were the ford powered interceptor series... I've seen these more often than a merc. I found some mercruiser advertising from 1965 that lists what drives went to what power. it appears that 120-150hp 4 & 6 cylinder got the "mercruiser I" drive (pictured in the add above) and the 190-310hp v8's got the "mercruiser II" drives.

I can't seem to find much information on these drives. I'm guessing that the I drive is the precurser to the alpha and the II drive is the precurser to the TRS/bravo drives?? just trying to figure out what the transom pattern is like here. does the mercruiser I & II share the same transom pattern?? or does the II have the 2 bolts above the transom cutout like a TRS/Bravo?Alpha II?? I'd like to find that this boat is already setup for a V8

mercruiser I drive:
82597

mercruiser II drive:

82598

I think there were more iterations between those and Alpha Gen1. There were MR drives and 888s I think, whatever those were. Unless if was the same HW with different marketing.

revkev6
07-09-2015, 06:26 PM
I think there were more iterations between those and Alpha Gen1. There were MR drives and 888s I think, whatever those were. Unless if was the same HW with different marketing.

Yes.. definitely.. many more.. just looking at the pictures of the two drives.. they are the first generations... the type I especially looks to have a lot of changes to get to alpha...

revkev6
07-11-2015, 06:22 AM
Well... for better or worse I own it now! Pretty much a bare hull with bad wood. Guy had loads of older junk but nothing useful to the formula. I will put up some pic's later!

OFFSHORE GINGER
07-12-2015, 10:00 AM
Well... for better or worse I own it now! Pretty much a bare hull with bad wood. Congrats on your new project which in my opinion would be a fun one to have .

revkev6
07-12-2015, 10:47 AM
Thanks im pretty excited!.. anyone know how formula did the serial numbers on this boat? I have all the paperwork but none of it says the year of the boat.

It starts with 1756... with the 3 digit serial after that. From my understanding it would be 1765 for a 17ft boat made in 1965.. with the 3 digit number following..... maybe they called it a 17.5 and it's a 66?

woobs
07-12-2015, 11:33 PM
Congrats on the new project!

revkev6
07-13-2015, 01:11 PM
here's some pictures! first one is getting the trailer roadworthy to make the 1.5 hour highway ride back to my house, second is during our stop for dinner/wheel bearing check at a diner and lastly back safe in my yard with my not so enthused wife :biggrin.:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/20150710_185840.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/20150710_185840.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/20150711_121341.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/20150711_121341.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/20150710_210117.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/20150710_210117.jpg.html)

revkev6
07-15-2015, 07:30 AM
ok, so I started doing a little cleanup work last night... pulled that anchor of a 454 out of the cockpit area and got under the bow to see if I could start putting some pressure on it to get the shape back... unfortunately it seems to have a double layer layup with no core material for the top deck?? I'm very confused by this. anyone know how these things are put together?? was there a wood structure inside that maybe rotted away??

OFFSHORE GINGER
07-15-2015, 08:30 AM
Could you please post up some pics of the top-side and underneath the deck ( areas of concern ) for all to view ?

johnnywhale
07-15-2015, 08:47 AM
More importantly, how about that truck? Crew cab International? Cool!

revkev6
07-15-2015, 09:19 AM
Could you please post up some pics of the top-side and underneath the deck ( areas of concern ) for all to view ?

you can see the top side of the bow in the first pic I put up... it's a couple inches low instead of a crown. I will see what I can do about more pictures in the next few days. this is a long term project for me that I'm not really planning to do much on until fall when my actual boating time slows down! I did want to get some pressure on this bow now so that it was brought back slowly.


More importantly, how about that truck? Crew cab International? Cool!

it's interesting... belonged to the guy who was selling all this junk for the widow of the hoarder who had passed away. put on that nasty home made fiberglass "wing" on the bed too :confused:

Ed Donnelly
07-15-2015, 10:54 AM
Just tell your wife
"One day it will be as beautiful as you"
Worked for me once...Ed

revkev6
07-15-2015, 11:21 AM
Just tell your wife
"One day it will be as beautiful as you"
Worked for me once...Ed

HA! I have been into hot rods since I was 12 so me dragging home old junk to fix is nothing new to her!

revkev6
07-16-2015, 02:12 PM
sorry about the pictures! I just moved all the formula pics into a seperate album... did some more work last night.... cleaned up the junk in it and vacuumed. pushed up the bow a little more so that looks do-able... what are the donzi 16 guys running for tanks??


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150710_185840.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150710_185840.jpg.html)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150711_121341.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150711_121341.jpg.html)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/IMG_20150714_195200nopm.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/IMG_20150714_195200nopm.jpg.html)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150715_185926_1.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150715_185926_1.jpg.html)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150715_185937_1.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150715_185937_1.jpg.html)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150715_190016.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150715_190016.jpg.html)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150715_190021.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150715_190021.jpg.html)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150715_190034.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150715_190034.jpg.html)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150715_190038.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150715_190038.jpg.html)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150715_192317.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150715_192317.jpg.html)

Lenny
07-17-2015, 09:09 AM
Great project. I have a junker one that needs a lot of attention one day. :lookaroun:

Can you do me a favor and measure your stripes, total width port to starboard and individual width of the two stripe widths please ?

THX

revkev6
07-17-2015, 09:48 AM
Great project. I have a junker one that needs a lot of attention one day. :lookaroun:

Can you do me a favor and measure your stripes, total width port to starboard and individual width of the two stripe widths please ?

THX

Mine needs much attention... how bad is yours?? would love to see some others! my boat is original gelcoat so I will get you measurements. I found a gentleman from NH that has one he has owned and run since new! He's been a great source to converse with.

OFFSHORE GINGER
07-17-2015, 10:31 AM
After viewing your pics of the deck I can almost bet that you will need to beef up and support the area of concern considering you most likely will experience some de-lamination ( if not already ) going on while trying to get the deck to regain its original shape .

revkev6
07-17-2015, 12:05 PM
After viewing your pics of the deck I can almost bet that you will need to beef up and support the area of concern considering you most likely will experience some de-lamination ( if not already ) going on while trying to get the deck to regain its original shape .

i've been discussing this with a boating friend of mine... we have come to the conclusion that cutting out the lower skin and building a balsa core into the deck may be my best bet. hardest part will be getting it in the right shape upside down detached from the hull.

bertsboat
07-17-2015, 12:18 PM
If at all possible don't remove the deck. Make a cradle and turn iy over and work from underneath. That's the way we did the Hornet. The deck remained on and the entire deck was re cored. It was not as difficult as it sounds. The shape will more than likely fall back to where it was when you remove the inner skin.

Scott Pearson
07-17-2015, 12:47 PM
Shore up the deck from underneath with wood to get its shape back. Make a jig and lift it off. Flip it over and do your coring. Its the right way to do it.

revkev6
07-17-2015, 02:14 PM
Shore up the deck from underneath with wood to get its shape back. Make a jig and lift it off. Flip it over and do your coring. Its the right way to do it.

I like that ALOT! how was the deck attached to the jig?? I was thinking the other way, putting some thin ply in from underneath then trimming them off afterwards. a jig like that from the top would make the work fast when flipped. attachment and detachment are key there though I assume??

bertsboat
07-17-2015, 02:27 PM
It's a bit more work but Scott's way is the way to go. Especially if your getting paid.

OFFSHORE GINGER
07-17-2015, 08:04 PM
i've been discussing this with a boating friend of mine... we have come to the conclusion that cutting out the lower skin and building a balsa core into the deck may be my best bet. hardest part will be getting it in the right shape upside down detached from the hull. Just curious when you mention cutting out the lower skin are you talking about the liner / floor in the boat ?

revkev6
07-18-2015, 07:40 AM
Just curious when you mention cutting out the lower skin are you talking about the liner / floor in the boat ?

The top of the deck has two layers like it was supposed to have a sandwich core already

Scott Pearson
07-18-2015, 09:09 AM
I like that ALOT! how was the deck attached to the jig?? I was thinking the other way, putting some thin ply in from underneath then trimming them off afterwards. a jig like that from the top would make the work fast when flipped. attachment and detachment are key there though I assume??


The jig was attached with polyester marine glue. You need to get the shape back in the deck first by shoring it up underneath with 2x4's or whatever...junk wood. Just cut them to length and wedge them in between the deck, floor, stringers whatever will keep the deck in its form. Than make the jig and lift off. Flip over and cut the old core out and replace with new!

revkev6
07-19-2015, 05:38 AM
The jig was attached with polyester marine glue. You need to get the shape back in the deck first by shoring it up underneath with 2x4's or whatever...junk wood. Just cut them to length and wedge them in between the deck, floor, stringers whatever will keep the deck in its form. Than make the jig and lift off. Flip over and cut the old core out and replace with new!


When you are done with the jig how are you detaching it?

revkev6
07-21-2015, 09:25 AM
ok.. did some cleaning last weekend.... pressure washer and some "LA's totally awesome cleaner" to cut the oil and grease in the bilge. i can now step in the boat without becoming a mess... major bonus!

do you guys have any good reference links to deck off rebuilds of donzi classics?? even good links for other boats... really step by step stuff?? I'm torn as to which direction I need to go first??? i'm thinking step one has to be shape and support the deck before pulling?? is the roller trailer enough support once I pull the deck and stringers or should I make up an external support frame??

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150718_115625.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150718_115625.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150718_115630.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150718_115630.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150718_115642.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150718_115642.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150718_115728.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150718_115728.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150718_115724.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150718_115724.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150718_115704.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150718_115704.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150718_115651.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150718_115651.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150718_115756.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150718_115756.jpg.html)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/revkev6/formula%20jr/20150718_115759.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/revkev6/media/formula%20jr/20150718_115759.jpg.html)

revkev6
07-21-2015, 09:48 AM
The jig was attached with polyester marine glue. You need to get the shape back in the deck first by shoring it up underneath with 2x4's or whatever...junk wood. Just cut them to length and wedge them in between the deck, floor, stringers whatever will keep the deck in its form. Than make the jig and lift off. Flip over and cut the old core out and replace with new!

Scott, I assume you are from the lake George area?? whereabouts?? i'm from western mass. (six flags area) and my inlaws live about 20 minutes away from the lake. My wife and I go visit a couple times a year. last summer I rented a house there and we had a wonderful time on the lake with our boats.

CHACHI
07-21-2015, 10:06 AM
Agawam?

revkev6
07-21-2015, 10:17 AM
Agawam?


Are you nearby??

CHACHI
07-21-2015, 11:46 AM
Was. Grew up in Wilbraham, lived in Westfield.

Ken

revkev6
07-21-2015, 12:05 PM
Was. Grew up in Wilbraham, lived in Westfield.

Ken

PM sent

Donzi_Dude
09-07-2015, 08:55 AM
the original sweet 16, nice!

woobs
05-15-2016, 11:40 AM
Hey,
How's this project going???

OFFSHORE GINGER
05-15-2016, 05:25 PM
Hey,
How's this project going??? Better yet how is your project going ........................LOL ?

woobs
05-15-2016, 05:54 PM
Better yet how is your project going ........................LOL ?

Today? ....GREAT!

revkev6
06-13-2016, 07:42 AM
Hey guys, I've still got my Junior and glad to see their has been more interest in these cool little boats! after pressure washing her and cleaning out all the gunk she is sitting covered nicely waiting for a driveline. if anyone knows of a good Alpha gen II v8 driveline for reasonable money I would appreciate it if you could point me to it. I had one lined up this spring and the guy sold it in pieces 2 hours after I called and told him I would be there that afternoon to buy it... ahhh gotta love craigslist!

as you can see, it's a stripped out boat so I need everything from helm to prop! something with a cracked block doesn't bother me as it gives me an excuse :biggrin.:

btw, I'm in western mass... so I'm game for most of new England...

woobs
06-13-2016, 05:24 PM
My Jr . adventure is just beginning :).... Although, I have been collecting parts for a few years!

revkev6
06-14-2016, 07:14 AM
congrats sean! start a thread and put up some pictures! I want more details. :party:

revkev6
06-14-2016, 08:19 AM
congrats sean! start a thread and put up some pictures! I want more details. :party:

I just looked at the for sale thread you put up! hull #2?? that would be F17 64 102 then?? my serial number is actually messed up believe it or not. they did it F17 56 109. I don't have a year with the title so it's either a 65 or 66 9th hull made that year. OMC is interesting only other one i've seen with OMC is the one that formula has sitting in their factory show room! are you keeping it that way or changing to something newer?? the layout of the boat looks like you had a V-type engine in there. some OMC's came with the Buick oddfire 6.. could also be a V8. My boat was a merc inline and did not have the scoop in the engine hatch, it had an offset spot without coring to make room for the carb.

every one of these boats that comes out means more interesting history!

woobs
06-14-2016, 04:30 PM
The boat is still not home yet... it'll be a while. When I get into it for real, I'll start a thread for it.

From what I have been told the boat in the Formula showroom is #1 and this is Hull #2.... yet to be confirmed. This Jr. came from Key Largo, FLA and the p/o said that Aronow had friends not too far away down the road. He acquired this boat about 30 years ago as a non runner from those "friends" and just parked it. Later he sold the engine/drive but other than that it has spent all these years in the yard under a tarp and some trees.

In consideration of the "story" it's possible that this boat was made prior to the sale of Formula to Thunderbird.... and may be F17 64 002. Given a single exhaust hole I'm thinkin it had an inline motor but, I have no idea what at this point (I really need to get this boat home) and I have a lot of research to do.

My plans include a Mercruiser makeover with a SBF stroker in the HM style.

BUIZILLA
06-14-2016, 04:48 PM
judging from what I saw up close of it, it had an OMC 4 cyl, probably a 153 ci/110 or 120 hp

woobs
06-14-2016, 06:09 PM
judging from what I saw up close of it, it had an OMC 4 cyl, probably a 153 ci/110 or 120 hp
Given the drive and the single exhaust hole.... that's a good bet.

woobs
06-15-2016, 01:02 AM
my serial number is actually messed up believe it or not. they did it F17 56 109.
Yours is not the only FJ17 56 XXx odd serial #.

I found F 5665 C, missing the J17 (see picture), one digit short and a suffix added.


and FJ17 5606. This # (missing a digit ?) comes from a "for sale" ad where the owner lists the boat as a 1965.

revkev6
06-15-2016, 07:11 AM
The boat is still not home yet... it'll be a while. When I get into it for real, I'll start a thread for it.

From what I have been told the boat in the Formula showroom is #1 and this is Hull #2.... yet to be confirmed. This Jr. came from Key Largo, FLA and the p/o said that Aronow had friends not too far away down the road. He acquired this boat about 30 years ago as a non runner from those "friends" and just parked it. Later he sold the engine/drive but other than that it has spent all these years in the yard under a tarp and some trees.

In consideration of the "story" it's possible that this boat was made prior to the sale of Formula to Thunderbird.... and may be F17 64 002. Given a single exhaust hole I'm thinkin it had an inline motor but, I have no idea what at this point (I really need to get this boat home) and I have a lot of research to do.

My plans include a Mercruiser makeover with a SBF stroker in the HM style.

I can get confirmation on the factory showroom formula hull number. My understanding was that the people at formula are pretty much clueless on this era boat, including the one on the floor. I have half a dozen pictures they emailed me of it. I will let you know what they say

revkev6
06-15-2016, 07:14 AM
Given the drive and the single exhaust hole.... that's a good bet.

that boat would have had an early electric shift OMC... these had external steering arms... which is what the hole is for on the port side. you don't have any exhaust holes on the back of that boat. My mercruiser powered boat doesn't either. so, it really could have had anything in it. Buizilla, what makes you think it had an inline??

revkev6
06-15-2016, 07:27 AM
Yours is not the only FJ17 56 XXx odd serial #.

I found F 5665 C, missing the J17 (see picture), one digit short and a suffix added.


and FJ17 5606. This # (missing a digit ?) comes from a "for sale" ad where the owner lists the boat as a 1965.

that is an odd serial number because even the weight is different. listed as 1500lbs. All the others I've seen are 1200lbs.

are you sure that was an early junior, not the later one with the open bow??

revkev6
06-15-2016, 08:03 AM
this is what the junior transformed into in 1970:
84681

woobs
06-15-2016, 09:37 AM
I can get confirmation on the factory showroom formula hull number. My understanding was that the people at formula are pretty much clueless on this era boat, including the one on the floor. I have half a dozen pictures they emailed me of it. I will let you know what they say
I also e-mailed them yesterday for any/all knowledge or support they may be able to give.

revkev6
06-15-2016, 09:51 AM
I also e-mailed them yesterday for any/all knowledge or support they may be able to give.

they don't really have any. I got some pictures of theirs from Chris at formula last summer. I sent him an email this morning asking about it and it's sn. he said the current owners of formula purchased the boat and had it restored. he did not give me the serial number, hoping that changes. He did show me a picture of the dataplate photoshopped to hide the number and it looks in very good shape... I'm jealous lol

woobs
06-15-2016, 11:06 AM
that is an odd serial number because even the weight is different. listed as 1500lbs. All the others I've seen are 1200lbs. are you sure that was an early junior, not the later one with the open bow??

Yep, sure. I was searching the forums until late last night. "Hollywood Hank" posts the pictures of his clean 1965 Eaton drive (seen below) along with the tag. I also thought the 1500lb capacity odd... but, it was the '60's and that shop was busy.

There's lots of information here on .net and over at .org if you do a search. Member, Owen aka Formula Jr. posts much of it and seems to have done some research which you can see develop if you start with the oldest posts first. He says "Of the two I have, the serials are F17 56130 and F17 56-001C Capacity 1200 lbs. Again we see the "56" and a FJ that does not start with the "1" but has a suffix "C".

Lastly, I found a reference to production numbers that should be behind the dash on the starboard side....

bertsboat
06-15-2016, 11:45 AM
Met a fellow Donzi lover at the Mt Dora boat show three years ago. He would come over and admire the Baby Donzi every year and tell me he knew where one was sitting in the Keys. He would sort of tell me where it was but I could never nail him down for the exact spot. I think if this had been a Baby Donzi he would have gone for it for himself, being a real lover of Donzi that he is. So, after meeting him at the show for three years here he comes again. This time he told me he went by and that it wasn't a Donzi after all. It was a Formula JR and this time he told me exactly where it was and what the deal was. The fellow was selling his property and the boat needed to go and that if no one bought it he was going to take it to the dump. Vic begged him not to do that till he told me and if I couldn't move it for him then scrap it.
I had seen that Sean was looking for a JR project so I PM him and get this deal going. Got pictures, phone numbers, names etc and after much research Sean got the job done. Congratulations to you Sean. Glad everything worked out and that you are able to make this boat something special.
Here are some pictures I received from Vic in Key Largo. And thanks go out to Vic and next year I will let him take the Baby out for a spin, all by himself!!
Bert

revkev6
06-15-2016, 12:49 PM
Yep, sure. I was searching the forums until late last night. "Hollywood Hank" posts the pictures of his clean 1965 Eaton drive (seen below) along with the tag. I also thought the 1500lb capacity odd... but, it was the '60's and that shop was busy.

There's lots of information here on .net and over at .org if you do a search. Member, Owen aka Formula Jr. posts much of it and seems to have done some research which you can see develop if you start with the oldest posts first. He says "Of the two I have, the serials are F17 56130 and F17 56-001C Capacity 1200 lbs. Again we see the "56" and a FJ that does not start with the "1" but has a suffix "C".

Lastly, I found a reference to production numbers that should be behind the dash on the starboard side....

i just heard back from Chris on the Jr in the show room. he says they purchased it just to put in the show room, as far as he knows there is no significance to this particular boat. the serial on it is F17 5660, which seems like we are coming out with two distinct sets of serial numbers....

bertsboat
06-15-2016, 01:08 PM
If you ask for Scott Porter he will know more about the older boats. he is one, if not the, owner there at Formula.
Scott has been there for as long as I can remember. They were in Miami when this boat was built.

revkev6
06-15-2016, 01:25 PM
If you ask for Scott Porter he will know more about the older boats. he is one, if not the, owner there at Formula.
Scott has been there for as long as I can remember. They were in Miami when this boat was built.

I haven't asked to speak with anyone, but from what chris said their really isn't much knowledge of the company before the mid 70's when it was bought. so these thunderbird era Juniors really have no living history as far as I have found. closest thing i have found to living history is the guy in londonderry NH that has owned and run his junior since it was brand new.

bertsboat
06-15-2016, 03:07 PM
Did you ask Brownie?

woobs
06-15-2016, 03:40 PM
I had seen that Sean was looking for a JR project so I PM him and get this deal going.

Yes, A BIG thank-you to Bert for getting this rolling. I'm still excited as hell but, my wife hates you... it's a small price :)

revkev6
06-15-2016, 03:46 PM
Did you ask Brownie?

:eek::worthy:

how would we do such a thing?? was he involved at that point??

woobs
06-15-2016, 04:01 PM
I just messaged Scott Porter, President of Formula boats.... we'll see :)

bertsboat
06-18-2016, 03:35 PM
I'll ask brownie.

:eek::worthy:
I'll ask Brownie

how would we do such a thing?? was he involved at that point??

woobs
08-01-2016, 12:42 PM
i just heard back from Chris on the Jr in the show room. he says they purchased it just to put in the show room, as far as he knows there is no significance to this particular boat. the serial on it is F17 5660, which seems like we are coming out with two distinct sets of serial numbers....

Do we know if this is F17 "fifty-six, sixty" or F17 56 060 ? Also is there a "C" afterwards?
Could you ask Chris what the significance of the "C" is?