Hello all. Just joined this forum. I am looking into getting a 95 Falcon Thunderbird 1800 BR. It has a 4.3 ltr Mercruiser. It is in excellent shape. As far as NADA goes, it books for about $8600 with the accessories I am getting with it. I am getting it for $5800. Any opinions on this boat? I just sold a flat bottom jet, and getting back into the pleasure boating. Look forward to your opinions, good or bad. thanks!! ;D
95 Falcon Thunderbird
- Thread starter srm148
- Start date
The Falcons weren't quite a Formula but certainly better than a Bayliner. Perhaps Formula figured them as an enter level for bigger and better things. In any case , it must have been a bad idea since they dropped the line after only a few years :-[
Only ever saw one. 22 or 23 feet , 350 mag and BravoIII. Owner was satisfied but not thrilled with it. Like most of us idiots , he wanted to go faster. :
Bottom line is , if you're happy , thats all that counts. Good luck and enjoy ;D
Welcome to the "Formula family"
Only ever saw one. 22 or 23 feet , 350 mag and BravoIII. Owner was satisfied but not thrilled with it. Like most of us idiots , he wanted to go faster. :
Bottom line is , if you're happy , thats all that counts. Good luck and enjoy ;D
Welcome to the "Formula family"
Purely speculation on my part:
I put two and two together and my thought is that Formula was test marketing the bow rider.
Statistics show that the average bowrider is longer than what used to be popular. More requests came for 26 and 28 foot bow riders and some builders were afraid that it would be a short lived interest hence hesitant to comply. Formula was said by some to be competing with other bow rider builders but Formula never used their name in this effort. Then is seems like after that Formula kicks off their own bow rider but nothing shorter than 24 foot and probably never will. My guess is that anything shorter than 24 can not deliver the ride quality that Formula prefers.
I noticed at the boat show that the bow riders Formula builds are smooth V hulls with Bravo 3 drives. A great combination for control, ride and low range performance. That leaves the Fastech and relief hulls for speed junkies. ;D ;D
It may be specific intent that Formula keeps the smooth hull and relief hull separate in the bowrider building. At least they aren't trying to combine all that in one boat like other builders are. Seems to me a conflict of focus trying to make the boat fast but using technology that takes away from handling which is primarily what a bowrider needs; handling.
I put two and two together and my thought is that Formula was test marketing the bow rider.
Statistics show that the average bowrider is longer than what used to be popular. More requests came for 26 and 28 foot bow riders and some builders were afraid that it would be a short lived interest hence hesitant to comply. Formula was said by some to be competing with other bow rider builders but Formula never used their name in this effort. Then is seems like after that Formula kicks off their own bow rider but nothing shorter than 24 foot and probably never will. My guess is that anything shorter than 24 can not deliver the ride quality that Formula prefers.
I noticed at the boat show that the bow riders Formula builds are smooth V hulls with Bravo 3 drives. A great combination for control, ride and low range performance. That leaves the Fastech and relief hulls for speed junkies. ;D ;D
It may be specific intent that Formula keeps the smooth hull and relief hull separate in the bowrider building. At least they aren't trying to combine all that in one boat like other builders are. Seems to me a conflict of focus trying to make the boat fast but using technology that takes away from handling which is primarily what a bowrider needs; handling.
srm148 said:
Welcome to the forum. ;D
A friend of mine has that same power package in a Celebrity. It is very torquey and he is happy with it. Runs with us every season and has not had any trouble with it.
Yours should do well. Sounds like a great starter boat especially since it had Formula efforts behind it. I would think that boat does not have some vulnerabilities that typical market bowriders have like thin hulls and rough ride.
Well, after several emails and phone conversations with Formula on this boat, I found out that they manufactured this boat from 92-98. It was designed as an entry level boat for Formula, with hopes that people would want to move up to the larger Formula family. Well, it succeeded and Formula outgrew its factory and at that time, they discontinued the Falcon line of boats. They still support this line and all its parts. The boat carries the Formula emblem, and workmanship. I did purchase the boat and went over it with a fine tooth comb. Very well built. So, maybe one day ofter winning the state lottery we can afford a larger Formula! lol till then, we will enjoy what we have.....
fast fun 2
New member
I just picked up a 1996 Falcon 18 LE. Its in VERY rough shape and is setup for an Outboard. The hull and sides are in good shape just need paint. The floor is rotted out and the interior needs to be redone. Did Thunderbird ever make this boat with an outboard? There is no motor box and it seems to nbe riggen nicely.
I have had my 95 1800 BR LE Since new. We use it very little but do enjoy it. It has the 4.3 engine and performs very well. I get 48 mph . I am running a 21" Prop which is fine for general use but a 19 Pitch would be better for pulling a Slalom skier out of the water. I struggle getting out! It rides good and handles light chop. I stay away for going fast in rough water for fear of burring the bow. Great family lake boat built very well. I had a 272 SR 1 Miss it but that was a different time when you could fill it up for $100.00