TOPIC: Not Sure What I Have? (Formula by Thunderbird)

First off,

Glad to have found the site I hope to gain a wealth of info from it.

I have on my hands what I believe to be a 1969 21' Formula by Thunderbird closed bow runabout. It is an outboard model rated for a 200hp. I attached two pics to show you all what I am working with. I believe that the hull was designed by Don Aronow, and that it is rare because I have never seen besides this boat as an outboard model.

* I cant get the pics up but if you post your email I will send right away.

I hope that some of you guys have run into these before because besides what I put into the post, I know nothing else about it. I appreciate the help, and thank you in advance.

John

welcome john,im willing to bet that your pictures are too big,if you go to the support section,there are posts telling you how to resize them and post them,i cant wait to see it,john

..P.. : WELCOME. {Prior upstate New York here. This is the LINK to our library here , some history of teh Thunderbird / Don Arrow connection.. Very small brochure under Formula.
www.fiberglassics.com/library/Thunderbird . We had two other guys earlier this year , same question, Will do a SEARCH above.
Here was one of the threads www.fiberglassics.com/glassic-forums/2-main-forum/40460-now-that-im-a-year-into-itwhat-is-it.html#40471

Ok I think I got the pics working.

And thats the second one. What you guys think?

Here is our library link to the 71 Brochure. ..Do not see the outboard model carried over from 69 .?
www.fiberglassics.com/library/File:Formulab71007.jpg
Do you have a O/B for the hull . Probably need 125 - 150 to push along.?

Yea its the weirdest thing I can not find out anything on it anywhere. I do not have an outboard for her yet, I am a long way off from that, but I intend to put at least a 150 on her, most likely a 175 and ideally a 200.

I will add that the serial number on the manufacturers tag reads:
F986129J maybe that would help out.

..P.: from about 66 to mid 71 the companies all went out into Left Field with long serial #'s & Letters that were there own quality control log or maybe a different plant location.

Mid 71 when the Coast Guard H.I.N. standard engraved into the back upper right corner ,outside transom did stuff make sence. 1st Three letters the mfg , Name CODE. the last Two digits , the year built..

.In general a owner could find out the boat is earlier than 69 , For example, during re-sell or that specific state going to TITLES, re-listed the date for the new computer system.

. You may get lucky & find another owner with good info , or even a prior company employee.

John . i sent you an E-MAIL ,and just by chance did you get it ?

You have to be careful with the HP ratings.I have seen the hp ratings for some Custom Crafts early model years listed at 200hp,and there is no way you could drop a 200 on one and expect it to stay intact.You will have to check out the transom very carefully and may have to add knee braces to put that much hp on her. In 1969, to the best of my knowledge the biggest outboard mfg by Mercury was a 115hp.So if you are trying to keep it period correct you will have to stay in that hp range.There is gray area,you could put a 1970-80s 135-150 and find a 115 wrap that should fit the 150.This would still keep it looking correct and very few would know the difference.On the other hand a newer V-6 is going to take away from the whole pkg,unless you do not care and just want to bomb around.IMHO I do not care for a glassic with a modern engine on it,just looks wrong.Good luck with her.

I did once own a Formula by Thunderbird but it was an I/O. 1980 it was. From your pictures it looks like they used the same mold for most of their boats. Mine had a really deep transom. I'm guessing here but it wasn't long after that they went strictly Formula.

Offshore ginger, thank you I got the email no problem.

If I do redo the boat I plan on putting braces on the transom to reinforce it. From what I can see the transom is actually in ok shape and just needs to be reinforced.

John , great idea because adding knees will give the transom area more structural integrity .