2018 Formula 280 SS — Should You Buy One?
Typical asking price: $55,000–$82,000. There are 2 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.
Kestrel Take
Formula builds premium fiberglass performance cruisers with exceptional fit and finish. The 280 SS is a high-quality boat that holds value well and was built to last. Twin MerCruiser stern drives mean double the bellows and impeller maintenance — budget accordingly.
What we checked
No public record to reconcile against
We don't yet have a public record to check this one against. Boats and personal watercraft are not in NHTSA’s database — that is the Coast Guard, which publishes recalls but no owner-complaint record. What follows is our own write-up, and it has not been reconciled against an official record. Treat it as a starting point, not a verdict.
Known Issues for the 2018 Formula 280 SS
Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.
Two stern drives means two sets of bellows, two impellers, two sets of zincs. Bellows on both units must be inspected — one failure is a sinking risk.
Repair cost (estimate): $600-$1,400 for both units preventive
Source: not yet checked against public records.
The closed cooling system requires coolant changes every 2 years. Neglected coolant corrodes the heat exchanger.
Repair cost (estimate): $200-$600 maintenance, $2,000+ if exchanger damaged
Source: not yet checked against public records.
Premium vinyl upholstery on a 2018 boat shows age — check for cracking, UV damage, and seam separation.
Repair cost (estimate): $1,500-$5,000 to re-upholster
Source: not yet checked against public records.
Walk-Away Red Flags
- ✗Bellows on either stern drive showing cracks or being milky
- ✗No coolant system service in the records
- ✗Upholstery that is cracked or peeling significantly
Good Signs
- ✓Annual MerCruiser dealer service on both drives
- ✓Coolant changed on schedule
- ✓Stored under cover — upholstery in good condition
Found a specific Formula 280 SS?
This page covers what goes wrong on the 2018 Formula 280 SS in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.
Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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