Boating — December 2018

(Brent) #1

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VIDEO


SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATIONnaut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
1000 4.9 5.6 3.2 1.5 1.8 307.9 354.4 2 65
1500 7.1 8.2 5.3 1.3 1.5 272.3 313.3 2 72
2000 8.5 9.8 9.2 0.9 1.1 187.4 215.7 4 76
2500 8.6 9.9 15.8 0.5 0.6 110.3 126.9 7 79
3000 14.3 16.5 16.6 0.9 1.0 174.9 201.3 6 83
3500 24.0 27.6 23.5 1.0 1.2 206.7 237.8 5 86
4000 26.9 31.0 29.0 0.9 1.1 188.1 216.5 5 87
4500 33.9 39.0 36.3 0.9 1.1 189.1 217.6 5 90
5000 37.5 43.2 46.7 0.8 0.9 162.8 187.3 4 90
5500 40.6 46.7 57.0 0.7 0.8 144.2 165.9 3 90
6000 43.4 50.0 69.6 0.6 0.7 126.4 145.5 3 93
6500 47.2 54.3 86.3 0.5 0.6 110.7 127.4 3 93
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED

HIGH POINTS
XTriple Mercury Verado Four-
Strokes, optionally color-matched
to the hull, provide the wow factor
when pulling in at the restaurant.
XWell-appointed cabin with
enclosed head provides more than
adequate room to get out of the
rain, spend a quick night aboard, or
have a nice meal while watching
some TV.

Specs
· LOA: 33'0" · BEAM: 10'3"
· DRY WEIGHT: 12,500 lb. · SEATING/
WEIGHT CAPACITY: Yacht Certifi ed
· FUEL CAPACITY: 225 gal.

How We Tested
ENGINES: Triple Mercury Verado
FourStrokes
DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury
Revolution 4 17" x 14^5 / 8 "
GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1
FUEL LOAD: 127 gal.
CREW WEIGHT: 375 lb.
Price
$554,330 (as tested)

FORMULA


330 CBR


counter with sink and a fridge with icebox.
The pilot’s cockpit has enough controls
and instruments for a 777, and it can be in-
timidating for a bit.
Aft, a power hatch lifts to reveal a
well-arranged and neatly rigged under-
deck area to access the genset and engine/
power-steering rigging. This is where the
engines would be in the sterndrive model,
so there’s loads of room to move around
and check things over when necessary. A
large sun lounge with reversible seat back
is mounted atop the hatch. At the tran-
som, the triple Mercs are mounted to an
Armstrong engine bracket. The aft deck is
plenty large for swimming or watersports
prep, and it’s covered with PlasDek for
long-term wear.

If you can imagine an amenity, Formula
has included it aboard the 330 CBR (Cross-
over Bowrider). With 900 hp on tap, the
12,500-pound 330 CBR reached 30 mph
in just over 7 seconds. Top speed was a tick
under 55 mph with the Mercury Verados
making 6,500 rpm. While
there’s a lot to contend with
(triple engine throttles, triple
trim systems, and trim tabs)
Formula and Mercury make
it easy with Active Trim, a
Skyhook joystick, and syn-
chronized digital controls.
Our best economy net-
ted 1.2 mpg at 27.6 mph.
That economy stayed fairly
constant up to 4,500 rpm
and 39  mph, so you can gal-
lop home in a storm without
burning much more than
you would at a nice cruise.
Formula’s 21-degree vee

combines with 12,500-pound heft to tame
waves. The ride proved solid and sure-
footed. In tight turns, the 330 held its own.
Formula’s approach is to load the boat
with features and execute perfectly. A pol-
ished stainless-steel anchor windlass and
chrome-plated remote spotlight reside in
the nose. The bowrider section is cavern-
ous and comfy, with crisp yachting cloth
and supple cushioning. We had the occa-
sion to install the cockpit covers thanks to
overnight showers, and they fi t perfectly.
The hardtop features mood lighting, ste-
reo speakers, and an electric retractable
awning that extends aft to shade pas-
sengers sitting in the stern. Amidships,
entertaining is done with a clean portside

PHOTOS: BILL DOSTER

FORMULA BOATS
Decatur, Indiana; 800-736-7685; formulaboats.com

To watch our
video review of
the 330 CBR,
scan this
tag or visit
boatingmag
.com/bbg18/
formula330cbr.


C


RUNABOUT


CERTIFIED
TEST
RESULTS

BOAT BUYERS GUIDE 2018 | 26 | BOATINGMAG.COM

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