C
CERTIFIED
TEST
RESULTS PHOTO: BILL DOSTERbow won’t be crowded; it’s huge, with
broad, richly upholstered lounges that
don’t stick to your shorts in the hot sun.
It’s easy to spend the day up there, with
well-placed sound-system speakers, large
cup holders, and USB outlets to entertain
in comfort. The polished look continues
with the framed automotive-style wind-
shield, which wraps around the pilot and
cockpit with compound curves and just
the right height and heft, giving a great
view over the bow and to port and star-
board, and provides a sturdy handgrip in
rough seas.
Between the bowrider section and the
cockpit, a step-down mini-cabin sepa-
rates the layout. The cabin serves well asa quick respite from the sun or for whim-
sical overnight quarters. The door to ac-
cess the cabin is heavy and closes solidly,
giving confident privacy to those below.
Amenities include a V-shaped lounge that
is a comfort for two to get out of the rain.
Insert cushions convert it into a berth. A
microwave, flat-screen TV and stereo, air
conditioning, screened portholes with a
large sliding cabin window, and a bright,
clean and crisply styled head with under-
counter lighting make this cabin a cozy
nest for two.
Topside, the helm station is dominated
by the Mercury VesselView digital moni-
toring system and Mercury Active Trim
automatic engine trim. The Active Trim
system is a nice-to-have extra. While you
can trim the boat manually, our testing on
this boat and others shows only a very rare
need to do so. Similarly, this boat responds
well to the throttle levers, but the joystick
control adds a level of maneuverability to
the boat that even the most seasoned skip-
pers will appreciate.
The helm seating is a dual-position
wide convertible backrest unit, making
a great conversation pit when combined
with the L-shaped aft lounge. Stylish
Corian cockpit tables are at your service
in the bow and stern. There’s plenty ofconnectivity in the aft cockpit as well; no
one will get bored on this boat, even those
who have their noses in their phones. The
Clarion sound system is amped at each
of the six aft cockpit speakers, so output
is clear.
The aft swim platform and lounge
is well-sized for this large hull and the
crowds it will carry. The hardtop with
retractable sunroof provides stylish and
functional overhead protection.
Formula knows how to build attractive
boats that last. The gelcoat is accented by
sweet Axalta ChromaPremier basecoat
and Imron Elite clearcoat. Construction
consists of a bonded and through-bolted
hull-to-deck joint with a Perma Panel
foam-filled hull matrix for structural
stiffness and vibration reduction.
What would be the engine room in
a sterndrive boat is a compartment for
rigging: batteries, wiring and plumbing,
genset, and fire detection/prevention sys-
tem. Maintenance and cleaning are made
easier by the open space.
Given the 330 CBR’s size and features,
direct comparisons are tough to make.
Other boats with similar missions in-
clude Regal’s 33SAV ($347,825 with twin
300 hp Yamaha outboards), which is the
same size as the Formula but carries a
max of twin 350 Yamahas compared to
the Formula’s triple Verados, and Sea
Ray’s SLX 350 ($365,628), which matches
the Formula for power but is nearly 2 feet
longer. —John TigerHigh Points
XAbundance of way-cool gadgets and toys
will keep new owners entertained and
learning for at least the first season.
XDeep-V hull won’t rattle teeth in heavy
late-afternoon chop and cruiser wakes.
XElectric windlass and power sunshade save
time and effort and add to the luxury.Low Points
XHigh-tech battery system is complex; study
your manual.
XThis much luxury, performance and quality
doesn’t come cheap.· LOA: 33'0" · BEAM: 10'3" · DRAFT (MAX):
2'11" · DISPLACEMENT (APPROX.): 12,900 lb.
· TRANSOM DEADRISE: 21 degrees · BRIDGE
CLEARANCE: 9'1" · MAX CABIN HEADROOM:
6'0" · FUEL CAPACITY: 225 gal. · MAX
HORSEPOWER: 900 · AVAILABLE POWER: Twin
Ilmor, MerCruiser or Volvo Penta sterndrives to 860
hp; triple Mercury Verado outboards to 900 hpPrice: $436,120
(base with test power)Formula does not
measure extended swim
platforms or bow/anchorpulpits. It provides a true
length overall.
HOW WE TESTED
ENGINE: TRIPLE 300 HP MERCURY VERADO
FOURSTROKE OUTBOARDS DRIVE/PROP:
MERCURY REVOLUTION 4 14^3 / 4 " X 17"
GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 FUEL LOAD: 127 GAL.
CREW WEIGHT: 375 LB.
FORMULA BOATS
Decatur, Indiana; 800-736-7685; formulaboats.comSPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION
rpm knots mph gph^ naut. mpg stat. mpg range range n. mi. s. mi. angle levelsound
1000 4.87 5.60 3.20 1.52 1.75 308 354 2 65
1500 7.13 8.20 5.30 1.34 1.55 272 313 2 72
2000 8.52 9.80 9.20 0.93 1.07 187 216 4 76
2500 8.60 9.90 15.80 0.54 0.63 110 127 7 79
3000 14.34 16.50 16.60 0.86 0.99 175 201 6 83
3500 23.98 27.60 23.50 1.02 1.17 207 238 5 86
4000 26.94 31.00 29.00 0.93 1.07 188 216 5 87
4500 33.89 39.00 36.30 0.93 1.07 189 218 5 90
5000 37.54 43.20 46.70 0.80 0.93 163 187 4 90
5500 40.58 46.70 57.00 0.71 0.82 144 166 3 91
6000 43.45 50.00 69.60 0.62 0.72 126 145 3 93
6500 47.19 54.30 86.30 0.55 0.63 111 127 3 93
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEEDAVAILABLE POWER:
OUTBOARD &
STERNDRIVE60 | BOATINGMAG.COM | JUNE 2018