Formula 40 Performance Cruiser

JimmyDubai

JimmyDubai

Member
Oct 13, 2015
351
Dubai, UAE
Boat Info
Sundancer 290 1996, one big block Mercruiser 7.4 LT
Simrad Go9 XSE + 3G radar
Engines
One, Mercruiser 7.4 V8, 310 HP
We just had our Pre-Owned Boat Show at our Marina and I happened to step inside a Formula 40 PC for the first time... well, that was love at first sight!!. Lovely boat!, spacious, well finished, great layout, and fitted with Volvo IPS 500.

So my questions are: How's Formula compared to Sea Ray? How reliable is the IPS pods propulsion? Any previous experiences?

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My $.02. Formulas seem to be built stronger but lack in some of the softer creature comforts that Sea Ray has. I have been in some ridiculous seas with some big Formulas and they took an amazing pounding. They're born from a race heritage and seem to stand up.
I have no experience with the IPS drives. Good luck.


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It is a Riva 27 ft 2016!! $447K
 
And the large golden and black is another Riva, 68 ft, 2.5 million dollar beauty
 
That's the one!! I was invited inside and that is a different world all together....
 
IMO formula is one of the best built boats hands down. I'd say better quality than sea ray. With that said I haven't been in the new ones but most have been a little plain inside compared to sea ray.


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The build quality in the Formula is superior to the Sea Ray, but usually, a Sea Ray of the same vintage, and comparable size will be a bigger boat.
 
Formulas are great boats. As other's have said, I believe the build quality to be better than SR (not that SR is bad). However, they also tend to have less beam than SRs and other similar sized boats which equates to less room inside. I'm assuming they do this to increase performance. Formulas are pretty quick, even the cruiser models.
 
I love the formula boats. Craftsmanship and quality are top notch. The 40pc was on my list. What changed my mind were 3 things. 1. The beam is significantly smaller, it makes for a smaller boat. 2. The styling seems a little behind Sea Ray. 3. The price was 30% more for a smaller sq ft boat. I still love them but I think we made the right decision for us.


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Chiming in on this 8 months later...

Only knowing Sea Rays my entire boating life (Dad only had them; I had one) and now in a Formula, I have the following impressions:

* Formula and Sea Ray are on par with "visible" materials (hand rails, upholstery, fiberglass, dash materials, etc.)
* Formula finishes the "unseen" parts better (bilge is more finished, wiring/plumbing is less sloppy than SR, better labeling, etc.)
* In a recent 30 minute trip in 3-4' waves, my Formula had 4-5 screws/fittings/doors come undone. I can honestly say I've never seen that from a SR, so I have to give SR the "edge" in the practicality-in-design standpoint. I was disappointed in the Formula durability in seas that weren't *that* bad.
* Formula has mastered hiding screws, fasteners, etc. I think that might give a better aesthetic competency, but as the aforementioned bullet suggests, it's not better quality per se.

These are some early impressions. Having a Formula has not turned me into a Formula fanboy; in fact, it's made me realize SR has been building good boats, and I don't think either one is better than the other. I'd happily welcome another Sea Ray in the future.
 
Good info. As I was reading through this thread I was preparing to post my impressions having logged a considerable amount of hours on various Formulas. My experience matches yours exactly.

I have a friend who would never consider a Sea Ray. He's a big Formula fan, despite having owned one so poorly-made the factory bought it back, and another that in a 2' chop would drop more screws than a meth addict in the Hillman fastener factory.

I've done some digging on the screw-dropping example, and that particular model is known for being un-characteristically loose. In contrast, I'd own a 31PC any day - I think it's a great boat.

My main issue with Formulas is that I prefer simple drive systems and wide beams.
 
After looking at the new ones at the NY Boat show the past few years I decided I love the Formulas and because of the quality of them I considered looking for a used one when I was shopping for my current boat.
The problem for me was that there were a lot less of them used to choose from than there were used Sea Rays, they aren't as spacious inside as the Sea Rays of the same size, and the interiors of the years I would be looking at are were all really dated looking.
If I were ever in a position to buy a new 40-42 footer I think I'd be more inclined to go for the Formula because they are really great boats, but when looking at used boats I like the Sea Rays because they are also great boats and because of their popularity there are so many out there to choose from.
As for the IPS: I love the idea of them, but it's shallow where I primarily boat and they wouldn't be as practical around here.
 
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I had a 2005 Formula 370SS until getting our 44 DA 2 years ago. I loved the Formula. We really, really like our SR, they are 2 different boats. The finish on the exterior of the boat was far superior to the SR. Interiors I feel are fairly similar in terms of build quality.

Formula uses imron and after 10 years, the boat looked new.... I kept great care of it and in the garage, but never had to fight with the imron like I do the navy blue gel and imperfections in the finish on the SR. The Formulas are faster too.

We got our Sea Ray because it fit our needs very well. We really like our current boat and it was time to move up. The deal was right on the SR, but if I could have got a similar deal on a Formula 45 yacht, I'd likely would had done that.

We have no regrets on owning either the Formula or the Sea Ray we do now. Happy with both.
 
JVM225 said:
The problem for me was that there were a lot less of them used to choose from than there were used Sea Rays, they aren't as spacious inside as the Sea Rays of the same size, and the interiors of the years I would be looking at are were all really dated looking.
If I were ever in a position to buy a new 40-42 footer I think I'd be more inclined to go for the Formula because they are really great boats, but when looking at used boats I like the Sea Rays because they are also great boats and because of their popularity there are so many out there to choose from.
As for the IPS: I love the idea of them, but it's shallow where I primarily boat and they wouldn't be as practical around here.
Click to expand...

When we were looking to upgrade, around here at least there were 2 Sea Rays for every other brand of boat combined. When shopping for used boats in a narrow size range I didn't want to go down the path of a nation wide search of months or years for either the perfect boat or a less common brand. It was relatively easy to find a nice Sea Ray and with so many locally, service options are more numerous.

Once we got the slip size we wanted for our upgrade, it turned out the slip holder's Formula was for sale, a 2001 31PC. It was meticulously maintained, but very dated in external and internal appearance, and IMHO, spendy for its age.

IPS is interesting as a technology, but it seems really complicated and looks expensive to maintain. It seems like a bigger deal on larger boats where it enables some space efficiencies.
 
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