Formula Boats

My friends Formula boats include..
27PC with 5.7’s
31PC with 8.1’s
38 fastec with crazy $$$ motors
40PC with IPS 600
1999 41PC 450 Cummins, formerly had a 1990 36 express with 7.4
2000 41PC 480 Volvo TAMD’s
2003 41PC 480 Cummins

I have worked on several systems on almost all of them and quality of the install, seems very good.
They use many of the same brands that SR uses.
I’d say there not better but, as good as I’ve seen on SR.

So, it really comes down to the hull construction, design and company support.

I’d have no problem buying a Formula...if they made one I liked better than my (or next) SeaRay :)
 
I've upgraded from Sea Ray 260 Sundeck to Formula 310 BR (twin Merc BIG Blocks, 380 HP each). Day and night. The build quality and luxury of Formula is much better. Even though it's not apples to apples (size and year), but when I look at the compatible year of Formula as my Sea Ray was, it's still built more solid.
 
Formula boats are awesome boats. Quality and factory support is one of the best in the industry. Owned a Formula for 10 years.
 
I owned a 08 34' pc with hard top for 8 years, Loved the boat, The speed and the quality.
Just recently when we decided to upgraded to a 40' boat we looked at Formula 37' and 40' PCs, The problem that I see with Formula is they are way behind in technology and modern design, You take my 08 34' PC and compare it to a 2014 or 2015 37' or the 40' PC and they are the same color schemes, layouts and design all they do is stretch the boat, there is no grill, second GPS, second bathroom Etc. they don't even offer a coupe design boat and it is all still isinglass.
You have to go to the 45' yacht to get the coupe.
They are behind for the times.
 
Quality and stylish boat company from Decatur Indiana. If I didn’t like Sea Rays so much I’d be driving a Formula.
 
When I started looking for a replacement for the Cobia, I was zero'd in on finding Formula 400 ss. We had some time to kill one weekend and a couple of 390DA's were up for sale locally. That's all it took.... You can see what we ended up with.
Formula makes a great boat. The SS was too much go-fast, too little room. The PC? 40 too long (for the well I own) and they just have a weird look to me. The hardtop seems way up in air and out of place from the rest of the boat.
 
I often drool over Formula's. They look great from the outside and have a great build quality. Plus how do you beat an Indiana built boat?

The interiors are dated though and I'm not too keen on a big boat with outdrives.
 
btyman11 said:
I believe most Formula hulls and decks are made of better quality. Solid core design rather than balsa core.
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I’m not so sure about the no balsa decks. Have a friend with a brand new 43PC with straight inboard Cummins engines. The cockpit floor rotted where the transom door hinge pin attached to the deck. To its credit, the company contacted him and fixed the floor when his boat went into winter storage. He didn’t realize the issue until the company brought it to his attention. A+ for service. Also, some of the cockpit locker doors began to sag pretty quickly so just average quality at best in that category. Overall a pretty good boat. They handle the Lake Michigan chop better than many boats.
 
Great Lakes said:
No and I think the technology is awesome. Too many of my boat neighbors have had issues with them, both Zeus and IPS. Whether it’s the maintenance schedule or having someone work on them. It’s been a headache for them all around.
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Pods are just another system on a boat. They require maintenance. I think many early owners of pod boats thought they could defer maintenance and be OK only to find out that's not the case. I understand it isn't for everyone but I also think people slam the technology without any firsthand experience.
I personally sought out pods, looked at new formulas with them and decided on my 500. Love the boat, love the tech and follow the maintenance schedule.
 
When looking at used 28 ft to 45 ft boat brands that are affordable and available in the 2000 to 2010 years your choices in the Intermountain west usually are:
SeaRay
Formula
Cruiser
Chaparral

I have a good mix of dock neighbors and friends that own all the above brands and all sizes. All brands have their Pros and Cons.

I lean towards a SearRay as I have always liked the lines and fit and finish however top end performance has lacked over the other three brands.

I do like Formulas and the people I know with them dont really express anything bad about them other than all the usually stuff we go through owning a boat. I think the PC37 is a great boat for our lake as you have outdrives on a 40ft boat. Having outdrives on our lake means you can take full advantage of the shallow draft to get into tight canyons.
The SS models are one of my favorites for cool factor on a cruiser style boat but the lack of cabin space has kept me from buying one. All the formulas I have been on perform well and the ride has been as good as the other brands. I do feel the 2000 to 2005 years have become a little dated when it comes to the helm gauges and switches and overall I like the fit and finish of a SR cockpit and cabin over a formulas. Formulas cabins are pretty straight forward the engine rooms are easy to work in and they perform well and run fast!
 
RollerCoastr said:
Don't beat a 27PC! The steps collapse and the galley may fall of the wall...
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Go on the formula forum . Read all about it , depends on model , about owner complaints . I had a 06 27PC , and it rode like sh—-t. My 03 280 chaparral , and 310 Larson , with same power , ran circles around the 27PC , I couldn’t wait to get rid of the 27PC . Fit finish was very good THOUGH! Also they run 1/2 foot smaller on the beam , the 31/27 PC are very trim tab touchy, they flip flop from side to side ALOT ! And they are NOT FAST BOATS in the cruiser models , DO YOUR DO DILIGENCE, read all the posts before you buy to see what the owners are saying
 
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