Formula 360 Crossover Bowrider – Dawn of New Era for Builder
Among the many new boats at the Miami International Boat Show the Formula 360 Crossover Bowrider (CBR) recently debuted. Her launch is not just a story of a new boat model but also a fresh generation of design leadership for the Formula brand.
The 36’ long, 11’ 3” beam 360 CBR represents the first model developed, built, and launched under the leadership of longtime boating industry veteran Michael Young. He was recently brought in to completely clean house at the Indiana-based Formula Boats as the lead designer. We got to chat with him directly at the show and, without diving into too much detail here, his tenure is already revitalizing the brand. It will definitely be worthwhile to tune into what Formula Boats cooks up in the coming years as Young stretches his wings at the factory.
First impressions of the boat itself are that the 360 CBR should be a crowd pleaser. This open dayboat has an emphasis on hanging out with a group of friends with both huge padded and adjustable seating space aft, and also a large wraparound padded seating area in the foredeck. There is an al fresco dining table and outdoor galley to port that is mostly under the fiberglass hardtop. The helm station is to starboard and features a full suite of Raymarine electronics that includes dual MFD chart plotters at the helm for easy reference while underway. All these zones are easily connected via a portside stern-to-bow walkway.
There is even a surprisingly generous cabin below that includes an athwartships double berth, enclosed head, lounge seating and an interior galley that complements and adds to the galley on deck. Headroom is 6’2” in the cabin according to the builder, which solidifies this inconspicuous cabin as a major perk especially for an open bowrider like this.
For propulsion, the Formula 360 CBR has custom options ranging from double outboards, triple outboards, and sterndrives. The display model I explored had triple Mercury 400s with joystick control which, according to Formula performance testing in freshwater, propelled the boat to an eye watering top speed of 64 mph. Formula Boats is keen to tout their multi-step FAS3Tech® hull that in addition to speed provides both pitch control and critical roll stability.
The takeaway from seeing the boat in Miami and my chat with Michael Young is that Formula Boats is starting fresh with their new Formula 360 CBR. This feature-packed model has a lot going for it, and others will follow suit. Keep an eye on Formula, they may impress you in the years to come. Don’t be surprised when you see a 360 CBR loaded with happy guests, zip past you this summer on the water.
MSRP Starting at $859,400
