Thunderbird - Formula Boats

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Formula Action is published for Formula Owners.
Executive Director: Jean Porter Brune, Vice President of Marketing
Editor: Scott Smith, Marketing Manager
Feature Editor: Tonya Hamilton, Director of Communications
Art Director: Kathy Jauregui
Issue: 2006-1
Thunderbird is celebrating its 50th anniversary during this
2006 model year, and that notable accomplishment causes me to
reflect on the rich boating heritage I’ve been blessed with since my dad
began manufacturing Duo boats in 1958. Looking through our photo
archives, I came across this 1965 Duo brochure and felt a wave of nostalgia
for the summer weekends our family enjoyed on Lake Webster, Indiana,
while we kids were growing up. Boating drew our family together then
as it continues to do now. I have lasting memories of days spent swimming,
catching fish and exploring the backwaters of the lake. Sibling rivalry
grew as we skied around the lake, trying to outdo each other and
striving to capture the coveted spot in the boat—the helm. Our boating
heritage expanded even more when we moved to the larger Lake Wawasee,
and my dad started his second boat company, Signa, in 1970. My brothers
and sister and I provided my dad with a never-ending supply of boat
testers and models for his brochure. We learned boats first-hand and
continued to grow our love for the boating lifestyle. Our mission today at
Formula is to “Create the ultimate fun and safe boating experience, bringing
family and friends closer together.” Reflecting back on the values we
learned and the blessings we enjoyed growing up boating, I realize that mission was actually created
the day dad built his first Duo. The importance of responsibility was ingrained in us daily as my
parents grew their business and raised their family.
After my family acquired both the Formula and Thunderbird
boat lines in 1976, that mission became our flagship as we
developed and grew Formula boats to be the best on the water
today. The skill and dedication of our excellent team of 600plus
makes it possible for you Formula owners to create your
own lasting memories with family and friends.
Our family of eight has now grown to 36, including the first two
great-grandchildren, and we’re still having lots of fun boating.
Mom and dad have enjoyed a 48 Yacht at their winter home for the
past several years, and this winter they will be boating in a 400 Super Sport. This past summer the
Porter family boated on Lake Wawasee with both a 240 and a 260 Bowrider, and a 353 FASTECH®.
The third generation spent weekends wake and knee boarding, tubing and skiing, seeing who could perform
the most turns or stay up the longest. Gathering at the local sandbar to listen to music and hang out is also
a favorite pastime of “G3”. When their parents could claim a boat, they enjoyed cruising around the lake,
sometimes taking the 353 out in the middle of the lake to see what it can do, and relaxing on the
laydown sunlounge on the 240 Bowrider. The 4th of July brought the family together in Formulas on the lake
for the spectacular fireworks. Sunday mornings several generations of the Porter family came together to
cruise across the lake to the “boat-in” worship service, a Lake Wawasee tradition for over 30 years.
This summer, boating for my wife Shelley and I branched out far beyond Indiana as we enjoyed
meeting over 200 Formula owners during rendezvous events in the Chesapeake Bay area, Lake of the
Ozarks, Missouri, Newport, Rhode Island, and the Florida Keys. My brother Grant and his family did a shakedown
cruise to Key West from Naples and back in a 400 Super Sport with the new hardtop option. They also
spent a few days in a 37 PC on Lake Michigan, stopping for overnights and enjoying the sights.
Though boating slows down after Labor Day in Indiana, my
Send your story and pictures to:
Tonya Hamilton
Director of Communications
tlhamilton@formulaboats.com
Thunderbird Products
PO Box 1003
2200 W. Monroe Street
Decatur, IN 46733
1970
family and a number of our employees continue to boat all year
long. Boat testing, in-water boat shows, our annual photo shoot and
new model year introduction to our dealer network, plus special
boating events with our dealers and owners keep Team Formula
members behind the wheel all across the country. And though we’re
working, we’re still adding to boating memories in our minds—of
sun and waves, the smell of salt water and fresh lake breezes, of
laughter and excitement as the latest Formula comes on plane and
sets a course for fun and adventure for a future owner.
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Thunderbird, the entire Porter
Family and everyone here at Team Formula thanks you for your loyalty.
From our family to yours, we wish you many happy memories and fun
Formula days.

During Model Year 2006, Thunderbird/
Formula is celebrating fifty years of powerboat
production. In 1956 Thunderbird,
located in Florida’s North Miami area, began
manufacturing tri-hull boats. This sturdy,
stable, wide-beam hull design was powered
by outboard motors.
The original Formula boat was produced in
the early sixties when Don Aronow hired a
group to design a “race” type hull that would
stand up to offshore conditions. It was the
classic 233
Formula, a deep-V hull
design that Aronow raced
with great success. Aronow
sold the Formula design
rights to Thunderbird, which
Don Aronow
FORMULA 233
continued to manufacture
both types of boats, using
the original brand names
for the two different hulls. In 1969, Fuqua
Industries, a large conglomerate, added the
Thunderbird/Formula company to their other
leisure industry holdings.
Meanwhile, in 1958, Vic Porter ventured into
the boat-building business, setting up shop in
his Midwest home town. Naming the
company Duo Marine, Vic began
manufacturing runabouts in a dual
hull shape that required two outboards
to power. Vic then moved to
a one-outboard tri-hull design, and
then diverted to the popular monohull.
With added styling flair and
quality, the company was a success.
Starcraft, a larger regional boat
producer, purchased Duo in 1967
and very soon after, Bangor Punta bought Starcraft. Vic
remained as president of the line.
By 1970 Vic Porter began Signa Corporation, another line of
lake-oriented, quality boats. A few years later, Signa’s success
caught the attention of Fuqua, and a deal was struck for
acquisition. Vic Porter was then named president over all
of Fuqua’s small boat brands, including Thunderbird/Formula.
In 1976, Vic repurchased
the entire
boat group from
Fuqua.
Signa
Vic Porter
Model Year 1976
Model Year 1976
Over the past thirty
years, the Porter family
has taken an active
role in Formula’s daily
operations. President
Scott Porter, along with
three brothers and a
sister, work together to
Model Year 1987
advance Formula powerboats
while Vic Porter serves as chairman. The Porter
family philosophy of continual improvement and
customer-oriented
service ensures that
Formula will lead
into the future as the
hallmark of powerboat
excellence.
Model Year 2006
Porter Family — 2005
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I’m going on my third Formula, with my first purchased from Bald Knob
in McHenry, Illinois, my second from Anita Feller and Bob Ivancic of
Ivancic Marine and my third from Brig Johnston at Bald Knob, through
Ivancic Marine.
I would like to express my appreciation to Ivancic Marine for their
involvement on my behalf and the treatment received, even when our
third boat was not purchased directly from them. They were outstanding
and sincerely appreciated.
When it comes to a boat, there is nothing like a Formula. There’s nothing
like the people who present the Formula either. Thank you, you have
earned my recommendation to others. Most Cordially,
Richard J. Calfa
We have just returned from two weeks’ boating in Desolation Sound.
We had a great time with beautiful weather and a variety of anchorages
and moorages along the way – and no troubles crossing unpredictable
Georgia Strait.
Along the way we got dubbed as the ’Florida Boat’. Guess up in that
territory they tend to see mostly fly-bridges and trawlers — very few
cruisers and certainly no boats in our unique 2004 champagne color.
But to the subject of this mail. We had carefully planned out our vacation
to the day based on my work schedule, and about a week before planned
departure the folks at North Island Boat in Anacortes doing our
pre-vacation check-out found an issue on the boat. Naturally we turned
to Steve Tester (Formula Technical Assistance) for help, and in less than a
week he arranged for parts to be shipped to us and installed. The parts
arrived at 10:30 a.m. Friday morning, were literally installed by 1:30 p.m.
and we left for vacation at 2:15 p.m. after a short test-run.
This mail is primarily to recognize Steve Tester’s help yet again. He’s
friendly, supportive, and incredibly helpful. He tolerates novice owners’
questions with a smile, acts decisively, and shares information willingly.
And I’m sure that day-in, day-out, all he faces are problems. We just can’t
say enough about how well he handles our issues and what a wonderful
asset he is. We’ve swapped photos so we have pictures of each other, but
we’re looking forward
to meeting him in person
sometime….Maybe
sometime when he’s
on a Vancouver dealer
visit we’ll duck up and
say hello…
Best regards,
Warren & Gail Dent
We enjoyed our 2002 Formula FAS 3 TECH ® for three years, but decided
we needed more space. We traded our boat for a brand-new 2005 400 SS
w/Volvo diesel 350s. We took delivery on October 12, 2004, from our dealer,
Legendary Marine, and our salesperson Tim Malambri. On Wednesday,
October 13, 2004, we set out on our first journey, leaving Destin, Florida, at
1:00 p.m., taking the ICW to Apalachicola. We spent our first night at Scipio
Creek Marina on our new boat. Apalachicola is the oyster capital of Florida.
The restaurant at the marina, Papa Joe’s, serves the best oysters we have
ever had. The next day, we were on the water at 7 a.m. and headed out to
the Gulf of Mexico with approximately 130 miles to Tarpon Springs. The
Gulf had 4 to 6-foot following seas, and our new boat handled it great. We
cut in at Tarpon Springs and cruised the ICW to Clearwater, made a quick
stop for gas and were on our way. We went back out to the Gulf at
Clearwater for a few more miles and came in at Venice to the Crows Nest
Marina. It is a great little marina with an excellent gourmet restaurant. The
next morning, Friday, October 15, we were again on the water at 7 a.m. We
continued on the ICW to Fort Myers and across the Caloosahatchee River
through the locks to Clewiston and stayed overnight at Roland and Mary
Martin’s Marina. This is a great stop when crossing the state. We were entertained
by a five-piece southern rock band while sipping cocktails on our boat
in 80-degree weather.
We were back on the water the next morning, Saturday, October 16, to
cross Lake Okeechobee. The lake was rough that day—big chop, three to
four feet, 15-20 mph winds, but our new boat handled it just great—we
made it across the lake and on to the St. Lucie River. At Stuart we went out
into the ocean. The water was choppy that day, but our 400 SS gave us a nice
ride all the way to Fort Lauderdale. In three days, we had traveled 620
miles. We left our boat in Fort Lauderdale and went home for two weeks.
We returned with three other couples and traveled from Fort Lauderdale to
Key West. I thought we might be cramped for room, but it was just fine. We
docked at the Key West Bight Marina and went to our favorite place,
Schooner Wharf, and listened to Michael McCloud play his Key West songs.
All our friends just love our new ride. We really liked our 2002 382 FAS 3 TECH,
and had a hard time deciding what kind of boat to move up to. We looked
at a lot of different companies, but decided to stay with Formula. The
5-year warranty, the factory, the technical support, our dealer, Legendary
Marine, and Tim Malambri, our salesperson, made working with Formula
so easy over the last three years, we decided to stay with a good thing. We
just can’t say enough good things about our new boat, from the color to all
the amenities. Maybe in a few years we can look at the 48 Yacht!!
Buddy and Cathy Broadwell
As our 5-year-old grandson Cole
would say, "It doesn't get any better
than this" cruising Rehoboth Bay,
Delaware, in our 26-foot Formula.
Baldo & Janice Sebastianelli

She is named “Betsy” after one of
the co-captains. She has a long and
colorful career and has been a part
of our family for the last 36 years.
She has logged over 35,000 miles on
the canals, rivers and lakes of the
great northeast and still gives us
pleasure every summer.
“Betsy” was born in 1967 in the new
molds of the fledgling Thunderbird Corporation in Florida. Thunderbird produced two styles:
the deep-V called the Formula, and a tri-hull named the Thunderbird. I guess the largest
made at that time was a 23-footer, and that’s what we bought. Through the ensuing years,
our two children grew up summering on that boat, and “Betsy” was busy logging miles. This
proud little (by today’s standards) green tri-hull has circumnavigated the Adirondack
Mountains, traveled extensively on the Rideau and Trent-Severn Canal systems in Canada,
the Thousand Islands, and the Erie Canal in New York State, and saw the Bicentennial boat
parade in New York Harbor in 1976. She lost her classy Thunderbird logos on the stern of
the boat through wear and indiscreet docking by novice captains, but not after a fight.
The last letters remaining on the starboard side were “T…..ird”. I believe she was called
the “Iroquois”. We know already that she is an antique, albeit fiberglass.
As time passed, we adopted the boaters’ proclivity of always looking for a faster, bigger,
classier boat, but you know what? We could never find one. People will stop and chat with
us and inquire about the boat’s history. The next statement is, “If you are going to sell
it, please let us know.” I guess “Betsy” is in our will to be passed on to the next generation
who will love her and take care of her as we have over the years. Thank you,
Thunderbird Corporation, for many generations of safe, roomy, dependable fun.
Floyd and Betsy Guernsey
We took delivery of our 2004 Formula 34 PC from
Bald Knob Marina on the Fourth of July weekend
last year, and Nina, our 9-year-old niece, has been a
loyal Formula fan ever since. Our daughter is a
19-year-old college student, so she is not always
available to join us. However, Nina has earned the
nickname “old Reliable,” as we can always count
on her to join us in Racine, Wisconsin, where our
boat, “Rhumb Runner,” is slipped.
Nina is always a helpful assistant while on board
and she is quick to point out other Formulas that we see on the water. We all are
anxiously waiting for another summer season to begin. David & Holly Lubs
It‘s hard to believe that I am writing
in to the Action newsletter for the
third time in the past six years. My
wife Nancy and I started our Formula
experience back in 1998 with the
purchase of a 280 SS. We moved up
to a 34 PC in 2002, and to our most
recent boat, a 37 PC, in ’04. We were
totally happy and satisfied with our
34 PC and had no intentions of
purchasing a new boat. We went to the Cleveland boat show in January of 2004 so that
we could finally lay our eyes on Formula’s magnificent 48 Yacht. While there, I casually
asked Ed Primozic, our salesperson from Ivancic Marine, if he could work up a price for
a 37 PC. After seeing the low interest rates offered through the Escape® program, along
with getting an excellent deal on the trade of our 34 PC, the numbers made sense to
purchase the 37 PC now and not wait four or five years.
We had also purchased our 34 PC from Ivancic Marine. Words alone cannot explain
what a wonderful experience it has been dealing with Ivancic on our two purchases.
Bob Ivancic and the great staff have made us feel like part of the family. Thanks to Ed
Primozic for taking care of all our needs, and a special thank you to Anita Feller,
Ivanicic’s sales manager, for working so hard and diligently on our 37 PC purchase!
The 37 PC, as well as the 34 PC and the 280 SS, is another piece of quality and workmanship
that we have been able to enjoy. This one turns heads—just as the other two
did. Another great job, and special thanks to the Formula team for making this happen.
Michael & Nancy Durunio
From: William Caryl
To: Technical Assistance
Subject: 260 Sun Sport Follow-Up Survey
I don’t usually take the time to fill out
surveys. I feel that you have a great product.
This is our second Formula. Our purchase
was pleasant and convenient—keep up the
good work.
From: Todd Hanson
To: Technical Assistance
Subject: 260 BR - Erickson Marine
If you’re looking for the definition of customer
service, just walk into Erickson Marine.
They understood the products and focused on
what I needed. As for Formula, you take a
great deal of pride in what you do. I feel it every time
I take my 260 out. Thank you for your hard work—
I appreciate it!
From: Stuart Phillips
To: Formula Gear
Subject: I just bought a 2003 330 SS!
Well, you should know that we have always wanted
a Formula boat (we’ve been married for five years and
have five kids between us)! At the New York Boat
Show, when leaving, my wife Carol said, “Just keep
the Formula catalogs, toss the others away!” I looked
at her and said, ”The marketing department at
Formula should hear what you just said.“
From: David Becco
To: Mike Boyd - Technical Assistance Director
Subject: Thank you!
I wanted to let you know the level of professionalism
I have received from Stephen Tester after purchasing
our first Formula boat. He has always been polite and
considerate—providing and directing us with valuable
information. He more importantly has been responsive
getting back to us and has always kept his word. That in
itself has been a major factor as to why we wouldn’t own
anything other than a Formula boat and have always
recommended Formula as the boat of choice.
Please pass my thanks along to him for making our
boating season more enjoyable and safer. Thanks again!
From: Billy Toups
To: WebMaster
Subject: Web Site Support - Vintage Brochure
I’m in the process of restoring a 1984 27-foot performance
Formula. I‘m about three-quarters of the way done and,
with any luck, I’ll have it finished by the end of the summer.
I plan on sending a few photos of the finished product in to
post with all the other proud Formula owners. I was just
writing in to tell you how much I enjoyed the vintage
brochures on the website. I enjoyed the brochure and the
entire site. Keep up the good work, and I hope to send you
some finished photos soon.
www.formulaboats.com
From: Mark Crescitelli
To: Technical Assistance
Subject: New 34 PC - Trenton Marine
I am in the process of buying my second Formula, again from
Trenton Marine—Michael Geonnotti made my first and second
purchases smooth transactions!
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FORMULA Presents
Model Year 2006
Model Year 2006 brings important upgrades and additions to the
Formula lineup. Exciting new graphics are executed in durable,
brilliant Imron®. Performance Cruisers, Sun Sports and Super
Sports with standard graphic designs are now available with
a striking new accent color, Gulfstream. New solid-hullside
Flagship graphics are available in Gulfstream Metallic on PC and
SS models. A bright new color choice, Yellow, brightens up Sun
Sports and Super Sports, plus the bold new Flagship Elite graphic
option on SS models offers four principal Imron choices, each with
three accent colors. The FAS 3 TECH®
line offers new Silver and Gold Series
graphics along with the introduction
of the beautiful Barbados color
palette. The two new Platinum Series
Imron designs, Acceleration and High
Voltage, are sure to motivate the highperformance
set.
The 400 Super Sport is now available
with a sleek hardtop option, and
any 400 SS, 37 PC, 40 PC or the
48 Yacht with a hardtop can add
the new wireless cockpit LCD
TV/monitor for entertainment in the
cockpit or in the cabin. Navigational
offerings have been expanded,
with a wide choice of Raymarine
GPS, chart plotter, radar and autopilot
available. All 2006 models offer the latest in top quality
electronics for cabin and cockpit.
PC cabins move upscale with cherry wood-grain head doors,
polished stainless steel microwave faces, and, in the 34, 37 and 40
PCs, OceanAir rollout SKYscreens and privacy shades are integrated
in all ceiling hatches. The 37 PC cabin has been redesigned with
a private forward stateroom, including French doors to open wide.
In addition, Gravel and Gray Fieldstone Corian® color choices offer
the option of cooler tones in PC and SS models and in the 48 Yacht.
“Polished” is the word for exterior stainless metal trim and fasteners
throughout the entire line. Expect a bright new look, from
polished stainless steel beverage holders to air horns and spotlights.
You’ll notice the difference in the FAS 3 TECHS with new
chrome trim switches, and Monster speedometers and
tachometers have been added to the Livorsi Redline gauges.
Dash panels in red, blue or magenta and color-coordinated
steering wheel inserts complete the high-performance setup.
Contact your Formula dealer for an up-close look at these and
the other great features and components for 2006.

For those wanting to step up to a higher level of performance,
yet enjoy superb amenities, the popular, award-winning Formula
400 Super Sport has become the powerboat of choice. For
2006, the spectacular streamlined styling of the 400
Super Sport now includes a hardtop upgrade as an
important option. This exciting new feature
offers smart protection and is sure to grab
attention on the water.
Performance has been augmented with
the choice of a new Mercury Racing 600
SCi package. Coupled to heavy-duty
Bravo I XR drives, the twin 600-horsepower
supercharged drivetrains push
the speed of the 400 SS to over 60
mph, sure to satisfy those with a yen for
speed with luxury.
Visit your nearest Formula dealer to see how you can enjoy the exciting
performance and amenities of the 400 Super Sport.
2005 AWARD FOR PRODUCT EXCELLENCE
SPORT CRUISER OF THE YEAR

SECOND ANNUAL FULL TILT MARINE
FORMULA RENDEZVOUS
47 Formulas and 87 boaters participated in Full Tilt Marine’s secondannual
Formula Rendezvous for a relaxing, fun-filled weekend in the
Chesapeake Bay area.
The Full Tilt crew and a professional photographer took off in a Formula 330
Sun Sport accompanied by Scott and Shelley Porter of Formula in their 400
Super Sport. Their mission was to form a “photo course” out in the bay for
each boat to run through so the photographer could catch some awesome
action shots of each boat. What an exciting start to the rendezvous!
A short hour later the boats pulled into Great Oak Landing Marina in
Chestertown, Maryland, and tied up. Soon, Formula owners were
gathering on each other’s boats to chat and share refreshments.
American Marine Insurance hosted a reception on Friday night,
where the group had a wonderful time catching up old friends and
making new ones. A special treat was a large flatscreen TV set up to
display a slide show from last year’s rendezvous.
Saturday morning, Captain DeeAnne Antolik conducted her
“Women on the Water” course (see pg 14), with three separate sessions.
In the afternoon, lots of folks meandered over to Jelly Fish Joel’s to enjoy
the beach, burgers and to listen to tunes. A little later, a big
dinner buffet was served, followed by special presentations from Full
Tilt’s owner, Randy Deatherage, general manager, Dan Fellner, and
Formula’s president, Scott Porter. Thunderbird is celebrating its 50th
anniversary, so everyone had a chance to learn a bit of Thunderbird
Formula’s history from Scott and laugh at some of the old boat pictures.
The dinner concluded with a rousing game of “Name that Part,” as
guests were challenged to identify lone boat parts on display.
The last official event was a delicious Sunday morning brunch, followed
by goodbyes as everyone prepared to return to their home ports.
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THE BOAT CENTRE’S 2005 RESORT & SPA RENDEZVOUS
The Boat Centre, Formula’s British
Columbia dealership, held an
exciting three-day event on August
11-13. The 2005 Resort and Spa
Rendezvous took place at the
Poets Cove Resort and Spa, a
location friendly to both parents
and kids. A total of 15 boats and
50 boaters attended the event!
On Friday evening the dealership hosted a “Pot Luck” dinner for the
participants. Everyone had a chance to visit and exchange boating stories.
During the day on Saturday a number of activities were planned:
a scavenger hunt, poker walk, life ring toss, blind dinghy race and
a piñata for the kids—what a fun-filled day! The evening followed
with a barbecue on the terrace and drinks on the dock.
All the participants had a great time and are looking forward to next year!
THE FIRST ANNUAL DARRYL MOORE MARINE RENDEZVOUS
On July 9th, 2005, Darryl Moore Marine held their first-annual Formula
Rendezvous at their Spring, Texas, marina. Although the weather did
not start out very boater friendly, it didn’t keep the 70 boaters from
attending or slow down organizer David Weiss —it ended up being
top-notch!
The boaters took part in a scavenger hunt, creating a lot of laughs and good
times. They collected items from various local businesses and some not-solocal:
driftwood, seashells, beach sand and jellyfish—yes, jellyfish, and more!
The day ended at the Lakewood Yacht Club on Clear Lake in Seabrook,
Texas, where the attendees swam and relaxed. The evening activities
followed with a cocktail party, buffet dinner, dancing and prizes for
the most points collected during the scavenger hunt. There was a lot
of fun had by all the participants, and a second event is already in
the works—great job, Darryl Moore Marine!
DOCKSIDE LANDING MARINA’S SUMMER RENDEZVOUS
During a picture perfect weekend on July 23 and 24, Dockside Landing
Marina and Formula sponsored its first-annual Formula Rendezvous at
Black Mountain Point on beautiful Lake George in New York. Over 100
people were aboard roughly 30 Formula boats for this two-day event.
On Saturday morning, sunny skies welcomed Formula rendezvous participants
to a host of activities throughout the day. The Poker Run proved
to be an exciting and competitive event. Just under 50 hands were dealt,
leading participants to pick up playing cards at some of the most scenic
locations on Lake George.
Poker Run prizes were given during the delicious barbecue and clambake
on Saturday evening. Dockside Landing gave away tons of Formula Gear
all weekend long, and throughout the night, Formula boaters danced
to the music of local favorite DJ Mikey T., while others chose to take in
another beautiful sunset in the Adirondacks.
On Sunday morning, participants met for a quick brunch, then headed off
to Red Rock Bay for the final event of the rendezvous—a group photo from
a helicopter hovering overhead.
Dockside Landing’s first annual Formula Rendezvous was a definite
success—memories were made and fun was had by all!

To view more photos and details of
Formula Rendezvous, visit our website at
www.formulaboats.com and click on
“Rendezvous” in the Owner’s section.
FORMULA’S NEW UNITED KINGDOM DEALER
HOLDS A “FORMULA DAY” EVENT
To launch Ocean Powerboats as the new United Kingdom distributor of
Formula boats a “Formula Day” was held in Pwllheli, North Wales, with over
12 Formulas in attendance — it was a fantastic event for all.
The weather and boating conditions were perfect—a flat sea and clear
blue sky. It could not have been a better day for everyone who participated.
We started from Pwllheli Marina and set off over to Abersoch for lunch;
it was an amazing sight to see the Formulas thundering across the bay at high
speeds —it certainly let everyone know that Formula was back in the UK!
To find out more about this exciting event, please check out the
September 2005 issue of Sports Boat & RIB magazine. Congratulations on
your partnership with Formula —we look forward to your upcoming events!
TOTAL MARINE’S ‘05 FORMULA RENDEZVOUS
The Newport Yachting Center in Newport, Rhode Island, was the spacious
home for 17 Formulas and 90 participants in the 2005 Total Marine
Summer Rendezvous. Since Total Marine is celebrating 35 successful
years of serving their boating customers, the theme for the rendezvous
was ‘70s retro! A casual barbecue buffet kicked off the rendezvous on
Thursday night. A steel drum band set the mood for cocktails and dinner
while a ‘70s trivia board game entertained the guests at each table.
Friday dawned mild and sunny, a great day for the annual scavenger hunt,
spiced up this year with ‘70s challenges. Guests arrived for the evening
festivities arrayed in ‘70s hippie and disco fashions and dug into a yummy
raw bar (with pizza for the kids). Tom Caruso announced the winners of
the scavenger hunt, the drink contest and best costumes. As dusk fell,
the lava lamps glowed and The Big Pay Back Band belted out ‘70s tunes
for dancing. Everyone then enjoyed a delicious New England lobster
buffet, complete with potatoes and corn.
Saturday was very hot and sunny—a great day for the Adirondack sailboat
cruise, mansion hopping and kicking back on Formulas to enjoy the
excellent breeze coming in off the bay. Late in the afternoon, the Formula
owners opened their boats to each other for an “open boat” and had
a great time visiting and sharing refreshments with each other.
Captured Moments Photography
GLENCOVE FORMULA RENDEZVOUS
On August 5, 2005, Formula dealer Glencove Marine held their 10th
Annual Formula Rendezvous. They kicked off their rendezvous with
a party on the Celebration Cruise Ship at beautiful Lake of the Ozarks.
Fun was had by all as a local artist entertained kids and adults alike
into the night. Along with over 140 participants, Glencove owners Jan
Thompson, Willie and Carol Sieg and daughter Diana were in attendance,
as well as Grant and Deb Porter from Formula. Brian Pecenka,
Glencove’s General Manager, presented prizes in several categories.
Owner of the most Formula boats went to Dan Schuppan, while
having the most Formula boats in a family went to Steve Gerstner.
Steve’s brother, Chris Gerstner, picked up the award for having the
newest Formula at the Rendezvous.
The celebration continued into the next morning with breakfast
at the Glencove Yacht Club. Registration gifts were handed out to
the captains and co-captains along with t-shirts for everyone! A
group photo topped the morning, then participants departed by
boat for their next destination, the Aqua Park.
The Formulas were welcomed by Glencove and Formula banners
at the entrance of the cove for the Aqua Park, 20 miles down the
main channel of scenic Lake of the Ozarks. Each boat had a photo
and video taken as they entered the cove. Thanks to Dave Brooks,
owner of Summerset Boat Lifts and local distributor of Aviva products,
the Aqua Park was ready and waiting to go. Over 37 Formula
boats rafted off around the Aqua Park, and participants could walk
from one boat to the next or pedal a hydro-bike over to meet and talk
with other Formula owners. The afternoon was filled with fun and
excitement for participants of all ages at the Aqua Park.
Just a hop, skip and a jump
away from the Aqua Park
cove was dinner and the final
destination, Dog Days, an onwater
restaurant. Dog Days
had slips reserved for all
participants and served a
wonderful “clam-bake” buffet.
Awards were handed out for
the day’s events, and a framed
group photo was given to every captain. The group exchanged
stories and experiences into the evening, and then the 10th Annual
Glencove Formula Rendezvous cake was cut and served, ending the
event for 2005.
www.formulaboats.com
9

50TH ANNIVERSARY—FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
PPoker Runs America’s August 2005 issue announced
Thunderbird Formula’s 50th anniversary with an in-depth look at
the company’s beginnings and continuing on with our successes
throughout the years. Craig Ritchie shares, “The year 2006 will
mark a significant milestone for performance boaters worldwide,
as Thunderbird/Formula celebrates its 50th anniversary...The
Porter family remains firmly at the helm of Formula today, and
have built the company into one of the most-recognized
performance icons on the water. Formula produces boats that
are world-renowned for their beautiful styling, advanced engineering
and thrilling on-water performance.”
TThe May 2005 issue of Lakeland Boating
offered more accolades to the Formula 48
Yacht. Writer Tom Thompson begins, “This
boat is big. Indeed, it’s the largest hull the
company has ever built. Conceived as the
ultimate luxury craft, Formula’s new flagship
is superlative to anything the boatbuilder
has done before–inside and out.”
The 48’s versatility captured Thompson’s
attention, who related, “Because of its size,
the 48 Yacht has generous room for any
activity, whether you’re enjoying the scenery
while under way, gathering with friends at
anchor, engaging in watersports or just
lying around in the sun.”
Taking a tour of the 48 cabin, Tom continues,
“Inside is where the beauty of the 48 Yacht
is most evident, though. The high-gloss
finish of the American cherry cabinetry can
be contrasted with your choice from four
Richie went on to recount the company’s
history, explaining how Vic Porter was made president of the
company in 1973 and bought the company from Fuqua
Industries in 1976. Ritchie spoke with president Scott Porter
about how the line evolved. Porter’s perspective helps explain
Formula’s position on quality, “‘When you grow up in a boating
family, you can’t help but develop certain expectations about
what a boat should or shouldn’t do, so as a boat manufacturer,
you expect a great deal from your own products.’” We invite
everyone to join us in celebrating our 50th anniversary of building
the finest boats on the water today.
FORMULA 48 YACHT CONTINUES TO GAIN ATTENTION
Formula’s Grant Porter recently hosted
Captain Bill Pike of Power & Motoryacht on
the impressive Formula 48 Yacht. In the
April 2005 issue, Capt. Pike begins his
assessment with an overview of the cockpit,
“Formula’s famous for the quality of its
in-house upholstery work, and the lounges
and seats in our cockpit made it easy to
see why. Visibility was excellent (at the
helm), both over the windshield and
through it.” Of their time out on the 48,
Bill remembers, “Porter and I headed for
the open Gulf of Mexico...What twanged my
heartstrings right off the bat was cornering.
Our 48 did hard-over turns, fugure-eights,
and fast, back-and-forth course changes
like an F-16...the experience of planing was
uncommonly and incredibly smooth, with
no detectable breakover point.”
fabric schemes and eight shades of genuine
leather or Ultraleather...The salon
has a curved lounge to port with a dualpurpose
table in front of it. A large cherrywood
top can be used for meals...To
starboard, a U-shaped galley offers a
generous expanse of Corian countertop,
and the floor is done in hardwood maple
with an ebony inlay. A lighted, glass-door
cabinet at floor level holds stemware and
wine bottles.” Moving forward in the cabin,
Tom describes the impressive amenities,
“The master stateroom lies forward and is
arranged around a pedestal berth on the
boat’s centerline. One feature I especially
liked was that, at the push of a button, the
back of the bed raises to make it more
comfortable when watching TV or reading.
In the aft port corner, there’s a lighted,
mirrored vanity with a swing-away seat.”
Pike concluded the test with a dockside
walk-through, noting, “A couple of interior
features warmed the cockles of my heart.
These included solid-maple drawers in the
U-shaped galley, each with dovetailed
corners and a solid bottom, gorgeous
bookmatched American cherry joinery at
the saloon, and an adjustable Corian
cocktail dining table.” Pike ended his time
on the 48’s foredeck, stating that “the
place gave us a great view of the racy
exterior styling of the 48 Yacht, which, in
league with potent performance, finely
finished interior appointments, and wellengineered
machinery spaces, makes her
a fitting flagship for the Formula fleet.”
The 48’s performance also earned praise,
“For a boat that measures 51 feet in length
overall, it handled like one around 30 feet.
The steering was tight and responsive in
turns, and nimble to the touch.” As a final
salute to the 48, Thompson finishes with,
“The crew at Thunderbird have outdone
themselves with the 48 Yacht. Its performance
is impressive, and the look is elegant
and refined.”

400 SUPER SPORT EARNS SPORT CRUISER
OF
T
THE YEAR AWARD
T
The Formula 400 SS recently earned the
Sport Cruiser of the Year title from Powerboat
Magazine, and their June 2005 issue tells
what makes the 400 a winner. The article
points out, “In its 400 Super Sport, Formula
struck an ideal balance between performance
and luxury. With its wide-open cockpit
great for entertaining and a comfortable
cabin that an owner could actually use for weekending, it also delivered uncommon
versatility. Plus, it boasted the kind of build quality few production boat-builders can
match, but Formula manages to deliver consistently...The galley in the cabin looks like
it belongs in a high-end vacation home.”
As to the 400’s performance, Powerboat recounts, “Tracking during acceleration and
deceleration was perfect, and the twin-engine beauty was surprisingly manageable at the
dock.” The article concluded by praising the 400’s entertainment possibilities, “Thanks
to a potent air-conditioning system, everyone belowdeck could chill out and watch the
flat-screen television, which was hooked up to a DVD system...This superior sport cruiser
is all about helping you and your guests relax and savor your time on the water.”
M
NEW FORMULA 240 GARNERS PRAISE
Making its debut in the Spring of 2005, the
240 has captured the attention of several
marine publications. Both the 240’s performance
and features were applauded by
Tim Banse of Motorboating magazine in
their June 2005 issue, “True to its class,
Formula’s new 240 BR measures up as
both fast and nimble. But beyond performance,
the real eyebrow raiser is the way the
boat comes loaded to the gunwales with
just about every feature a fun-loving family
could want.” Moving on to the 240’s performance,
Tim continues, “Time to plane
was five seconds; top speed registered an
impressive 49 mph ... the bowrider also
responded well to radical maneuvers...
Its ride was comfortable even when slamming
through big boat wakes.”
B
The 240 also garnered praise for its many
amenities, “At the nose, the anchor locker
is concealed for aesthetics’ sake and
includes a home for a stainless beach
ladder...the pedestal seat is both heightadjustable
and well cushioned for support
in tight turns...As the day grew hotter,
we took advantage of the 240’s
cockpit amenties...standard Igloo
cooler...a wetbar with stainless sink,
Corian countertop and trash receptacle.”
The article concluded with the
240’s exterior, “The hull sides are
lavishly painted with Imron, a coating
that’s as pretty as it is tough. It’s just
one more superior feature that proves
Formula didn’t cut corners with its
newest hot shot.”
Boating Magazine’s September 2005 article, Pretty Tough, delves
into the 240’s quality construction. Writer Pete McDonald begins,
“Formula’s hull-to-deck joint consists of through-bolts and a chemical
bond, a sturdy combination you’d normally find on bigger boats
or ones designated for offshore duty. This simple fact leads me to
two conclusions. The first: Although many runabouts can hang with
the 240 Bowrider in appearance, most can’t match it in construction...The
second: Even though the 240 Bowrider is Formula’s
smallest boat, there’s nothing about it that’s entry level.” McDonald
continues, “In building this boat, Formula kept to the same standards
it adheres to throughout its line...the engine is sturdily mounted on
L-brackets that are through-bolted to the stringer grid...the flawlessly
loomed wiring in the engine compartment...hoses that are double-clamped where possible.”
McDonald moved on to the 240’s accomodations, “You don’t have to dig deep to see
what separates the 240 Bowrider from your basic runabout. Start with the sunpad atop
the electronically activated engine hatch. It’s set up with an angled backrest that allows
two loungers to face aft and watch the water when the boat is at rest. Pull the pin,
and the backrest opens flat to create a full tanning bed...The 240 seems to have a
dedicated spot for everything–from the removable cooler to the cockpit table to your
watertoys.” Speaking of the 240’s performance, the writer continues, “As far as overall
ride goes, the 240 Bowrider is exceptional. The extra weight and stout construction help
the boat mush through waves rather than pound...The boat handles well, too...
(it) tracked tight and smooth...when you put the boat through its paces, the Formula 240
Bowrider answers the call.”
FORMULA 260 SS
IS FEATURED
The Formula 260 was
featured in Boating
Life’s January 2005
Overnighters section,
and was given a very
favorable evaluation,
“Let’s just tell it the
way it is: Formula
sets the gold standard
in the building
of recreational boats.
Excellence is evident in the aestetics of
the 260 Sun Sport, and Formula’s reputation
on the performance side also carries
over.” The article continues its praise with
the 260’s cockpit, “Quick examples are the
finished fiberglass compartments, gas shocks
on lids over the (Corian®) wetbar, and the
use of breathable Dri-Fast foam and Starlite
panels in the cockpit seats to prevent
mildew.” Moving on to 260’s ride, Boating
Life observes, “The 260 is powerful enough
to hit the mid-50s on a single engine without
screaming. Yet it never loses its firm
contact with the water – even when turning
on its own stern.”
In Trailer Boats’ July 2005
Launch Ramp section, Rebecca
Stone summarizes the 240’s
amenities, “Formula has put its
spiciest ingredients into its 240
Bowrider, which debuted this
year ... The standard wellequipped
cockpit features a removable
table, wetbar, loads of storage and no
fewer than 13 polished drink holders
throughout. The helm is outfitted with
Livorsi gauges, Dino tilt steering, Garmin
GPS (optional), Ritchie compass and
SmartCraft instruments.” Stone sums it up
by saying, “It seems Formula has cooked
up a concoction that calls for sampling by
those with a taste for fun.”
www.formulaboats.com
11

www.formulaboats.com
12
RACING EVENTS
FORMULA’S ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
TAKES ON HYDROPLANE RACING
Formula is now sponsoring an unlimited hydroplane — U-5
Formulaboats.com — in a series of race events as part of the
Ultimate Performance Experience this summer. The crew has been
victorious for Formula, running competitvely and grabbing attention
nationally — congratulations! To view the entire schedule and other
Formula events visit www.racing.formulaboats.com. Join in the fun today!
FORMULA SPONSORS THE 2005 ST. CLAIR RIVER CHALLENGE
Beautiful clear skies and hot temperatures greeted the 47 entrants
to the St. Clair River Challenge sponsored by Formula Boats. On
Sunday, July 31st, three 382 Formula FAS 3 TECHs® lined up to be the
official pace boats for this race: Glen Williams’ 382 Poker Run
Edition, Larry Scott’s 382 FAS 3 TECH and Formula’s 2006 382
Pace Boat painted in Platinum series “Acceleration” graphics and
equipped with Mercury Racing’s new 600SCi engines.
We met some new Formula fans and owners and had a chance to get
reaquainted with others. Formula Boats was proud to be a part
of this great event — we look forward to next year.
Make plans to join in Formula’s Ultimate Performance Experience by
participating in an event with us soon— we look forward to meeting
you. Here are some events Formula and its owners participated in.
See the complete stories and a schedule of upcoming poker runs,
dealer events and rendezvous on our website.
POKER RUNS
FORMULA ATTENDS INAUGURAL WINDY CITY POKER RUN
Formula’s Ultimate Performance Experience attended the first Windy
City Poker Run on August 6th in Zion, Illinois. It was a wonderful
inaugural event combining the best of waves and wheels. A total of
75 awesome performance boats (10 Formulas) covered the course
of 90 miles by water, and 17 exotic Lamborghinis drove a similar
distance. It is wonderful to see so many Formula owners becoming
part of the Formula experience and enjoying a day out on the water
with friends and family. We would like to thank Mike Livorsi of Livorsi
Marine and our Formula owners for getting us involved in this event.
FORMULA ATTENDS THE 2005 SMOKE ON THE WATER POKER RUN
Recently, Formula attended
the fifth annual Smoke
on the Water Poker Run
held July 8-9, 2005, in
Grand Haven, Michigan.
This Poker Run event has
been rated by Powerboat
Magazine as one of the
top events in the country
and after attending, we
know why.
We were asked to have our 2006 382 FAS 3 TECH Poker Run Special participate
in this event as one of the official pace boats, and we had a
great time doing it. Our crew consisted of past and present Formula
owners Tim Thomas, Glen Williams, Mike Raguso and Rick Mackie,
senior marketing manager for Mercury Racing. Rick handled the
checkered flag duties with pride in both morning and afternoon starts.
FORMULA ATTENDS
THE 2005 OSHKOSH
THUNDER POKER RUN
Formula boat’s beautiful
2006 382 FAS 3 TECH
attended the 11th Annual
Oshkosh Thunder Poker
Run on Lake Winnebago,
June 17-18, 2005. This special Poker Run edition FAS 3 TECH is equipped
with the all-new Mercury Racing 600 SCi engines, coupled to Mercury
Racing Bravo One XR drives and Mercury Racing lab-finished Maximus
5-blade propellers.
Among the 75 boats entered, the Formula fleet totaled 10. There were
beautiful 419, 382, 353 and 292 FAS 3 TECHs along with absolutely
pristine 357, 311, 302 and 292 SR-1s. All of the Formula owners were
presented goodie bags of Formula Gear.

SPECIAL EVENTS
FORMULA BOATS AND THE WATER WARRIORS RIDE TO RAISE
FUNDS FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS OF MICHIGAN
For the fifth year in a row,
Formula was honored to participate
in the Water Warriors ride
for Special Olympics. These
brave PWC riders traveled 430
miles from Mackinaw City,
Michigan, to Detroit, Michigan,
in five days, and Formula boats
provided our Official Poker Run and Pace Boat as an escort vessel.
Several of our race sponsors also contributed to the Water Warriors
Special Olympic event. Checks were presented by Pat Shannon from
ITW-Plexus, Richard Wood from Diab, Boating Magazine, Mercury
Racing, Markel Insurance, Formula Boats and Formula Racing. Once
again, Water Warrior participants wanted to give more, so an auction
was held. Several of our sponsors’ shirts were purchased right off their
backs, including our new friend, Kevin, from PWC TV. The total raised
for the evening was over $13,000.00! This event has turned out to be
one of the largest evenings of fundraising according to Larry Scott, First
Vice Chairman of the Water Warriors. Water Warriors, over the 15 years
of this event, has raised over $1,150,000 for Special Olympics, and
Formula is proud to be a part of this great cause. Congratulations to the
Water Warriors for an excellent job!
FORMULA SPLASHES NEW 382 FAS 3 TECH
POKER RUN AT MERCURY DEALER MEETING
Formula Racing chose Mercury Marine’s regional dealer meeting in
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, June 13-17, as a venue to introduce their new 382
FAS 3 TECH Poker Run Special powered by twin Mercury Racing® 600 SCi
engines coupled to Mercury Racing Bravo One XR drives and Mercury
Racing Lab Finished® Maximus 5-blade propellers. The meeting was the
final of five national Mercury Marine dealer meetings.
“Since launching this 2006 model 382 FAS 3 TECH with Mercury Racing 600
SCi’s, the boat has taken on new life. The mid-range performance coupled
with higher top speeds makes this already impressive performer even
more nimble,” stated Vic Spellberg, director of sponsor promotions.
Mercury Racing senior marketing manager Rick Mackie said, “We are
pleased with the promotional exposure Formula delivers in both their
poker run and racing efforts. The new Formula/Mercury Racing 382
FAS 3 TECH Poker Runner will serve to verify the 600 SCi as a viable power
source for the activity in which it was designed.” Thanks, Mercury, for
being such an outstanding partner and sponsor of our Formula experience!
What a fun time the Formula
Action coloring contest was for
everyone involved here at Formula.
Each entry had so many creative
and unique characteristics. You
all did an excellent job and are
outstanding artists! The first, second
and third champions in each
age category were as follows:
Ages 2-5:
Alexis Laufer, Shelby Annett,
Andrew Triano
Ages 6-9:
Natasha Rockwell, Nicole Leggio,
Ryan Wilson
Ages 10-13:
Michaela Cline, Alex Kapsambelis,
Keith Scott
Great job, kids — we hope all
the entrants enjoyed coloring
their own Formula picture!
FORMULA’S ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE ATTENDS THE
SECOND ANNUAL HI-LIFT MARINA BIMINI RENDEZVOUS
Formula’s Ultimate Performance Experience attended the secondannual
Hi-Lift Marina Bimini Rendezvous on August 19-21, 2005. Nine
beautiful Formulas departed Hi-Lift’s North Miami Beach location early
Friday morning. The crossing to Bimini took about three hours with
everyone arriving ready to clear customs and immigration and anxious
to enjoy the beautiful crystal-clear waters of the Bimini islands.
After checking in at the Big Game Club on North Bimini, our group
headed out for a short trip to Casa Grande for some swimming and
snorkeling near the “Road to Atlantis.” Later that evening, a cocktail
party hosted by Formula and Hi-Lift provided tropical island refreshments
and hors d’ouevres— everyone got to know each other better
and were getting into the island mode.
On Saturday morning, the early risers cruised out to the sunken
concrete ship for a morning of diving and swimming. That afternoon,
the group rafted up in Honeymoon Harbour as the clear warm waters
were enjoyed by all.
Saturday evening’s dinner was followed by a short program hosted by
Hi-Lift and Bob Schneider. Goodie bags and prizes were given out to
each boat. Sunday morning was left unscheduled so that everyone
could either return to a favorite spot that they had explored earlier or
just have a leisurely breakfast and relax by the pool. We departed at
2 p.m., and the seas were even more enjoyable than the trip over —
less than two feet, and everyone returned in less than 90 minutes.
It was wonderful to see so many Formula owners becoming a part
of Formula’s Ultimate Performance Experience and traveling together
on dealer events like this rendezvous where great friends are made —
what a rewarding adventure!
As part of the Formula Ultimate Performance
Experience during the 2005 Poker Run Season
Formula will hold a Poker Run within each event for
Formula owners. The best three Formula card
hands will win valuable prizes from Formula
boats. It was great to see so many Formula
customers meet each other and make new
acquaintances — congratulations to the winners.
Alexis Laufer Shelby Annett Andrew Triano
Natasha Rockwell Nicole Leggio Ryan Wilson
Michaela Cline Alex Kapsambelis Keith Scott
AGES 2-5
AGES 6-9
AGES 10-13

14
The Formula manufacturing facility, located in Decatur,
Indiana, is currently undergoing an 85,000 square-foot
expansion. The upcoming addition will help meet the demand
for Formula powerboats, and will increase efficiency and
relieve congestion, primarily in the small parts and product
development areas.
The small parts area has required more space due to the
increasing number of molded fiberglass components and
storage areas in each Formula model. The expansion project
should be completed by the summer of 2006 with the possibility
of an additional 50-plus jobs following completion.
FORMULA TEAM—
www.formulaboats.com
FORMULA’S
NEW 2006 WEBSITE
Visit our all-new Formula website at
www.formulaboats.com. It includes the
entire 2006 model-year lineup, from gallery
pictures to standard and available equipment.
The exciting “Build Your Formula”
section allows you to make plans for
owning a 2006 Formula, and the Owners’
Community will keep you and your crew
updated with all the latest events and more.
Check it out today!
Formula boats is proud to profile DeeAnne Antolik, marketing
director for Formula dealer Full Tilt Marine and service manager for
Full Tilt’s Woodbridge, Virginia, store. In addition to the marketing
and organizational skills Dee brings to Full Tilt, she is also a
USCG Licensed Master Captain, certified to handle vessels up to 50
tons. Shortly after joining Full Tilt in 2003, Captain Dee worked with
owner Randy Deatherage to help develop a training program for
instructing women in boat handling and operation. Dee now works
one-on-one with women when they purchase a boat from Full Tilt —
a great way to learn boating
skills in a relaxed environment.
Recently, Captain Dee offered
her “Women on the Water”
course at the second annual
Full Tilt Marine Rendezvous
held in June 2005.
Dee’s encouraging manner
was demonstrated to women participating in the course during the
rendezvous. She conducted the class in the Chesapeake Bay area
not far from the marina in a Formula 330 Sun Sport.
Since most of the women typically boat with their husbands at the
HELPING WIN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER
On June 17-18, 2005, Formula once again participated in the American
Cancer Society Relay for Life in Decatur, Indiana. The outstanding
participation by the Formula employees, the activities, the food and the
weather made for a perfect event!
This year, the Formula Relay for Life
Team raised $4,348.00. Formula
has been one of the leading participants
in the Relay for Life event
over the years, raising thousands
of dollars for this worthy cause,
which has proven to be beneficial
for the community in so many ways.
This year, proceeds from the event
were donated to the local hospital
as part of the “Dreams To Reality”
program to help create the new
oncology center at Adams Memorial
Hospital in Decatur.
Formula would like to once again
thank everyone who participated in
this worthwhile event—congratulations
on another successful year!
WOMEN ON THE WATER
helm, Dee formatted the course into two main topics – first, what to
do in an emergency should the captain of the boat become incapacitated
and, second, how to get the boat back to the dock single
handedly. Throughout the course each woman had an opportunity
to try her hand at the helm as Dee taught them how to turn a boat
using just the shifters and when and how much throttle power to
use for good control of the boat. She taught them how to bring a
boat on plane for running and the dynamics of trimming a sterndrive
boat. She also taught the women to always throttle back before
shifting into reverse in an emergency and how to best bring a boat
in when docking alone. Dee encouraged the women to pay attention
to the gauges, the location of their boat on the water and
landmarks. She explained when it’s best to use VHF channel 16
to radio for help or to call a Mayday versus trying to use a cell phone.
The women had a wonderful
learning session together,
benefiting not only from
Captain Dee, but from each
other’s experiences. Thanks,
Dee, for sharing your skills
with us!

Boat Care By: Scott Smith
It occurred to me recently that Formulas have certainly evolved in the
17 years I have been with the company. The amount of standard and
available equipment has increased tremendously on today’'s 31 PC versus
the 1988 29 PC I cut my teeth on as a product specialist in the Technical
Assistance Department. If you were to look through a 1988 Cruiser
catalog, you would see that many of the options back then are now
standard items, and many of today'’s options would have been
unimaginable on anything short of a megayacht at that time. From that
perspective, let’s take a look at how changes in construction and equipment
ref lect in the care of your Formula today.
Take exterior trim, for example. In the '80s, you
might have found areas surfaced with teak, which
could certainly be beautiful, but keeping it from
becoming dull and making the rest of the vessel
look old required constant maintenance. It demanded
regular sanding and oiling or varnishing. For
many of today’s boaters, the demands on their
time call for a beautiful boat that can be cleaned
and maintained more quickly so they can enjoy
time with family and friends on the water. Today’'s
Formula is a thing of beauty, with surfaces of gelcoat, Imron ®®, glass,
acrylic, Corian® and stainless steel accents. Exterior care can be accomplished
simply with soap and water and a little glass cleaner. Of course,
cleaning must be done regularly, with at least a rinse after a saltwater
run, but it is much easier and more practical.
Cockpit upholstery construction is
another example. Back in the ‘80s, anyone
who allowed their boat cockpit to take a
good soaking and not allow it to air out and
dry properly was asking for trouble. While
the materials used at the time by Formula
were of the highest quality, their nature did
LEMON CAPER TILAPIA
Per fish packet:
1 3 to 4 Ounce Thin Fish Filet
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Lemon Wedge
(approx. 1 / 4 of a small lemon)
1 Tablespoon Capers
1 Small Scallion (green onion)
Garlic Pepper to taste
Light the fire on the grill when
you pull into your marina to preheat it
while you prep the fish.
Place Tilapia or any other thin-filleted fish into individual foil packets. Top
each filet with 1 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon capers and a few scallion slices.
Squeeze the juice from a wedge of lemon ( 1/ 4 lemon) on top and add garlic pepper
to taste. Seal the packets and let them cook on the grill while you prepare the salad.
not lend them to negligent care. Closed-cell foam could
soak and retain moisture, and the plywood, while
marine grade, would eventually become saturated as
well. Formula aggressively tackled the problem, first by
using every means to improve ventilation and air f low
through the cushions. Then came the advent of Dri-
Fast ®® foam, with open cells that allowed water to f low right through and
encouraged the dissipation of any residual moisture. Starlite ®® XL and
other synthetic materials soon replaced plywood panels, eliminating dry
rot, and we also discovered Tenara®® thread, a state-of-the-art material
impervious to UV, cleaning agents and saltwater. Now, as with the rest of
the cockpit, upholstery care is reduced to a quick wash with soap and
water, with some vinyl cleaner for more stubborn jobs. It won’'t stay like
new if subjected to long-term abuse and neglect, and we still recommend
keeping the boat covered and protected, but it'’s a far cry from the old days.
Cabins have changed, too. The first thing your foot touched as you
went below used to be a carpeted step. Although that carpet was of very
high quality, its fibers were subjected to constant traffic, along with
the accompanying dirt and wear. Now, that step is covered in Lonseal, a
durable, synthetic f looring used in other applications from pool decks
to hospital surgical suites. Easy to clean and resistant to wear, it saves a
lot of time in cleanup and continues to look good.
Corian ® has replaced Formica in surfacing applications
from the galley to the head. It’'s beautiful and
complements the cabin décor, and, being nonporous,
spills and messes wipe right up. And Ultraleather TM
has taken the place of woven fabrics on cabin upholstery.
It looks like real leather (but with a more luxurious feel), cleans
easily (no more steaming) and doesn’'t get worn by constant rubbing.
I could go on, but you get the idea—Formula is always striving to
improve your boating experience, making maintenance easier so you
can spend more time boating and less time cleaning! HAPPY BOATING!
As the boating season winds down, Formula owners want to spend every spare second
on their boats, capturing some last minute fun and creating memories to warm winterweary
hearts when the snow begins to fall. So why not stretch your Formula day past
the sunset and treat yourself to dinner on board with this simple yet delicious meal?
FRESH TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA SALAD
Fresh Red Tomatoes
Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese
Fresh Basil Leaves
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Your favorite blend of pre-washed
salad greens
Salt and Pepper
Scatter some pre-washed salad greens
on a big platter and arrange alternating layers
of sliced ripe, red tomatoes and fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese on top. Drizzle
extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with
lots of fresh basil for an easy but dazzling accompaniment to the fish.
If you’re not counting carbs, round out the meal with a crusty French bread
baguette and a nice bottle of wine.
Do you have a recipe you’ve found to be a hit on your Formula? Share it with us, and we may highlight it in the Action! Send the recipe to:
Thunderbird Products, Attn: Tonya Hamilton, P.O. Box 1003, Decatur, IN 46733, or via e-mail to tlhamilton@formulaboats.com
www.formulaboats.com
15

BOSTON IN-WATER BOAT SHOW
Sept. 28 - Oct. 2, 2005
World Trade Center in Boston – Boston, MA
TAMPA BOAT SHOW
Sept. 29 - Oct. 2, 2005
Tampa Conventon Center – Tampa, FL
2005 HOUSTON INT’L IN-THE-WATER BOAT SHOW
Sept. 29 - Oct. 2, 2005
Watergate – Houston, TX
TOBAY BEACH BOAT SHOW
Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2005
Tobay Beach Marina – Massapequa, NY
NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY INT’L BOAT SHOW
Oct. 6 - 9, 2005
Liberty Landing Marina – Jersey City, NJ
34TH ANNUAL UNITED STATES POWERBOAT SHOW
Oct. 13 - 16, 2005
City Dock – Annapolis, MD
FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
Oct. 27 - 31, 2005
Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
FORT MYERS FALL BOAT SHOW
Nov. 10 - 13, 2005
Harborside Conv. Center & City Yacht Basin – Ft. Myers, FL
ST. PETERSBURG BOAT SHOW
Nov. 16 - 20, 2005
Bayfront Center Yacht Basin – St. Petersburg, FL
NEW YORK NATIONAL BOAT SHOW
Dec. 31, 2005 - Jan. 8, 2006
Jacob Javits Convention Center – New York, NY
SAN DIEGO BOAT SHOW
Jan. 5 - 8, 2006
San Diego Convention Center – San Diego, CA
39TH ANNUAL NAPLES BOAT SHOW
Jan. 5 - 8, 2006
Collier County Fairgrounds – Naples, FL
PORTLAND BOAT SHOW
Jan. 7 - 15, 2006
Multnomah Expo Center – Portland, OR
ATLANTA BOAT SHOW
Jan. 11 - 15, 2006
Georgia World Congress Center – Atlanta, GA
CHICAGO BOAT SHOW
Jan. 11 - 15, 2006
McCormick Place – Chicago, IL
PROVIDENCE BOAT SHOW
Jan. 12 - 15, 2006
R.I. Convention Center – Providence, RI
AUSTIN BOAT SHOW
Jan. 12 - 15, 2006
Austin Convention Center – Austin, TX
LAKE OF THE OZARKS BOAT SHOW
Jan. 12 - 16, 2006
Overland Park Int’l Trade Center – Overland Park, KS
CINCINNATI TRAVEL, SPORTS & BOAT SHOW
Jan. 13 - 22, 2006
Cincinnati Convention Center – Cincinnati, OH
CLEVELAND MID-AMERICA SAIL & POWER BOAT SHOW
Jan. 13 - 22, 2006
International Exposition Center – Cleveland, OH
SEATTLE BOAT SHOW
Jan. 13 - 22, 2006
Qwest Field Event Center – Seattle, WA
STUART BOAT SHOW
Jan. 13 - 15, 2006
Riverplace Showsite – Stuart, FL
TORONTO INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
Jan. 14 - 22, 2006
The National Trade Centre – Toronto, ON
MINNEAPOLIS BOAT SHOW
Jan. 18 - 22, 2006
Minneapolis Convention Center – Minneapolis, MN
THE ANNUAL CMTA HARTFORD BOAT SHOW
Jan. 19 - 22, 2006
Connecticut Convention Center – Hartford, CT
36TH ANNUAL MILWAUKEE BOAT SHOW
Jan. 20 - 29, 2006
Expo Center at the Sate Fair Park – Milwaukee, WI
BALTIMORE BOAT SHOW
Jan. 21 - 29, 2006
Baltimore Convention Center – Baltimore, MD
THE 34TH ANNUAL BOAT, SPORT & RV SHOW
Jan 26 - 29
Reno Sparks Convention Center – Reno, NV
MADISON BOAT & WATER SPORTS SHOW
Jan. 27 - 29, 2006
Alliant Energy Center – Madison, WI
50TH ANNIVERSARY LOS ANGELES BOAT SHOW
Jan 28 - Feb 5
Los Angeles Convention Center – Los Angeles, CA
ATLANTIC CITY INT’L POWER BOAT SHOW
Feb. 1 - 5, 2006
Atlantic City Convention Center – Atlantic City, NJ
ARIZONA NATIONAL BOAT SHOW
Feb. 1 - 5, 2006
Phoenix Civic Plaza - Phoenix, AZ
MID-ATLANTIC BOAT SHOW
Feb. 1 - 5, 2006
Charlotte Convention Center – Charlotte, NC
BIRMINGHAM BOAT SHOW
Feb. 1 - 6, 2006
Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center - Birmingham, AL
ST. LOUIS BOAT & SPORTS SHOW
Feb. 7 - 12, 2006
America’s Center & Edward Jones Dome – St. Louis, MO
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
Feb. 8 - 12, 2006
BC Place Stadium – Vancouver, BC
THE 45TH ANNUAL WASHINGTON BOAT SHOW
Feb. 8 - 12, 2006
Washington Convention Center – Washington, DC
DETROIT BOAT SHOW
Feb. 12 - 20, 2006
Cobo Center – Detroit, MI
GRAND RAPIDS BOAT SHOW
Feb. 15 - 19, 2006
De Vos Place – Grand Rapids, MI
PHILADELPHIA BOAT SHOW
Feb. 16 - 19, 2006
Ft. Washington Expo Center – Ft. Washington, PA
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
Feb. 16 - 20, 2006
Miami Convention Center – Miami, FL
VERMONT BOAT & MARINE SHOW
Feb. 17 - 19, 2006
Champlain Valley Expo. Center – Essex Junction, VT
INDIANAPOLIS BOAT, SPORT & TRAVEL SHOW
Feb. 17 - 26, 2006
Indiana State Fairgrounds – Indianapolis, IN
NEW ENGLAND BOAT SHOW
Feb. 18 - 26, 2006
Bayside Expo Center – Boston, MA
FORT WALTON BEACH BOAT SHOW
Feb. 18 - 26, 2006
Santa Rosa Mall – Fort Walton Beach, FL
11TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CAPITAL BOAT SHOW
Mar. 9 - 12, 2006
Dules Expo Center – Chantilly, VA
FORT MYERS SPRING BOAT SHOW
Mar. 9 - 12, 2006
Lee Civic Center – Fort Myers, FL
NEW HAMPSHIRE BOAT SHOW
Mar. 10 - 12, 2006
State Armory General Dept. – Manchester, NH
PALM BEACH BOAT SHOW
Mar. 23 - 26, 2006
Palm Beach Co. Conv. Center – West Palm Beach, FL
MOBILE BOAT SHOW
Mar. 30 - Apr. 2, 2006
Mobile Convention Center – Mobile, AL
BAY COUNTRY BOAT SHOW
Apr. 9 - 10, 2006
Hollywood Volunteer Fire Dept. – Hollywood, MD
PENSACOLA BOAT SHOW
Apr. 21 - 23, 2006
Pensacola Civic Center – Pensacola, FL
KELOWNA BOAT SHOW
Apr. 22 - 23, 2006
Kelowna Yacht Club – Kelowna, BC
BAY BRIDGE BOAT SHOW
Apr. 27 - 30, 2006
Naval Academy Stadium – Annapolis, MA