Thunderbird - Formula Boats

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
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