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Formula 310 Bowrider (2015-)
2 x 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI
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Brief Summary
The Formula 310 Bowrider offers a wide range of power options all the way up to twin 430-hp V8s. She delivered strong performance with twin 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAG ECTs with Bravo III drives in our tests, topping out at 50.1 mph turning 5200 rpm while consuming 48.1 gph. Best cruise was 3500 rpm, with an average speed of 31.6 mph to deliver 1.59 mpg, and she got on plane in just 3.7 seconds.
Key Features
- Clarion AM/FM/CD stereo with iPod, Bluetooth and 6 soeakers
- Cockpit/swim platform with remote controlled blue/white LED courtesy lights
- Garmin 547 GPS color chartplotter
- Modular bow seating/sun pad system with armrests and removeable seat bottoms
- Under cushion bow storage with molded-in insulated cooler
- 2 color-coordinated dual-height cockpit tables with Corian top, filler cushion and drink holders
- Aft-facing sun lounge with dual-position backrests and trunk storage
- Color-coordinated molded wet bar with sink, picnic-ware storage and 30-quart Igloo cooler
Test Results
RPM | MPH | Knots | GPH | MPG | NMPG | STAT. MILE | NM | dBa |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
600 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 2.68 | 2.33 | 313 | 273 | 71 |
1000 | 5.8 | 5 | 2.7 | 2.15 | 1.87 | 251 | 219 | 72 |
1500 | 8.4 | 7.3 | 4.9 | 1.71 | 1.49 | 201 | 174 | 73 |
2000 | 9.6 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 1.1 | 0.96 | 129 | 112 | 73 |
2500 | 15.6 | 13.5 | 11.7 | 1.33 | 1.16 | 156 | 135 | 75 |
3000 | 24 | 20.9 | 15.9 | 1.51 | 1.31 | 177 | 154 | 76 |
3500 | 31.6 | 27.5 | 19.9 | 1.59 | 1.38 | 186 | 162 | 77 |
4000 | 36.6 | 31.8 | 24.1 | 1.52 | 1.32 | 177 | 154 | 79 |
4500 | 41.5 | 36.1 | 30.6 | 1.36 | 1.18 | 159 | 138 | 81 |
5000 | 46.9 | 40.7 | 42.1 | 1.11 | 0.97 | 130 | 113 | 83 |
5200 | 50.1 | 43.6 | 48.1 | 1.04 | 0.91 | 122 | 106 | 86 |
Specifications
Length Overall | 31' 0'' / 9.45 m |
---|---|
Beam |
9' 6'' 2.90 m |
Dry Weight |
9,875 lbs. 4,479 kg |
Tested Weight |
11,220 lbs. 5,089 kg |
Draft |
37'' .94 m |
Deadrise/Transom | 22-deg. |
Max Headroom | open |
Bridge Clearance |
8' 8'' 2.64 m (w/ arch) |
Fuel Capacity |
130 gal. 492 L |
Water Capacity |
29 gal. 110 L |
Total Weight |
11,220 lbs. 5,089 kg |
Acceleration Times & Conditions
Time to Plane | 3.9 sec. |
---|---|
0 to 30 | 7.2 sec. |
Ratio | N/A |
Props | N/A |
Load | 4 persons, 3/4 fuel, no water, 20 lbs. of gear |
Climate | 66 deg., 52 humid.; wind: 0-5 mph; seas: calm |
Engine Options
Tested Engine |
2 x 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI |
---|---|
Std. Power |
Not Available |
Opt. Power |
Four MerCruiser twin engines from 300-hp to 430-hp Four Volvo Penta twin engines from 300-hp to 430-hp |
Captain's Report
Mission Statement
The Formula 310 Bowrider is a premium quality day boat designed for large lakes or offshore. Her focus is to provide owners with high-capacity seating (12+), luxurious amenities and exciting performance. She is designed and built to go nearly any speed that her engines can drive her and the boat will be able to take more punishment than her driver. Finally, the 310 Bowrider is intended to appeal to boaters who want to go truly first class in terms of amenities and overall build-quality.
Features Inspection
The boat offers four distinct entertainment zones and has a redesigned interior that gives it greater seating flexibility and a modern sophisticated look. The builder re-styled the cockpit making it au courant with the latest upholstery treatments and materials. Formula implemented this with premium vinyl upholstery, using self-draining DryFast foams that are fitted on StarLite XL synthetic marine substructures.
Seating
The bow
seating area takes full advantage of the boat’s 9’6” (2.90 m) beam with plush wrap-around upholstery. Two loungers flank the port and starboard sides and come equipped with sturdy, fold-down armrests. An interesting design element is that the lounger’s center section cushion can be removed to convert the seat into an upright sitting position facing forward with the occupant’s feet on the sole.
Neatly stored in the helm console are filler cushions that convert the bow into a spacious sun pad for at least three adults. The full-length stainless steel railings and thickly padded coaming panels provide added security and comfort, regardless of the chosen seating configuration.
Cockpit seating
is comprised of a port side bench seat with forward and aft facing seat backs for reclining. To starboard is a dual helm seat for the captain and companion, both seats have dual position backrests that convert to an aft facing position quickly. Situated just behind the helm seat is an expansive U-shaped settee designed for conversation and dining with the removable dinette table. The transom seating is integrated with the cockpit settee via dual position backrests for sitting, lounging or tanning on the sun pad.
Entertaining Amenities
The Head/Changing Room.
The 310 Bowrider is equipped with a spacious head compartment (thanks in part to the boat’s 9’6" (2.90 m beam) located in the port side console and comes standard with a VacuFlush toilet and 36 gallon holding tank. A small vanity cabinet with sink can be used as a private shower, and has the option of being upgraded with a handy hot water heater.
A cockpit wet bar
is situated to the port side as well, and provides a cabinet with a removable 30 quart cooler or can be ordered with a drawer style, 120/12-volt refrigerator. On top of the cabinet is a bi-fold Corian counter top with enough space to make lunch, the top also conceals a pair of sinks that are accessible when the top is folded up.
Power
Formula offers no less than 8 different power package options for the 310 Bowrider. Twin engine power from Volvo Penta or MerCruiser ensures excellent performance and the ability to tow virtually any skier or wakeboarder easily. Several small block engine choices provide power from 300-hp to 380-hp, while big block power ranges from 380-hp to 430-hp.
Performance
The Formula 310 Bowrider has a LOA of 31’0’’ (9.45 m), a beam of 9’6’’ (2.90 m) and a draft of 37’’ (.94 m). With a dry weight of 9,875 lbs. (4,479 kg), 97.5 gallons of fuel and 4 people onboard, we had a test weight of 11,220 lbs. (5,089 kg).
Our test vessel was equipped with twin 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAG ECT with Bravo 3 drives turning stainless steel propellers. We achieved a top speed of 50.1 mph at 5200 rpm while consuming 48.1 gph.
Cruise speed
was determined to be at 3500 rpm and resulted in an average speed of 31.6 mph to deliver 1.59 mpg. The 310 Bowrider got on plane in 3.9 seconds and reached 30 mph in 7.2 seconds. Note: The base model is equipped with twin Volvo Penta 300-hp sterndrives with dual counter rotating propellers and should provide comparable performance.
Handling
Handling is where the 310 Bowrider really excelled. High and low speed tracking was exemplary with very little wheel management from the pilot. The power assisted steering gives good feedback with little effort to maintain course. Hard over turns took this captain by surprise as the boat can carve turns within one and a half boat lengths.
Numerous attempts were made to aerate the props, but we found that both drives were well planted and hooked-up with virtually no cavitation. (It should be noted that the sharp turning radius could pose a safety problem for guests that are not prepared for the radical healing motion that is induced from hard-over maneuvers.) Backing down operations were also well mannered, so slipping into tight dockage should not provide too much of a challenge. (A joystick will make it even easier, of course.)
Standard Equipment
Options to Consider
Formula prides themselves on providing an exhaustive options list so buyers can build a very special package with a personal touch. One item on our short list would be the electric windlass and stainless steel plow anchor, coupled with an anchor chain for rode. This system is cleanly integrated beneath the bow’s anchor hatch and makes day boating more pleasurable.
The other “must have” would be the extended watersports swim platform that comes equipped with drink holders and a boarding ladder, or a concealed swim seat and step.
And, of course, we would opt for a hull color. This is a $4,635 option that is only about 2% of the price of the boat yet makes her look like a million dollars. Formula uses a special paint that it buffs to a high gloss that is unlike virtually any other boat on the market.
Base Price
With twin Volvo Penta V8-300C Duo-prop $239,540
Price as tested $268,425
Observations
The 310 Bowrider is spacious and easy to move about, except for the port side transom walkthrough where our captain’s large feet had some trouble navigating back and forth to the stern. But we think that is a good trade-off for extra cockpit seating room. The boat’s handling is impressive, as is her performance. Going over 50 mph with a pair of 300s weighing 11,220 lbs. is impressive. Our test captain reports that stock power should be sufficient for all but the hot-shots and we agree.
The ride is solid and very quiet, even at cruising RPM’s the boat’s occupants can easily share a conversation without shouting.
Most important to realize is that this boat is a big boat and had a tested weight of 11,220 lbs. (5,089 kg). That, along with her 9’6" (2.90 m) beam, gives her real authority in big bodies of water. And as all of those people know who closely follow Formula, the 310 Bowrider, just like all of the other Formulas, cross the Gulf Stream for their annual publicity shoot on the flats in the islands.