Formula 360 Crossover Bowrider Outboard (2026-)

• FAS3Tech® hull w/foam-filled continuous molded structural grid
• Concealed electric windlass w/150´ chain w/counter, polished stainless anchor, remote, and freshwater anchor washdown system
• Hardtop w/motorized glass sunroof, four 6 1/2˝ JL speakers w/200W amplification
• Molded portside boarding door
• Transom shower w/hot & cold control
• Galvanic corrosion protection systems
• Molded stand-up head compartment w/VacuFlush® head unit
• Aft cabin full-size berth w/Aerus® memory foam mattress, pillow shams & full width storage
• Bennett® hydraulic trim tabs
• Motorized hatch lift
• Yeti® Tundra 35 cooler w/dedicated storage
• Dual position triple helm seats
• Modular bow seating/sunpad system
• Molded fiberglass dash in Charcoal or Mocha w/Liquid Black panels, Ritchie® compass, Raymarine® Axiom+ 12 GPS widescreen color chartplotter w/depth sounder & remote keypad, captain & first mate wireless charging mounts, USB-A/USB-C charging port, tilt wheel in leather wrapped stainless, lockable dash storage

• Hardtop mounted chrome remote-control LED searchlight
• SureShade ATF™ electric power retractable sun shade
• Bow sun shade w/carbon fiber supports
• Automatic outboard flushing system
• 7.5KW/120V low-CO emissions gas generator w/battery & additional 30-amp cord
• Seakeeper® 3 gyro stabilization system, 12V/120V (available with OB engine packages & requires generator)
• SiriusXM Satellite Marine Weather Receiver (requires SiriusXM service)
• FLIR M232™ or M332™ thermal camera
• Raymarine® dual Axiom+ 12 GPS widescreen color chartplotter w/depth sounder & remote keypad, Raymarine® dual Axiom+ 12 GPS widescreen color chartplotter w/18˝ dome-array HD radar, depth sounder & remote keypad, Raymarine® dual Axiom 2 XL 16 GPS widescreen color chartplotter w/depth sounder & remote keypad, Raymarine® dual Axiom 2 XL 16 GPS widescreen color chartplotter w/18˝ dome-array HD radar, depth sounder & remote keypad
• Mercury® 1st Mate™ marine safety & security system, theft deterrent system & man overboard w/4 passenger fobs
• 16,000 BTU reverse cycle cockpit air conditioner, 120V (requires generator)
• 120V Kenyon® electric cockpit grill in cockpit galley (requires generator)
• Front & side curtains w/easy-mount zippers & aft cockpit enclosure in color-coordinated non-fading Sunbrella fabric
• Removable ski/wakeboard swivel-head rope pylon
• Mercury® SeaCore™ saltwater protection system

The Michael Young design calls for optimum use of all available space for seating, storage, day tripping adventures, and even overnight or weekend stays.

Bow

The action starts up front with the bow offering plenty of seating and storage space.

Helm

With 11’3” of beam to work with, the Formula 360 CBR OB provides wide open spaces for the starboard helm and all its requisite equipment.

Cabin

While she is labeled as a dayboat, the Formula 360 CBR OB has enough room below decks for a suitable berth complete with stand-up head and lots of storage space for those opportunities to do some coastal cruising.

Cockpit

Always a popular gathering space aboard, the cockpit on the Formula 360 CBR OB promises an exciting, well provisioned area to entertain in.

Aft Section

Topping off its offerings, the aft section of the Formula 360 CBR OB, with a backrest flipped astern, become a large sunpad. Note the beginning of the unimpeded walkway to port, the molded boarding door, also to port, the space provided to get back and forth in front of the engines, and of course, those triple 400-hp Mercury Verado outboards.

Our test Formula 360 CBR was equipped with a trio of 300-hp Mercury Verado outboards turning 17.25” x 23 pitch stainless Mercury Rev X props. There were five people on board. Her test weight came in at 21,445 pounds. Local conditions saw a 12-15 knot wind, air temperature of 76°, and relative humidity of 67%. Our fuel tank was almost full at 270 gallons, with a 10% fuel reserve, along with 24 gallons of fresh water.

With performance DNA built into every Formula, the 360 CBR runs on the company’s sea-proven, multi-stepped, deep-V, FAS3Tech® hull. Along with a molded structural grid, sure-footed performance is a big part of her impressive on-water excitement. According to the company, the ventilated design offers better speed and steadiness by allowing air to be introduced under the hull, this to increase speed, acceleration, and fuel economy while reducing drag. During our time at the wheel, we were able to put these design features to the test. 

We found our Formula 360 CBR to be very responsive to the helm during hard over turns, 360’s, and similar maneuvers without any slippage, significant drop in speed, or stability. Our top speed was 63.7 mph at 6200 rpm. We registered a best cruising speed of 45.5 mph at 4500 rpm and calculated her range to be some 207 statute miles with a 10% fuel reserve. She came up on plane at 16 mph at just under 3500 rpm. On hole shots, she reached 20 mph at 5.5 seconds, 30 mph at 9.5 seconds, and 40 mph in 13.5 seconds. We also found her to be responsive during docking by utilizing those large diameter props and responsive throttle control with close quarters maneuvering simplified by Mercury’s VTS joystick.

The Formula 360 CBR bridges the gap between performance and luxury and delivers on both thanks to a first design by Formula’s Michael Young, himself being mentored by long time company designer John Adams. As a dayboat, she is as good as it gets, and with a long list of standard equipment and premium options, and with her accommodations below decks, can supply exciting coastal cruising opportunities for long weekends and extended time away. With triple Mercury Verado outboards, pushing her deep-V, FAS3Tech® hull. the Formula 360 CBR fulfills the company’s long-standing promise of outstanding performance and responsive and sparkling handling.

Remember, life is better on a boat!

Overview

This test covers the Formula 360 CBR Outboard, a crossover bow rider version of the previously tested Formula 360 Crossover Bow Rider. Testing was conducted in Biscayne Bay, Miami, under slightly overcast conditions, with Captain Frank joining as a new member of the BoatTest captain team.

Captain Frank explained the purpose of these structured tests: "The reason we do these is so that we can produce real world numbers for boat buyers out there... run through the paces so we can identify her best cruise, identify her wide open throttle, evaluate fuel burn as we go so that buyers can make an informed decision and compare the numbers that we get against the manufacturer's. I honestly think that this is one of the most important things that we do as Boat Test captains."

Specifications

• Length overall: 36 feet
• Beam: 11 feet, 3 inches
• Draft: 49 inches, engines down
• Engines: triple 400 horsepower Mercury V10 Verado outboards
• Propellers: 17.25 x 23 pitch Mercury Rev X stainless steel

Test Conditions

Boat was tested heavy: five people aboard (versus typical two), the 275-gallon fuel tank nearly full (270 gallons/1,620 pounds of fuel), 24 gallons of fresh water, and normal onboard gear — total test weight 21,445 pounds, including a 10% fuel reserve.

Initial Handling Impressions

Captain Shelly, running the boat first: "I can hear that active trim kicking in already. She popped up on plane really quickly. Hardly any bow rise."

Sight lines: Captain Shelly (5'6") reported good visibility from the bolster: "I have great visibility and I love the curved blast that Formula is just known for." Captain Frank (6'1") noted the windshield height was "just a little bit short" for his eye line but stated the bolster-down position resolved this, with no width-related visibility issues.

Ride in chop: "She's definitely softer at speed, that's for sure, and especially with a chop like this, it really eats it up."

Turning without speed loss: "I'm feeling no reduction in speed. When we were making some tighter turns earlier, there was just a little bit, but you know, just a little extra goose on the throttle and you're right back up to where you were." Captain Frank attributed this to the engines: "I think it also has a lot to do with the torque, and these V10s add a lot of displacement, a lot more prop bite — it's a lot of bite back there."

Hard turn assessment: "Pretty close to hard over and I feel really secure in this turn. You can really feel that forged car performance that Formula was going for in this vessel."

Manual Speed Trial

Captain Shelly ran the boat manually from a seated position to compare against manufacturer specifications, explaining: "We think that's important for an individual trial for us to do that."

Captain Frank's comparative assessment (vs. his own performance boat experience): "This is a luxury-style performance boat, so it's a little bit different. You can feel a little bit more heft to the vessel. It's a little more secure, trying to get familiar with the trim tabs and where her sweet spot is."

At 50 mph: "It's a very comfortable vessel. I mean, at 50 miles an hour we're sitting here having a conversation and our guests aren't even complaining up on the bow. Quiet too — I mean, obviously the wind noise is pretty loud, but the boat itself is really quiet."

Seated comfort note: Captain Shelly, having switched from bolster-up to bolster-down: "This armrest is pretty nice."

36 mph turn: "Outstanding — I don't feel any slippage." Captain Frank confirmed: "You crossed through your wake just there, and you really didn't feel much of anything." Captain Shelly: "No, it solidly takes it."

Location commentary: "One of my favorite aspects of running in Biscayne Bay is just how wide open it is. This boat has definitely performed admirably today."

Captain Frank's Handling Summary

"We've got a decent little chop, which in fact this stepped hull really loves a chop. We've got plenty of horsepower in the back — we're able to throttle it down, get her in that 38 to 44 mile-an-hour range, and she was just smooth as glass out here when she was taking air under those steps and those high-speed turns... pretty epic. I think we even saw a very tight high-speed turn at around 42 miles an hour, throttled right out of it and brought her right back up to 6,000 RPMs, and she handled it like a champ. So I was very satisfied with the driving and the ride of this boat today."

Captain Shelly noted the location's scenic value (Star Island, Miami skyline) as fitting for "a perfect day of boating."

Performance Numbers

• Average top speed: 63.7 mph at 6,200 RPM
• Most efficient cruising speed: 43.5 mph at 4,500 RPM, achieving 0.9 miles per gallon
• Range at efficient cruise: 217 statute miles, with a 10% fuel reserve
• Weight-to-horsepower ratio: 18-to-1 — noted as "significantly better than the 20-to-23-pound-per-horsepower range" commonly seen in boats this size
• Plane threshold: 16 mph, at just under 3,500 RPM
• 0–20 mph: 5.5 seconds
• 0–30 mph: 9.5 seconds
• 0–40 mph: 13.5 seconds

Handling assessment: locked in and "on rails" through tight turns, with no slip or loss of control. Docking described as confidence-inspiring due to the large-diameter props and responsive throttle, with close-quarters maneuvering achievable even without the Mercury DTS joystick.

Equipment Space (Serviceability)

Captain Frank's overview: "What Formula's done with this new 360 CBR with the outboards is they've created an entirely serviceable equipment space."

Electrical/battery systems:

• Six Odyssey Group 31 batteries
• Dedicated genset battery
• Victron energy battery charger (referred to as "Tron" in transcript)
• Bennett hydraulically powered trim tabs
• Blue Sea automatic switches, easily accessible

Seachest: Captain Frank praised this specifically: "The seachest is a very, very nice option with easily accessible handles. Formula's taking the forethought into supplying a separate seachest toolkit in a Pelican box that'll allow you to tighten any of these bolts should a leak arise, or replace any gasket material that could fail." His overall serviceability assessment: "Everything is extremely serviceable. You can get your hands on almost every system that requires maintenance or repair, very easily located under the deck."

Generator: Westerbeke 7.5 kW gasoline genset, with an access hatch providing checks on fluids, hours, water pump/hose status.

Additional access: Shore power ELCI breakers and the 275-gallon gasoline fuel tank's fuel sender, both easily accessible.

Aft Deck / Swim Area

Captain Shelly's inventory of features:

• Large sun pad with storage, providing access to the boarding ladder for the dive door
• JL speakers for music at the sandbar or sun pad
• Freshwater hot/cold shower for post-swim rinsing before entering the cockpit
• Stainless steel handrail for seated passengers
• Phone charging connectivity
• Numerous cup holders; the sun pad backrest flips to add to a large C-shaped seating area

Dive door walkway: Provides access past the dive door with a closable safety gate — noted by Captain Shelly as "very functional."

Table storage: Dedicated storage beneath the seating area for two add-on tables. Captain Frank: "That's very convenient." Also two JL speakers positioned nearby for sound.

Factory-equipped Yeti cooler: Self-closing mechanism noted by Captain Frank: "When you close it, it just closes and falls right back into place."

Hardtop / Shading

Beam-to-beam sun coverage, with a sunroof opening fully aft. Manual shades were highlighted by both captains as a favorite feature — described as "very resilient, very easy, perfect coverage." An optional SureShade extends coverage by a few additional feet.

Exterior Galley

Custom Corian countertop with cup holders. Captain Shelly noted two counter angles that initially puzzled him — one designed to allow full faucet deployment, the other angled more aggressively to disperse heat, taking advantage of Formula's fire-retardant construction above.

Additional galley features: Aft-facing bench, storage below, additional storage and refrigeration, trash receptacle, and fire extinguisher.

Forward Storage Area (Ahead of Galley)

Storage for sundries (e.g., a purse), two stowage hooks for dock lines or life jackets, and a deep storage cavern. Captain Shelly noted this spot as his preferred perch when not at the helm, with nearby speakers and cup holders.

Hidden functional storage: A recessed portion of storage allows a swinging door to open fully and lock magnetically, providing unimpeded cabin access — a function Captain Shelly hadn't initially recognized.

Cabin Access and Interior

Three steps down, with a stainless steel grab rail to assist descent. Headroom: 6 feet, 2 inches.

Cabin features:

• Storage throughout, small settee, bed suited to two adults
• Flat-screen TV on the port bulkhead
• Hull side windows (starboard) for natural light
• Microwave and refrigeration (port side), with additional storage
• Trash bin nestled beneath the Corian countertops
• Head compartment positioned all the way forward, for additional space/functionality — includes a Dometic vacuum flush toilet, two cup holders, and an induction charger
• Opening port light near the bed — Captain Frank noted its value for overnight anchoring: "If you are overnighting and happen to be on the hook, you can open this up, leave this door propped open at night, and that bed is going to have a nice airflow all throughout the night... that makes this whole space feel so much more open."

Helm

Captain Frank's detailed walkthrough:

• Large Raymarine screens
• Redundant switching for bilge pumps and engine hatches (also accessible through the Raymarine system)
• Separate Mercury VesselView
• Mercury Pinnacle control with Skyhook joystick
• Bennett trim tab control positioned forward of the Pinnacle — noted as a personal favorite: "When you're throttled down, you can tweak this boat in and get her dialed in for the very optimal speeds and cruise conditions."
• Icom VHF radio and phone charging
• Accent lighting throughout the hardtop, combing pads, flooring, and dash
• Glove box — Captain Frank: "Everybody loves a good glove box."

Bow

Window/air dam: Easily closable window for high-speed runs, plus an air dam preventing airflow from the open bow in cold weather or rain.

Storage: Ample, port side, including filler cushions for the bow seating.

Seating comfort: "Very comfortable, very deep seating. So I feel very secure. Handrails everywhere — love to see it."

Table system: Receptacles for two table pedestals, with dedicated storage; removing the tables and filler cushions converts the area to a large sunbed.

Audio: JL audio speakers and a subwoofer forward, plus a USB port for phone/tablet charging via Bluetooth connection.

Seating capacity assessment: "I really am blown away with the amount of seating that's up here available. I mean, you could have six people, cocktails, enjoying this beautiful scenery, and not even feel crowded at all."

Ground Tackle

Anchor chain: Full anchor chain (rather than chain-and-rode spliced together) as optioned on this boat.

Freshwater washdown: Fitted forward, allowing the chain to be rinsed on retrieval without corrosion concerns.

Windlass: Vertically mounted Lewmar, with a locking mechanism, easily accessible winch release manual handle, and support from a sturdy gas strut. Remote buttons allow windlass operation from the bow.

Closing Assessment

Captain Shelly's summary: "If Formula is trying to make a sports car out of a 36-foot bow rider, they've done it — and they've done it by putting these triple V10 Mercury 400s on the back of it. And I'm talking about from the moment that you drop the throttles down to some of our high-speed turns, she's been stable and spirited throughout the entire boat test."