Formula 380 Super Sport Crossover Outboard (2021-)

Brief Summary

The Formula 380 Super Sport Crossover fills the gap between the manufacturer’s 330/350 Crossover Bowriders and the larger 400/430 SSC and ASC models. The 380 SSC is available with outboard or sterndrive power and continues Formula’s open-bow, full-cabin concept. 

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	38' 11.58 m
Beam	11'6" 3.5 m
Dry Weight	20,500 lbs. 9,298.64 kg
Tested Weight	22,448 lbs. 10,182.24
Draft	41" 104 cm
Deadrise/Transom	21°
Max Headroom	6’5” 1.95 m
Bridge Clearance	11’8” 3.56 m
Fuel Capacity	300 gallons 1,135.62 L
Water Capacity	43 gallons 162.77 L
Total Weight	22,448 lbs. 10,182.24

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	3.7 seconds
0 to 30	16.3 seconds
Props	14.6 x 20
Load	4 persons; 55% fuel; 50 lbs. gear
Climate	78 deg.; 100 humid.; winds: 1-5; seas: 0-1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	3 x 450-hp Mercury Racing 450R

By Capt. Nick Martinez

Mission Statement

The Formula 380 Super Sport Crossover fills the gap between the manufacturer’s 330/350 Crossover Bowriders and the larger 400/430 SSC and ASC models. The 380 SSC is available with outboard or sterndrive power and continues Formula’s open-bow, full-cabin concept. For entertaining, the cockpit, helm deck and bow are all on the same level. The fiberglass hardtop has a full-width motorized sunroof. Belowdecks, she sleeps four and has a galley and enclosed head with a private shower.

Distinguishing Features

• Sea chest in engine compartment
• Standard joystick
• Standard air conditioning
• Painted hull
• Triple 450-hp Mercury Racing engines

Major Features

• Standard joystick
• Standard air conditioning
• Painted hull
• Triple 450 Hp Racing Mercury engines
• U-shaped cockpit seating area
• Cockpit galley
• Sleeps four

Features Inspection

The Stern 

The aft platform on the 380 SSC O/B measures 3’4” (1.01 m) and 11’ (3.35 m) wide. It extends past the outboard engines with a walking space of 22” (55.88 cm) to 14” (35.56 cm) wide and is built into the hull. There are 8” (20.32 cm) pull-up cleats in each aft corner. Compartments to port and starboard house a pull-out four-step reboarding ladder.

Just ahead of the platform to starboard, there is adjustable aft-facing seating that measures 3’1” (0.94 m) deep with the backrests in “up” position. Push them forward to create a lounge that’s 3’10” (1.17 m) long and 5’6” (1.67 m) wide. Underneath the aft seating is a waste-water tank, JL audio speaker and LED prop movement notification light.

To port side are the shorepower and utility connections, another JL audio speaker and a prop-spinning indicator light. Above that is a locker that contains the battery switches and engine flush connections. On top, there is an electric grill under a black Corian top.

Walking from the aft platform into the cockpit, there is a 6” (15.24 cm) step up. We noticed that is one of the only deck height changes from bow to stern. Walking through a 2’1” (0.63 m) passageway, there is a lift-and-pull glass and aluminum framed gate heading into the cockpit. Just above is the remote control for the stereo.

Mechanical Space

A switch on the helm opens the mechanical room hatch. On the sterndrive version, this would be the engine compartment. In this space are the 7.5-kW gas generator, sea chest for the onboard water systems, Fireboy fire-suppression system and the house and start batteries. The compartment has 3’6” (1.07 m) of headroom and its open format made it easy to move around without feeling cramped. A day hatch provides additional access.

Cockpit

To starboard, horseshoe-shaped seating has storage underneath all the bottom cushions. In the gunwale openings, we found two stainless steel grab rails, four beverage holders, and USB ports. The double-wide starboard lounge has a backrest that can be set to face forward or aft. A two-part removable table can be lowered and add cushions can be added to create for a sunpad. Kudos to Formula for providing dedicated storage for the cushions.

Just forward, an entertainment center has a Corian top, four beverage holders, a sink with slide-away cover, and outdoor bottle rack. Underneath are a 3-cubic-foot refrigerator, three storage drawers, a wastebasket, a paper towel holder and a fire extinguisher. For safety, a rail wraps around the entertainment center.

Helm

The helm to starboard with the compass in line with the steering wheel. The dash panel is available in charcoal or mocha to knock down glare. Our test boat had dual 18” (45.72 cm) Raymarine multifunction displays that provide control of all onboard systems. Simply touch a zone of the boat to make adjustments. Below on the port side is the 7” (17.78 cm) Mercury VesselView engine-monitoring screen.

There are angled footrests forward on the console, and the captain and two companions travel on seats that have individual foldup bolsters. With the bolsters up, there is space for even portly captains to stand. The windshield header meets American Boat and Yacht Council standards of height - it is above eye level for almost everyone when standing. 

Bow

The bow has U-shaped seating that can accommodate three comfortably. Mirroring those in the cockpit, gunwale openings have cupholders, rails, and more USB charging outlets. There is storage underneath all hinged bottom cushions including a dedicated table rack to starboard. The table legs plug into two sockets in the deck and the tables can be positioned for dining or lowered to create a lounge with filler cushions. There is also an optional bow awning with a stainless-steel frame. Plugs in the bowrails are removable and replaced with the shade stanchions.

Cabin

In the bow, the Ultraleather dinette lounge wraps around a table that can be lowered to create a berth and a hinged section of the padded bulkhead extends forward to add leg space for sleeping. The bow window lets in light and can be covered by a filler cushion for privacy.

Head

The a stand-up wet head is aft and includes a shower, a Moen faucet and a porcelain VacuFlush toilet with a 37-gallon (140.06-L) holding tank.

Performance

The Numbers. Our test boat measured 38’ (11.58 m) long with an 11’6” (3.5 m) beam. With four people, test equipment, 165 gallons (624.59 L) of fuel and 21 gallons (79.49 L) of water, we had a test weight of 22,448 lbs. (10,182.24 kg). The boat rides on designer John Adams’ twin-step bottom and was powered by Triple 450-hp Mercury Racing 450R outboards.

Top Speed. Running in 2 mph (2.21 kph) winds and high humidity, we wound up the engines to 5900 rpm and hit a top speed of 64 mph (102.99 kph). Best cruise was at 4500 rpm where the boat ran 43.50 mph (70.01 kph) and burned 55 gph (208.19 lph). That gave us 0.7 mpg (0.29 kpl) and a range of 186 statute miles (299.33 km) with 10% of the boat’s 300-gallon (1,135.62-L) fuel capacity in reserve.

At 600 rpm, the boat ran 4.0 mph (6.43 kph) and burned 3.4 gph (12.87 lph), which resulted in 1.6 mpg (0.68 kpl). At 1000 rpm, she ran 6.0 mph (9.65 kph) and burned 5.2 gph (19.68 lph), producing a mpg rating of 1.2 (0.51 kpl).

In acceleration tests, the boat planed in 3.7 seconds, ran through 20 mph (32.18 kph) in 9.2 seconds and through 30 mph (48.28 kph) in 15.8 seconds.

Observations

This boat is part of Formula's Super Sport Crossover line that the company says meets its customers’ needs as far as price to size ratio. She’s a family day boat that can also be used for overnighting and has the attention to details we are accustomed to seeing from Formula, including hatches finished on the underside and a fully gelcoated mechanical room. Formula Flex lets owners customize the 380 SSC and the performance with the triple outboards lives up to the company’s stellar legacy.