Formula 387 CCF (2025-)

• Transferable 5-Year Formula Guard® Limited Protection Plan (USA & Canada only) w/Worldwide 10-year Structural Warranty
• FAS3TeCH® hull w/foam-filled continuous molded structural grid
• Bow thruster
• Windlass w/digital chain counter, 300´ rope & 30´ chain, polished stainless anchor & freshwater anchor washdown system
• Fiberglass hardtop w/3-piece compound curved console glass windshield w/power operated forward glass
• Integrated swim platform w/undermount telescoping swim ladders & pull-up cleats
• 120V shorepower w/fail-safe galvanic isolator & two 30-amp cords
• 10 cockpit rod holders, 7 hardtop rod holders, GEMLUX® deluxe outriggers w/18´ telescoping poles & dual rigging kit
• Cockpit leaning post w/aft-facing slide-away mezzanine bench, full Corian countertop/bait rigging station w/removable cutting board, custom-molded sink, Plano® tackle box organizer, drawer storage & dedicated fishing locker, accessory switches, YETI® Tundra® 35 cooler w/pullout drawer, custom-molded motorized slide-out cooler w/reFLEX durable foam decking, trash container & fire extinguisher/paper towel locker
• Dual forward-facing bow sun lounges w/4 rod holders in armrests, in-floor fish box or bow seating w/removable cushions
• Sea chest raw-water manifold system
• Bennett® dual-ram hydraulic trim tabs
• 8.5 KW Fischer Panda Mini 9 diesel generator w/sound shield, battery & 25-gallon tank
• Molded private head compartment w/frosted portlight, vanity, open-grain finish doors, upper & lower cabinet storage w/concealed trash container, Corian countertop, custom-molded sink w/faucet, porcelain Flush and Forget® VacuFlush® head w/25-gallon holding tank, dockside pumpout, shower exhaust fan & night light
• Mercury Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) controls w/7˝ SmartCraft® VesselView®
• Port & starboard mid cockpit floor storage w/YETI® LoadOut 5-gallon buckets
• Port & starboard aft cockpit fish boxes w/macerator discharge

• Remote control LED searchlight
• SureShade ATF™ electric power retractable sun shade
• Bow sunshade w/telescoping carbon fiber poles
• Lumitec™ Razor LED light bar 
• Ultimate rod holder package – includes 2 additional rod holders & 10 (open bow configuration) or 6 (bow seating configuration) rod holders
• GEMLUX Bluewater outriggers w/22´ telescoping poles & triple rigging kit
• Wind-Armor® weather doors
• SiriusXM Satellite Weather & fish mapping service receiver
• Seakeeper3 gyro
• Automatic outboard flushing system
• Garmin triple 8616 GPS widescreen color chart-plotters, depth sounder & remote keypad or  Raymarine triple Axiom XL 16˝ GPS widescreen color chartplotters, depth sounder & remote keypad
• 48˝ open-array radar
• 18,000 BTU cockpit reverse cycle air conditioning
• JL Audio M6 blue LED lighted chrome-finished speakers, bow stereo remote, bow 200W subwoofer & chartplotter integrated stereo control
• Aft cockpit fish box freezer plates w/separate digitally controlled thermostats
• Aft cockpit 12V electric reel outlets (4)
• Solid teak cockpit accents
• Helm & leaning post enclosure
• Helm, leaning post & side walkways enclosure

Bow

With its complete walk around main deck setup, the Formula 387 CCF is well-suited for any kind of fishing action whether is be inshore flounder pounding with the family or taking on serious offshore, horizon-chasing big game. All the action starts up on the bow.

Helm

The centerline helm console spans enough space to allow for a trio of large touchscreens and all the necessary controls, switches, and equipment necessary for safe and efficient operation. The helm area itself is jam-packed with features to make any outing a memorable one.

Living Accommodations

Whether stretching your fishing time to an overnight layover or looking for a weekend getaway, the Formula 387 CCF will be able to accommodate your needs. 

Aft Section

With a notched out platform to accommodate the big shouldered power courtesy of triple Mercury 450R outboards, the Adams design still provided for frontal and side access.

With a long-held heritage of built-in performance DNA scoring high points in both her handling and sea-keeping abilities, it’s no surprise the Formula 387 CCF delivers on all counts.

Our test day saw us top out at 60.2 mph turning 6100 rpm with 19-pitch props. At 4000 rpm, her best cruise came in at 32.8 mph with a range of 307 sm while holding back a 10% fuel reserve. Our approximate weight was 25,276 lbs with four people on board and 66% fuel of her 500 gallon capacity. She went from 0-30 mph in 15 seconds and planed at 6.9. Test day saw air temps around 87° with 80% humidity and calm winds with a 1-foot sea state.

Grabbing the wheel, you could feel the both the power and ease of handling Formula are noted for boats throughout the model lineup. She was controlled in both tight turns and maneuvers and tracked straight and true during speed runs. While cruising along, it was a pleasure having auto-trim. Solid underfoot, we experienced no pounding or slamming during our time out on the Formula 387 CCF.

The Formula 387 CCF had no trouble joining the crowded center console field of offshore fishing platforms and affirming her rightful place. Firstly, she’s a Formula, and that name carries a lot of weight in the industry. Known for performance and quality construction techniques, Formula utilizes only the latest technology has to offer. Their Super Sport/FAS3Tech® multi-plane hull technology enables superior handling and performance. They ensure a resin-encapsulated, suspended cross-framed stringer and bulkhead system and inseparable deck and hull utilizing  a chemical Plexus bond plus stainless steel bolts through heavy backing plates, as well as a myriad selection of other methods and systems, all. This is overseen by formula’s exclusive designer, John Adams and the entire team of the company’s expert craftspeople. 

While she has been designed and engineered as a no-nonsense, offshore fishing boat, the Formula 387 CCF easily can provide exciting days out on the water with family and friends. She does have her luxurious side as well, with accents and décor both above and below decks as one look around the bow, helm, cockpit, exterior, and cabin space will confirm. And with a long list of standard and premium, must-have optional equipment, your Formula 387 CCF can easily deliver a personal statement of ownership. 

Remember, life is better on a boat!

Experts and Boat Owners

What has set BoatTEST apart from the many video-makers currently on the Internet and Social Media is the fact that for 26 years, only USCG-Licensed captains and experienced boat owners have tested and written our reports and made our videos. We believe that to provide boat owners the information they deserve, only other boat owners – who know the challenges of ownership -- can accurately report on it.  It is that level of expertise and ownership experience that goes into every video and Captain’s Report that we publish.  Because we know what it is like owning and operating a boat, we can pass-on the information that prospective boat buyers need to know.

Capt. Dave East

Dave is a 30-year veteran of the Marine Industry, having started two boat companies, and most recently sold his fishing catamaran brand Eastward. He co-founding Twin Vee and was a designer for several other boat manufacturers and is still a marine industry consultant. He is a former boating magazine editor, and has written hundreds of articles on boats, how-to guides, DIY and safety. For four years, he hosted Florida Sportsman’s Best Boat TV series and tested boats from small flats boats to long range cruising motoryachts. Dave is a lifelong fresh and saltwater fisherman. He is a private pilot with multiple ratings, and is an Open Water PADI-Certified SCUBA diver. He currently lives in Stuart, FL. He feels equally comfortable on anything from a 16’ flats boat to an 85’ long range cruiser.

Capt. Ken Kreisler

Capt. Ken Kreisler is a well-known figure in the marine industry, with extensive experience testing boats for major boating magazines. He has held USCG 100-Ton License for 40 years and has served as a delivery and charter fishboat captain, project manager for two small passenger ferry catamarans, making sure every details met USCG build standards. Capt. Ken is an accomplished writer, having received several BWI awards and the John Burroughs Association certificate of commendation for his children's book, "NATURE SPY," published by Macmillan. He resides with his family on the Shrewsbury River in Monmouth Beach, NJ, where he enjoys boating on his 24-foot Grady White Explorer.

Brand Background

Captain Trip stated the brand's positioning: "For the past 70 years, Formula has been on the cutting edge of performance offshore boating, and for the last 40 years or so, it has arguably been building the most luxurious day boats built in America." He described this model as applying that expertise to create "one of the most capable and comfortable 30-something center consoles on the market... it incorporated virtually all of the best fishing features found on the saltiest large center consoles, plus added a few new ones of its own in a luxurious package that has no peer."

Hardtop

Captain Boomie noted the hardtop's size directly: "This is like the biggest hardtop on a center console of this size. So it's super wide." She explained Formula's design process: "The guys at Formula, they really mock this up with plywood before they finalize the design on it." Captain Trip added the functional intent: the coverage provides shade for multiple people while still allowing access to fight a fish from the side without a rod contacting the hardtop's gel coat finish.

Aft Console / Seating Area — Amenities

Sound system: A dedicated zone/source at the bow, independent from the rest of the boat — allowing different audio in different areas simultaneously.

Charging/storage: Multiple cup holders and a dedicated cell phone storage spot.

Bow storage compartment: Houses a filler board that spans across to create one large sun pad when combined with filler cushions. The compartment itself is an insulated, total cooler.

Additional storage: Present on both sides, with shelving inside — Captain Boomie praised this specifically: "More boats should do shelves in their storage... the stuff just gathers all in the bottom, and you're like, what is in here? And you just open it, and it just makes a total mess."

Additional amenities noted at a second lounge spot: More cup holders, more chargers, and rod holders on each side — Captain Boomie's assessment: "There's so many [chargers] on the boat. I can charge my phone anywhere." Captain Trip's summary of the dual-purpose design: "It seems pretty unusual to me that a hardcore fishing boat has so much lounge space."

Drainage Engineering (Console Detail)

Captain Trip highlighted a specific drainage detail: a small compartment with a drain hole feeds into the console; when tilted, it drains down and is piped under the deck, exiting the side — the same path used by rod holder drains. His assessment: "Nothing's going into the bilge or in the cabin... that's a fantastic little bitty thing that they thought of, and had to probably think about a lot to engineer that all over the boat."

Weather Protection

Helm hatch: Closes via a single push-button.

"Wind Armor" weather doors: Used earlier in the outing while running, described by Captain Trip as effectively blocking wind from reaching passengers gathered in the cockpit while underway.

Enclosure option: Zip-in points for eisenglass allow full enclosure of the space.

Climate control (enclosed mode): AC vents at the back of the helm allow the enclosed space to be conditioned "like a pilot house." Captain Trip clarified the systems are heat pumps — reversible for either air conditioning or heat, making the boat usable both in southern and northern climates.

Elevated Seating (Aft, Above Sink)

A pull-out elevated seat is provided above the sink area; footrests deploy so the user's feet aren't left dangling.

Cooler/bracket: Captain Trip noted a substantial custom-built (by Formula) cooler bracket, recalling a stated weight capacity around 100 lbs, confirming it remains stable even when stood on while loaded with ice and drinks.

Rocket Launchers / Hardtop-Mounted Storage

Positioned high on the hardtop specifically because of the electric SureShade mechanism added to shade the aft cockpit — described by both captains as providing substantial shade coverage.

Side Door / Boarding

A side door with a flip-up top provides three cup holders when in use. A flip-down step provides two-step boarding access for higher docks, or the door opens directly for boarding at a floating dock positioned at a convenient height. This location is also well suited to bringing large fish aboard.

Adjacent stowage: Swim ladder storage using keyhole slot mounting, plus a dive door complete with a grab handle just aft of this area.

Port Side (Aft)

Additional storage with two drawers, described by Captain Boomie as loaded and "ready to fish." An electric Kenyon grill is mounted just above this storage.

Convertible Seat Mechanism

Captain Boomie highlighted a seat that raises from a lower, in-line position to an elevated position via a mechanical lift, calling it: "So formula" — noting the thoughtfulness behind the design.

Grab Handles (ABYC Compliance)

Grab handles are fitted at each seat, explained as satisfying an ABYC compliance requirement that every seat have a handhold.

Closing Reflections

Captain Trip's favorite moment of the outing: "Probably cutting through the mangroves with the triple Mercury 400s on this thing. That was a good time for sure."

Captain Boomie's favorite moment: "It has to be fishing, and actually being able to cast a line for once."

Related Content Referenced

Companion in-depth performance and feature inspection videos are referenced for the Formula 387 Center Console Fish and 387 Center Console Sport models, with the closing note: "There's really nothing on the water quite like them."