Formula 457 CCF (2024-)

• FAS3TECH® hull
• Chemically bonded & thru-bolted deck-to-hull joint
• Windlass w/digital chain counter, 300´ rope & 30´ chain, polished stainless anchor & freshwater anchor washdown system
• Bow thruster
• 2 forward, 2 side, 2 aft white/red spreader lights
• 10 stainless pull-up cleats
• Hardtop w/3-piece compound curved console glass windshield w/power opening forward glass, windshield wiper w/wash system, hardtop access w/center ladder above rigging station, hardtop access hatch, multi-color LED accent lighting, light mast/dual flagstaff & white dual air horn, and 9 rod holders
• Integrated swim platform w/undermount telescoping swim ladders & pull-up cleats
• 120V/240V shorepower w/fail-safe galvanic isolator & 50-amp cord w/Glendinning motorized extend/retract & storage system w/remote control
• Port and starboard side door w/removable telescoping swim ladder & dedicated storage
• Motorized Wind-Armor® weather doors
• Molded composite dash in Charcoal or Mocha w/Liquid Black panels, Ritchie® compass, dual Garmin or Raymarine 22˝ widescreen color chartplotters w/depth sounder w/1,000W CHIRP B175M transducer & remote keypad, illuminated waterproof accessory switches, E-T-A® circuit breakers, auxiliary 12V outlet, two USB-A/USB-C charging ports, six captain and passengers’ wireless charging mounts, stainless steering wheel w/knob, two lockable dash storage drawers & padded mobile device station
• Mercury Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) controls w/7˝ SmartCraft® VesselView®, Mercury® Joystick Piloting for Outboards (JPO) w/Active Trim
• Bennett® trim tab system w/switches & indicators
• Seakeeper 6 gyro stabilizer
• 10.1 kW Fischer Panda diesel generator w/sound shield
• Automatic outboard flushing system
• Cockpit head compartment
• 8,000 BTU air conditioning system
• GEMLUX® deluxe outriggers w/22´ telescoping poles & triple rigging kit
• Triple helm seats w/folding armrests & electric adjustable seats, second row passenger bench seating
   

• Remote-control LED searchlight
• SureShade ATF™ electric power retractable sun shade, bow sunshade w/telescoping carbon fiber poles w/dedicated storage
• Upper station w/stainless steering wheel w/knob, Mercury DTS & JPO controls, 7" Mercury VesselView, Garmin or Raymarine 19" widescreen color chartplotter, USB-A/USB-C charging port, wireless charging mount, remote VHF microphone, 5 stainless steel drink holders, Rockford Fosgate wired remote, overhead station hardtop, two 6 1/2" speakers w/200W amp & 7 stainless rod holders
• Second row triple passenger seats
• 120V Kenyon® electric grill in aft cockpit
• SiriusXM Satellite Weather
• Mercury® Premium 1st Mate safety, security, theft deterrent system & man overboard
• Garmin triple 9022 GPS widescreen color chart plotters, depth sounder & remote keypad, or Raymarine triple Axiom XL 22" GPS widescreen color chartplotters, depth sounder & remote keypad
• 48" open-array Radar
• FLIR M232™, FLIR M332™ or FLIR M364™ thermal camera
• Cockpit galley w/three-tier Corian countertop, custom-molded sink w/removable cover/cutting board, drawer storage, pull-out beverage center, pantry locker, accessory switches, hideaway flipdown panel w/120V GFCI outlet & available HDMI & coax connections & removable hardtop service ladder
• Electronic security safe in cabin
• Aft cockpit fish box freezer plates, ice maker, 4 12V electric reel outlets

The Formula 457 CCF is locked and loaded for big time angling action. She also supplies everything a luxurious cruising boat should have… and then some. 

As her dynamic profile clearly indicates, this is one serious fishing platform. She was designed and engineered by a company, under the continued stewardship of the Porter Family, with 68 years of delivering forward-looking products in her wake. And running on her FAS3TECH® hull means a reduction of hull friction and outstanding top speed.

With lots of room to work with, Formula designed the bow area for comfortable gatherings or as a casting platform. Putting the electric hi-lo table in the down position, the space is easily transformed. Storage is beneath the seat cushions and there are additional cabinets located here as well. The forward lounge seat easily has room for three and there is a forward full-out bench to allow more seating around the table. Note how deep this space is as well as added rails wherever necessary.

With her dual personality as an impressive offshore fishing machine and luxurious cruising boat, there’s no mistaking the attention to detail Formula went to in creating this space. 

A fisherman’s paradise of outstanding features awaits those who pursue the horizon in search of adventure and the adrenalin-rush of hooking up a big fish. As well, many of these same standard and optional items are also geared towards providing enjoyable and pleasant cruising time, making the Formula 457 CCF’s profile that much more admirable.

Aft of the back row of helm seats is this full tackle center. Again, note the wide walkways to both sides and how deep the space is between the deck and the top of the gunnel. It also can do double duty as a ‘summer kitchen’ as Formula calls it. There’s a hidden seat on top that easily pulls out. In addition, there are a pair of large Yeti coolers in the console bottom itself that, at the touch of a button, roll out. Throw some cushions on top and there’s even more available seating.

With her FAS3TECH® hull, 22° deadrise and triple 600-hp Mercury V12 outboards turning 27½ pitch props, five people on board and 64% fuel, our test Formula 457 CCF, exclusively designed by John Adams, who is responsible for all of Formula’s lines and outstanding performance, showed off her mettle during our sea trial in challenging conditions. Our air temp was 91°, relative humidity at 68%, with wind and cloudy/sometimes rainy conditions. Sea state was between 2-4 feet.

At 6400 rpm, we noted a top speed of 63.2 mph/55 kts. Our best cruise of 48.7 mph/42.3 kts, turning 5000 rpm, translated to 330 statute miles or 287 nautical miles, all with a 10% fuel reserve. Our out-of-the-hole performance saw a 0-10 mph in ten seconds and 30 mph in 15.1 seconds. At about 20 mph, the triple Mercury’s two-speed transmissions switched from low gear to high gear without hesitation or any noticeable sound. 

She handled all our maneuvers with assurance, immediately responding to the helm commands and taking several s-turns and hard over operations as expected on a designed and engineered boat from Formula. She was always under control, leaning over nicely with just a tad of speed lost on those turns, and no noticeable rattles or shaking, and remarkably solid while underway.

The first indication that this is a special boat is the noticeable iconic name and familiar thunderbird logo; after that, it only gets better. The Formula 457 CCF is not only a feast for the eyes but it will definitely stir the soul of any serious fishing person who desires to stack the deck in favor of their side in horizon-chasing adventures. 

It starts, and ends, with the company’s fastidious attention to a quality build, its taking extra care of attention to detail, down to the smallest items, and making sure its customer/owner base, and future ones, are satisfied with the product. 

The Formula 457 CCF is an exceptional kind of center console, one that is bristling with fishing amenities and equipped with the kind of power, as in a trio of 600-hp, V12 Mercury outboards, to make the on-water experience even that much more exciting. It is also a luxurious cruiser, one which promises outstanding conveniences while traveling with the family or friends. If you are ready to up your game to a big center console boat, make sure a visit to, and sea trial on, the Formula 457 CCF is part of your short list. 

Remember, life is better on a boat!