Captain's Report

Captain's Report

Contents of Report

• Overview

• Features Inspection

• Seating

• Entertaining Amenities

• Power

• Performance

• Handling

• Docking

• Standard Equipment

• Options to Consider

• Base Price

• Observations

Overview

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 an interior focused on seating flexibility and a sophisticated look. The cockpit feels stylish and comfortable, thanks to 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. One interesting 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 deck. Filler cushions convert the bow into a spacious sun pad for at least three adults and stow neatly in the helm console when not in use. 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 (136 L) holding tank. There’s a small vanity cabinet with sink that can be upgraded to a wet head and used as a handy private shower, with a hot water heater.

A cockpit wet bar is situated to the port side as well, and has dedicated storage for a removable 17.5-quart (16.6 L) cooler. This console can be upgraded 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 sink with faucet and a bin that’s plumbed and can be used as wet or dry storage. Both are accessible when their respective lids are folded up.

Power

While this test highlighted the Mercury Racing 400 Verado Outboards, Formula offers no fewer than eight 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

We got her on the water to see how she performs with these twin 400-hp Mercury Racing Verados. The Formula 310 Bowrider has an LOA of 31’ (9.45 m), a beam of 9’6” (2.90 m), and a draft of 37” (94 cm). With an empty weight of 9,875 lbs. (4,479 kg), 90 percent fuel, and two people on board, we had an estimated test weight of 11,003 lbs. (4,991 kg). With the twin 400-hp Mercury Racing Verados turning 14x17 Rev4 props and spooled up to 6600 rpm, we reached our top speed of 54.5 mph. Best cruise came in at 4000 rpm and 29.1 mph. At that speed, the 19.8 gph fuel burn translated into 1.5 mpg and a range of 172 miles while still holding back a 10 percent reserve of the boat’s 130-gallon (492 L) total fuel capacity.

Cruise speed was determined to be at 4000 rpm and resulted in an average speed of 29.1 mph to deliver 1.5 mpg. The 310 Bowrider got on plane in 4.6 seconds and reached 20 mph in 6 seconds, and 30 mph in 8.6 seconds.

Handling

The 310 Bowrider quickly settled into her 5-degree bow-high attitude and we felt no need to mess with the engine trim, letting the Mercury auto trim system handle that task on its own. Sadly, we were in flat, calm conditions, which was good for the speed trials but didn’t give us the chance to see how she handles chop. But Formulas are known for being seakindly so we wouldn’t expect any surprises. We did find that she was sensitive to wave-induced oscillation but that’s when dropping the trim comes in. Once stabilized, return to auto trim with one button press and you’re done. She responded well to the steering and it’s hard not to appreciate how well the fit-and-finish is represented in the hull and color-matched engines.

Docking

Of course, with Mercury’s joystick piloting, maneuverability around the dock is enhanced significantly. The engines work independently of each other to provide the maneuvering that we’re looking for when we move the joystick.

Standard Equipment

• • Clarion AM/FM/CD stereo with iPod/USB docking station, waterproof dash-mounted stereo control, two smartphone dash pockets, iPod/MP3 port, Bluetooth and six 6-1/2’’ speakers with 400W stereo amplification and polished stainless grilles
• • Livorsi gauges and chromed shifts/throttles with in-handle outdrive trim switch
• • Three dual USB charging ports – two in the aft cockpit and one in the bow
• • Cockpit/swim platform includes blue/white LED courtesy lights with remote control

• • Weather-resistant cockpit seating with PreFixx coating and Tenara element-resistant thread
• • Modular bow seating/sun pad system with armrests and removable seat bottoms
• • Under cushion bow storage with molded-in insulated cooler
• • Dual position helm and companion seats with convertible backrests
• • Port lounge with integrated dive tank storage and trash container
• • Starboard gear storage locker
• • Dedicated starboard storage locker for bow filler cushions
• • Forward in-floor wakeboard/ski storage with automatic bilge pump
• • U-shaped aft lounge seating with storage
• • Two color-coordinated dual-height cockpit tables with a Corian top, filler cushion, and two polished drink holders each
• • Aft-facing sun lounge with dual-position backrests and trunk storage with fenders
• • Color-coordinated molded wet bar with integrated sink and picnic ware storage
• • Disconnect switches for aux and start batteries
• • Stainless transom gate

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.

And, of course, we would opt for a hull color. This is a $5,315 option that is less than 2% of the price of the boat, yet makes her look like a million bucks. Formula uses Axalta Chrome Premier basecoat and Imron Elite clearcoat that it buffs to a high gloss that is unlike virtually any other boat on the market.

Base Price

The price with twin 400-hp Mercury Racing 400 Verados is $367,940. The price as tested is $429,215.

Observations

The Formula 310 Bowrider is spacious and easy to move about, with a port-side transom walkthrough to get to the stern area and swim platform as well as the outboard bracket. But we think that is a good trade-off for extra cockpit seating room. The boat’s handling is impressive, as is her performance. Our test captain reports that outboard power has its advantages, and it makes sense for Formula – a company with a racing heritage – to partner with Mercury Racing. Most important to realize is that this boat is a big boat and had a tested weight of 11,003 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.

Standard and Optional Features