Formula 353 FASTech: Speed and Strength

Speed is basically a simple combination of thrust vs.
weight. Add a lot of horses, throw in just the right amount of lightness without
making it too weak, stir, and serve. But Formula Boats chose not to follow that
standard recipe. They wanted a boat that maintained the Formula performance heritage
that has come to represent the overall image of the company. The first series was
called SR1 and performed very well. However, technology and design being what it
is, advancements were made and a new line of go-fast boats were developed. That
new line is called FASTech and it completely replaced the SR1 line. The first model
of the new FASTechs was the 353. Subtle changes followed but the FASTech line endured
and has now grown into four models. This current 353 is the newest version of the
Formula line of go-fast boats, but it still follows a trend that sets it apart from
most others.

Anyone can make a boat go fast by throwing in more horsepower and keeping it light. Formula does it a little differently.

The Formula Recipe

Formula decided early on that they weren’t going to compete in the top end of the speed class. They chose to make a boat go fast enough but still have characteristics that were a distinct difference from most of those high end, and very expensive, boats designed for male enhancement. What Formula did was keep the horsepower options ranging from 750-hp to 1200-hp, but sacrificed weight savings in favor of strength and amenities. It’s a winning combination that has been working since the previous SR1 line that Formula originally produced. In addition, the new FASTech line is denoted by its new hull design that incorporates three separate running surfaces produced by two steps built into the hull. The “steps” actually serves to force air under the hull and thereby reduce surface friction for an even faster ride than a boat with a smooth deep V. Some builders put in one step, but Formula puts in two.

So where’s the additional weight come from...

So now we have the stepped hull and the horses doing their job, but we’re slowing the boat down a bit because it’s relatively heavy...9,500 lbs. (4,309 kg), which is 1000 – 1500 lbs. heavier than most, but not all, of the competition, so what makes it so heavy and why does Formula do this? The weight comes from the construction methods and to a lesser extent, the amenities. Rather than use a traditional stringer system injected with super light closed-cell foam, Formula utilizes a separately made fiberglass grid system that gets chemically bonded to the hull. The result is a heavier boat, but a stronger and beefier boat, and that means a more solid riding boat as well as a safer boat. And yes...slower. But at a reported top speed of 89 MPH with twin 600-hp engines, there aren’t too many complaints.

In these three shots, you can see the reason for the added weight in Formula’s FASTechs. The first shows the reinforcing grid system suspended over the hull. In the center, the chemical bond is being injected onto the hull. And finally, the two are joined with the strength of one.

We can’t stress enough the importance of having a strong hull when operating at these high speeds. Picture your car going over speed bumps every second while traveling at 70 MPH and you’ll get an idea of the punishment a boat like this has to endure. What makes Formula think they know how to do it? The president of Formula, Scott Porter, is a former offshore racing champion, so he has a pretty good grasp on the fundamentals of performance boat design and construction.

And Then There Are the Amenities...

Let’s not forget that the 353 FASTech is still a Formula. They didn’t just make an empty cabin in the hopes of keeping it light. The 353 FASTech has a nicely laid out cabin flush with perks. Starting at the bow with an Ultraleather double bow berth, then an Ultraleather wrap-around lounge seat that can convert to another double berth with filler cushions, a removable Corian cocktail table, an entertainment center with polished stainless steel sink and Corian countertop, a dual-voltage refrigerator and a private head compartment.

Rather than keep it Spartan, Formula loaded up the 353 FASTech cabin with a double berth, wrap-around sofa, entertainment center and head.

Helm...

Sitting at the helm , with the 353’s long and narrow figure, makes you feel like you’re sitting at the controls of a missile. But it is a comfortable missile. Dual wrap-around McLeod electrically adjusted seats are built for sustained high-speed operation. These McLeod seats have been developed over years of offshore racing use. Additionally, the driver even gets an electrically adjustable McLeod footrest. Any size captain will feel right at home on the 353 FASTech.

Check out the electrically adjustable McLeod seat. The footrest is also electrically adjustable so any size captain will feel right at home at the helm of the 353 FASTech.

Specifications...

The Formula 353 FASTech has a LOA of 35’ 3” (10.74 m), a beam of 8’ 3” (2.51 m), and a draft of 36” (.91 m). She weighs 9,500 lbs. (4,309 kg) and has a fuel capacity of 149 gallons (564 L). Deadrise is 24 degrees. Her standard engines are a pair of 375-hp Merc 496 MAG’s with Bravo One drives. And since more is better, you can opt on up to a pair of 600-hp Mercury Racing SCi ITS Bravo One XR’s. While we haven’t tested this boat yet, Formula reports her top end speed to be 89 MPH. We have tested her with twin 470-hp Merc and got a WOT of 74.4 MPH.

If getting there ahead of the rest of the pack and arriving is cabin class style are part of your float plan, then the Formula 353 FASTech might be just the boat for you.