Since 1976, Formula has been 100 percent owned and managed by the Porter family, and focused on continual product improvement throughout the line, from the smallest bowrider to the massive 500 SSC. 

The family and company value responsive customer service, and address issues through dealerships,
authorized service centers and a technical assistance team at its 575,000-square-foot powerboat manufacturing facility. Production, corporate and sales departments are located under one roof there. 

Formula’s FormulaFlex ­approach offers boat personalization: a wide range of graphic and color choices; upholstery base color, fabric, accent and piping selections; options in electronics choices and positioning; and cockpit, cabin and cabinetry details.

Formula 457 CCF

Formula’s new 457 CCF (Fish) and CCS (Sport) models, sharing a FAS3TECH hull, are powered by triple Mercury 600 Verados, directed by Mercury Digital Throttle and Shift controls w/7-inch SmartCraft VesselView displays, Mercury Joystick Piloting and a ­Bennett trim tab system. 

The 457 CCF’s rich standard feature list includes dual 50-gallon pressurized baitwells and 10 rod/drink holders (with options up to 42, including 9 on the hardtop). An upper helm station with its own controls and electronics is also an option. The CCF has aft port and starboard fish boxes with macerators and available freezer plates, and premium Gemlux outriggers. 

Its cockpit rigging station/wet bar features an aft-facing slide-away mezzanine bench, deep drawer storage and a dedicated fishing locker. Additional side-wall and cockpit deck storage abounds.  

The two platforms share a triple 22-inch monitor dash, air-conditioned three-­position helm seating, and bow seating with a sun lounge, wraparound seating and a power-adjust table. You also can add AC to the second row and aft-facing seating.  

The 457 CCF’s  cabin has 6 feet, 6 inches of headroom and features a galley with a microwave, a fridge, a sink and a TV, plus a U-shaped lounge seating area and a table that converts to a two-person berth. A head features a separate stand-up shower. 

Editor’s Tip 

A flybridge is standard equipment on sport-fishers, and for good reason. While you can spot diving birds or breaking fish from the deck, it’s much harder to see the subtle hints that can make or break a day of fishing. Having an elevated platform makes it much easier to spot color breaks, surface irregularities or floating debris. Add a second station, some electronics and a pair of gyrostabilized binos, and the world is your oyster. -Joe Albanese, Executive Editor Salt Water Sportsman

Specifications

Formula Boats – Decatur, Indiana; formulaboats.com

The post Formula 457 CCF: 2024 Boat Buyers Guide appeared first on Sport Fishing Mag.

Formula, whose parent company, Thunderbird Products, traces its history to 1956, and which itself was founded just six years later, has been a pioneer and an icon in racing and offshore fishing boats, Its early deep-V roots still evident in its highly successful Fas³Tech super-sport hull.

Formula has been owned and managed solely by the Porter family—lifelong boaters—since 1976. The family’s second, third and fourth generations are building Formulas at the company’s headquarters and plant in Decatur, Indiana. 

Formula 387 CCF

The 387 CCF (Center Console Fish) is one of two new canyon-ready platforms created on the same center-console Formula Fas³Tech hull, the Fish model to complement its CCS (Sport) fraternal (versus identical) twin.

The 387 CCF features custom triple helm seats, the center seat electrically adjustable. Dual 40-gallon pressurized livewells are aft, along with port and starboard fish boxes. 

Rod holders abound—10 in the cockpit alone—along with sidewall and cockpit storage, and washdown pumps and hoses. Premium Gemlux outriggers are standard, and there’s a choice of an in-floor fish box or a bow seating/table package. 

The leaning post’s aft-facing mezzanine bench slides away to reveal a Corian countertop, bait-rigging station with cutting board and sink, tackle storage, and pullout and slide-out coolers.

The helm offers twin Garmin or Raymarine 16-inch color displays, Mercury digital throttle and shift controls, SmartCraft VesselView, Mercury Joystick Piloting, and Bennett trim-tab system, plus any of a long list of upgrades.

Power comes exclusively from Mercury—ranging from triple 350 Verados to the newly introduced V10’s and twin power with the V12 600’s.

Manufacturer’s Remark

The 387 CCF has all the fishability you would expect in a fishboat with the undeniable Formula quality and styling.

Performance Data

• Test Power: Triple Mercury 450R outboards
• Test Props: Rev 4 19” 
• Test Load: 2,6000 lb., including two people, 250 gal. fuel, 50 gal. water, 50 lb. test gear
• Test Speed: 62.7 mph at 6,300 rpm
• Max Range: 335 miles (0.7 mpg, 40.6 mph, 4,500 rpm)

Specs

Editor Says

It’s been awhile since Indiana’s premium luxury performance, cruiser and runabout company entered the center-console arena, but its new 387 CC absolutely nailed the market’s expectations with fishability features, performance and Formula’s unique, luxury style. -Randy Vance, Editor-at-Large Boating and Fishing Group

More Info

formulaboats.com

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