Turn the wheel of Formula’s 270 Bowrider hard over at speed, and its deep 22-degree deadrise and 8-foot-6-inch-wide hull bank like an amusement park ride while never losing their tenacious grip on the water. That same deep-V also gives the boat one of the more impressive rides in poor conditions, whether you’re battling wakes in the waterway or serious chop in open water. It’s thrilling but also instills a dose of confidence in the captain and crew.
Formula offers a variety of sterndrive power options on the 270 from brands including Mercury, Volvo Penta and Ilmor. Our test boat was powered by the MerCruiser 8.2L Mag HO, an engine that pushed the boat to over 50 mph on the top-end and cruised comfortably at 3,000 rpm, burning 12.7 gph at 24.6 mph. With Mercury’s ActiveTrim engaged, it planed in 9.7 seconds, but a seasoned hand on the trim button will likely knock some ticks off that total. While you might expect such a deep-V to be twitchy, the 270 proves nicely balanced. Evenly distribute your crew and dial in the standard Bennett trim tabs for the best results underway.
The cockpit nicely blends both form and function. In the bow, convertible seating allows passengers to kick up their feet on a traditional V-shaped lounge. Remove the middle seat cushion to form one or two forward-facing seats. The L-shaped lounge dominating the main cockpit includes pivoting backrests to face the co-captain forward or aft, as well as convert the aft sun pad into a rear-facing mega-recliner. The doublewide helm seat features a similar backrest and faces a dash fit for the most discerning captain, with an abundant, meticulously laid array of gauges and controls.
Other features of note? Those who need the occasional pit stop will appreciate the roomy head compartment in the port console, fitted with a standard portable toilet. Option up to a vanity, sink or porcelain toilet. Or just do like a lot of owners likely will and make use of the generous storage space. Popular options include a custom stainless-steel sport top with a Sunbrella shade and Samson Sports Razor wakeboard tower.
High Points
- FormulaFlex provides endless color combinations inside and out.
- FormulaFlex MyWay lets you order off-menu, beyond colors and electronics that Formula offers.
- Great build, ride and finish.
How We Tested
- Engine: MerCruiser 8.2L Mag HO 430 ECT
- Drive/Prop: MerCruiser Bravo 3 13 1/4” x 26″ stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 2.00:1 Fuel Load: 25 gal. Crew Weight: 375 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $244,770 (with MerCruiser 8.2L Mag HO 430) |
| LOA: | 28’5″ |
| Draft (max): | 3’4″ |
| Dry Weight: | 6,525 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 12/Yacht Certified |
| Fuel Capacity: | 101 gal. |
Formula Boats – Decatur, Indiana; 260-724-9111; formulaboats.com
