LOA: 43’0″
BEAM: 12’0″
DRAFT: 3’4″
DISPL.: 25,200 lb.
FUEL: 500 gal.
WATER: 56 gal.
STANDARD POWER: 4/400-hp Mercury Racing Verado 400R outboards
OPTIONAL POWER: 4/300-hp or 350-hp Mercury outboards
GENERATOR: 10-kW low-CO Kohler
PRICE: $1,054,500 (w/4 300-hp Verados)
Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover
While I was checking out the new Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover at the 2017 Miami Boat Show a couple of months ago, two thoughts kept toodling through the ol’ noodle. First, Formula was obviously into the multiple-outboard craze sweeping the market’s midrange these days—the 430’s transom sported four 400-horsepower Mercury Racing Verados. And second, the boat took the term “multi-dimensional” to a whole new level.
Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover
On the one hand, you could see the influence of Formula’s typically stern-drive-powered, luxuriously outfitted Super Sport lineup. But on the other, I was also picking up the outdoorsy feel of a flush-deck center console.
Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover
And the forward lounging area?
Well hey—I told the Formula rep on the scene that it put me in mind of a bowrider on steroids.
Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover
Which, of course, is not to say that this big, speedy, do-it-all dayboat will not be long-haul cruise-worthy.
Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover
Her interior offers a convertible dinette, a full galley, and an aft stateroom with a queen-sized berth and stand-up head.
Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover
Her interior offers a convertible dinette, a full galley, and an aft stateroom with a queen-sized berth and stand-up head.
Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover
Her interior offers a convertible dinette, a full galley, and an aft stateroom with a queen-sized berth and stand-up head.
Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover
Her interior offers a convertible dinette, a full galley, and an aft stateroom with a queen-sized berth and stand-up head.
Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover
And her standards list is loaded with lots of long-haul-friendly stuff, including a Taylor Made motorized glass sunroof (with Poseidon retractable sunshade), a kick-butt Rockford Fosgate AM/FM stereo system (with iPod/USB port, Bluetooth capability, and a total of 10 chrome-finished JL speakers), and genuine ultraleather upholstery.
Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover
Driving the 430 will no doubt be a sporty proposition, given the fact that Formula has been a performance-boat manufacturer since the day Don Aronow cranked up the company way back in 1962. By all reports, top speed with the quad Verado 400Rs will exceed 52 knots. Cruise speeds will probably fall somewhere in the mid-30-knot range.
Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover
And docking should be fairly easy for pretty much everybody, thanks to Mercury’s DTS (Digital Throttle and Shift) binnacle-type engine control, or—if things get a tad sticky—via Mercury’s new Joystick Piloting for Outboards (JPO). I also noted with satisfaction a Vetus bow thruster on the boat I examined during the show. It never hurts to have a thruster at the ready, particularly when you’re attempting to leverage a relatively far-distant bow through the eye of a sporty wind from all the way aft.
Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover
As with all Formulas today, the 430 was designed by John Adams. I’d say the guy’s put the kibosh on all narrow interpretations of what boating’s supposed to be with his new SS Crossover. She’s a speedster, cruiser, dayboat, and grill-and-fridge-equipped beach party platform. If you can’t have fun onboard this baby, it’s possible there ain’t no fun to be had in the vicinity!
Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover
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