Formula has made the IPS drives standard on the 40 PC (Performance Cruiser) and that speaks volumes about not only the IPS, but also about Formula's customers as well. The Formula 40 PC is a concept that this premium-quality boat builder pioneered long ago by melding the high-performance of its go-fast boats with the accommodations and amenities pf a Euro-styled express cruiser. Over the last couple of years with thousands dozens of IPS-powered boats in the water all over the world, Formula has come to trust the reliability of the Volvo Penta pod drive/joystick system. In case you're wondering the 40 PC is actually 42'7" (12.98 m) length overall.

Printer Friendly Report

We put the new Formula 40 PC through a full test to see if she handles as we’ve come to expect from Formula.

Capt. Steve's Report...

Access via the Swim Platform

You step aboard the 40 PC via the swim platform; our test boat had the optional hydraulic lift platform that doubles as a PWC lift. It measured 11’ (3.35 m) x 3.5’ (1.06 m). A three-step boarding ladder is in a center mounted deck hatch. Reinforcements for PWC supports and tie downs were already mounted on the platform.

Two steps up to the lower cockpit deck there's a U-shaped seating plan that keeps everyone facing each other for conversation. Two pedestal bases allow for either a table, or supports for sunpad filler cushions. A center mounted hatch allows access to the IPS500s for daily engine checks.



The cockpit seating easily converts from dining to lounging by using lower table pedestals and filler cushions.

To port lies a wet bar. Below and aft is a compartment that houses a wastebasket, the ship's electrical main, and the battery switches, as well as a dedicated storage spot for a fire extinguisher. To the right of that compartment is a refrigerator/icemaker. Up above is a covered sink, and an optional cockpit LCD TV.

Two more steps up to the bridge deck, to port is a bench seat that allows you to either sit and face the captain or recline to face aft and watch as the wake fades to the horizon.

Helm

At the helm a wide bench seat allows for another set of eyes looking forward; there are individual flip-up bolsters and a storage compartment between the two seats. At the panel, two multi-function gauges lie to port, just above the Volvo Smart Command Vessel View screen. A Raymarine E120 display lies front and center. Off to starboard, two Raymarine displays give you speed/depth/heading and autopilot functionality. There is a Lewmar chain counter outboard of the panel. We like chain counters and any boat with chain anchoring at night should have one, in our opinion.



Note the individual flip-up bolsters and the storage in between. Visibility is outstanding whether standing or sitting.

Below the panel you have a row of rocker switches, tilt wheel, VHF, and ignitions. Mounted low to the starboard bulkhead are the circuit breakers, a speaker for the VHF and the controls for the Volvo EVC (electronic vessel control). The engine controls themselves are mounted on a 45-degree angle. I’d like to see them mounted on the horizontal. When your hand moves forward on the controls, your fingers fall right on the electronic trim controls, although I never found them necessary to use. The 40 PC gets it right all by itself with a little help from the EVC. Forward of the engine controls is the IPS joystick.

Getting to the Bow

The walkthrough windshield is one of the most comfortable accesses to a bow area I’ve seen. Handholds are everywhere and the steps are easily negotiated. I’m not a fan of the windshield latches. They need to be inter-connected so that when you turn the upper, the lower one turns as well. Currently, the lower one is nearly impossible to get to. I’ve seen them connected together on other Formulas so they can do it here.

The supports for the standard hardtop double as handholds for the walkthrough and are strong and beefy.



The ground tackle is recessed under a flush mounted hatch and is easily accessible.

Once on the foredeck, you can’t help but notice how solid it is. Jump up and down and you feel no flexing and no give under your feet. This can really be appreciated by someone who tests a lot of boats and notices when the decks give and creak underfoot.

Two sun pads lie to either side of the centerline and they double as chaise lounges quite easily. The bowrails measure 21” (53.3 cm) all the way around. I like how the supports lean forward a bit, adding a lot to the looks.



With dual sun pads that convert to chaise lounges, even the most finicky sun worshippers will be comfortable.

Fully forward, a pair of 10” (25.4 cm) custom Formula cleats lie to either side of the windlass hatch. Something else you won’t find elsewhere… 3 of these cleats lie to either side before we even reach the midships area.

Below Decks

The head compartment was roomy and well laid out. There was a separate shower stall. I love the shower seat, it’s held in place by a large piano hinge.



If we had to use the word “luxurious” to describe a head, then this would be the place. Our test boat had even more woodwork than this version.

Main Salon

True to Formula form, the main salon is drop dead gorgeous. The deck is cherry wood grain that is a pleasant offset from the dark stained cherry cabinetry. Our test boat had the Ralph Lauren interior that I’m not a fan of simply because there is an “RL” monogram in all the seats. Unless those happen to be your initials, the effect is lost on me. [We know where Capt. Steve is coming from, but some people like the identification. The RL package is an option.--Ed.]

The Ultraleather however is incredibly soft -- and well it should be since it is more expensive to buy than the real thing. (In fact no material comes closer to duplicating the aesthetics and all-temperature comfort of fine European calfskin. When it comes to durability and abrasion resistance Ultraleather performs on a par with leather's legendary toughness.) A nice feature is the pedestal bases at the salon table for stools. When in place, they take up little room, and when removed, the salon is open for entertaining and freely moving about. The settee is C-shaped, which is not only comfortable, but also adds to the spaciousness of the salon.



The main salon is beautifully appointed and spacious. Note the in-deck storage and full length blinds over the portlights. You’ve got to love the twin doors to the forward stateroom. Notice the sconce to the right of the door. Out test boat had one on both sides, both on dimmers.

One of my main complaints about cabins in this class of boat has been addressed in the Formula 40 PC… curtains on the portlights. On most boats they never close properly, or open all the way for that matter. All portlights, with the exception of the shower, have blinds that close off light completely, and open into recessed areas out of sight. And not only are there large portlights, but two overhead hatches, so the salon is bathed in natural light.

Another nice touch in the 40 PC salon… sconces on the forward bulkhead. These give great indirect lighting. They’re also on dimmers, the switch conveniently located at the companionway.

The ship's electrical panel lies in the aft starboard area of the salon. As you open the door a micro switch activates an LED light to the cabinet.

Mid Cabin

I love mid cabins, especially when they’re in “day” mode. They make outstanding sitting areas, and this one in particular is no exception. It’s separated from the main salon by a small step and allows occupants to be in on the main conversation of the salon.

Mid cabins make a wonderful asset to a cocktail party that encompasses both the cockpit and lower deck. The Ultraleather is continued here and naturally, the area converts easily to a sleeping berth. The central vac outlet, a standard feature on the 40 PC, is at floor level mounted on the seat riser.



This is a comfortable and well appointed aft cabin. Note how the aft seat slides forward to convert to a berth. In the left corner you can just make out the outlet for the central vac.

Galley

The two tones of woodwork are very easy on the eyes. The lower and upper-side cabinets are dark, and the upper-center cabinets are a lighter tone that more matches the deck. Counters are matching dark Corian. (Corian is the counter material of choice in this type of boat because it is much more durable than granite, which is likely to crack from any pounding.) Together the look of richness and elegance is evident.

A Formula staple, the appliance dock is off to the aft end of the galley. A two burner electric stove is correctly hidden under a flush-mounted cover that is not only hinged, but it is wired to a micro-switch that shuts off the stove when closed. The switch activates when the lid closes past roughly the 70-degree point of travel. A single basin stainless sink has a high curved faucet, refrigerator/freezer and Krups coffee maker round out the features. As in all Formula boats, the drawers are all dovetailed and we love pointing that out since virtually no other boat builder does it.



You’ll see in our test video that we had very different woodwork in the salon but the appointments are the same. Let’s not forget the fact that Formula remembers that this is a boat and installed a grab rail under the galley counter.

Forward Stateroom

The master stateroom lies forward and I love that there is a double high-gloss privacy door rather than a curtain or a single door. The berth is fitted with memory foam and there are four storage drawers below. Hanging lockers to either side are cedar lined and the unit to port features two drawers and an owner's safe. All the drawers in the stateroom, and select drawers in other areas of the yacht, are self-closing. (This is a small detail, but it is the kind of thing that sets Formula apart from the pack -- and, of course, makes the boat more costly.) You push them in part way, and they retract the rest of the way by themselves. The master also features individual reading lights and a 19” (48.3 cm) LCD TV. Natural light enters from two portlights and an overhead hatch.

Handling

Obviously, since this is an IPS powered boat, close-quarters handling is a non-issue and we’ve done our share of videos on this. Suffice it to say that if you have hesitation about whether you can handle this boat or not, you should check out the video.

Underway the 40 PC handles like a much heavier boat. She has a rock solid feel and nothing you do will have guests tossed about the boat. The steering is fingertip gentle and the boat responds with just a bit of a lag time that give her that heavy feel, which translates to comfortable. To be clear, if she handled like a sportboat, you’d lose some of that comfort level. This is just right.

Bow rise when doing hole-shots is minimal and I never lost forward visibility. Hard turns were non-events and very gentle. At speed, we were turning circles in roughly 3 ½ boat lengths. When crossing wakes, there was no pounding whatsoever, and the 40 PC would just push through the waves effortlessly. Comfortable is just the right word to describe her handling, and couple this with the extreme maneuverability at the dock and Formula has an absolute winner on its hands.

Recommendation

It’s hard not to get excited about any Formula boat. The fit and finish, gloss of the Imron paint, no rattling of parts, grab rails where they need to be, solid feel, good handling… the list of plusses just goes on and on. None of these items is missing in the 40 PC and you’ll find no reason for buyer’s remorse when you write out the check for your own -- with the reasonable exception of discovering that you suddenly have a lot of friends.

Of course you pay for all that luxury and TLC that goes into the build. Formulas are premium boats just as Mercedes are premium cars. With the brand also comes the prestige of owning one of the classiest boats around. If you like the finer things in life, and a 40' to 42' express cruiser is on your wish list, then you will be hard pressed to find a better built boat than this one.

Test Power: 2 x 370-hp Volvo Penta IPS500- Diesel

						Range
RPM	MPH	Knots	Total GPH	MPG	NMPG	Stat. Mile	NM	KM	KPH	LPH	KPL	dBA
600	4.8	4.1	0.6	7.88	6.85	1772	1541	2852	7.72	2.3	3.35	65
1000	7.6	6.6	2.1	3.53	3.07	794	690	1278	12.23	7.9	1.5	74
1250	9.4	8.1	3.8	2.43	2.11	547	476	880	15.13	14.4	1.03	72
1500	10.5	9.1	6.9	1.52	1.32	342	298	550	16.9	26.1	0.65	74
1750	11.9	10.3	10.5	1.13	0.99	255	222	410	19.15	39.7	0.48	74
2000	14.9	12.9	14.7	1.01	0.88	228	198	367	23.98	55.6	0.43	78
2250	19.9	17.3	18.7	1.07	0.93	240	209	386	32.03	70.8	0.45	78
2500	24.1	20.9	21.3	1.13	0.98	255	221	410	38.79	80.6	0.48	79
2750	29.7	25.8	28.9	1.03	0.89	231	201	372	47.8	109.4	0.44	80
3000	34.3	29.8	28.6	1.20	1.04	269	234	433	55.2	108.3	0.51	79
3250	38.6	33.6	34.0	1.14	0.99	255	222	410	62.12	128.7	0.48	80
3480	42.0	36.5	41.0	1.02	0.89	230	200	370	67.59	155.2	0.43	84

Speeds measured with Stalker ProSports radar gun. Fuel consumption (gallons per hour) measured with Floscan digital fuel-flow meter on gas inboards, sterndrives, and outboards, TechMate electronic scan tool on gas EFI inboards, Caterpillar digital fuel-flow meter on diesel engines, or permanently installed fuel-monitoring equipment. Range is based on 90% of published fuel capacity. Sound levels determined using Radio Shack digital decibel meter on A scale. 68 dBA is the level of normal conversation.

Performance Chart

Test Conditions

Test Power: 2 x 370-hp Volvo Penta IPS500- Diesel

Time To Plane	9.0 sec.
0 to 30	13.1 sec.
Test Power	2 x 370-hp Volvo Penta IPS500- Diesel
Transmission	Volvo Penta IPS
Ratio	1.81 : 1
Props	T6
Load	2 persons, 7/8 fuel, 15 gallons of water, min, gear
Climate	Temp: 91 deg., humid:47%, wind: 8-10 mph, seas: 1' chop