Formula 270 Bowrider

By Capt. Rob Smith

Formula has created another in the bowrider line. The 280 has already seen the sunset, and the 260 is likely to be retired sometime in the next few years, so creating the 270 now makes a lot of sense. Formula did carry a lot of the successful design features from the others models within the line, and they also added a few specific new features to the 270 to deliver a great choice between the 260 and 310 of today. Like the 280 of the past, the latest brings together performance and luxury like only Formula can.



Formula uses top notch products and construction techniques. That is how they can offer such solid warranties. They use 316L grade stainless steel. Bow rails are welded stainless, cleats are custom forged stainless, gunwale inserts are stainless, the boarding ladder is stainless and even the fuel cap is high quality stainless. All through hull connections have backing plates. Using lag bolts is not in the builder’s design, nor will be. Formula uses pressure treated Perma Panel for the structural hull matrix and fills hull cavities with foam. The deck to hull joint is chemically bonded and through-bolted to insure a solid, permanent connection. Formula uses Imron graphics and cockpit striping rather than colored gel coat. Imron Graphic A or B is standard, with options of Flagship or Flagship Elite. Imron colors will last much longer without fading.



From the bow

All the cockpit seating is designed to be weather resistant with PreFixx coating, DriFast Foam and StarLite XL synthetic marine panel construction. What this means to you is longer lasting, faster drying upholstery and seats that will last the life of the boat.

The convertible bow seating is unique. It has the standard facing benches, but lifting out a small section, the benches become forward facing seats with flip down arm rests for extreme comfort. The entire front area can be converted to a sunpad. In the front is a stainless beach boarding ladder that you can use to get on and off when you nudge up to your favorite beach or sandbar.

Going forward

Stepping through the tinted, tempered windshield, to port is a changing room with optional porcelain head or VacuFlush head. Granted, it is not built for people my size, 6’ and 240 lbs., but it does offer some privacy and a chance to eliminate endless trips to the marina with a family onboard. The sole locker between the changing room and helm is large enough to stow all the canvas or a bunch of gear and boards.



From the helm

The helm offers enough room to drive standing, using the bolster or seated with good visibility at each spot. Standing, the room from the back of my legs to the seat was tight, but I rarely stand to drive a bowrider. Formula located all the analog gauges up high for good visibility underway. The compass is small, but the central location makes it readable and functional. I didn’t see a place to flush mount a GPS, although a Garmin GPS navigational system with color chartplotter is an option. Trim tabs were at my fingertips with the throttle in gear, perfect!



Cockpit comforts

Cockpit seating includes a matching bucket seat on the port side, and a large L-bench seat across the aft port side and stern. This model has a starboard side transom walkthrough, but the walkthrough lacks a door or other barrier to slow down an errant youngster as they head to the back of the boat. The cockpit and bow area have a total of 15 polished stainless steel drink holders peppered about. The cockpit liner is a continuous molded design with optional snap-in carpet or flexible teak grain vinyl decking option on the swim platform. Cockpit and transom courtesy lighting is blue/white LEDs. These are long lasting and very energy efficient.



At the stern

The stern seating is familiar if you have seen the latest 400 SS or 370 SS. Like her big sister, the sunpad converts cleverly into an aft facing lounger for two. Simply flip the stern bench seat over, lift a panel up into an angle, make yourself a chilly beverage and enjoy the view! The extended integral swim platform reaches far enough aft to cover the stern drive unit, but you still need to be cautious around it when in the water. The platform has pop up cleats for water toys and there is a port side transom trunk locker for wet items.



Specifications

The 270 BR measures 27’ length overall, with a beam of 8’6”. She weighs about 6,200 lbs. and has a fuel capacity of 100 gallons. Fresh water capacity is 14 gallons. This model has a draft of 40” maximum and a deadrise at the stern of 22 degrees.

Test results and underway notes

I tested the 270 in the Intra Coastal Waterways outside of Sanibel, Florida. Conditions were typical of the area. We had minimal chop from weather, a lot of large wakes from passing cruisers and a lot of heat to fry my forehead! The test boat was powered with a Volvo 8.1Gi with Volvo Penta DP sterndrive. Getting into and out of the tight spaces and strong currents around the marina was uneventful, always a plus, and underway, the 270 BR responded quickly and effortlessly to the throttle. Hard-over turns were solid and controlled with a small adjustment of trim and speed to ensure no cavitation. Even though I cut through some deep wakes of large cruisers, I never took the first bit of spray onboard. Bow rise was under 18 degrees and CO readings in the cockpit and engine compartment oscillated from 0-1.



The 270 Bowrider was on plane in 3.5 seconds and reached 30 mph in 7.8 seconds. Top speed was measured at 4650 rpm and 49.7 mph where she burned 33 gph. At 3000 rpm, the 270 BR was turning 28.2 mph for a fuel burn of 16 gph and a full tank range of 215 miles. Even with the powerful Volvo 8.1 GI and the open bow design, sound levels never exceeded 90 dBA.

Conclusions

The 270 Bowrider carries the same warranty the other Formula models do. Because of Formula’s dedication to getting it right the first time and doing it with confidence, they can offer a 10-year structural warranty and a 5-year transferable Formula Guard Limited Protection Plan. This means you have maximum protection. If you decide to upgrade before the five years are up, you can offer not only the superior value of a premier builder, but also the remaining warranty which will certainly enhance the premium value you already have. If you are looking for a bowrider that is upscale, holds its value and delivers trouble-free operation, the 270 Bowrider is ready for your test ride.

• Top speed for the Formula 270 Bowrider (2009-2010) is 49.7 mph (80 kph), burning 33.0 gallons per hour (gph) or 124.9 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Formula 270 Bowrider (2009-2010) is 28.2 mph (45.4 kph), and the boat gets 2.38 miles per gallon (mpg) or 1.01 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 215 miles (346.01 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 375-hp Volvo Penta 8.1Gi gas sterndrive.