Captain's Report

Capt. Steve Says...

Never let it be said that Formula isn’t diverse. Their product line runs across a broad spectrum, from bowriders to express cruisers to sport yachts. So it should come as no surprise that these “go fast” boats are also coming out of the Formula factory and hitting the water running. My first look at the 292 FASTech had me longing for the Bahamas, or even a weekend run to Key West, but sadly, I was just here to look. The thrill ride will have to come later.

Built for speed...

If a first glance doesn’t convince you that this boat was built with high end speeds in mind, then a closer inspection certainly will. Start with the deep V hull. Not only does it have a 24 deg. deadrise, but it also has two steps, which is characteristic of the FASTech hull. The “step” actually serves to force air under the hull and thereby reduce surface friction for an even faster ride than a boat with a smooth deep V. Some builders put in one step, but Formula puts in two.I like the dual McLeod electric-assist bucket seats that wrap around the operator and companion. Clearly, these are designed for sustained high speed operation. When going 70 mph you need to be standing with your knees bending slightly with the bumps. These McLeod seats have been developed over years of offshore racing use, and they keep your body from being bruised, comfortable, and secure. (FYI – The president of Formula, Scott Porter, is a former offshore racing champion, so he knows what you need in a boat of this type.)What you don’t see is the chemically bonded and then thru-bolted hull and deck joint that make this performer strong enough to handle the forces generated at the high end of the performance curve. We can’t overstate the importance of solid, by-the-book, traditional construction techniques for these types of high speed boats. Can you imagine what would happen to your automobile if you slammed it into 3-foot concrete bumps every 20 yards going 70 mph? That’s why when you buy a boat of this type it needs to come out of a factory run by professionals and not some hopped-up speed shop which does a great paint job.

The helm...

The helm is laid out so that you don’t have to take your eyes of the road for long. Livorsi Monster & Redline backlit instrumentation w/polished chrome bezels grace the carbon fiber panel. Three large dials are at the top, the two sides are for engine RPMs and in the middle, speed. Just to starboard are the vertically scaled trim indicators that show trim condition at a glance. Everything else is smaller and typically seen at lower speeds. Engine trim is mounted on the inboard side of the throttles, and the switches controlling the dual ram Bennett hydraulic trim tabs are at your fingertips as you advance the throttles forward. Please note that there is no room to mount chart plotters or navigational gear! That’s as it should be. You will be going far, far too fast to take your eyes off of business. You must know where you are going in advance or have your navigator tell you were to go. If you are lost or confused, which can easily happen on the water – stop and figure it out, before proceeding.

Cabin class...

Of course, what good is it to blast to the islands, only to have to get right home? The typical, fast moving couple will not be cooking on this boat, so a stove and refrigerator aren’t even on the option list, nor should they be. But the Ultraleather lounge seating and double bow berth are augmented by a sink with pressurized fresh water, and a 25 quart igloo cooler. A Porta-Potti is forward, in case of an emergency. Cabin headroom is 4’ 5” (1.35 m) so this is a place for turning in for the night, taking a mid-afternoon nap, or waiting out a passing summer shower.

Power to the People...

Under the electric lift sunpad/engine hatch is a pair of standard MerCruiser 350 MAG Bravo Ones. The only other option is for upgrading to a pair of 377 MAG Bravo Ones. Since you’re going first class anyway, the additional $7,520 for the engine upgrade probably isn’t going to be a real time consuming decision. The Formula 292 FASTech has a LOA of 29’ 2” (8.89 m), a beam of 8’ 3” (2.51 m), draws 33” (.84 m), and displaces 7,000 lbs (3,175 kg). Her fuel capacity is 113 gallons (428 L). We haven’t tested this new model yet, but we have tested previous versions with twin 350 Mag MPIs and found a top end speed of 70 MPH and a best cruise of 34.4 MPH that yielded a 16.2 GPH fuel burn that translates to a range of 216 miles with a 10% reserve. This model shouldn’t be far off those numbers, but a full test will tell. For now, it’s safe to say that you’ll be arriving in style, finishing dinner and heading to the dance floor while your friends are still tying up their boat, and for experiencing the fast life, the Formula 292 FASTech is just the boat to do it in. Strap one on for yourself and see what we mean.

Standard and Optional Features