Formula 240 BR Review

Founded by legendary performance boat builder Don Aronow in 1962, Formula Boats quickly built its name as the manufacturer of some of the most powerful race boats in the world. That winning reputation quickly established Formula as an icon of performance, even as the company began to broaden its product line in the 1970s by adding family-friendly cruisers and runabouts to its lineup that blend comfort and high-end amenities with its race-winning DNA. It’s an irresistible combination, and one that’s particularly evident in Formula’s new 240 BR.

Stretching an even 24 feet in length with an aggressive 20-degree deadrise hull, the Formula 240 BR is one of those rare boats that seamlessly balances refined sophistication, family fun and heart-stopping performance in a single package. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?

Bow seating is spacious enough for a couple of adults to sprawl out in comfort.

The emphasis on family fun should be clear by the size and layout of the 240 BR’s generous rear swim platform. Neatly integrated into the hull, the expansive platform neatly conceals a stainless steel reboarding ladder, as well as a useful and elegant swim platform boarding rail. Dual, water-level stainless steel beverage holders found on the available swim platform extension are a unique and super-thoughtful touch – you only have to use them once and you’ll wonder why they all boats don’t have them. An available transom shower is helpful for quick cleanups, and to spray off any sand. There’s even a waterproof, transom-mounted control for the standard Clarion stereo.

An available transom shower is helpful for quick cleanups, and to spray off any sand. Notice the size of the 240 BR’s generous swim platform, complete with a centrally-mounted telescoping boarding ladder.

The transom seat has a reversible seat back, enabling it to be enjoyed from both forward-facing and rear-facing positions. Facing aft, it forms a double-wide, full-length sun pad, representing the ideal, comfy spot to dry off after a dip.

The transom seat has a reversible seat back, enabling it to be enjoyed from both forward-facing and rear-facing positions.

You pass through a stylish, stainless steel entry gate at the port end of the transom seat to enter the main cockpit. Along the port side, a convertible lounge with a reversible seat back for rear-facing or forward-facing seating conceals a handy trash container below. While the standard non-skid fibreglass cockpit liner is comfortable and secure under foot, many buyers will opt for the available custom-patterned cockpit carpeting, or the woven cockpit mat for a more upscale look and added comfort. Standard blue-white LED courtesy lights in the main cockpit and on the swim platform are a nice touch.

The rear transom seat extends forward along the starboard side of the cockpit to form a comfortable L-shaped lounge, with a molded-in Igloo cooler below. A generous starboard storage locker accommodates a range of gear. The removable cockpit table can either mount here when snack time rolls around, or be positioned up front in the bow. Depending on your use, you may care to enhance the main cockpit with the available molded cockpit wet bar with stainless sink, solid Corian countertop, concealed trash receptacle and stainless safety rail. You’ll find two dual USB charging ports in the main cockpit (plus one more in the bow) to keep phones, iPads and other electronics fully charged. And, there are no less than 15 polished, stainless steel drink holders throughout, making sure a cool beverage is always within reach.

Along the port side, a convertible lounge with a reversible seat back for rear-facing or forward-facing seating conceals a handy trash container below.

Open the wide, gracefully-curving entry door to the port-side console and you’ll find a surprisingly large head compartment that’s furnished with a standard portable head, or an optional porcelain unit with a 10-gallon holding tank. Light cherry or Baltic birch wood grain-finish flooring here provides an elegant look.

The helm console is neat and efficient, with Livorsi gauges set in aerodynamic, stainless-rimmed instrument pods joined by a digital depth sounder, Ritchie compass and side-mount shift/throttle arm with trim switch. The Dino steering wheel with burl and brushed metallic accents includes a standard tilt function. The standard Clarion AM/FM/CD stereo offers both MP3 and Bluetooth connectivity, while Mercury SmartCraft instrumentation, a VHF radio with antenna and Garmin GPS navigational system are available as popular options. The standard double-wide convertible helm seat features an articulating seat bottom.

The helm console is neat and efficient, with Livorsi gauges set in aerodynamic, stainless-rimmed instrument pods joined by a digital depth sounder, Ritchie compass and side-mount shift/throttle arm with trim switch.

Spanning the consoles is a beautifully formed, swept-back, stainless steel walk-through windshield, which does a splendid job of keeping the breeze at bay. A large in-floor ski and wakeboard storage locker located in the floor between the consoles takes care of storing bulky gear.

What good is wakeboard storage without a proper tower? The available Samson Sports Razor wakeboard tower in anodized finish includes two rotating board racks, an LED anchor light/swivel-head rope mount, two halogen tower lights, two amplified Samson 720 quick-release speakers and a Cipa Xtreme three-lens mirror – instantly turning the 240 BR into an ideal water sports platform. Apart from that, it just looks great.

An available Samson Sports Razor wakeboard tower instantly transforms the 240 BR into an ideal water sports platform.

Up front, the bow is big enough for a couple of adults to sprawl out in comfort, especially if you install the available bow filler cushion and turn this area into a giant sun pad. Storage below the seating accommodates still more gear. A concealed stainless steel ladder right up front makes reboarding a cinch when you beach the 240 BR for a picnic. Look close and you’ll see the sam hatch reveals a concealed fibreglass anchor locker.

With the addition of a filler cushion, the entire bow can be easily transformed into an inviting sunpad.

The 240 BR is powered by a choice of single-engine offerings from MerCruiser or Volvo Penta, ranging from 260 to 430 horsepower. Base power is a MerCruiser 5.0L, 260 horsepower V8 that will push the 5,000-pound 240 BR to about 43 mph. Those who want to see all that the 240 is capable of will opt for the 430 horsepower MerCruiser 8.2L Magnum HO, which will take the boat to almost 60 mph.

As a family boat, the Formula 240 BR has a perfect blend of everything – performance, styling, comfort, space and the attention to detail that have made Formula boats a marque that so many people aspire to own.

Formula 240 BR Specs

Length: 24’ 0”
Beam: 8’ 6”
Draft: 36”
Dry weight: 5,000 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 60 gal.
Passenger capacity: 9
Maximum power: 425 hp
Info: www.formulaboats.com