Formula 310 Bowrider Review

Story by Craig Ritchie Oct. 11, 2016

The flagship of the Formula Boats family

Founded in 1962 by performance boating legend Don Aronow, Formula Boats has gone on to establish a global reputation for producing beautifully made power boats that offer opulent luxury and staggering performance in a single, elegant package. With plenty of interior space and a luxurious, newly updated interior, Formula’s flagship 310 Bowrider takes this heritage forward as the new standard-bearer for this long-iconic brand.

The 310 Bowrider is an extremely versatile boat, and has long been among the most popular models in the Formula lineup. This all-new, second-generation 310 makes a very good thing that much better with its all-new molded wet bar, generous extended rear swim platform and all-new seating throughout. But it still retains the legendary Formula performance on its wide, 9-foot, six-inch wide hull, allowing it to take on big water and still deliver a comfortable ride.

An inviting wrap-around U-shaped seat in the aft cockpit faces to port, allowing easy passage through the boat without anyone needing to move.

Modular seating in the bow offers plenty of room to stretch out with friends, in a space that can be easily converted to a large sun pad. In the aft cockpit, an inviting wrap-around U-shaped seat faces to port, allowing easy passage through the boat without anyone needing to move. A split seatback cushion allows portions of the transom seat to face forward, face aft, or lay flat to extend the rear sun pad. Similar split rear seat backs on the double-wide helm seat, plus a full-length port-side lounger, create an interior with tremendous versatility.

Modular seating in the bow offers plenty of room to stretch out with friends, in a space that can be easily converted to a large sun pad.

A full head compartment in the portside console provides all-day comfort without any need to return to shore. Midway along the port side, a color-coordinated molded wet bar with integrated faucet and sink, Corian countertop and either 30-quart Igloo cooler or an available refrigerator is the ideal spot to set up for lunch.

A new molded wet bar with Corian countertop, integrated faucet and sink, and either 30-quart Igloo cooler or an optional refrigerator greatly extend the boats capabilities.

Because the 310 Bowrider is every inch a Formula, you can’t help notice the tremendous attention to detail throughout – including its impeccable fit and finish, beautifully formed, butter-soft upholstery, and niceties like USB charging stations and no less than 17 polished stainless steel beverage holders, so a cold drink is never more than arm’s length away.

Out back, an available extended swim platform features soft-touch surface and integrated beverage holders, making it the perfect spot to hang out and enjoy the summer sun. The optional stainless Sport Arch includes a wakeboard pin, attesting to the 310 BR’s incredible versatility as an all-day family boat.

The 310 Bowrider’s beamy, 9’ 6” hull is evident in the space afforded by the extended rear swim platform.

A leather-wrapped tilt wheel, Livorsi chromed shifts/throttles and a 400-watt Clarion AM/FM/CD stereo with Bluetooth connectivity highlight the helm. With a wide range of engine choices ranging from twin 300 horsepower MerCruiser 350 Magnums and Bravo III drives to twin Volvo Penta 430 CE Duoprops churning out 430 ponies apiece, the Formula 310 Bowrider delivers Formula’s legendary performance with nimble handling. Our review boat was equipped with a pair of MerCruiser 6.2L Mag 377s, churning out 320 horsepower each. At wide open throttle the boat easily reached 50 mph, while throttling back to a more sensible cruising speed in the low 30 mph range showed 3,500 rpm on the tachs and offered a range of up to 180 miles. That’s pretty impressive for a boat that weighs near 10,000 pounds empty.

Newly refreshed for the coming season, Formula’s beloved 310 Bowrider shows exactly why the company has managed to endear itself to boating families all around the world. Spirited performance, high quality construction, thoughtful touches everywhere and the kind of design sense that only results from spending time on the water, make this a boat everyone can enjoy.