Formula builds a range of high-end boats ranging from bowriders to go-fast to yachts. Formula, whose original bread and butter was its offshore racing boats, has parlayed that experience into a range of upscale family-oriented day and cruising boats. The 31 PC is part of the builder’s express cruiser lineup ranging from 27 to 40 feet.

The 31PC is a conventional express cruiser design with a deep molded swim platform and a big transom locker for storing fenders, the cockpit table and filler cushions. The cockpit has U-shaped seating to starboard with two adjustable-height tables that double as sunpad foundations and a well equipped wet bar opposite. A plush, thickly upholstered (and very comfortable) two-person helm seat adjusts vertically and horizontally, and opposite is a big lounge seat. Running lights and stereo speakers are built into the arch, and deck courtesy lights are operated by hand-held remote control.

The helm console includes a large GPS plotter along with Livorsi instruments and engine controls (set at just the right angle) and a well-positioned compass, and there’s plenty of standing room at the helm. Formula also pays attention to topside safety, with access forward via oversized molded steps on centerline with a low handrail adding security, commendably little deck pitch and safety railings extending all the way aft to the arch.

Down a generously proportioned companionway, the cabin is richly finished in Ultraleather upholstery and cherry. The enclosed head has a Vacuflush MSD and Corian countertop, while the wide-open and inviting mid-cabin has a big, 78-inch double berth and a soft privacy enclosure. Just forward, a long lounge converts to a double bed. The galley is well equipped, including a two-burner electric stove hidden below a flush cover, and more attention to detail shows in the drawers’ dovetail joints. In the bow is a double berth with a cedar hanging locker.

Twelve-thousand BTU a/c is available, and three opening hatches overhead and six opening side ports in the hull provide lots of light and air.

The engineroom is reached via a power deck hatch; Formula’s engineering standards are hinted at by, among other things, the disconnect switches for the starting and house batteries, as well as an emergency parallel switch that allows the house batteries to be used for engine starting. The hull has a solid fiberglass bottom supported by a grid of fiberglass-encapsulated plywood and Divinycell-cored sides; voids are foam-filled and the hull to deck joint is bonded with Plexus adhesive. Formulas are painted with Imron, including the graphics, for a long-lasting, high-gloss finish. The John Adams-designed, smooth-riding modified-V hull has 18 degrees of deadrise at the transom.

With twin 370-hp MerCruiser Bravo Threes, the Formula 31 PC accelerated strongly and made just about 44 knots with a moderate load of two passengers, light gear and full of fuel. That’s quite a performance for a supposed family cruiser, to say the least, and though conditions were calm during our test ride, Formula cruisers are well regarded for their ride. The boat also ran very quietly—just 81 db-A at 3500 rpm.

Styled to look just as appealing 25 years from now, luxuriously appointed and a snappy performer, the Formula 31 PC lives up to the builder’s reputation and delivers on all counts. For more information contact Formula Boats, (800) 736-7685; www.formulaboats.com.

SPECIFICATIONS
LOA...................................33'1"
Beam................................11'0"
Deadrise.........................18 deg

Dry Weight (approx.)....14,100 lb.
Draft Drive Down................2'10"
Fuel Capacity.................180 gal
Formula 31PC, T/496 MerCruiser
B3s, 2 pax, 4/4 fuel, 150' water

rpm knots dBA
600 3.9 66
1000 5.4 68
1500 7.5 73
2000 9.0 78
2500 12.7 80
3000 22.2 80
3500 29.2 81
4000 35.5 82
4500 40.6 85
4800 43.9 88