2024 Formula 457 CCS and CCF

Boat Reviews

Boat Review by: Richard Crowder

Two years ago, following a hiatus of almost 40 years, Formula Boats re-entered the center console market in dramatic fashion with the introduction of the sensational 387 Center Console Sport (CCS) and 387 Center Console Fish (CCF). Now in 2024, following the success of those two models, Formula is introducing more of the same but considerably larger - the 457 CCS and 457 CCF.

These two new models are simply stunning and identical in many respects with the CCF intended for hard core fishing aficionados while still offering substantial cruising amenities. The CCS offers additional cruising and entertaining amenities along with fishing capabilities. All physical specifications are the same and both ride on Formula’s proven double-stepped FAS3 TECH® hull with foam-filled continuous moulded structural grid and featuring, in this case, a most commendable deep-vee 22-degrees of deadrise. Considering their length and weight, these will be extremely smooth running boats when the going gets rough.

The extensive lists of standard and available optional equipment are mostly shared by both models but where they differ, skew to sportfishing in the case of the CCF and to cruising, entertainment, and watersports enjoyment in the case of the CCS. Standard power, and in fact the only available power is from Triple Mercury® 7.6 L V12 Verado® outboard engines of 600-horsepower each and with Joystick Piloting with Active Trim, SmartCraft® VesselView® and with digital switching and controls.

While we are with instrumentation, the dash on both models is available in Charcoal or Mocha with Liquid Black panels featuring your choice of a pair of 22” widescreen colour chartplotters from either Garmin or Raymarine and with depth sounder and remote keypad. Two USB-A/USB-C charging ports, auxiliary 12-VDC outlet, a padded mobile device station, and two lockable storage drawers and full footrests are provided. Triple 22” screens are optionally available.

The 457 CCF gets a stainless steel steering wheel with knob while the 457 CCS gets a leather-wrapped stainless wheel. A VHF radio is standard as are Bennett® trim tabs with indicators, multi-port air boost ventilation system on the dash, 18,000 BTU air conditioning/heating, and a dash-mounted control for the Sirius XM™-capable Rockford Fosgate AM/FM stereo with Bluetooth, USB and MP3 ports, 600W amplifier, and over a dozen JL Audio cockpit speakers including three 10” 200W subwoofers!

The triple, electrically-adjustable helm chairs with folding armrests have cupholders that double as phone keepers with charging ports. A second row three-wide passenger bench seat is provided which may be upgraded to helm-style chairs. Both models offer a standard dual-voltage cockpit refrigerator along with a custom-moulded motorized slide-out cooler. But aft of the second row passenger seating, the CCS provides a standard cockpit galley unit with 3-tier Corian countertop, sink/w cutting board, drawer storage, beverage center, pantry locker and removable hardtop service ladder.

In this same space, the CCF provides a standard cockpit rigging station/wetbar with aft-facing slide-away mezzanine bench, full Corian countertop, sink, cutting board, Plano® tackle box organizer, drawer storage and dedicated fishing locker. The CCF also gets an in-floor aft cockpit fishbox on each side with macerator discharge. These are for storage on the CCS. The CCF also gets nine hardtop rodholders and GEMLUX® outriggers with triple rigging kit. Both models provide a hardtop access hatch while the CCF adds a center ladder above the rigging station for hardtop access. The compound curved glass windshield on both models not only has a standard wiper/washer system but the entire forward windshield is hinged at the top and opens up electrically.

Across the stern which features gated access on both sides to the quite massive swim platform, the CCF provides a standard double-wide flip-down bench seat ahead of a pair of 50-gallon pressurized livewells and three rodholders. These livewells have adjustable fills and drains, red/white lighting, and monitored and controlled primary and backup pump systems. The CCS replaces this with a stern forward-facing lounge seat with armrests and an insulated cooler below. Both models have automatic retracting freshwater washdown hose reels. The CCF also has a raw water reel.

The cabin below features 6’6” of headroom and is identically equipped on both models with a U-shaped dinette lounge/double berth with a dual height wood dining table with filler cushion. Standard on both include a 43” LED/LCD HDTV with Blu-ray player and WiFi, a custom décor package, 8,000 BTU air/heating, photocatalytic air purifier, charging ports, and more JL speakers. There is also a starboard-side galley with Corian countertop, pullout refrigerator, sink, storage, and microwave. A private molded head compartment has a separate stand-up shower stall, vanity, storage, vessel sink, and a VacuFlush® head. The dinette lounge is covered with Ultrafabrics® on the CCS and with Pro Series Sunbrella on the CCF.

Bow highlights include dual forward-facing bow sunlounges with center flip-down armrest, forward-facing flip-down bench seat, wraparound bow seating with removable cushions, filler cushions with dedicated storage, a power adjustable table, and sidewall storage including dedicated fender storage. The anchor locker includes a windlass with digital chain counter, polished stainless anchor with freshwater washdown system. A bow thruster is standard.

There is simply a multitude of additional standard equipment on both models including an automatic outboard engine flushing system, Sea-Chest raw-water manifold system, a 10.1 KW Fischer Panda Mini 12 diesel generator with sound shield, 100-amp battery charger, and a Seakeeper® 6 gyro stabilization system. Also included standard are six white/red spreader lights, two forward, two side, and two aft, Glendinning powered 50-amp shorepower cord, both port and starboard cockpit side boarding doors with swim ladder, and motorized Wind-Armor® weather doors.

Optional equipment available to both models include docking lights, fender clips, LED searchlight, one or three Lumitec™ Razor LED lightbar arrays, pop-up LED accent lights, full-spectrum colour LED underwater lights, reFlex durable foam decking on cockpit and/or swim platform, bow manual sunshade, SureShade ATF™ electric powered retractable cockpit sunshade, and a motorized watersport swim seat.

Additional available options for both models include a carbon fiber gangway, a pair of dual-height cockpit tables, aft cockpit Kenyon® electric grill, 32-inch cockpit LED/LCD HDTV, motorized VHF antenna, motorized mast light, Mercury® regular or Premium 1st Mate safety and security system, three choices of FLIR® thermal cameras, Edson® carbon fiber steering wheel, radar, air/heating for second row seating, cockpit stereo upgrade, aft cockpit fish box freezer plates, an electronic security safe in the cabin, white engine cowlings, and various Sunbrella® canvas covers and enclosures.

Specific to the Sport model you may optionally select a SEABOB F5S underwater scooter, a base or intermediate or premium rod holder package, GEMLUX Bluewater outriggers, a 1,000W CHIRP transducer, macerator discharge for aft cockpit fishbox, auto-retracting raw water washdown hose reel, and a cockpit rigging station/wetbar identical to that which is standard in the CCF.

Specific to the Fish model you may optionally choose an ultimate rodholder package, a cockpit galley unit identical to that which is standard in the CCS, and most significantly, an upper station with full Mercury digital controls and instrumentation, your choice of a 19” Garmin or Raymarine widescreen colour chartplotter, VHF, stereo remote, charging ports, and a hardtop with speakers and rodholders.

Of course with either model you have choices of hull and accent colouring featuring Formula’s renowned Axalta™ Cromax®XP basecoat with Imron® Elite clearcoat. You may also want to participate in the exclusive FormulaFlex™ Program which allows you to express your own creativity by working with Formula personnel to personalize your boat in key areas the way you visualize it. However you do it, you will end up with one of the very finest luxury sporting boats or luxury fishing boats available today.

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