One of the fastest-growing segments of new boat design we've seen recently is bigger bowriders. While some are basically 25-footers on steroids with nothing other than size to distinguish them from the smaller boats, the Formula 310 Bow Rider takes this genre to a new level of sophistication.

    So why would you need a bowrider this big? Two reasons: capacity and seaworthiness. Just about the only boats that can carry as many guests in comfort who can all bask in the sun at the same time - aside from mega-yachts - are large pontoons.

And it's a pretty good bet you wouldn't think of zipping across the Gulf Stream to Bimini for the weekend or even to the Bass Islands in Lake Erie in a pontoon when the wind is blowing. But with the Formula 310 BR, there's not much that will stand in the way of your fun.






Handling

• We were glad to have the 310 BR's substantial hull under our Sperry Topsiders, given the lumpy 3-foot confused seas off Miami Beach on test day. Owners might even hope for some chop because that's when this boat puts its best foot forward.
• We picked a moderate cruise speed in the mid 30s and didn't trim the bow too high in order to give the sharper entry on the Formula's progressive deadrise hull a chance to slice through the waves.
• With 22 degrees of deadrise in the stern, the 310 BR's hull isn't quite as radically sharp as Formula's high-performance 24-degree FAS3Tech ventilated hull, and the beam is considerably wider at 9 feet, 6 inches, but it's clear the 310 learned a lot from its go-fast brethren.
• Every so often the seas were smaller and we took advantage by goosing the throttles and received a nice kick from the responsive twin MX 6.2 MAG MerCruisers. They crank out 320 hp apiece and feature the new SeaCore system that makes saltwater corrosion a thing of the past.
• This power combo gave us a top speed of 51.1 mph and the 310 BR accelerated to 30 mph in 6.9 seconds - pretty impressive considering the 31-foot hull weighs almost 10,000 pounds dry.
• Although it was our first day driving the 310 BR, the learning curve is so short and the comfort level so high, it felt like we'd been driving this boat for years.

Comfort

    Formulas are all about style and the unique helm station is part go-fast, part cruiser and part 747 with its vast array of 12 gauges set into the fairly believable faux wood dash that includes MerCruiser's SmartCraft System View 1000 readouts ($1,860) and Lewmar's chain counter for the optional horizontal windlass and polished stainless steel anchor ($4,120).
    Paying homage to Formula's performance heritage are the standard racing-style Livorsi chrome binnacles, which are perfectly placed on the side console.

Sound System

    The 310 BR has one of the most powerful standard stereos on the market with an 800-watt Kenwood CD/MP3-ready stereo with six speakers in the cockpit plus two more rear-facing speakers on the transom that all feature separate tweeters for crisp highs. You'll want to take it to the next level with an optional package ($2,185) that includes a 200-watt subwoofer, a 10-CD changer plus an iPod docking station.

Features

• Unique features aboard include storage hatches that stay open on their own, an optional pull-out drawer Isotherm cockpit refrigerator ($1,650) and a transformer stern sunpad.
• A nice innovation is the removable middle section of the bowrider seats that allows you to face forward with your feet on the deck - very useful when you want your legs to help absorb offshore wave action.
• For tanning fans, you can make the bow section and most of the cockpit into sun-pens with filler cushions. There's a head compartment that's large enough to be adult-friendly and it comes with a standard VacuFlush head with pumpout, an American cherry wood sole and a Corian surface.