Sun Fun

Twist the key on this new Formula 330 SS and you're in for a surprise. Instead of the throaty rumble of big V-8 engines hidden under the sun pad, you'll hear the even deeper thunder from a pair of ... diesel engines.

Using the words sportboat and diesel in the same sentence has, until recently, simply been impossible. Although diesel engines offer real benefits in terms of both longevity and reliability, they also brought along a considerable weight penalty that made them unsuitable for the light and quick sportboats.

But in a project masterminded by a trio of experts in their own fields, it turns out that "diesel" and "sportboat" aren't so incompatible after all. In fact, they're downright chummy.

Formula Boats, with more than 40 years of performance boat-building experience, hooked up with Yanmar, which recently introduced the world's lightest and most powerful diesel stern drives. Adding Mastry Engines, an experienced engine shop in Florida completed the trio.

The product of these parents is the Formula 330 SS that started life as a pleasant sportboat normally powered by gas engines. Repowered by Mastry with a pair of Yanmar 6LP-STZE diesels at 300 horsepower each, it confirmed everyone's expectations when, without a chance to tune the props, the 330 SS ran more than 57 mph.

Even better, a cruising speed of 33 mph gave nearly 3 miles per gallon. That means that the diesel Formula could cruise for 433 miles on a tank of fuel, while the engines were turning only a mild 2,400 rpm to ensure a long life. Compare that to most sportboats that slurp fuel at a gallons-a-minute rate, and it's no surprise that so many sportboats strut their stuff at idle speed rather than being used to actually go somewhere.

All of this engine magic was accomplished without sacrificing any of the creature comforts found on the standard 330 SS. Step aboard, and you'll discover why Formula has such a devoted following. One look at the cockpit, and you'll see that this is a livable arrangement with plenty of space for family and friends. There's a wrap-around lounge, which, with the optional dual-height table and cushions, can convert to a full-length sun pad or an alfresco dining area. Opposite is a wet bar and galley with sink and ice chest, or you can opt for refrigerator, ice maker and even an alcohol stove.

The helm is a comfortable place to be at any speed, with the Formula-designed, two-person helm seat giving you the option of standing, sitting or leaning back comfortably. The dash has gray panels with an array of easy-to-read VDO gauges, a Dino tilt steering wheel, and space for the usual electronics. A Ritchie compass is standard, as is the digital depth sounder. Opposite the helm is a double lounge with built-in stowage for dive tanks, and there's another stowage locker for water skis in the floor. With no seams or joints to stub your toes, the 330 is great for barefooting, and the air-assisted transom door leads you to the wide swim platform with hidden ladder.

Down below, there's a surprising amount of space considering what appears to be a low profile foredeck and, in fact, there's almost full headroom — 5 feet 7 inches to be exact.

The U-shaped lounge is upholstered in supple UltraLeather and provides comfortable seating around a removable dining table. The backrests double as stowage shelves, and filler cushions convert the lounge into an oversized double berth.

A compact galley counter is to port, with an AC/DC refrigerator, pressure hot and cold water, microwave and stowage lockers. The enclosed head is seamless fiberglass for easy cleaning, and there's not only space for the porcelain Jabsco toilet, but a compact vanity with sink. The floor doubles as a shower pan, so you can enjoy a shower whenever you want.

There's an almost indefinable aura of quality about the Formula that transcends the mere creature comforts — you might say that the 330 SS has "good bones". Formula, of course, has been winning ocean races with their proven deep-V hulls since the very early years of offshore racing, and the company has carried on that tradition with the 20-degree deadrise hull of the new 330 SS.

Construction is also something that has benefited from the "trickle-down" of racing, and the 330 has a wood stringer system that is completely encapsulated in fiberglass and combined with fiberglass ribs for added strength in areas such as under the engines and fuel tanks. The result is a hull that is rigid and distortion-free.

Formula fills the hull cavities with structural foam both for strength and to deaden the drumming sound often associated with high-performance hulls. The hull and deck is not only bonded with the high-tech Plexus adhesive, but also bolted every 18 inches with 1/4 stainless-steel bolts for a never-fail joint. The 330 has a continuous one-piece molded foredeck and cockpit, so you don't have to worry about leaks and clean-up is as easy as a hosedown. Stainless-steel bolts are used to secure cleats and other hardware into hidden stainless-steel backing plates for the highest level of strength on these critical parts. All in all, Formula construction can serve as a benchmark of quality in the marine industry.

But that's just the prelude. What you really want to hear about is the diesel power. Mastry did a superb job installing the twin Yanmars, although the engineroom is so spacious that they didn't have to use shoehorns. In fact, compared to the big V-8s that normally repose there, the in-line, six-cylinder diesels seem almost petite. But, as you can see from the performance charts, each of the 300 horses that the Yanmars generate is a full-sized Clydesdale — stomping and snorting with power. The diesels sit on big aluminum mounts, driving MerCruiser Bravo One stern drives that come as part of the Yanmar/MerCruiser package.

The four-stroke turbocharged and intercooled Yanmar 6LP series is available in 250- and 300-horsepower versions, producing 240 and 290 horsepower at the propshaft from a 254-cubic-inch block. I'm probably giving away a state secret, but this is the marinized version of the bulletproof engine in the Toyota Land Cruiser. So shoot me.

But diesels are heavy, you say. Wrong. The 300-horse 6LP in our test boat weighed in at a dainty 516 pounds, including the Bravo One drive. Compare that to 1,025 pounds for a MerCruiser 350 Magnum that puts out the same 300 horsepower, and you're literally getting two diesels for the weight of one Magnum. Compare the Yanmar to the MerCruiser's own 7.3-liter diesel stern drive at 1,655 pounds with the Bravo One and you could have three of the Yanmars.

The power for the STZE comes from the hi-revving design with four valves per cylinder and a free-breathing exhaust. MerCruiser builds each stern drive specifically for Yanmar, with heavy-duty shot-peened and heat-forged gears plus heavy-duty shafts and U-joints to take the higher torque of the diesel. The Yanmars are quiet, too, with two-stage springs in the injectors to cut noise, while the overhead camshaft reduces the timing gear clatter.

Underway, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between gas and diesel: aside from the telltale exhaust sound, there was none of the usual diesel vibration and throttle response was instantaneous.

We were running four-bladed, stainless-steel Bravo One props, and the boat had no problem "hooking up" from low speed when you shoved the throttles against the stops. The top speed of 57-plus mph was certainly respectable, but the cruising speed is what should intrigue potential buyers. Remember that a gas engine wears out quickly when running at high rpms, while a diesel thrives at nearly full throttle operation. So, while the wide-open throttle (3,950 rpm) gave us 57-plus mph, you can run the Yanmars all day long at 3,400 rpm or 51-plus mph and they'll last forever. In fact, judging by average boat use, you can hand the 330/Yanmar to your grandchildren, and it'll barely be broken in.

All in all, the 330 SS/Yanmar package is one of those serendipitous combinations that occur so infrequently. The superb construction and seaworthy design of the Formula 330 SS is perfectly complemented by the exceptional engineering and performance of the Yanmar diesels. If you're looking at sportboats, check out the Formula/Yanmar. And if you're only looking at diesels, check out the Formula/Yanmar anyway.

Boat Specifications

Standard Equipment Includes:Dual-position helm seat, cockpit galley with sink and cooler, VDO gauges, tilt wheel, AC/DC refrigerator, pressure hot and cold water, AM/FM/cassette stereo, porcelain marine head, shower, MerCathode anti-electrolysis system, power engine hatch.

Optional Equipment:Imron graphics, anchor windlass, microwave, cockpit table, air conditioning, Bimini top and side curtains, bow docking lights.

Performance

Thunderbird Products
2200 West Monroe St
Decatur, IN 46733
(800) 736-7685