Following the release of the 387 Center Console Sport and the
387 Center Console Fish last year, Indiana-based builder Formula Boats announced plans to expand its line of open day boats. The 457 Center Console Sport and 457 Center Console Fish will make their debuts at the 2024 Miami International Boat Show. The new models will build off of the success of Formula’s two 387 models.

Charlie Levine sea-trialed the 387 CCF in 2022. In a story published in Soundings, he called it a well-organized, solid and spacious vessel for fishing. Now, both of the 457 models are poised to offer similar benefits, with more length and features.

With a LOA of 45 feet, 7 inches and a 13-foot, 9-inch beam, the 457 CCS and CCF models will be powered by triple Mercury 600 Verado outboards. The CCS is designed as a multifunction day boat for cruising and water sports. CCS owners get a sculpted aft lounge in the cockpit for entertaining. An option for a cockpit galley is available with this model too. The CCF has a different cockpit setup. Seating folds up and away to clear the cockpit for anglers, and a bait station/wetbar is offered in place of a cockpit galley. The 457 CCF also has a 100-gallon live well and a fish box with a 280-gallon capacity.

At the bow, both models feature a sun lounge and wraparound seating, plus a power-adjustable table that stows easily. Both the sport and fish models are outfitted with hardtops; the version on the CCF includes outriggers.

The helm dashboard has room for three monitors, so drivers have a full read on vessel operation, whether fishing or cruising. The helm station has reverse-cycle air conditioning to keep the passengers in the three helm seats cool, although owners can install air vents for people in the second row of seats too.

Belowdeck, the 457 models have a spacious cabin with 6 feet, 6 inches of headroom and a full galley with microwave, fridge and sink. There’s also a U-shaped lounge with a table for dining. While both models are dayboats at heart, two passengers can spend the night aboard in a convertible berth. There’s a private head with separate shower in the cabin too.

Formula will release additional details on the two new 457 models at the 2024 Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show. 

This article was originally published in the November 2023 issue.