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Formula 52
TEXT BY BARRY THOMPSON
PHOTOS INTERIOR BY ALASTAIR RITCHIE
PHOTOS AERIAL BY MIKE ROSE |
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The Formula name is a true Kiwi boating icon and since 1983 when the first Formula 4000 was built another 100 or so have followed. To date there are estimated to be 157 New Zealand built Formula hulls on the water and despite a number of company ownership changes and industry downturns, the brand is still very much alive after 20 years. The all-new Icon 52 raises the bar for Formula and represents the start of a new direction into the luxury semi production boat market.
In early 2002, Formula Cruisers shipped its first Icon 52 to Portland, Oregon, USA, a boat which formed the prototype for the current 52. The owner was extremely pleased with the vessel, so much so that he now has a second Icon 52 on order. Formula is also building the first of the new Icon 62s for another Portland client, which looks a lot like a 52 on steroids according to designer Grant Senior and will be delivered in mid 2004. While it is currently more of a one-off prototype, Senior says that the Icon 62 will likely become a standard semi-production model in the future.
“We are looking at producing boats for the top end of the international market in the 50-75ft range but it’s all very dependent on future orders as to just where we go to from here”, said Senior. Those who visited the 2003 Sydney International Boat Show would have seen the first production Icon 52, which was sold to a Sydney businessman. The second, Zutano, is for a Kiwi owner. “We have a huge amount of interest in the Icon 52, with the majority coming from Australia, where we have always found the Formula name to be well respected and potential owners see a point of difference between what we are offering and the locally built brands”, added Senior. Formula Cruisers’ capability is around six to eight boats a year and Senior is confident that by the end of the year most of the available 2004 slots will be filled. Unlike companies such as Riviera, Formula is not geared up for mass production, with each boat receiving a lot of personal interaction between builder and client.
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The master stateroom has its own en-suite. The saloon and galley are on the same level. The sliding drinks drawer holds plenty. Soft leather fabrics and inlay table provide a quality atmosphere. |
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All boats are built to survey specifications and the owners have a lot of input into the interiors. There is a standard layout, but in fact of the first three Icons built, no two have been the same. Differences included such areas as an internal staircase, two and three cabin layout and enclosed or open flybridge. Even the arrangement of the cupboards and drawers in the galley in each boat has been different.
Senior, who designed the Icon 52 along with Rob Brown, says that it has much improved underwater sections over the previous Formula 50s with a more sea kindly hull that is softer riding with a deeper V for’ard giving a much finer entry. Amidships the hull has a 23 degree deadrise and this shallows to 11 degrees at the transom. The chine flats are wider than before, to aid in turning down spray. Displacement is 17 tonnes in light ship mode and 20 tonnes heavy ship. Grant Senior is well aware that if Formula is to break into the US market then the hulls must have solid GRP bottoms, although he has gone for foam core for the topsides and superstructure to keep the weight down. The boat is also offered with a wide horsepower range, from twin 480hp Volvos which return a top speed of 27 knots to 715hp C12 Caterpillars for a speed around 36 knots. This is a hull that is designed to go well over 40 knots.
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Corian vanity tops are used throughout the boat. |
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The Right Formula
The Icon 52 is a natural progression and new generation from the previous 50ft range and has evolved from demand by existing customers who wanted something bigger to step up to. “We found existing Formula owners still wanted to stay with the brand but until we came out with the Icon we really didn't have a boat that was suitable”, said Senior.
In fact the current Icon 52 owners, as well as the people who have Icon 52s on order, have previously had Formulas and with the new Icon 52 they have a boat that provides a lot more space and performance with the same horsepower but without compromising the layout and detail. The owner of Zutano is now into his third Formula. The styling and bridge layout is somewhat unique to Formula with intricate mouldings producing curvaceous lines setting it apart from its competitors. “There’s no compromise on the looks”, says Senior.
Timbers are very traditional, with the use of teak and burr elm throughout the vessel, with all the inlay work and detailing performed by Formula’s own craftsmen. A combination of high gloss teak and holly flooring is used in the ensuites and galley.
Zutano has a three-cabin layout with the master stateroom forward with ensuite and two guest cabins aft, one with a double, the other with two single berths. The island berth can be replaced in the master with either two or four single berths, with the master moved aft to the port side. In the two-cabin layout the master has a full walk-around queen berth and retains it's en suite. A second ensuite looks after either the one or two other guest cabins and whatever the layout, storage is provided with plenty of drawers and hanging lockers. Seamless solid surface Corian vanity tops are used in the ensuites with easy to clean leatherette wall and ceiling panels.“We like to be able to offer our clients the accommodation layout they want and while there are some defining parameters due to space, there are a lot of options, so no two need to be exactly the same”, said Senior. A burr elm dado merges the lower accommodation areas together and continues through to the saloon and galley area. Formula has produced a homely, yet elegant interior that is subtle and practical.
When you walk into the saloon at night your eyes are immediately focused on the mood lighting that is strategically placed behind an overhead oval pelmet that adds a refined charm to the already swish interior.
Galley and saloon are all on one level and the handcrafted dining table reinforces the elegant theme portrayed inside with a hand crafted compass rose detailed with a combination of walnut, maple and teak timbers. The saloon is unashamedly dedicated to having a good time, whether entertaining guests with cocktails and canapés or enjoying intimate dining. Seating is provided on a soft leather settee around the dining table and a full-length lounge opposite on the starboard side. Aft is the entertainment area with pull out TV that can be rotated to suit your viewing position.
Corian servery and bench top surround the aft galley that is fully equipped with every need, such as a four-burner hob, twin stainless sinks and microwave. Built into the aft bulkhead, the microwave can be repositioned below the vanity counter if you prefer a full width drop window across the back. This gives a massive opening into the cockpit from the galley. Although it has not been asked for yet, there is the option of a small al-fresco dining area outside, although this would encroach into the expansive cockpit and not be suitable for those with a penchant for gamefishing. Built-in bottle racks and deep storage bins fill all available spaces within handy reach of the galley. |
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The external staircase to the flybridge. |
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For outside cooking there is a built-in BBQ.
There are stowage lockers in the port, starboard and aft coamings, an external fridge and freezer, plus wash basin and pressure shower. Tackle boxes are built in as are various live bait and kill tanks – again customer driven for an owner who likes his gamefishing. The big difference between Zutano and the first Icon 52 is that this owner requested an external stairway to the flybridge, as opposed to internal access, which means the space beneath has been utilised for storage and a rod locker. With the internal staircase there is room for a day head on the cockpit side of the aft bulkhead.
The semi-enclosed flybridge provides the only helm station in the boat and again the owner has the choice of a set of clears aft or a full bulkhead. Either way, the layout forward remains the same with a full-width moulded GRP helm, fore/aft adjustable helm seat, plus single and lounge seating to accommodate all the guests. Burr elm detailing again adds a quality touch and the owner has gone for a complete Furuno Navnet package for his electronics. The new Icon 52 represents a whole new image for Formula Cruisers and its management team is putting a lot of faith in the fact that people today demand quality of finish as much as they do performance and handling. “We are totally dedicated to making our boats the best in their category and whilst they may not be superyachts they’re as close as we feel you can have in a compact package without over capitalising”, said Senior.
This is a philosophy that may just see this new Formula succeed on the international market. |
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