|
When Formula Cruisers new Marketing Manager, Troy Woods,
suggested a weekend aboard their latest vessel Tramontana,
we had more volunteers than could be accommodated.
The weekend was to have been shared with our better
halves but one thing led to another and pretty soon we had a boys’ weekend
planned - numerous fishing sites selected and plenty of our favourite beer,
Estrella Damm, well chilled. Despite the inclement weather in the north half of
the island, a window of opportunity opened and by 1300hrs we set off under
magnificent conditions.
The English owner of Tramontana named the vessel after a sometimes gentle/
sometimes turbulent breeze common along the West Coast of Italy - not to be
mistaken for the elitist Spanish turbo-charged sports car that bears the same
name. Either is appropriate, as the vessel is both classy and distinguished as
well as having some of the best flat out performance figures I have ever seen for
a vessel of this type and size.
Tramontana has the capability for long distance passage making - 2,500 nm (at
6 knots) or 1,200 nm at 12 knots. A respectable cruise speed in the 1,800–1,900
rpm range gave us an efficiency of 85 litres/hour per engine, with the capacity to
cover 500 nm. From a standing start she was up to 30 knots within 20 seconds and
well on her way to a top speed of over 32 knots. Yes, the waters of the Waitemata
Harbour were flat, but these figures are impressive by anyone’s standard.
The reason for this startling performance is varied but according to Formula’s
Managing Director, Grant Senior, “the Formula secret is a secret formula (excuse
the bad pun), although really nothing new. It’s about getting the balance right.
With clients wanting more and more modern amenities and excesses on board
we need to make a heavier boat go as fast as possible without having a mini-fuel
tanker trailing behind!”
Big plans are ahead for Formula, as I later find out. For our cruise, however,
the focus was on getting a feel for Tramontana and what she is designed for - an
enjoyable weekend of fishing and relaxation.
The rear flybridge helm station (a forward helm version is also available) is
elegantly adorned. The electronics of the Raymarine E120 system provides the
owner with everything he could want and soon a fourth camera will be mounted
above the anchor well on all Formulas (currently there are three, all of which are in the engine room). Visibility was exceptional as I threw Tramontana
through a tight circle. At speed she lost very little in the way of revs
or knots and the front screen never saw any of the wet stuff on it.
The helm has comfortable and fully adjustable Navigator helm
seats (emblazoned with the Formula logo). Tramontana has a TV
set in the forward centre of the spacious seating configuration. An
option that can be included at the client’s request is a small fridge
Downstairs, the interiors of this Formula Cruisers’ vessel is stylish,
with elegant curves and lots of natural light. There is good visibility
when seated at the dining table, too. The 6’ 6” headroom in the
main cabin makes life for us larger guys much more enjoyable,
without losing any height anywhere else in the boat. The galley is
aft with a drop-down window providing access to the cockpit and
adorned with all the normal appliances. Tramontana has a gas
hob and stove, though various options are available.
The engine noise was insignificant when we were at top
speed – why wouldn’t it be when you hear how well insulated
Formula boats are. The ethos of the company is to over spec
the boat to the point that if the client decides they want to put
it into survey somewhere down the line, they can do so without
having to return for more work to be carried out. This makes for
some very happy owners who just want a great boat to play in
with their friends and family, but it does also provide the option of
chartering. All Formula Cruisers’ vessels are constantly monitored
during construction by renowned surveyor Robin Williams for this
very reason.
Some of the changes in the works will occur in the main cabin,
with the front windows being replaced by a filled-in screen. This will
enable the utilisation of more interior space. There are also plans
to remove the raised servery at the forward end of the galley, and
open up the feel of the interior. The galley size will keep the same
footprint though.
Tramontana has three cabins forward with the master cabin
to port down four steps, another double up front and a twin to starboard. The master has its own ensuite with the other two sharing
a bathroom. Plenty of natural light, plenty of room overall and sublime
Sleepyhead mattresses all made for a very comfortable night’s sleep.
The headroom in the shower is always a moot point personally, but I
had no problems here whatsoever.
Back to the boys’ weekend for a moment! Shall we just say that
we are either very poor fishermen and should stick to our day jobs, or
else all the fish in the Hauraki Gulf must have gone to a “How not to
get hooked” convention in Las Vegas. I am presuming the former is
correct. The cockpit of Tramontana is ideally set up for fishing – large
bait tanks in the transom and a gas barbeque for when you do manage
to land one. Plenty of storage and seating can be found all around the
cockpit, and given she has an external staircase, there is a large locker
underneath the stairs for rods and various other articles - also where
the washer/drier is located. I had reservations about the smallish size
of the scuppers in the rear of the cockpit, but it was pointed out that
the access door in the transom also allowed for draining of water from
this area, and it did so more than adequately. Access to the foredeck
with its Aquapro tender is good, with plenty of grab rails.
Overall, not only was the idea of the weekend away a much needed
aside from the day-to-day process of putting SeaSpray together, it
also gave me a fantastic chance to genuinely see how this Formula 54
Icon performed for more than just a short period of time. All facets of
boating were experienced and all questions asked (and answered). As
any accountant will tell you, the figures speak for themselves. Priced
under NZ$2.5million (as tested, including GST) Formula Cruisers have
the hull design, interior layout, elegant lines, performance and all round
seaworthiness of a true winner. With plans afoot to have a 64 footer
ready in time for the 2009 Auckland Boat Show, who knows where you
will see a Formula Cruiser in the near future. Let’s just hope the fish are
more “user friendly”!
Tramontana Specifications:
| LOA |
17.8m (58’) |
| Hull length |
16.4m (54’) |
| Beam |
5.65m (18’ 7”) |
| Draft |
1.2m (4’) |
| Displacement |
24,000 kgs |
| Headroom |
1.98m (6’ 6”) |
| Engines |
Twin MTU 825
hp Series 60 |
| Fuel storage |
4,000 litres |
| Water storage |
1,000 litres |
|
|
|
