310 Sun Sport Formulas Sporty Runabout
A Sporty Runabout with Weekend Capability
Formula’s new 310 Sun Sport—designed to fill the void between the long-popular 280 and 330—is a great boat, with a sensible layout, impressive performance, and excellent fit and finish, but it is the thoughtful little things that set this boat apart. For example, the cockpit seat cushions are fastened with a clever double hinge so the storage compartments beneath are easily accessible, yet the cushions are fixed in their proper place.310 Sun Sport Video
Sculpted Quality Material
And while the cockpit upholstery is exactly as expected on a boat of this caliber—quality material, sculpted design, topstitched seams—all of Formula’s boats employ Dri-Fast foam within the exterior cushions, which remains soft and comfortable but will not absorb or retain water. This may seem like an incidental thing, merely a maintenance issue, unless you’ve sat in a competitor’s boat early one morning, or after a rain shower, and had cold water ooze out of the spongy seat cushion and trickle down your leg, not just once, but every time you shift in the seat.
Plenty of Storage
Other thoughtful features include plenty of storage, not just for the obvious boat equipment like dock lines and fenders, but important personal items as well: a shallow tray behind the windshield perfect for sunglasses, a locking compartment at the helm to keep a cellular phone and wallet at hand yet secure.
My Favorite Feature
My favorite minor but important and often overlooked feature is a removable trash bin molded into the wet bar in the cockpit. (How many times do you see a trash can liner tied to a handrail, flapping uncontrollably in the wind when the boat is running?) These seemingly small features, in my opinion, build upon themselves to make either a completely comfortable and enjoyable boat, or else something of a compromise—where everything is ok, but not quite right. It is attention to these details that show Formula understands this, and illustrates that in every way possible the company strives to make their boats “just right.”
The 310’s Comfortable and Luxurious Cabin
Enough with minutia, and on to the boat itself. The 310 fills a void not just in the company’s lineup, but in the way boats are often used. This Sun Sport fulfills its primary mission perfectly—a sporty runabout to cruise about the lake, swim and sun, or perhaps take family and friends to a favorite waterside restaurant, but the 310 also includes a remarkably comfortable and even luxurious cabin, making it a capable occasional weekender as well.
Performance & Handling
Our test boat, powered with twin 320-horsepower MerCruiser 6.2 MPI engines and Bravo III sterndrives, was an absolute pleasure to run, proving quite responsive to both helm and throttle commands, and easily managed from its maximum 49.6 miles-per-hour all the way down to 16 miles-per-hour, below which it dropped off plane. While testing the boat I never needed the trim tabs except at very slow speed to keep the stern up, as should be the case with a well-designed hull. Even at this slowest planning speed, the 310 made a modest wake for its size, so as not to disturb neighbors, and in keeping with the company’s attention to detail, Formula includes trim tab LED indicator lights, so there is no guessing where the tabs are set. Steering at slow speed was equally responsive, and twin engines made docking a pleasure as well.
Unique Convertible Lounge
On deck, the 310 features the classic Formula layout: a double-wide helm, a center-facing bench seat across from the helm, a wet bar with refrigerator behind this bench seat, and a large U-shaped settee with a stowable table across from the wet bar. Where the 310 differs from other Formulas, though, is the convertible lounge spanning between the aft settee and the swim platform. In its normal position, this forms an aft-facing recliner, perfect for reading a book or just enjoying the surroundings, but the divider between the cockpit settee and this aft lounge quickly folds flat to form a sun pad. In keeping with my often-mentioned attention to detail, Formula engineered the conversion so all parts are retained within the apparatus; there are no extra fillers or inserts to lose or juggle when making the switch.
The stern platform includes a concealed, telescoping boarding ladder, fresh water shower, and ample storage compartments for both toys and necessities, while up at the bow the optional windlass features all-chain anchor rode, and even a chain counter at the helm so the skipper knows exactly how much anchor rode is in the water.
Comfortable Dinette that Converts into a V-Berth for Sleeping.
It is inside the cabin, however, that the 310 Sun Sport distinguishes itself among both its siblings and peers. This is the smallest boat in Formula’s lineup that offers both a generator—for air conditioning while away from the dock—and an option for a shower within the head. While the headroom is not much over five feet, necessary to keep the 310’s runabout appearance, the cabin is surprisingly comfortable. Here, two things set Formula apart from others. First, most boats offer a V-berth bed with an insertable table that converts this space into a dinette. Formula, on the other had, provides a comfortable dinette that converts into a V-berth for sleeping. The difference is the inclusion of a circular backrest all the way around the bow. This forms a cozy C-shaped dining booth, comfortable for several people. With the table removed (and stored in a specific slot aft in the cabin, safe from scratches and completely out of the way) the dinette transforms into a salon settee, with a stereo and an optional LCD TV with an integrated DVD player. Low headroom notwithstanding, this is not just a place for the kids to watch cartoons; two or three adults would be quite comfortable here through an entire ball game.
Formula’s Sensible Layout with Upscale Materials
The second Formula difference is in the quality of materials. Ultraleather upholstery, Corian countertops, cherrywood cabinets, and wood-grain flooring are far superior to what is typically found in the cabin of a thirty-footer. By combining their sensible layout with upscale materials, Formula has created within the 310 a surprisingly inviting living space, which I suspect will see far more use than just as occasional overnight accommodations. When it is time to convert for sleeping, the circular backrest simply lifts out of the way, hinged at the bow and with pneumatic lifting cylinders aft to make the whole thing a quick, one-handed affair.
The Smart “Head”
The head, too, is surprisingly comfortable, also with Corian countertops and even a pushbutton operated VacuFlush electric toilet. Our test boat did not include the shower option, though considering the less-than-ideal headroom, I suspect this should be considered just as a place to clean up a bit with more privacy than showering with the freshwater hose on the swim platform. There is one significant side benefit to the shower option; while adding a water heater for the cabin shower Formula is able to provide hot water at the stern as well.
Easily Accessiable Refrigerator
There are other thoughtful details worth mentioning within the cabin. Perhaps the most noticeable is that the refrigerator is placed so it is easily accessed from either inside the cabin or from the cockpit, so grabbing a sandwich or a drink doesn’t necessitate a trip below. The iPod dock is also placed here, as is the 10-disc CD changer, both part of the upgraded stereo system and nestled into the hanging locker just inside the companionway door. Also, using the microwave or watching TV doesn’t require the generator; Formula includes an inverter with the optional television to convert battery power into enough household electricity for both, though battery capacity is limited so this might be best done with the engines running. Finally, the companionway can be closed off either with its sliding door or with a sliding screen door. When combined with two overhead hatches and opening portlights, this provides plenty of fresh air below. Of course days on without a breeze, as was the case when we tested the boat in Miami, there is always the air conditioning, which cooled the cabin from sweltering to pleasant in less than 20 minutes.
The Difference between a Boat and a Yacht
I am often asked the difference between a boat and a yacht. Ultimately I’d have to say it comes down to fit and finish, as well as attention to detail. This brings me to one last minuscule yet thoughtful detail. Many boats utilize an electric lift for the engine compartment, but this often requires careful attention to ensure that the swim platform door is opened before the engine hatch is raised. Neglecting this typically results in a nasty crunch as the door is either broken or torn off its hinges. I’ve seen this or had to repair its aftermath countless times on many manufacturers’ boats. To avoid this, Formula installed a switch on the swim platform walk-through door which precludes raising the engine hatch unless the door is latched open—again making sure everything is “just so.” While it may be a bit pretentious, based on this level of attention to detail, I’d have to say Formula’s 310 Sun Sport is worthy of the title of Yacht.
What Sets The 310 Boat Apart
The 310 Sun Sport is a great boat, with a sensible layout, impressive performance, and excellent fit and finish, but it is the thoughtful little things that set this boat apart. 1.) Functional Design.The helm includes sculpted instrument pods and the gauges are arranged so that there is room in the center for your navigation display. 2.) Quality Material.All of Formula’s boats employ Dri-Fast foam within the exterior cushions, which remains soft and comfortable but will not absorb or retain water. 3.) Classic Formula Layout A double-wide helm, a center-facing bench seat across from the helm, a wet bar with refrigerator behind this bench seat, and a large U-shaped settee with a stowable table across from the helm. 4.) Aft Settee and Swim Platform In its normal position, this forms an aft-facing recliner, perfect for reading a book, but the divider between the cockpit settee and this aft lounge quickly folds flat to form a sun pad.
5.) Cabin Features.This is the smallest boat in Formula’s lineup that offers both a generator—for air conditioning while away from the dock—and an option for a shower within the head.
Specifications
Formula 310 Sun Sport (2007-) Length Overall 31′ 0” Dry Weight 9,750 lbs.
Beam 9′ 6” Fuel Cap 130 gal.
Draft 37” Water Cap 30 gal.
Deadrise/Transom 22 deg. Bridge Clearance 8′ 8” w/ arch
Max Headroom 5′ 4”
