Originally Posted by JP-8 (Post 4168428)

I've heard similar observations about the 402's build quality, strange bilge proportions, and cockpit depth. I remember asking Formula years ago what they thought about tweaking the 402 design and making it a Fastech. They said the 419 was disappointing and soured them on further development of larger offshores.

Mild: was your 40 Hawk a Bill Farmer hull? How did it contrast with the 402?

I've always thought an early 40 Hawk had a lot of potential if the X were raised a bit and the TRS swapped to 3As or equivalent.

Formula was building a rediculous amount of different boats in the early '80s; everything from a 16' runabout to the 402. HQ was in Decatur, and the factories were in Florida and Califonia. They didn't specialize in offshore like many other companies, and 30+ years later, it really shows.