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How Formula Boats became one of the most successful independent boat companies

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Old 08-03-2025 | 10:26 AM
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Default How Formula Boats became one of the most successful independent boat companies

Formula is one of the more successful independent boat brands in America, which is a tough business. Family business' are even tougher, Formula is both a family business and successful.

Although they are out of the performance boat game, they are definitely in the money making game. They keep getting bigger.

Formula Boats, a legacy brand with a bold future



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Old 08-03-2025 | 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by WavetoWave
Formula is one of the more successful independent boat brands in America, which is a tough business. Family business' are even tougher, Formula is both a family business and successful.

Although they are out of the performance boat game, they are definitely in the money making game. They keep getting bigger.

Formula Boats, a legacy brand with a bold future

I have always been impressed with their design, quality and how the company continually adapts to the marketplace with success. I had met Mr. Porter many years ago at few different boat shows throughout the years, he always took the time to say hello and was very, very kind; I was not a prospect for a new Formula at the shows for a new boat, his time is valuable and I really appreciated that professionalism and that he took time to speak with me and I have never forgotten that.

Formula is a great boat company, with great looking boats.
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Old 08-03-2025 | 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Smarty
I have always been impressed with their design, quality and how the company continually adapts to the marketplace with success. I had met Mr. Porter many years ago at few different boat shows throughout the years, he always took the time to say hello and was very, very kind; I was not a prospect for a new Formula at the shows for a new boat, his time is valuable and I really appreciated that professionalism and that he took time to speak with me and I have never forgotten that.

Formula is a great boat company, with great looking boats.
I agree. Super nice people and they are excellent at what they do.
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Old 08-03-2025 | 03:42 PM
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Loved the old Formulas but haven't been impressed with the lines of the new boats. I know they are not performance boats but the older cruisers were beautiful, now....not so much. It is a great company and successful. Best of luck to them.

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Old 08-06-2025 | 10:26 AM
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Something about the old SRs that was really nice. This is one of the last 292 FasTechs made. I personally love singles, so the 271 was my favorite.


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Old 08-07-2025 | 07:55 AM
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When they brought their Fast Techs to Boyne Thunder, I would let them park in my yard. Great people. Sad they got out of the performance business. But great for them to reinvent themselves and stay in the boat business.
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Old 08-07-2025 | 10:41 PM
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You definitely have the money making part right. I’ve always liked formulas but $3.9 million for a Formula???


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Old 08-08-2025 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by WARPARTY36
You definitely have the money making part right. I’ve always liked formulas but $3.9 million for a Formula???

$2.9 million for a luxury 50+ day boat is actually pretty normal on the high end.
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Old 08-08-2025 | 11:42 AM
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They actually don't even make a 24 or 27 closed deck anymore, this is one of the last, the 270 SS. I wonder if a 292 FasTech with twin 300R would sell, given the appetite for outboards.


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Old 08-08-2025 | 03:18 PM
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Thank You very much, Jared, for exceptional writing as always. You covered this legendary brand's long history with both ease and Your family's interaction with

the Porter family over the years made it so much more personal. The Formula 233 will always be one of my personal favorite boats, but the mentioning of Betty

Cook was so cool. Of all the boats she ran, Bertram 32, Cigarette 36, Team Scarab 9-Meter and 38s, custom cats etc., it was her dark blue hull 1983 Formula 302 SR-1,

with her own KAAMA engines and drives, she loved the most. One year she even towed the open class Annual Catalina Ski Race skier to victory with that boat.

Below photo of her boat after resto about 15 years ago.




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