2025 Formula 360 CBR

By Mike Burns

There’s a certain moment when you first step aboard the Formula 360 CBR where you realize this boat isn’t trying to be anything other than exactly what it is: a stylish, powerful, beautifully crafted answer to what today’s boaters actually want. It’s not a fishing boat pretending to be a day cruiser. It’s not a cabin cruiser dressed up with racing stripes. The 360 CBR is a true crossover, and it wears that badge with confidence.

At just over 36 feet long with an 11-foot beam, the boat has a commanding stance on the water. The sheer line is sleek, the bow rises with a slight flare, and the hardtop flows smoothly into the deck, giving it a thoroughly modern silhouette. But there’s also something timeless about the Formula finish—the gelcoat shimmer, the flawless stainless trim, and the quiet confidence of its proportions.

Formula has long built its reputation on luxury performance boats that can turn heads at the marina and eat up chop offshore, and the 360 CBR carries on that tradition with ease. It builds on the success of the 350 CBR but improves upon it in nearly every way, from layout and handling to below-deck comfort. This isn’t just a refresh—it’s a rethink.

The 360 CBR will be available in boat sterndrive and outboard versions.  Formula has found that marketplaces such as Lake Havasu and Lake of Ozarks tend to lean towards sterndrive setups, while the balance of the market leans towards outboards.  Hull number one, which we tested recently in Miami, is the sterndrive version.  This model is also the first of Formulas models to be designed solely by Michael Young, a proteje of renown designer,  John Adams.  Not only does Young have a significant background in hull design, he’s been involved with some F1 projects as well.

Once onboard, what strikes you most is how open the layout feels. Unlike many cruisers of this size, there are no jarring elevation changes or broken-up sections. The cockpit flows seamlessly from the swim platform through to the bow, making the most of every inch. It’s a true one-level social zone, and that continuity gives the boat a relaxed, livable feel that’s hard to come by in this class.

At the stern, there’s an extended swim platform that makes water access effortless, with molded-in steps and a concealed ladder. Just ahead, the aft-facing sun pad is a perfect perch for lazy afternoons. The rear lounge is convertible, easily transforming from a sun pad to upright seating depending on whether you’re underway or anchored. Opposite that, the wet bar is equipped with a sink, fridge, and even space for a blender or icemaker—everything you need for serious entertaining.

Moving forward, the U-shaped cockpit seating wraps around the port side, offering space for half a dozen guests to sit comfortably. There’s a pair of removable tables here for drinks or dinner, and everything is finished with the kind of attention to detail you expect from Formula—diamond-stitched upholstery, durable woven flooring, and precision stainless hardware.

The helm is, unsurprisingly, one of the best in the business. The captain’s chair is double-wide and electrically adjustable. The dash layout is clean and commanding, featuring twin Raymarine Axiom displays, digital switching, and controls for everything from lighting to bilge pumps to stereo volume. You can opt for joystick control with the right power package, making docking a breeze, even in tight quarters. And if you’re used to slapping toggles and fiddling with gauges, the digital control system will feel like a major upgrade. It’s simple, intuitive, and rock-solid.

And then there’s the bow—because yes, this is a bowrider. The forward section of the boat isn’t an afterthought; it’s a genuine second lounge space with wraparound seating, a removable table, and deep backrests. Accessed through a wide portside walkway, the bow feels just as much a part of the living space as the cockpit, which is rare in boats this size. There are armrests, drink holders, speakers, and a wind-blocking door that seals off the area when underway.

Down below, the 360 CBR delivers more than you might expect. A centerline cabin door leads to a surprisingly spacious interior finished in rich woods and soft upholstery. There’s over six feet of headroom and a sense of warmth that makes the space feel more like a boutique hotel than a boat cabin. The lounge can convert to a berth, there’s a full galley with microwave and refrigerator, and even a cedar-lined closet.

But the real surprise is the aft cabin. Tucked under the helm is a full-beam double berth with a memory foam mattress, reading lights, and privacy curtain. It’s quiet, dark, and cool—everything you’d want in a place to recharge after a long day in the sun. There’s also a full enclosed head with a real shower, sink, and porcelain toilet. No wet head compromises here. You could comfortably spend a weekend aboard, especially with the optional generator and air conditioning package.

When it comes to performance, the 360 doesn’t just look the part—it delivers. Formula offers several engine options, with twin Mercury 8.2L I/O’s being standard.  Outboard packages will be available in twin 300, 350, 400 and 450 HP set-ups,  or you can even opt for twin 600’s.

On the relatively calm waters of Biscayne Bay, we hit a top speed of 46.8 MPH at 4738 RPM, and cruising speed was a comfortable 32.3 MPH @ 4000 RPM.  As with almost any boat, it’s all about compromise.  While the sterndrive version offers up a clear and spacious stern, the 8.2’s feel a but underwhelming when it comes to performance.  If you’re looking for higher end speeds, any of the various outboard packages will likely do the trick.

Handling is tight and responsive, thanks to the FAS³Tech stepped hull, which helps lift the boat on plane quickly and carve through turns with precision. You can feel the hull doing its job beneath you, and it doesn’t feel jumpy or twitchy—just planted.  Heading offshore toward Haulover Inlet and home port, the 360 CBR handled the swells with easy and offered a smooth,  dry, and comfortable ride.

All of this comes together in a package that’s very much in the luxury category. The base price starts $868,720 US, and our price as tested was $1,016,000. But this isn’t a mass-market bowrider. It’s a semi-custom machine built in Decatur, Indiana, by a company that prides itself on craftsmanship and long-term ownership support.

There’s no pretending with the Formula 360 CBR. It’s not a boat that tries to be all things to all people—it knows its audience. It’s built for those who want performance without giving up comfort, style without sacrificing capability, and who see boating not just as a hobby, but as a lifestyle. Whether you’re pulling into a high-end marina, island-hopping for a weekend, or just enjoying a sunset cruise with family and friends, this is a boat that makes every outing feel elevated.

SPECIFICATIONS:

PERFORMANCE:  (70% Fuel Load – 2 PASSENGERS  ON BOARD)

RPM                                           MPH                                           GPH

650                                             4.5                                               2.9

1000                                          5.4                                               5.0

1500                                          8.4                                               8.8

2000                                          9.7                                               15.0

2500                                          10.4                                            24.6

3000                                          11.1                                            32.0

3500                                          20.6                                            48.8

4000                                          32.3                                            59.6

4500                                          41.7                                            63.0

4738                                          46.8                                            65.5

for more information visit: www.formulaboats.com