By Mike Burns
Formula has never been a company that chases trends. It builds boats for owners who appreciate quality, performance and craftsmanship, then gives them enough power options to tailor the boat to their style of boating. The new 360 Crossover Bowrider is a perfect example. At first glance, the sterndrive and outboard versions look nearly identical. They share the same stunning lines, the same beautifully finished cockpit and the same deep-V FAS3Tech stepped hull. But once you get behind the wheel, they become two very different boats.
The sterndrive model is powered by twin Mercury 8.2L engines producing 380 horsepower each, while the outboard version can be equipped with triple Mercury Verado 400 V10s for a combined 1,200 horsepower. That’s a difference of more than 400 horsepower, and it completely changes the boat’s personality.
The sterndrive version is the traditional Formula. Push the throttles forward and the boat rises smoothly onto plane without drama. There’s very little bow rise, the steering feels solid, and the engines produce the familiar deep V8 rumble that many longtime boaters still prefer over the sound of outboards. It’s refined rather than aggressive.
Performance is respectable, reaching just under 47 mph during previous testing. That’s more than enough speed for most owners, and the boat settles into a comfortable cruise around 32 mph where the ride is quiet, composed and incredibly comfortable. The stepped hull slices through chop with confidence, making long days on the water remarkably relaxing.
Then there’s the triple-400 version. It’s an entirely different experience…..
The first thing you notice isn’t the speed—it’s the acceleration. Triple Mercury Verado V10s launch the 360 CBR onto plane with authority. Push the digital throttles to the stops and the boat feels alive, surging forward in a way the sterndrive model simply can’t match. We his a top speed of 63.1 MPH @ 6286 RPM, roughly 16 mph faster than the sterndrive package. That’s sports-car territory for a luxury bowrider weighing nearly 19,000 pounds.
Despite the dramatic increase in horsepower, Formula’s hull never feels overwhelmed. The FAS3Tech stepped bottom was designed for speed, and it shows. The boat remains planted in sweeping turns, carving confidently without excessive lean or unpredictable handling. Even at higher speeds there’s an impressive sense of control that inspires confidence.
Where the outboard version really begins separating itself is versatility. Removing the engines from beneath the cockpit creates a massive storage compartment where the sterndrive engine room would normally be. It’s large enough for inflatable paddleboards, Seabobs, water toys, coolers or enough gear for an extended weekend aboard. For families who spend entire days on the water, that additional storage quickly becomes one of the boat’s biggest selling points.
Saltwater owners will also appreciate the advantages of outboards. Being able to tilt all three engines completely clear of the water reduces marine growth, simplifies maintenance and makes flushing after every outing quick and easy. In coastal markets that’s a major reason why outboards have become the preferred propulsion choice.
The sterndrive model, however, still has plenty of advantages. One of the most obvious is the swim platform. Without three large outboards hanging off the transom, the stern becomes an expansive watersports playground. Boarding from the dock is easier, swimmers have unrestricted access to the water, and there’s no need to climb around engines when relaxing at anchor. If wakeboarding, tubing or simply lounging on the platform are priorities, sterndrives remain difficult to beat.
The lower draft of the sterndrive package can also be beneficial in certain situations, particularly on inland lakes where shallow water is common. The boat also carries slightly less weight than the triple-outboard configuration while maintaining the same balanced handling characteristics.
Docking is another interesting comparison. Years ago, triple outboards would have intimidated many owners. Today that’s no longer the case. Mercury’s Joystick Piloting system makes moving a 36-foot boat into a tight slip remarkably easy. The computer independently controls all three engines, allowing the boat to slide sideways, rotate within its own length or move diagonally with minimal effort. Even relatively inexperienced operators quickly gain confidence.
The sterndrive version also benefits from joystick technology, but many seasoned boaters still prefer the lower centre of gravity and familiar handling characteristics of twin inboards coupled to sterndrives during close-quarters manoeuvring. Both systems perform exceptionally well; the preference largely comes down to owner familiarity.
Fuel capacity is another notable difference. The sterndrive version carries 200 gallons, while the outboard model increases capacity to 275 gallons to feed its substantially higher horsepower. Although the triple 400s consume considerably more fuel at wide-open throttle, owners typically cruising in the 35 to 45 mph range will find range more than adequate for long coastal runs or island hopping.
Below deck, nothing changes between the two versions. Formula has done an outstanding job making the 360 CBR a legitimate overnight boat rather than simply a day boat with a place to escape the weather. The cabin features over six feet of headroom, a permanent double berth with a memory foam mattress, an enclosed head with shower and enough amenities for comfortable weekend cruising. It’s one of the reasons the 360 CBR stands apart from conventional luxury bowriders.
So which one would I choose? If I primarily boated on large inland lakes, entertained frequently and spent afternoons swimming at anchor, I’d lean toward the sterndrive version. The clean swim platform, quieter cockpit, lower profile and classic V8 character make it a wonderful luxury day boat that still delivers respectable performance.
But if I boated in saltwater or simply wanted the most exciting version Formula offers, I’d order the triple Mercury 400 package without hesitation. The extra horsepower transforms an already capable cruiser into something genuinely exhilarating. Sixty-plus miles per hour in a beautifully finished 36-foot luxury bowrider is addictive, and the added storage created by removing the engine room is a bonus every owner will appreciate.
The impressive part isn’t that one version is better than the other. It’s that Formula has managed to build two boats with identical DNA that appeal to completely different buyers. One is refined, elegant and traditional. The other is bold, fast and impossible to ignore.
Whichever route you choose, you’re getting one of the finest crossover bowriders currently on the market.
SPECIFICATIONS (TRIPLE MECURY VERADO 400 V10)
LOA 38’ 10” 10.97 m
BEAM 11’ 3” 3.43 m
DRAFT 49” 1.25 m
DEADRISE 21 degrees
DRY WEIGHT 18,799 lbs. 8,500 kg
FUEL 275 gal. 1,040 L
WATER 36 gal. 136 L
WASTE 36 gal. 136 L
PERFORMANCE (80% Fuel, 2 Passengers)
RPM MPH GPH
1000 6.6 5.2
1500 8.7 8.7
2000 10.9 16.9
2500 11.7 22.5
3000 15.4 25.9
3500 22.6 32.4
4000 28.4 39.6
4500 40.5 46.6
5000 48.3 76.7
5500 53.8 94.4
6000 59.8 99.0
6286 63.1 101.4