2024 Formula 290 Bowrider

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Formula’s 290 Bowrider is a bay cruiser, lake toy, party boat, and waterfront restaurant eye-catcher. The twin Ilmor 5.3L engine and dual-prop drive package is the icing on this scrumptious Formula cake. At a high of 5,300 rpm, we clocked 55.5 mph. Best economy came at 34 mph and 1.8 mpg.

Formula’s deep-V hull planes in 5.9 seconds and hit 30 mph in 7.7. It turns sure-footed and deeply banked at any speed. With robust construction, painted hull stripes and fastidious rigging, the 290 Bowrider is built for the long haul.

Inside, the bow features a hidden anchor windlass and locker, and a deep firm-but-comfy bowrider lounger replete with USB ports and cup holders for all. Removable cushions transform it into a sunbathing suite. The cockpit features a nicely designed and surprisingly roomy portside head. Plenty of storage resides inside the helm console.

Storage abaft is plentiful under the L-shaped reversible-back lounger, which provides high versatility. Position the backrest aft for a great rear seat. Position it forward to create a wide and comfortable sun pad. Under this lounger is a clean and well-executed engine space. All rigging is routed and supported properly and easily accessible.

Those 5.3-liter Ilmor V-8s are direct-­injected with glycol-cooled exhaust, producing 365 hp each. They use the latest-generation GM engine block. Optionally, choose twin 6.2-liter engines or a single 7.4-liter package, available wearing your choice of either the Mercury or Volvo Penta marque.

The helm resembles that of a jet ­aircraft. The Ilmor throttle and shift control adds a custom touch with precise actuation. I found the Ilmor ­Marine One-Touch joystick system precise and learning-adaptive. The Ilmor drives, made in partnership with Yanmar, use a multidisc clutch pack to achieve extremely smooth shifting. That clutch is vital to the precision, accuracy and smoothness of the One-Touch joystick system because when you engage one of the three different anchoring/holding modes, the drives will shift often to keep the boat in place.

High Points

• Twin Ilmor 5.3L dual-prop powerplants with joystick. 
• Modular seating makes the bow lounge convertible and versatile.
• Aft lounge seat/sun lounge features a multiposition backrest and storage underneath.

How We Tested

• Engine: Twin Ilmor 5.3-liter GDI-S OPS 365
• Drive/Prop: Ilmor dual-prop drive; Mercury Bravo III stainless steel (forward: 4-blade 15.25″ x 26″; aft: 3-blade C/R 13.75″ x 26″)
• Gear Ratio: 2.18:1 Fuel Load: 70 gal. Crew Weight: 650 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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Source: https://www.boatingmag.com/boats/2024-formula-290-bowrider-bbg/