Thinking small to stay big

There is an awful lot to admire about Hobsonsville boatbuilder Formula Cruisers. The company not only builds what are probably New Zealand's finest vessels - superyachts aside - it has also proven to be incredibly adaptable.

Founded in the 1980s, it started by building Formula 4000s (the "must-have" boats of the latter part of that decade of excess). Then, in the more austere 1990s, it took a slightly different tack, surviving where many contemporaries did not.

In the new millennium, the company adapted again through the boom times and the credit crunches. The one constant was an absolute commitment to quality, both of build and finish.

Now, after decades of designing and building bigger and ever-more impressive vessels, Formula is again returning to its roots and offering a new "40-footer".

Once the staple of the Kiwi launch market, the 40-footer or 12m launch has, over recent decades, fallen out of favour. Launch manufacturers such as Formula have found a more ready market in the larger sizes. Indeed, for many years, Formula's ICON range started at 16m.

But the world financial crisis recently forced a rethink of that strategy and, as a result, Formula embarked on process of designing and preparing to tool up for a 13m ICON.

However, before work could begin in earnest, the moulds for a relatively new Australian cruiser, the Eureka 42, became available.

Only one boat had been built from the moulds, so they were in excellent condition. Even better, says Formula marketing manager Troy Woods, the style and overall look of the Eureka was similar to that of the ICON.

Shortly after the Eureka moulds arrived in Hobsonville, the company had an order for its new 13.3m ICON 42.

It came from a Papua New Guinea-based Australian who knew the Eureka, and enabled Formula to immediately begin work on its new model.

"The owner had the same vision as we did," said Woods. "A dedicated, compact sportfisher."

Launched in early December, Salt Shaker will soon be shipped to the PNG port of Madang, where it will be used for day game-fishing trips and overnight cruises.

As one would expect, it is absolutely nothing like that first Formula "40-footer", the Formula 4000.

Rather, the new ICON 42 is more like a classic American sportfisher. For example, there is no forward window in the saloon. Instead, a great expanse of white GRP leads down from the bimini-covered flybridge to the foredeck.

There is no denying that it is an unusual look. But a logo (either Formula's or one of the owner's) will probably soon be added to break up this large expanse of white.

Opinions vary as to why dedicated sportfishers prefer the "no forward windows" approach. Some believe it is to avoid any chance of leaking windows; others that it provides additional safety in stormy seas, or because, as sportfishing boats are always driven from above, there is no need for a lower helm.

Whatever the reason, an additional advantage is the freedom it gives to the interior designers. Large entertainment screens, for example, would not normally be placed against a panoramic window. But take away the window and under the eyebrow becomes a great place for such a screen, enabling it to be viewed from anywhere in the saloon - and even from the cockpit.

Salt Shaker, though, is a no-compromise fishing cockpit, with dedicated fishing tackle locker, liberal numbers of rod holders and the obligatory game chair. There is also a second freezer, a top-loading fridge, a central bait station, fresh and saltwater wash-down pumps, spacious fish bins (one refrigerated), additional tackle lockers, a wide-opening outward-hinged transom gate and a distinct lack of any type of boarding platform.

Being just 13.3m LOA, the vessel obviously has no room for an interior flybridge staircase without compromising the saloon area.

Formula has therefore sensibly opted to revert to a standard cockpit to bridge ladder. This leads to a bridge that has a GRP top surrounded by clears and which features a double-seat rear helm. Additional crew are accommodated on a forward bench seat and another settee to port.

Being an area where the skipper and crew will spend much of their time, it is well-appointed, too, with an ice bin, drink holders, copious stowage and an opening hatch in the hard top to catch the breeze on a hot day.

Formula offers the ICON 42 in two versions: conventional shaft-driven (with either a pair of Cummins 715hp QSM11s or twin 575hp Caterpillar C9s), or with two Volvo Penta IPS500 pod drives. Salt Shaker has a pair of the Cummins 715hp diesels and, as a result, a top speed of 36 knots.

It also has fairly standard layout for the conventional drive model. This is a two-cabin layout, with the master cabin to starboard and the forward guest cabin featuring three single berths. Both cabins also usually come with en suites. But on Salt Shaker, the owner has chosen to use this space for a secure, internal rod locker.

Those choosing pod drives have the master cabin forward and a full-width guest cabin aft. The galley and saloon are also considerably changed, because of the availability of more space and the raised saloon sole (with the engines repositioned aft under the cockpit sole, added storage areas are also available).

Salt Shaker's saloon is, in typical Formula fashion, a superbly designed and finished piece of craft.

With no lower helm, the starboard-side, L-shaped dinette is well forward in the saloon, rather than starting a fair way back. It surrounds a fixed timber cherry table, and a 42" LCD TV is on the forward bulkhead.

Over on port, there is another settee which slides out and converts to another double berth. This has been set further back to accommodate the galley that, unusually these days, has been set well forward.

Although compact, it has generous servery areas, a large, recessed sink, twin-element ceramic hob, convection microwave, large fridge/freezer and more than adequate stowage.

Like all Formula models, the new ICON 42 not only looks good, it performs well, too. The hull features a fine entry, warping to 14 degrees at the transom. With a wide 4.55m beam, it is extremely stable and the flared bow hooks away the spray, leaving a very dry ship.

With one already sold and several other sales apparently in the pipeline, Formula appears to have, once again, read the trends correctly.

With a base price of just under seven figures, the vessel is also likely to appeal to those looking to downsize without compromising on quality, as well as to those looking to move up to a true luxury cruiser.

Formula ICON 42

LOA: 13.3m

Hull length: 12.86m

Beam: 4.57m

Draft: 1.1m

Displacement (dry): 13,000kg

Max speed: 36 knots

Cruise speed: 30 knots

Construction: Composite GRP with solid glass bottom and foam cored sides

Fuel capacity: 2500 litres

Water capacity: 500 litres

Engines: 2x715 hp Cummins QSM11

Want to know more?
Check out Barry Thompson's review of the new Formula ICON 42 in the January/February issue of Pacific Powerboat magazine .