Description

FORMULA 48 MOTOR YACHT

FULLY BUILT AND READY TO DISPLAY MUSEUM QUALITY SHIP MODEL

Dimension approx.: 36″ (long) x 12″ (wide) x 9″ (high)
The model is already built. THIS IS NOT A MODEL SHIP KIT

When Formula introduced the 48 Yacht in the mid‑2000s, it marked a defining moment for a company long associated with offshore performance. For decades, Formula’s identity had been shaped by Don Aronow’s 1960s racing legacy and the deep‑V hulls that dominated competitive powerboating. Under the Porter family’s stewardship — beginning in 1976 and continuing through major expansions in Indiana — the brand evolved into a builder of sophisticated, high‑quality cruisers. The 48 Yacht became the culmination of that evolution: the largest, most luxurious, and most technically ambitious vessel Formula had ever produced.

Designed by longtime Formula naval architect John Adams, the 48 Yacht was conceived as a true flagship — not simply an enlarged version of the earlier 47, but a complete redesign from the keel up. Adams created a deeper, longer modified‑V hull with prop pockets to improve efficiency and reduce draft, giving the boat a remarkably solid, predictable ride. Formula positioned the 48 as a “Man O’ War” of cruising yachts, a vessel that combined the company’s racing heritage with the comfort and amenities expected in a premium motor yacht.

Power came from twin 660‑hp Cummins QSM11 diesels, the only engine package offered. With this setup, the 48 cruised comfortably around 30 knots and could top 33 knots in ideal conditions — impressive numbers for a 35,000‑lb yacht carrying 400 gallons of fuel and accommodations for up to 14 passengers. Fuel burn averaged roughly 1.5 gallons per mile, a testament to the hull’s efficiency and the engines’ torque-rich performance.

Inside, the 48 Yacht delivered the kind of upscale environment that set Formula apart in the express‑cruiser market. The salon offered more than seven feet of headroom, with rich cherrywood joinery, Ultraleather seating, and designer fabrics that gave the space a warm, contemporary feel. The large L‑shaped galley rivaled those found on small motor yachts, while the aft stateroom — complete with private head and shower — provided true guest‑suite comfort. Details such as the tilting LCD television, integrated storage solutions, and high‑end hardware underscored Formula’s reputation for meticulous craftsmanship.

Above deck, the cockpit was designed for social cruising, with seating for ten, a well‑organized helm, and the reliability of inboard propulsion — a choice favored by owners who valued durability and ease of maintenance over the complexity of pod systems.

Produced from 2005 through 2007, the Formula 48 Yacht enjoyed a relatively brief manufacturing window, but its impact on the brand was significant. It demonstrated Formula’s ability to build not just fast boats, but refined cruising yachts capable of long‑range comfort and offshore confidence. The 48 remains one of the most admired models in the company’s history — a vessel that successfully merged high‑performance lineage with luxury‑yacht sophistication.

Today, the Formula 48 Yacht stands as a symbol of the company’s maturity under the Porter family and its commitment to innovation. It represents the moment when Formula’s racing DNA and its craftsmanship-driven cruiser philosophy met at full scale. For many enthusiasts, the 48 remains the ultimate expression of what Formula Boats could achieve: speed, strength, and style, all delivered with the precision of a builder that never forgot its offshore roots.