Edencraft Formula 233: Fishing Trailerboat Review

They say imitation is the best form of flattery and the world-famous Formula 233 hull is one of the most copied in Australian boating history. We were reminded why during our recent speed runs with a brand-new Formula 233 powered by twin 200hp Suzuki outboards and packed with plenty of cool kit.

OVERVIEW
- An offshore sportfisher with Don Aronow pedigre
Ever since the Formula 233 hull's rise to fame at the hands of American offshore powerboat-racing legend Don Aronow in the early 1960s, this exceptional boat has turned heads, wowed owners, and lived on.

Edencraft Boats near Geelong is partly responsible for the resurrection of the Formula 233 and continues to build these Australian offshore weapons today.

The boat’s timeless lines are irresistible, they make you look twice whether it’s on the water or being towed on a trailer, and during our latest run with the 6.0M Offshore sister ship we were again reminded of this boat's impressive performance.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Building the best isn't about tight budgets
The price of the Formula 233 rig as tested was $165k including twin Suzuki DF200A outboards and the Easytow aluminium trailer SA.70-4000T.

Our test boat included some big options, notably, the electronics. There was a Furuno FCV295 with SS175HW 1kw transducer, a Garmin 7412 plotter, plus a Lone Star anchor winch, Lenco trim tabs, stainless steel package, bimini and clears, and survey standard fit-up (electrical & plumbing).

DECKS AND LAYOUT
- Extensive cockpit with fortress-like safety
Stepping into the Formula 233 from the jetty, the high gunwales immediately instill a fortress-like level of safety. The internal freeboard of 890mm mid-ships, tapering to 825mm back aft, gives a terrific feeling of security when working the deck.

Our test boat was armed with stainless snapper racks for vast rod placement options. The rocket launcher provided for a dozen outfits, so there is no issue with bringing a ute-full of tackle!

Gazing back to the stern, the tackle station area had a solid baitboard installed, a large central live well for the slimies or squid baits, however the hatch to the tank was a little awkward to open under the bait board.

Storage lockers flank the cockpit side, with the batteries in the transom corners. The underfloor kill tank will stow sizeable fish like big snapper, school tuna, mahi mahi and keeper kingfish.

The sturdy side pockets do have more room to mount horizontal rod and gaff storage, although the dive door on the starboard side and the fuel line to port means that you don't gain their full length.

But in respect of cockpit space, this is a beast. Idling down Patterson River to the entrance of Port Philip bay, the engines seemed a long, long way back. All the open deck space of the 233 is a highlight.

The boat was fitted with a bimini and clears, with room for three people standing abreast at the helm. The visibility when looking through the gap between the windscreen and clears was compromised when standing at my height, but the set-up of the clears is left to each owner’s personal requirements and is easily tailored to suit.

This boat was fitted with a dedicated sounder and GPS unit (each 12in screens), which were neatly flush-mounted into the driver's dashboard. The cabin door at the centre of the helm does reduce the dash real estate to a degree.

There's room for a 16inch screen, but in order to fit two units (which is common practice by fishos today) you will need to trade down on screen size if retaining all the other display gauges.

Inside the cabin is a lot of room to store gear, with the infill up the middle and some cushioning provided for a catnap if you need it.

The wiring fit-up viewed inside the cabin behind the dash was beautifully executed and a credit to the dealer Davey Marine.

Another neat detail was the alternative dive door infill added by the owner, which made it more effective when fishing.                  

HULL AND ENGINEERING
- Survey standard build quality for rough water
Edencraft uses a Matrix build system with a fibreglass floor and boxed stringers, and a hand-laid build process comprising biaxial cloth, woven roving and composite glass. Infused with fire retardant closed cell foam, this creates a stiff and quiet hull with positive buoyancy.

At 1600kg for the hull only, it's also a heavy rig, which is a good thing at sea as it ensures the deep-vee hull is carving through the water.

Maritime survey build certification is an option and for more details about this and commercial build standards you should contact Edencraft. Suffice to say, the boats are built tough and finished to a very appropriate commercial standard, with plenty of beautiful gleaming gelcoat and stainless steel to add to the eye candy.

ON THE WATER
- A great revisit of a hit performer
Having been on other Formula 233 hulls, some of which were powered by 400-450hp of the two-stroke outboard variety, I was keen to see how the twin 200hp Suzuki four strokes performed.

The 400 ponies had the boat up and about with absolutely no shortcomings, but the review day saw a dark and gloomy morning on Port Philip Bay, with cold but gentle winds. The resulting water conditions were benign for this boat and the 233 frolicked in the bay chop.

After creating snappy hole-shot, the Suzuki outboards hummed effortlessly as the boat continued right up to 48 knots at 5800rpm wide-open-throttle. Yeeha! But even before we launched, I knew the ride would be something special simply by running my hand down the hull's deep and sharp stem and up its flared bow. It feels like a knife.

Swinging the three-blade Suzuki 16in x 20in props, the cruise at 28-31 knots and 4000rpm is ideal for this ocean-going boat designed for mowing down swell at speed and in comfort. The Formula 233 is noithing if not a seakindly boat.

Aaron, the owner, previously had a reputable plate boat of similar size. He was chasing marlin and tuna, anywhere from the NSW south coast to South Australia, and out wide. He said he just wanted "to fish and do it easier." A hardtop will be fitted later.

Having said that, the Formula 233 is not a boat for newbies. It needs to be skippered by an "experienced: driver or its true performance won’t be realised.

The boat can lay in and bank hard in tight turns and can be a tad unnerving. But this is exactly the time to give it some stick and it will just rip out of the apex and bound away.

A combination of trimming engines, occasional use of the tabs and the right dose of throttle all come into play when driving the hull to conquer just about any conditions.

The boat does sit high at typical cruise speeds compared to other boats. But the ride improves when it’s driven hard and the acoustics are such that the landings are smooth.     

VERDICT
- A great offshore weapon
While some critics score the Formula 233 low marks for stability at rest, I can’t say it’s not an unstable boat. It’s a deep vee, but there is decent weight in the build lay-up and it doesn’t rock and roll.

Fact is, even today, the 233 has few competitors when it comes to performance at speed and the ability to chalk up long sea runs in comfort. You’ll be out on the grounds first, fishing there longer and back home when others will be white knuckled and getting smashed.

This is not a skinny water boat, with a draft of 0.40m, so deep ramps and good access to the sea are required.  

Furthermore, the estimated weight of the boat on road nudges 3.4t, before being fully loaded with all the typical gear needed for game fishing. So you need the right tow vehicle to complement this rig.

But once you slip it off the trailer, start the twin 200s, dial up your waypoint and go, the 233 will take care of the rest. It does it with swagger.

All these years later, the Formula 233 remains a very special sportfisher with pedigree and performance.                     

LIKES
>> The commercial grade construction delivers performance and comfort                                                                            
 >> Large working deck space                                                                                          
>> Engine configuration (power and efficiency)                                       
>> Dive door idea by owner         
>> No bow rail fitted retains the classic droop of the 233 bow    

NOT SO MUCH
>> Visibility a bit difficult due to clears and bimini set up                     
>> Live well hatch awkward butting against bait-board when opening                                              

RATINGS
Overall Rating:
Mechanical/equipment: 5/5.0    
Packaging and Practicality: 4.5/5.0    
On the Water Performance: 5/5.0    
Value for Money: 4.5/5.0    
X-factor: 4.0/5.0    

Specifications; Edencraft Formula 233
Price as Tested: $165k including twin Suzuki 200hp four-stroke outboards with Easytow aluminium trailer SA.70-4000T, and options including Furuno FCV295-SS175HW 1kw transducer, Garmin 7412 plotter, Lone Star anchor winch, Lenco trim tabs, stainless steel package, bimini and  lears, and survey standard fit-up (electrical and plumbing).
Priced From: $135k

LOA (standard): 7.10m
Beam: 2.40m
Weight: 1600kg dry hull only
Fuel Capacity: 370lt
Bridge Clearance on Trailer: 2900mm
Engine as Tested: 2 x  Suzuki DF200A
Maximum Horsepower: 2 x 300hp
Minimum Horsepower: 2 x 150hp
Deadrise at Transom: 24 degrees
Hull Draft: 0.4m
Cockpit Area: 7sq m
Warranty: 5 years (structural)

Supplied by:
Davey Marine
Factory 2, 100 Bald Hill Road
Pakenham, Victoria 3810
Ph: 1300 262 883
Email: info@daveymarine.com.au
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