Formosa 580 Tomahawk Offshore X Bowrider: Review

Formosa is taking versatility to the extreme with its X bowrider range. These great-looking plate-alloy boats are cleverly designed for a mix of fishing, family boating and tow-sports. The model range extends from a 5.2m to the flagship 7.4m hull size. For this review, we secured the mid-sized 580 powered by Suzuki's lightweight four cylinder DF200A.

OVERVIEW
- Formosa’s crossover X series for a mix of boating activities
Since establishing the Formosa brand back in 1998, Managing Director, Duncan Blakley, has worked hard to deliver a range of well-designed, great-value and well-appointed aluminium boats. But one of Formosa's more innovative creations is the X Bowrider.

These multi-function craft are designed for modern families whom want to participate in all kinds of boating activities — from offshore sportfishing through to wakeboarding and water skiing. From a Formosa X Bowrider you can do all of these things with surprisingly little compromise.

The Formosa X Bowrider series started with a single model, but they are now available in a most sizes across the full Formosa and Formosa Sea-Rod boat ranges.

For this test review we have the original, and arguably the most versatile model, the Formosa 580 Tomahawk X Bowrider in the Offshore configuration.

If you have read some of our recent Formosa reviews you might recall that Formosa's Offshore models have a fully welded, sealed and self-draining aluminium cockpit floor. In contrast, the entry-point Classic series boats have a few less features and are made with a carpeted plywood floor.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- $75k but appointed with a huge range of features and equipment
Formosa boats have always been very well equipped from the factory and the new 580 X Bowrider is no exception. The X series is a step up from the standard bowrider and is priced and outfitted accordingly.

The contemporary-looking, fold-down alloy hardtop is standard on this model — and incorporates a four-rod rocket launcher, wake board tow-point, sturdy aft hand rails, and a navigation running light.

The unique looking hardtop supporting struts also have a futuristic looking "knuckle" design with hollow cylinders which house the four speakers for the Fusion stereo system.

Some of the other great standard features include a bowrider seating area which converts into a flat, carpeted casting platform for anglers; elevated helm and windscreen so you can drive offshore while standing up; deluxe swivelling and sliding helm chairs with lift-up bolsters; fold-down cockpit side seats; rear transom door and boarding ladder; carpeted anchor well; glove box; trailer auto tow-catch; foam flotation (to Basic standard) and loads of storage space.

With all of the above great features (and more), the Brisbane Formosa dealer Australian Marine Centre had standard boat packages priced from around $56k.

This starter package — if you can call it that with all the included features — includes a Suzuki 140hp four-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering and digital engine gauge, Redco galvanised steel tandem-axle braked trailer, inshore safety gear pack, and 12 months QLD boat and trailer registrations.

Now that's exceptional value for a maximised, fully kitted 5.8m plate-alloy trailerboat.

Our test boat was supplied with a number of options which lift the package price to $74,900. The biggest expense was upgrading the outboard engine to the maximum power 200hp outboard, in the form of Suzuki's lightweight in-line four cylinder DF200A four-stroke outboard.

The boat was also rigged with a lighter-weight aluminium Redco trailer along with orange-coloured hull paint, a Garmin echoMAP 95sv fish finder/GPS, GME VHF radio, Fusion stereo with targa mounted speakers, dual batteries, bait board/live bait tank, extra bench seat across the transom, kill tank, deck lights, deck-wash, and a custom bow boarding ladder.

The latter is a great new optional feature Formosa has introduced to make it easier to board your boat from the beach. The design of the ladder is among the best we have seen; strong, rigid and with sturdy hand rails at the top to make it quite easy to climb over the bow.

Importantly, we are told you can still fit an electric anchor winch in the carpeted anchor well and leave the anchor mounted in the bow roller.

INTERIOR LAYOUT
- Versatile layout caters for fishing, family boating and social tow-sports
In addition to the trick new bow boarding ladder you'll find a very comfortable seating area up forward with two big vinyl-upholstered cushions and a very nicely padded wrap-around backrest which encircles the bow area.

There is storage space beneath the seating area and you can fit the included centre infill board and cushion to convert the forward area into one large double sun lounge.

However, remove the cushions and you have a two-angler carpeted casting deck. This elevated platform is very sturdy and solid... and the carpet provides an excellent non-slip surface, as well as dampening any noise from a dropped lure or sinker, etc.

For impoundment fishing or chasing lizards over the sandflats, you might consider fitting a bow-mount electric trolling motor. A platform for the trolling motor is optional. There is ample space for deep-cycle batteries under the seating area, too.

A centre-opening, three front-pane acrylic windscreen separates the bow compartment from the helm and rear cockpit.

Formosa has eschewed the trick curved windscreens currently in favour for a regular and, arguably, more practical traditional screen with separate side panes.

For offshore anglers, Formosa has also mounted the windscreen on a raised alloy-deck platform, which lifts the dash, windscreen and entire helm position up nearly as high as it would be in a cuddy cabin. This allows the skipper to drive the boat comfortably while standing up... and with excellent shelter and security beneath the hardtop.

Port and starboard consoles are situated beneath the windscreen on either side of the centre companionway. The port side console has a flat dash for bracket-mounted gear as well as a glove box for keys, phones, etc.

The larger helm console opposite has provision for the standard switch panel, engine instruments, and sports steering wheel. There is also ample flat panel space in the fascia to flush fit a VHF radio, stereo head unit, as well as a moderate-sized electronics display.

For the skipper and forward passenger, Formosa has rigged the X Bowrider with deluxe bucket helm chairs mounted on storage boxes. The chairs are very comfortable and they swivel 360 degrees and slide fore and aft. A padded bolster at the front lifts up and back so you can configure the seat for driving the boat while seated or standing up.

In the rear cockpit, there are two additional padded bench seats which fold down from the elevated side storage pockets. The design is unique and clever as the seat panels sit flush with the side decks when folded away, but when hinged down they provide seating for four people.

For small children, the bench seats are ideal as they are low-set and will help contain youngsters safely within the confines of the cockpit.

Our test boat was fitted with a third bench seat which is an option. It folds out from the transom wall, behind which there is a Sopac hatch providing access to the batteries and bilge compartment.

At a glance, you might think the X Bowrider is only going to be suitable for family boating and social tow-sports. However, I see no reason why you can't take this boat offshore sport fishing, which is, of course, why the X bowrider is considered a crossover boat.

Fishing-friendly features include wide side decks, deep cockpit freeboard (between 660-680mm), uncluttered (keeping in mind the seats fold-up) 2.6m overall cockpit length, bow fishing deck, optional underfloor kill tank, and Formosa's optional bait board/live bait tank station that is mounted over the centre of the transom.

ON THE WATER
- 40-knot top speed and heaps of grunt from maximum power outboard
We have tested Formosa's 580 series hull before and it's a beauty — one of the best in the entire range, in fact. I am not sure why this is the case, but it can likely be attributed to its waterline length in combination with the hull's sharp entry shape, 2.45m beam,18.5-degree transom deadrise and wide chine flats.

The Formosa 580 series hull certainly works a treat out in the bay and offshore, providing a comfortable ride with excellent stability underway and at rest.

The hull throws a bit of water about, but most of this is shed away from the boat, thanks to the bullish, flared-bow shape, high topsides, and pronounced outer spray chine.

In a following sea, and with the breeze on the beam, the hull runs straight with excellent lateral and fore and aft balance. A set of trim tabs would be useful on this boat in rough weather, but is by no means a requirement.

The 18.5-degree vee hull will also perform well with moderate outboar power. Our test boat was rigged with a big 200hp Suzuki outboard, but you can expect solid performance with a single outboard in the 130-140hp range.

That said, we'd opt for the maximum power for family boating and the tow-sport activities for which this boat is also designed.

With Suzuki's smooth running, yet lightweight F200A in-line four-cylinder (ultra-longshaft) outboard on the transom, the boat was strong, responsive and agile through the mid range, winding out to 6200rpm and a top speed of 40 knots.

From our recorded data, the Formosa boat/Suzuki engine combination proved most economical while running at 3000rpm for a boat speed of 15.8 knots and a fuel burn of 12.1l/ph. This gives the boat a maximum range of 248.1nm on 95 per cent (after line losses) of the boat's 200lt fuel supply.

VERDICT
- A terrific family/fishing crossover boat with excellent performance, lots of unique features
Formosa has really lifted its game in recent years with regard to the design, quality and fit-out of its boats. The company has also introduced a succession of great new models — and this 580 X Bowrider is yet another one.

The 580 X Bowrider is an eye-catching plate-alloy platform for all kinds of boating and fishing activities. Take a few mates offshore sportfishing, tackle the dams and impoundments for bass and barra, cruise the bay or harbour with family and friends, or grab the kids for an afternoon of ski/wakeboard/tubing fun.

You can do all of these activities and more from Formosa's new 580 X Bowrider. It's a ripper new boat, and one that we thoroughly recommend to both newcomers and experienced boaters and fishermen.

LIKES
>> Versatile layout and design
>> Great value given standard inclusions
>> 40 knot performance with Suzuki DF200A
>> Elevated helm for offshore stand-up driving
>> Spacious bow seating area/casting deck
>> Clever rear folding bench seating
>> Innovative folding hardtop/targa design
>> Solid plate alloy construction with smooth topsides

NOT SO MUCH
>> No stern cleats
>> A windscreen grab rail would be handy for the skipper

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.84/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.8/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 5.0/5.0
On the water performance: 4.7/5.0
Value for money: 4.7/5.0
X-factor: 5.0/5.0

PERFORMANCE - SPEED
4.2kts (7.8km/h) @ 1000rpm
5.5kts (10.2km/h) @ 1500rpm
7.0kts (12.9km/h) @ 2000rpm
8.3kts (15.3km/h) @ 2500rpm
15.8kts (29.2km/h) @ 3000rpm
19.2kts (35.5km/h) @ 3500rpm
24.4kts (45.1km/h) @ 4000rpm
28.0kts (51.8km/h) @ 4500rpm
32.4kts (60.0km/h) @ 5000rpm
35.1kts (64.0km/h) @ 5500rpm
37.9kts (70.1km/h) @ 6000rpm
40.0kts (74.0km/h) @ 6200rpm (WOT)

PERFORMANCE - ECONOMY
2.8 l/ph @ 1000rpm
4.5 l/ph @ 1500rpm
7.1 l/ph @ 2000rpm
10.0 l/ph @ 2500rpm
12.1 l/ph @ 3000rpm
17.9 l/ph @ 3500rpm
24.6 l/ph @ 4000rpm
30.6 l/ph @ 4500rpm
40.4 l/ph @ 5000rpm
51.7 l/ph @ 5500rpm
65.1 l/ph @ 6000rpm
66.7 l/ph @ 6200rpm (WOT)

MAXIMUM RANGE ON 95 PER CENT OF 200l FUEL TANK: 248.10nm @ 3000rpm

Specifications: Formosa 580 Tomahawk Offshore X Bowrider
Price as tested: $74,900 including a Suzuki 200hp four-stroke extra-longshaft (25in) outboard with hydraulic steering and digital engine gauge, a Redco tandem-axle aluminium trailer with mechanical brakes and spare wheel, coloured hull paint, Garmin echoMAP 95sv fish finder/GPS, GME VHF radio, Fusion stereo with targa mounted speakers, dual batteries, bait board/live-bait tank, extra bench seat across transom, kill tank, deck lights, deck wash, custom bow boarding ladder, offshore safety gear pack, and 12 months QLD boat and trailer registrations.
Priced from: $55,900 including a Suzuki 140hp four-stroke extra-longshaft (25in) outboard, a Redco tandem-axle galvanised steel trailer with mechanical brakes, inshore safety gear pack, and 12 months QLD boat and trailer registrations.

Length overall: 6.0m
Hull length: 5.8m
Beam: 2.45m
Deadrise: 18.5 degrees
Hull weight: 950kg
Weight on trailer: Approx 1,700kg (dry)
Bottom & transom alloy: 4.0mm
Topsides alloy: 4.0mm
Maximum power: 200hp
Engine as tested: Suzuki 200hp four-stroke
Fuel capacity: 200L
Flotation standard: Basic
Maximum persons: Seven