Formula 21

In an era of high-tech boat building, design and construction methods, it's interesting to note some tried and proven hulls still give the 'latest and greatest' a run for their money.

While computer design programs allow boat manufacturers to produce ergonomic interiors that make maximum use of available space, many of their hull designs remain relatively unchanged. I guess it's often a case of 'if it's not broken, don't fix it'. While every boat manufacturer strives to build a better boat, in reality there are only subtle changes ever made to proven hull designs.

One hull that has remained unchanged since its inception in the early 1960s was designed in the US by Jim Wynne and Don Aronow. Back then, this ageless hull was known as a Donzi 19, but is now badged a Formula 21 and is being built and marketed by Formula Power Boats Australia.

The Formula 21 has unmistakable similarities with the legendary Formula 233, hull which was also designed by Wynne and Aronow.

Formula Power Boats Australia is based at Bulleen, in Victoria, and uses the inhospitable Bass Strait as the testing ground for its craft. The Formula 21 is currently available in both recreational and commercial versions, with the commercial version built to survey. We tested both boats, so check out the adjacent box story for details on the pro model.

INSTINCTIVE DESIGN
As the two Formula 21s rolled up to the boat ramp my instincts immediately told me these were going to be good sea boats.

The Formula 21 has characteristics which, unfortunately, are lacking in many modern hulls. I believe, a nice deep-vee at the transom and a heavily flared bow are essential ingredients to produce a dry, soft riding offshore hull. The Formula 21 has both.

But there was only one way to find out, so we slid the boats from their Easy-Tow trailers and headed for a sloppy Port Phillip Bay.

The testboat was fitted with a 200hp Mercury Optimax outboard spinning a 19-inch Mirage stainless steel propeller. The 200hp Optimax provided outstanding acceleration which got the Formula 21 up and planing in an instant with very little bow lift.

The Formula 21 ate the short sharp chop at the entrance of the Patterson River and as we headed out to the more exposed parts of the bay it seemed to revel in the conditions.

Accelerating up the face of the waves to allow our photographer to get some dramatic shots, we were getting quite a lot of air. The pleasant surprise was how flat the hull rode (flew!) and how soft the landings that followed were... It didn't take long to work out this really is a special hull.

We did all the crazy things one normally does during boat tests, and while the living daylights were scared out of the passengers, I could not fault the boat.

Comfortable cruise speeds were in the 50-60kmh bracket, while a couple of quick squirts downsea saw us hitting around 80kmh.

Sea conditions didn't allow for safe WOT operation, however, the 200hp Optimax is reported to push the Formula 21 along at close to 100kmh. That's quick in anyone's language and also an indication you could get away with a considerably smaller outboard if speed isn't the 'be all and end all'.

WHAT'S THE FORMULA?
The Formula 21 has an LOA of 6.4m including outboard pod and bowsprit, with a hull only length of 5.9m. It features a moulded beam of 2.39m and a variable deadrise with 20° at the transom.

Construction is 100% hand-laid fibreglass using double roving cloths and isophthalic resins. Gelcoat is also isophthalic resin with a vinylester barrier skincoat. Stringers are resin-impregnated timber encapsulated in fibreglass, as well as being bonded to the hull.

The testboat was fitted with two bait wells incorporated in the transom with the portside well being plumbed for livies. A removable bait board is mounted atop the transom and padded cockpit padding is located against the transom bulkhead.

A removable vinyl cover clips off to reveal batteries, oil reservoir and storage compartment which are thoughtfully raised above the deck.

Sidepockets are also raised for toe placement and run the full length of the cockpit on both port and starboardsides. Above each side pocket are horizontal holders for rods, gaffs and tagpoles.

Coaming height is good at 790mm and gunwales feature four flush mounted rodholders, outrigger bases and heavy-duty stainless steel cleats.

The cockpit itself is huge at 3.1m x 1.9m and drains to an isolated bilge compartment with high-volume bilge pump. Centrally located beneath the cockpit sole are a good-sized kill tank and a 180lt fuel tank.

Both the helmsman and passenger are treated with top-quality Raeline pedestal seats with swivel and slide mechanisms which were mounted on custom stainless posts with bolts glassed into the deck. You felt really safe in these seats with absolutely no flex whatsoever.

The helmsman is greeted with a sports steering wheel and a full compliment of flush mounted gauges. There is also a GME 27mhz radio, stereo and Humminbird NS25 GPS/sonar/plotter. Vision through the laminated glass windscreen for the seated helmsman was good, although the gear and throttle control felt a little high.

A moulded footrest is also provided for the helmsman, as is a Sopac hatch for storing odds and ends. Small sidepockets are also adjacent to helm and passenger seating and recessed EPIRB and fire extinguisher are in easy reach.

Necessary protection from the elements is provided by a collapsible bimini-top and removable clears.

The cabin is small but provides enough space to keep gear out of the weather. Padded sidepockets are located along port and starboard bulkheads with life jacket storage below. Small padded seats are also provided. A fair-sized hatch in the cabin roof provides access to a generous anchor locker.

The anchor is nicely incorporated in the bowsprit with heavy-duty stainless cross-bollard and cleats provided for tying off.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL
Everywhere you looked on the Formula 21 you couldn't help but notice the application of high quality fittings and almost pedantic attention to detail. I noticed things as simple as screw heads with all slots perfectly lined up. You know when someone goes to this much trouble a boat has been painstakingly put together with no shortcuts. And neither should there be... A classic hull deserves classic workmanship.

It just goes to show, you can teach an old dog new tricks. While this great hull has 40 years of history behind it, the new Formula 21 looks every bit a 2000 model boat.

It's heart warming to see the entire boat building industry is not totally overcome by computer design and traditional construction methods can still be competitive. I'm sure if Wynne and Aronow were still around today they would be proud to see their Donzi 19 hull still going strong in the year 2000.

PROFESSIONAL FORMULA
The commercial version of the Formula 21 is based on exactly the same hull as the recreational version with a few features beefed-up to meet survey requirements.

The testboat was in bare commercial form, and while it did look a little agricultural on closer inspection, the same attention to detail was noticeable.

The test boat was fitted with twin 115hp two-stroke carburetted Johnson outboards spinning 19-inch standard alloy props.

The twin Johnsons provided excellent acceleration and top-end speed although once again WOT was not achieved in the sloppy conditions. Performance-wise, the recreational and the commercial versions performed similarly although the twin motors seemed to limit the radical high-speed turning ability a little.

Noticeable differences between the two models included a solid fibreglass 'screen, beefed-up cleats and anchoring hardware and stainless steel steering wheel. Of course, many of the creature comforts and bells and whistles were absent and befitted this boat's role as a workhorse.

There were no seats on the testboat which obviously makes sense with a solid windscreen. The flare of the hull seemed to encroach into the helm area a little, which meant you couldn't spread the legs to brace yourself. I think, especially for single-handed commercial operators, a central helm would be a good idea on this boat.

The test boat also had an optional lift-out door in the starboard side.
Being a semi-custom boat builder, Formula Power Boats Australia can customise the interior of the Formula 21 to meet the customer's requirements.