FORMULA 387 CCF

Formula's first center-console shows a surprising level of fishy sophistication.

- Alan Jones

For a company that hasn't built a center-console since the 1980s, Formula will impress anglers with its 387 Center Console Fish (CCF). Its thoughtful design and clever innovations set it apart from the cookie-cutter boats that abound in the center-console genre.

Stepping aboard the 387 CCF at the dock in Miami was easy thanks to the long swim platformettes bracketing both sides of its 2-foot-7-inch-long outboard engine bracket. Another entry point is the portside dive door. The fishing cockpit has 51 square feet of space, and a cockpit gunwale height of 30 inches adds to angler safety and comfort. Toe rails offer extra security when fighting or gaffing fish. Its credentials as a serious fishing machine are quickly revealed with features like twin 40-gallon livewells set into the transom that have both white and red lights (the latter to protect night vision), along with pressurized lids to reduce sloshing, and recirculating pumps mounted in a sea chest to prevent air from entering.

The 387 CCF offers standard 18-foot outriggers, twin in-floor 90-gallon fish boxes (cold plates optional), and an option for four 12-volt DC outlets ($2,265) for electric deep-drop and kite reels.