▶ Watch More Cult Classics Episodes:
• Cult Classics
▶ Subscribe:
ukposts.info?su...
In the fourth episode of Cult Classics, YachtWorld delves into the storied history of Formula Boats. Formula has a rich heritage dating back to the early high-speed days on Miami’s Thunderboat Row, where the company was founded by Don Aronow after he witnessed Dick Bertram win the first Miami to Nassau offshore race in 1960. Formula's combination of high performance and quality has earned them a devoted following and positioned them as a top powerboat builder and an iconic American manufacturer. Formula's celebrated Formula 233 deep-V hull design achieved multiple victories in national offshore racing, which helped to establish the company's reputation for high performance, quality, and versatility. Some even consider it to be the most imitated hull design ever.
The Porter Family took over Formula in the 1970s and continued the brand's legacy, introducing several exceptional hulls, including the legendary Formula 302 LS high-performance offshore boat, the SR line and the FAS³Tech™ stepped hull boats. In 2003, boats from the Formula catalog won the World Championships for the American Power Boat Association, and in 2006, a Formula-sponsored Unlimited Hydroplane won first place in the American Boat Racing Association's National High Points race. As the high-performance market began to wane, Formula shifted its focus towards the high-end family performance boating segment. They introduced new boat lines, including Sun Sports, FASTECHs, Super Sports, Yachts, Crossovers, and Center Consoles, catering to consumers seeking a combination of luxury, quality, and performance.
Today, Formula builds all of its boats in a 575,000 square foot facility in Decatur, Indiana. Vic Porter, who spent over 60 years in the boating industry, left his legacy to his children, making Formula not only a household name but also a strong, independent family-run business building quality American-made products.
Content
0:00 Intro
0:11 Formula Boats Overview
1:48 Company Origins
2:15 Early Fiberglass Boats
2:37 Thunderbird Boats founded in 1956 by Woody Woodson
2:49 First Stern Drive Crossing Miami to Nassau
3:05 Vic Porter founds Duo Inc in 1958
3:33 Don Aronow Moves to Miami in 1959
3:44 Dick Bertram 1960 Moppie Race
3:57 Don Aronow Founds Formula Boats in 1962
4:10 Thunderboat Row in Miami 1960s
4:20 Formula 233 Deep V Victories
4:40 C. Raymond Hunt Designs Formula 233
5:06 Don Aronow and The Beatles on Formula 233
5:33 Duo Inc Sells to Stacraft in 1966
5:56 John Adams Boat Designer
6:08 Signa Boats
6:20 Thunderbird Formula Signa Merge
6:31 Formula 255 debuts in 1975
6:40 Vic Porter Buys Formula Thunderbird
6:54 Porter Family Next Generation Enters Business
7:15 Formula 301 Debuts in 1979
7:36 Signa Boats Discontinued
7:43 Offshore Deep V Hulls of the 1980s
7:59 Formula K5 Catamaran H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Race Boat
8:13 Betty Cook World Champ Race Boat Driver
9:26 Scott Porter Races Formula SR1 Secret Formula in 1985
9:50 Formula Departs Florida to Decatur Indiana
10:31 Formula 242
10:29 Formula Sun Sport Series
10:50 Formula 382 and Fas3Tech Hulls
11:05 Formula 382
11:12 Chuck Sprague 382 FastTech
11:27 Formula 400 Super Sport
▶ Find Formula Boats for sale:
www.yachtworld.com/boats-for-...
▶ Subscribe:
ukposts.info?su...
#formula #formulaboats #boats #yachts #cultclassics #thunderbird #thunderbirdboats #thunderbirdformula #formularacing #racing #raceboats #powerboats #offshorepowerboats #donaronow #vicporter #dickbertram #yachtworld #yachtlife #boating #boatlife