Déjà vu hit me the moment my husband, Gary, and I climbed aboard the Formula 380 Super Sport Crossover (SSC) Outboard at Keystone Point Marina in Miami. A year earlier we had test-driven a nearly identical 380 SSC, but that model hid twin 520-hp Mercury Racing sterndrives beneath an expansive swim platform. This version carried its propulsion package above the waterline: three supercharged 450-hp Mercury Racing 450R outboards, a very different approach with similar looks from bow to transom.
Vic Spellberg, a longtime Formula captain and our guide on the earlier sterndrive test, was at the helm again. With better weather and a longer route planned, we plotted a run to Key Largo—about 67 nautical miles away—so we could tie up at Gilbert’s Resort Tiki Bar for lunch and then run a performance trial afterward. Vic mentioned the outboard version has a higher top speed than the sterndrive model, so we were eager to see how much faster it would be.
Heading south along the Intracoastal Waterway to Baker’s Haulover Inlet, we passed several small anchorages where most transoms were already bristling with outboards. I wondered why Formula chose to release the sterndrive 380 SSC before launching this outboard variant. John Adams, Formula’s longtime designer, explained that early design conversations leaned toward an outboard arrangement, but Thunderbird Products (Formula’s parent company) wanted to respect the brand’s existing sterndrive customer base. The sterndrive 380 SSC was introduced first as a nod to those loyal owners, and the outboard option followed.
Both versions share Formula’s performance-oriented deep-V hull with a 21-degree deadrise aft and two steps, a hull designed for confident handling offshore. To accommodate triple outboards, the outboard hull was modified so the heavy engines sit on the transom rather than inboard. That change freed up significant storage where the inboard powerplant used to be and required a redesigned swim platform. The platform now features “wings” extending around the motors to provide more space for launching water toys and tended to incorporate Formula’s optional Sport Station—a padded rail with drink holders mounted just forward of the outboards that makes a comfortable perch for enjoying the view.
We ran outside in the Atlantic under light 1- to 2-foot seas and a gentle breeze. From the three-person helm seat with flip-up bolster and molded footrest, visibility from the starboard driver’s position was excellent. Overhead electric sunroofs were open and the side vents were cracked for airflow, though helm air conditioning is available. The 450R outboards were notably quiet underway; cruising at 24–26 knots past Miami’s South Beach hotels, I recorded 85.7 dB-A—more of a whoosh than a roar.
Turning into Biscayne Bay, we skimmed across calm water and pushed the boat to about 43 knots for an easy run toward Key Largo. Two hours after leaving North Miami we tied up at Gilbert’s, where the thatched Tiki roof, live guitar music and relaxed vibe made it a quintessential Florida Keys stop. Docking the 380 SSC Outboard was effortless despite the three engines, largely thanks to Mercury’s Joystick Piloting. The joystick synchronizes the outboards for precise low-speed control, enabling coordinated turns or asymmetric thrust to angle the boat exactly as needed—ideal for snug dockside maneuvers at a busy dock ‘n’ dine.
While we enjoyed rumrunners, conch fritters and fish tacos ashore, the Formula drew a steady stream of admirers. The 380 SSC is designed as a luxury day boat with a clean, flush-deck layout that’s simple to move about. The forward section features an expansive, deep bow, and rather than a typical walk-through windshield, the boat uses a sliding glass door to access the bow area—an idea scaled down from the larger Formula 400 SSC. The cockpit’s port-side refreshment center includes a sink, refrigerator and storage, and the aft seating wraps around with a backrest that flips forward to create a large, rear-facing sun lounge.
What most passersby didn’t see was the compact console cabin. It contains a head, TV, microwave, a small sofa and a double berth that’s large enough for comfortable weekend accommodations—proof the 380 SSC can function as more than just a day boat.
After lunch we re-boarded and used the joystick to ease the boat off the dock. Once in open water, we ran the engines through the rpm range while accounting for current. With four aboard, calm seas and the fuel tanks about 70 percent full, the triple 450R outboards pushed the Formula to a top speed of 56.9 knots at 6,000 rpm. By comparison, the sterndrive 380 SSC we tested previously reached 43.2 knots at 4,200 rpm. That performance gap illustrates the outboard variant’s higher top-end speed, though it comes with a higher price tag.
Whether you prefer outboards or sterndrives, the Formula 380 SSC is a refined, capable boat that suits both offshore runs and inshore cruising and makes an impressive presence at any dock. If speed is a priority, the outboard version delivers exhilarating performance while preserving the luxury and practical features that define the 380 SSC.
Specifications
LOA: 38’0”
Beam: 11’6”
Draft: 3’5”
Weight: 21,200 lbs.
Fuel: 300 gals.
Power: (3) 450-hp Mercury Racing V-8 outboards
Price: $1,219,935
This article was originally published in the December 2020 issue.