Formula 457 CCF Review

Deservedly recognized for its premium performance dayboats and stylish cruisers, Formula Boats continues its foray of recent years into center consoles with the 457 CCF (Center Console Fish), a serious and premium quality fishing boat. Following the 387 CCF model introduced a few years back, the company’s new center console flagship measures 45 feet 7 inches overall and is powered by triple Mercury 600 V12 outboards. It provides offshore power, refined comfort, and a layout that works as well for serious offshore fishing as for entertaining the family. Whether you’re targeting tuna in rough water or cruising to the Bahamas, the 457 CCF looks set to deliver capably, and like the 387, if you’re not focused primarily on fishing, you can buy the sistership CCS sport version.

Rightboat’s content partners, BoatTest.com, recently ran these performance tests, and Captain Eric and Captain Trip also produced a video walk-through of the Formula 457 CCF. Our review follows.

Videos by: BoatTest.com

Key Features of the Formula 457 CCF

Formula doesn’t hide that this boat is designed around fishing. If the carbon-fiber outriggers and 26 standard rod holders on the exterior don’t convince you, the additional 17 optional rod holders might…or the five extra rod holders in the cabin. The generously sized bait rigging station in the cockpit includes drawers to organize tackle, a sink, a cutting board, and two slide-out Yeti coolers—all just steps away from twin 58-gallon baitwells that have an electronic monitoring system to alert the helm if the backup pumps are required. The center console layout, the high gunwales, and the standard SeaKeeper 6 gyro stabilizer all contribute to safe, stable, 360-degree fishability. There are fresh and raw water washdowns on auto-retracting reels in the cockpit, and under the aft cockpit and walkway decks are 76-inch fish boxes with macerators, optionally equipped with an icemaker and freezer plates. 

The 457 CCF’s electronics are similarly geared toward fishing: huge twin 22” Garmin or Raymarine displays are standard, integrating a chartplotter, depth sounder and 1000W CHIRP transducer. Optional upgrades include a third display, a dual-band CHIRP transducer, a Garmin open-array radar, FLIR cameras, and a rear-facing camera, all of which can also be used on the 16” chartplotter at the optional flybridge station. Powered by triple Mercury Verado 600 hp outboards with joystick piloting and a bow thruster, the Formula 457 CCF arms you with everything you need to fish aggressively.

Fishing charter captains or families might choose a Kenyon electric grill in the aft cockpit and retractable shades on both the bow and stern, and they will certainly enjoy the JL Audio speaker systems and ample USB charging ports. Formula has built a comfortable conversational triangle in the bow between port and starboard benches and a centerline sunpad; this can be converted to bow dining by pulling filler cushions from dedicated stowage, flipping out an additional bench seat, and electrically raising a dining table. They have also placed four loungers on the flybridge and developed a long swim platform with a standard hot/cold, freshwater shower and optional motorized, underwater swim seat. Below, a single berth, galley, and head continue to show Formula’s style and thoughtful construction—the berth’s filler cushions also have dedicated stowage, the galley cabinets have fiddles at the lip to keep items from rolling off, and the separate shower stall includes hooks for swimsuits or foul weather gear. 

Owners enjoy a spacious and well-organized mechanical space with easy access to all systems. Air conditioning blasts at 18,000 BTU at the helm, second row seating, and bait station, as well as the entire interior. 

The Formula 457 CCF has dozens of rod holders and ample space to move while reeling in your fish. Formula photo.

Formula 457 CCF Performance

The Formula 457 CCF has three powerful Mercury V12 600-hp outboards. On test day in choppy offshore conditions, the boat planed quickly and maintained a smooth, dry ride. Top speed was 63.2 mph at 6400 rpm. Best cruise came at 5000 rpm and 48.7 mph, giving a range of 330 statute miles (with 10% reserve). Acceleration numbers were equally impressive: 0 to 10 mph in 4.9 seconds, 0 to 20 mph in 9.5 seconds, and 0 to 30 mph in 15.1 seconds.

Formula’s Super Sport/FAS³Tech build method creates an extremely clean and tight structure for the vessel by building a one-piece stringer grid and bonding it in place to hull and deck with pre-designed spaces for equipment, systems, and tanks. The double-step hull with 22-degree deadrise reduces drag and adds efficiency, while the two-speed transmission in each outboard ensures strong hole shots and smooth transitions. Captains Eric and Trip noted minimal noise from the engines and praised the boat’s solid feel through turns and in the chop. 

Compact and multi-functional, there are plenty of ways to use the interior spaces.

Navigating the Used Market

Since the Formula 457 CCF was launched in 2024, listings on the used market are extremely limited. However, prospective buyers can expect lightly used and dealer models to start appearing with engine hours in the low hundreds, still under a transferrable five-year limited protection plan and 10-year worldwide structural warranty. Given Formula’s reputation and the CCF’s robust construction, resale values are likely to hold up, especially on boats with upgraded electronics or lightly used charter history.

If you’re more of a spearfisher, the 457 CCF offers swim steps, boarding ladders, and an oxygen tank insert for one of the baitwells.

Formula 457 CCF Pricing

As of July 2025, most boats of this model are new or dealer models and are listed as price on application (POA). A new build with standard equipment starts at $2.2 million, and recommended options, like the fishbox icemaker, cockpit galley/bait rigging station, and the flybridge helm station, could easily boost that price over $2.4 million. 

The multifunction displays integrate all the equipment you need to safely navigate and chase fish.

Conclusion

The Formula 457 CCF stands out in the crowded center console market by delivering excellent offshore performance without sacrificing comfort. Whether you're running charters, heading out fishing with the family, or chasing billfish far offshore with friends, this boat is a well-thought-out platform that should be ready to handle it all. On the 457 CCF, you can fish hard and ride in style.

Technical Specifications

LOA to Transom: 45ft 7in (13.89 m)

LOA: 49ft 1in (14.96 m)

LOA Trailered w/Triple Outboards: 49ft 8in/52ft 0in (15.14/15.85 m)

Maximum Beam: 13ft 9in (4.19 m)

Approximate Weight: 32,100 lbs (14,560 kg)

Cabin Headroom: 6ft 6in (1.98 m)

Fuel Capacity: 700 gal (2,560 L)

Diesel Generator Capacity: 35 gal (132 L)

Water Capacity: 90 gal (340 L)

Holding Tank Capacity: 35 gal (132 L)

Live Well Capacity: 2 x 50 gal

Fish Box: 280 gal

Bridge Clearance, with mast light down: 10ft 3in

Bridge Clearance, with radar and mast light down: 11ft 5in

Bridge Clearance with radar and mast light up: 13ft 1in

Draft: 54 in

Deadrise: 22°

Manufacturer Website: Formula Boats