Page 16 - Dockside Magazine Muskoka, Summer/Fall 2018

The Cove Marina on Lake Joseph
Bob Bath tests out the Formula BR 240 (left) while David Shaw drives the Formula 310 SS Performance Cruiser.
There was a time
when big boats were the playground of experienced skippers: you needed to spend years driving runabouts before you were ready to control a 30-plus-foot cruiser.
But no more. Joystick piloting and a touch screen GPS make navigating the waterways in
a large luxury cruiser as easy as driving an average-sized bowrider. A 31-foot Formula 310 SS Performance Cruiser
can be effortlessly handled by either a seasoned captain or a nautical beginner.
Joystick piloting lets the captain move the boat in
any direction they want it to go: slide it sideways, move it diagonally, or even spin it on its axis. Bow docking lights add safety to the activity in low light situations.
“It makes docking a seamless process,” says David Shaw, who co-owns The Cove
Marina with his brother Michael. “Touch it left or right and the whole boat moves in that exact direction. Turn a knob on the joystick to lower the RPMs, and you achieve a slow and smooth dock entry with little piloting effort required.”
When you pull away from the dock, a GPS system helps guide you to where you want to go – even in new areas
– without having to be an avid map reader. The system even includes a “sky hook” function, which will hold the boat in its current position regardless of wind and wave action, making it extremely easy for the captain to set out fenders prior to docking, or stay in position while waiting for locks to open.
“Less experienced boaters have the technological tools to confidently drive large boats,” says David.
Custom cruiser
Because Formula boats are fully customizable, every
boat can be as loaded up or stripped down as the owner wants. The Cove Marina, which is the only Formula dealer in Ontario, recently delivered a customized 31-foot cruiser that was fully loaded.
The initial concept was to create a boat suitable for cruising, overnighting and being self-contained on the water. A head (washroom) with sink, entertainment centre with television, two refrigerators, a microwave
and sleeping quarters let the owner and friends stay on the water for days at a time. “You could comfortably sleep two to four people,” says David. “As long as the fridges are stocked, you’re good to go.”
On day trips, eight passengers plus the captain can enjoy cruising together. A U-shaped lounge allows everyone to join in group conversations and enjoy meals together. An extended swim platform with drop-down boarding ladder make swim stops a breeze.
The custom features are accented by a radar arch and two-tone fusion blue paint job that glistens while gliding through the water.
LARGE AND Technology making it easier