Formula?

I have maintained a 48' Formula 2006 for a long time now. I'm not a fan of how it performs, it rides way bow high, and we put blocks in the trim tabs to try to get the bow down. A friend of mine took care of a 45' yacht, IPS boat and liked it. I think the Searay is a good boat and wouldn't discount it either, especially if you like it. What about a Fountain 48' Express Cruiser, fast,ride and has the functionality you're looking for. Another would be a 44' Cabo without a tower, speed and a great ride.

We had looked a lot at the Formula 40 as well as 45 prior to purchasing our first Tiara. The 45 had a nice layout and performed fine, however the narrow beam, gunwhales and slant down at the bow (near foot controls for windlass) turned us away... The gunwhales were my biggest issue. Although you can walk through the windshield, they were just too narrow for my wife to really be comfortable handling fenders and lines etc...

What budget are you trying to stay within?

When you added IPS as a requirement that narrowed it a bit. I would try to get a sea trial somewhere in the Formula to determine if it passes what you need there. If so, you've had a good experience with them so why not just continue. It has a nice layout. The second cabin headroom is lacking at 5'8". I just have no idea how it rides in rough seas. I do have one other significant reservation on the Formula. It's fuel capacity is only 350 gallons. That gives you a range of only 250 nm at ideal cruise and 225 nm at most other speeds with as low as 183 nm at 11 knots. I guess my question there is do you see Bahamas trips in it's future?

The 45 actually started around 2006 with V-Drives. It had better speed but I'm sure poorer economy.

Among others you might consider. I know several very happy Sabre owners. You indicated you were only looking at IPS? If so that quickly eliminates Sea Ray. It also would eliminate the Viking SC's. The Tiara 50 Coupe would fit your requirements. I don't have enough knowledge of it to have an opinion. Hunt has a couple of boats in that range. The 52 would seem to meet your needs. The 44 second cabin probably would not.

Then I'd add the Viking SC and Sea Ray Sundancer to my list of boats to consider.

The Formula my friend maintained, the 45' was an 2006ish I think IPS boat the owner bought new. He traded it into Formula for a new one of the same exact boat around 2012, another 45' exactly like his. So he really liked the boat and my friend raved about it.

Another 45' to Consider is the regal it too has IPS, I have a customer that looked at all 3, 45' Searay, Tiara with IPS, and settled on the Regal and is happy with it, but I'd say their build quality is a step below the above mentioned 3. Tiara's are good quality and worth checking out also.

Based on your stated list of features and budget after a quick advance search here are a few ideas. All of these are 2009 (I know you said 2010, but I hate to miss something great a year older), under $500K, all 2 standing staterooms, all enclosed pilot saloon style, all easy to own and operate and mostly not too exotic.

Marquis 50 SC
Elling LRC 49
Formula 45 Yacht (but until recently the pilot house is not enclosed and I think this is way to similar to your 370 SS cockpit, I own a Formula 260 bowrider and I agree that they are solid, timeless and always on any list in this price/size range)
Cruisers Canthius 45 or 48
Navigator 4500 or 4800 (I have a Navigator Californian Venti 50, same hull as the 5100, these are serious coastal cruising platforms. Hand built in Perris CA, not the most fancy yacht in the harbour but great bang for the buck)
Meridian 441 sedan
Beneteau Swift Trawler 44

I think you have some work to do, have fun, #boatcrazy.

-Greg

Greg beat me to it but I was going to point you towards the Cruisers Yachts 45 and 48 Cantius. I've never run one but I did put their 338 Bowrider through its paces for what it's worth and was very impressed (cool boat in its class, by the way). I've been aboard the 45 and really like what they've done. The build quality seems consistent with their rep of being solid and the interior fit and finish was, in my opinion, very good and what you would expect at that price point (all things in boat bucks being relative). I have friends with older, large Cruisers that have held up extremely well and continue to offer solid performance. Like your view of the Forumla I'm not a huge fans of the Cruisers' lines but that wouldn't be a non-starter for me either.

Perhaps bigger than you want and in a different price point, but I was extremely impressed with the Sea Ray 510 Sundancer. I think they did an excellent job of making the lower deck feel like an open loft.

I loved the Regal 44/46 Sport Coupe in theory when it first came out. Then a very good friend bought one and whenever I was aboard I always had the feeling of being disappointed in finally meeting and spending time with someone you admired from a far. Some clever design concepts but some significant flaws, in my opinion, and real trouble with the fit and finish. His was a '12 bought new.

I have always been impressed by the build quality of Formulas but have never run one of their newer, larger boats. I have owned a 1994 242SS for 20 years as an extra play toy and the thing impresses me everytime I take it out.