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Welcome to the special Classic Boat Archive section, where Boats by Motor opens for you its paper archive where hundreds and hundreds of boats we have tested, presented and reviewed in the magazine’s more than 35-year history are kept. Technical data, original boat data sheets, including engines and performance. In short, a database (constantly being updated) that contains everything you need to know about Classic Boats.
In 1996, *Barche a Motore*, together with powerboat racing champion Guido Cappellini, tested the Formula 303 SR-1, a fast, sporty powerboat designed to cruise safely at 60 mph.
Excerpted from *Barche a Motore*, 1996, No. 6, July, pp. 36–37.
Guido Cappellini, Formula 1 world champion and holder of the speed record on water, expressed his enthusiasm for the Formula 303 SR-1. First of all, because even at 60 mph—the top speed recorded during testing—no spray crossed the windshield, despite the driver’s daring maneuvers, tight turns, and fairly rough sea conditions.
For forty years, Formula has been building sport boats and fast commuters, which have also been imported into Italy for the past few months. Sturdy and well-finished, these hulls are manufactured in a modern 180,000-square-meter facility. The construction—using mat, fiberglass, PVC foam, and Coremat, all pre-cut to the millimeter using CAD—is based on a meticulously executed lamination process: to complete it, while adhering to the proper “curing” times for the fiberglass, the shipyard takes three days. In addition, with the first two layers, the shipyard also applies a special distortion-resistant epoxy resin that preserves the integrity of the gelcoat over the long term.
Every single component, every new material used—everything undergoes rigorous testing. Not only that: the shipyard is constantly on the lookout for innovations. For example, to reduce noise—a common issue with sport boats—it has patented an exclusive exhaust system, the “Silent Thunder, ” integrated into the stern platform. Without sacrificing power, noise emissions are thus reduced by 8–12 decibels.
Great importance is placed on ergonomics and design, but also on safety: the engine room is equipped with a fire suppression system and smoke detectors. And the aesthetic quality is not overlooked: for the hull’s paint finish—vibrant but not overly so—only Imron enamels, patented by DuPont, are used.
by Riccardo Magrini
Are you a Classic Boat enthusiast or simply curious about the excellence of the past? Then the Classic Boat Archive is the place for you: the only column where the entire history of powerboating is made accessible to the public, boat by boat, article by article. Find out what’s already online and keep monitoring the archive-it’s updated four times a week! For your convenience, you can check it out by clicking HERE!
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Welcome to the special Classic Boat Archive section, where Boats by Motor opens for you its paper archive where hundreds and hundreds of boats we have tested, presented and reviewed in the magazine’s more than 35-year history are kept. Technical data, original boat data sheets, including engines and performance. In short, a database (constantly being
Welcome to the special Classic Boat Archive section, where Boats by Motor opens for you its paper archive where hundreds and hundreds of boats we have tested, presented and reviewed in the magazine’s more than 35-year history are kept. Technical data, original boat data sheets, including engines and performance. In short, a database (constantly being
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