Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 boat specs
Formula
Formula 240 Bowrider 2006
2006
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VS
Formula 310 FX5 2012 boat specs
Formula
Formula 310 FX5 2012
2012
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Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 vs Formula 310 FX5 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 vs Formula 310 FX5 2012 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 310 FX5 2012 measures 31,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 at 24,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 310 FX5 2012 tips the scales at 975 lbs — 970 lbs less than the Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 at 5 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Formula 310 FX5 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 310 FX5 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Formula 310 FX5 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 31,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeFormula
MakeFormula
Model240 Bowrider
Model310 FX5
Model Year2006
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches114
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 7 ft. 5 in. (2.26 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. (1.83 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 8 in. (2.64 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.26
Bridge clearance - Meters2.64
Bridge clearance - Inches89
Bridge clearance - Inches104
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise22³
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches37
Weight - Detail5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg)
Weight - Detail9,750 lbs. (4,423 kg)
Weight - kg2267.96
Weight - kg4422.52
Weight - lbs.5
Weight - lbs.975
Length - Meters7.32
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet31
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 0 in. (7.32 m)
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 0 in. (9.45 m)
Length overall - Meters7.32
Length overall - Meters9.45
Length overall - Inches288
Length overall - Inches372
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 5.0 GXi DP
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeInboard
Drive typenot available
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)
Water capacity29 gal. (110 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail10 gal. (38 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail36 gal. (136 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85
Holding tank capacity - Liters136.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal1
Holding tank capacity - Gal36
Headroomnot available
Headroom5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee

Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 vs Formula 310 FX5 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 or the Formula 310 FX5 2012?
The Formula 310 FX5 2012 is the longer of the two at 31,0 feet overall. The Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 7,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 or the Formula 310 FX5 2012?
For trailering, the Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 has the edge at 5 lbs dry weight versus 975 lbs for the Formula 310 FX5 2012. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Formula 310 FX5 2012 is certified for 9. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Formula 310 FX5 2012 measures 114" wide, compared to 102" for the Formula 240 Bowrider 2006. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 or the Formula 310 FX5 2012?
The Formula 310 FX5 2012 has the bigger tank at 13 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Formula 240 Bowrider 2006. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 and Formula 310 FX5 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Formula 240 Bowrider 2006 and the Formula 310 FX5 2012 are built by Formula. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.