Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 240 Bowrider 2008 vs Formula 290 Sun Sport 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Formula 240 Bowrider 2008 against a deep vee Formula 290 Sun Sport 2009 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 290 Sun Sport 2009 measures 29,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 240 Bowrider 2008 at 24,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2009 tips the scales at 895 lbs — 890 lbs less than the Formula 240 Bowrider 2008 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 290 Sun Sport 2009 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Formula 240 Bowrider 2008 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 29,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 240 Bowrider 2008 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
Model240 Bowrider
Model290 Sun Sport
Model Year2008
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam9 ft. 0 in. (2.74 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches108
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 7 ft. 5 in. (2.26 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.26
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Inches89
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise22℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg)
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - kg2267.96
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - lbs.5
Weight - lbs.895
Length - Meters7.32
Length - Meters8.84
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet29
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 0 in. (7.32 m)
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 0 in. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Meters7.32
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Inches288
Length overall - Inches348
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 5.0 GXi DP
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta twin 5.7 Gi DP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal. (416 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal11
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Headroomnot available
Headroom5 ft. 1 in. (1.54 m)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail22 gal. (83 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters83.28
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal22