Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 240 Bowrider 2008 vs Formula 31 Cruiser 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Formula 240 Bowrider 2008 against a deep vee Formula 31 Cruiser 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 31 Cruiser 2009 measures 31,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 7,0 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 31 Cruiser 2009 tips the scales at 141 lbs — 136 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 31 Cruiser 2009 is rated for 9 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 31 Cruiser 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 31 Cruiser 2009 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 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
Model31 Cruiser
Model Year2008
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam11 ft. 0 in. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches132
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 7 ft. 5 in. (2.26 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail10 ft. 4 in. (3.15 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.26
Bridge clearance - Meters3.15
Bridge clearance - Inches89
Bridge clearance - Inches124
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg)
Weight - Detail14,100 lbs. (6,396 kg)
Weight - kg2267.96
Weight - kg6395.65
Weight - lbs.5
Weight - lbs.141
Length - Meters7.32
Length - Meters9.65
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet31
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 0 in. (7.32 m)
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 8 in. (9.65 m)
Length overall - Meters7.32
Length overall - Meters9.65
Length overall - Inches288
Length overall - Inches38
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches8
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]33 ft. 1 in. (10.08 m)
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 GXi DP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail180 gal. (681 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters227.12
Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters151.42
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal4