Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 240 Bowrider 2013 vs Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 240 Bowrider 2013 and the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 240 Bowrider 2013 measures 24,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 20,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 at 4,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 tips the scales at 2 275 lbs — 2 270 lbs less than the Formula 240 Bowrider 2013 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 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 240 Bowrider 2013 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 4,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 240 Bowrider 2013 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
Model40 Performance Cruiser
Model Year2013
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam12 ft. 8 in. (3.86 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.86
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches152
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 8 in. (1.42 m) With Sport Arch: 7 ft. 8 in. (2.33 m) With Samson Sports Razor Wakeboard Tower: 8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 11 ft. 10 in. (3.61 m) Light Load & Mast Light: 12 ft. 4 in. (3.76 m) Light Load w/ Radar & Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.28 m) Light Load w/ Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 11 in. (4.55 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Meters4.55
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Inches179
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise18℃
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 - DetailGas: 20,950 lbs. (9,502 kg) Diesel: 22,150 lbs. (10,047 kg) w/ Hardtop - Gas: 21,550 lbs. (9,774 kg) w/ Hardtop - Diesel: 22,750 lbs. (10,319 kg)
Weight - kg2267.96
Weight - kg10319.22
Weight - lbs.5
Weight - lbs.2275
Length - Meters7.32
Length - Meters12.45
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet4
Length overall - Detail24 ft. (7.32 m)
Length overall - Detail40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters7.32
Length overall - Meters12.45
Length overall - Inches288
Length overall - Inches49
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail59 gal. (223 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters223.34
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal59
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 8.1 S High Output with CWC Inboard
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal57