Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 260 Bowrider 2005 vs Formula 27 Cruiser 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 260 Bowrider 2005 vs Formula 27 Cruiser 2005 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Formula 260 Bowrider 2005 at 26,0 ft versus Formula 27 Cruiser 2005 at 29,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 27 Cruiser 2005 tips the scales at 9 500 lbs - 3 700 lbs less than the Formula 260 Bowrider 2005 at 5 800 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 27 Cruiser 2005 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Formula 260 Bowrider 2005 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 27 Cruiser 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 27 Cruiser 2005 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 260 Bowrider 2005 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
Model260 Bowrider
Model27 Cruiser
Model Year2005
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam9 ft. 7 in. (2.92 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.92
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches115
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 m) Light Load w/Arch: 8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 10 ft. 4 in. (3.15 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Meters3.15
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Inches124
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail5,800 lbs. (2,631 kg)
Weight - Detail9,500 lbs. (4,309 kg)
Weight - kg2630.83
Weight - kg4309.12
Weight - lbs.5800
Weight - lbs.9500
Length - Meters7.92
Length - Meters8.97
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet29
Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 11 in. (8.51 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. 5 in. (8.97 m)
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 0 in. (7.92 m)
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 5 in. (8.97 m) Less Bow Platform: 28 ft. 2 in. (8.59 m)
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Meters8.97
Length overall - Inches312
Length overall - Inches353
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches5
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 5.7 Gi DP
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.0 GXi DP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail92 gal. (348 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail107 gal. (405 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters348.26
Fuel tank capacity - Liters405.04
Fuel tank capacity - Gal92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal107
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)
Water capacity26.5 gal. (100 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (114 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14
Holding tank capacity - Liters113.56
Holding tank capacity - Gal18
Holding tank capacity - Gal30
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)