Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 260 Bowrider 2005 vs Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 260 Bowrider 2005 vs Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 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 260 Bowrider 2005 measures 26,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 22,0 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 — 2 217 lbs less than the Formula 260 Bowrider 2005 at 58 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 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 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 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
Model40 Performance Cruiser
Model Year2005
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 - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 m) Light Load w/Arch: 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
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail5,800 lbs. (2,631 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 - kg2630.83
Weight - kg10319.22
Weight - lbs.58
Weight - lbs.2275
Length - Meters7.92
Length - Meters12.45
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet4
Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 11 in. (8.51 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m)
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 0 in. (7.92 m)
Length overall - Detail40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Meters12.45
Length overall - Inches312
Length overall - Inches49
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 5.7 Gi DP
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 8.1 S High Output with CWC Inboard
Fuel tank capacity - Detail92 gal. (348 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters348.26
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Operational Info
Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Gal18
Holding tank capacity - Gal57
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee