Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 boat specs
Formula
Formula 260 Bowrider 2006
2006
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VS
Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 boat specs
Formula
Formula 31 Cruiser 2006
2006
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Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 vs Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 vs Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 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 31 Cruiser 2006 measures 33,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 7,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 at 26,0 feet (2006). At 58 lbs and 141 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 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 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 33,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 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
MakeFormula
MakeFormula
Model260 Bowrider
Model31 Cruiser
Model Year2006
Model Year2006
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: 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] - Detail34 in. (.86 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail5,800 lbs. (2,631 kg)
Weight - Detail14,100 lbs. (6,396 kg)
Weight - kg2630.83
Weight - kg6395.65
Weight - lbs.58
Weight - lbs.141
Length - Meters7.92
Length - Meters10.08
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet33
Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 11 in. (8.51 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 0 in. (7.92 m)
Length overall - Detail33 ft. 1 in. (10.08 m) Less Bow Platform: 31 ft. 8 in. (9.65 m)
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Meters10.08
Length overall - Inches312
Length overall - Inches397
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 5.7 Gi DP
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.7 GXi DP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail92 gal. (348 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail180 gal. (681 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters348.26
Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14
Holding tank capacity - Liters151.42
Holding tank capacity - Gal18
Holding tank capacity - Gal4
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)

Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 vs Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 or the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006?
The Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 is the longer of the two at 33,0 feet overall. The Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 7,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 or the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006?
For trailering, the Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 has the edge at 58 lbs dry weight versus 141 lbs for the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 is certified for 10. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 measures 132" wide, compared to 102" for the Formula 260 Bowrider 2006. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 or the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006?
The Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 has the bigger tank at 92 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006. That 74-gallon difference translates to roughly 222–370 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 and Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Formula 260 Bowrider 2006 and the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 are built by Formula. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.