Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 vs Formula 260 Sun Sport 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 vs Formula 260 Sun Sport 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 2008 at 28,0 ft versus Formula 260 Sun Sport 2005 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2005 tips the scales at 545 lbs — 482 lbs less than the Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 at 63 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 260 Bowrider 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Formula 260 Sun Sport 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 260 Bowrider 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 28,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 260 Sun Sport 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
Model260 Sun Sport
Model Year2008
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. (1.52 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 m) Light Load w/Arch: 8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise22℃
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (.81 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches32
Weight - Detail6,300 lbs. (2,858 kg)
Weight - Detail5,450 lbs. (2,472 kg)
Weight - kg2857.63
Weight - kg2472.08
Weight - lbs.63
Weight - lbs.545
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Meters7.92
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet26
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 0 in. (7.92 m)
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches312
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 11 in. (8.51 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 5.7 Gi DP
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 5.7 Gi DP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail92 gal. (348 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail92 gal. (348 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters348.26
Fuel tank capacity - Liters348.26
Fuel tank capacity - Gal92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal92
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Headroomnot available
Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal18