Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 vs Formula 37 Cruiser 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 against a deep vee Formula 37 Cruiser 2011 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 37 Cruiser 2011 measures 37,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 9,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 at 28,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 37 Cruiser 2011 tips the scales at 189 lbs — 126 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 37 Cruiser 2011 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 37 Cruiser 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 37 Cruiser 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 37,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model260 Bowrider
Model37 Cruiser
Model Year2008
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam12 ft. (3.66 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.66
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches144
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. (1.52 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail11 ft. 7 in. (3.53 m) With IPS: 11 ft. 10 in. (3.6 m) With Radar & IPS: 12 ft. 9 in. (3.88 m) With Mast Light: 13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m) With Mast Light & IPS: 13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m) With Radar & Mast Light: 13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m) With Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 4 in. (4.37 m) With Hardtop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 15 ft. 7 in. (4.74 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Meters4.75
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Inches187
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m) With Volvo IPS: 40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail6,300 lbs. (2,858 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 17,500 lbs. (7,937 kg) Diesel: 18,200 lbs. (8,255 kg) With Hardtop - Gas: 18,200 (8,255 kg) With Hardtop - Diesel: 18,900 lbs. (8,572 kg) With IPS: 18,900 lbs. (8,572 kg)
Weight - kg2857.63
Weight - kg8572.89
Weight - lbs.63
Weight - lbs.189
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Meters11.28
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet37
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail37 ft. (11.28 m)
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters11.28
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches444
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]38 ft. 5 in. (11.71 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 5.7 Gi DP
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Twin 8.2 MAG EC Bravo Three X DTS
Fuel tank capacity - Detail92 gal. (348 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail236 gal. (893 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters348.26
Fuel tank capacity - Liters893.36
Fuel tank capacity - Gal92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal236
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Operational Info
Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 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