Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 boat specs
Formula
Formula 260 Bowrider 2008
2008
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Formula 48 Yacht 2005 boat specs
Formula
Formula 48 Yacht 2005
2005
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Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 vs Formula 48 Yacht 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 vs Formula 48 Yacht 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 48 Yacht 2005 measures 51,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 23,0 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 48 Yacht 2005 tips the scales at 3 575 lbs — 3 512 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 48 Yacht 2005 is rated for 15 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 48 Yacht 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Formula 48 Yacht 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 51,0 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
MakeFormula
MakeFormula
Model260 Bowrider
Model48 Yacht
Model Year2008
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam14 ft. 0 in. (4.27 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters4.27
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches168
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. (1.52 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 12 ft. 9 in. (3.89 m) Light Load w/Hardtop: 12 ft. 9 in. (3.89 m) Light Load & Mast Light: 15 ft. 6 in. (4.6 m) Light Load w/Hardtop & Mast Light: 15 ft. 6 in. (4.6 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Meters4.72
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Inches186
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail44 in. (1.12 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters1.12
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches44
Weight - Detail6,300 lbs. (2,858 kg)
Weight - Detail35,050 lbs. (15,898 kg) W/Hardtop: 35,750 lbs. (16,216 kg)
Weight - kg2857.63
Weight - kg16215.91
Weight - lbs.63
Weight - lbs.3575
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Meters15.54
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet51
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail51 ft. 0 in. (15.54 m) Less Bow Platform: 48 ft. 0 in. (14.63 m)
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters15.54
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches612
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 standardCummins Twin QSM 660 Diesel
Fuel tank capacity - Detail92 gal. (348 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail400 gal. (1,514 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters348.26
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1514.16
Fuel tank capacity - Gal92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal4
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)
Water capacity100 gal. (378 l)
Headroomnot available
Headroom7 ft. 0 in. (2.13 m) Guest Stateroom: 5 ft. 10 in. (1.78 m)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (284 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters283.91
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal75

Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 vs Formula 48 Yacht 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 or the Formula 48 Yacht 2005?
The Formula 48 Yacht 2005 is the longer of the two at 51,0 feet overall. The Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 23,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 or the Formula 48 Yacht 2005?
For trailering, the Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 has the edge at 63 lbs dry weight versus 3 575 lbs for the Formula 48 Yacht 2005. 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 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Formula 48 Yacht 2005 is certified for 15. 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 48 Yacht 2005 measures 168" wide, compared to 102" for the Formula 260 Bowrider 2008. 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 2008 or the Formula 48 Yacht 2005?
The Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 has the bigger tank at 92 gallons, versus 4 gallons on the Formula 48 Yacht 2005. That 88-gallon difference translates to roughly 264–440 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 and Formula 48 Yacht 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Formula 260 Bowrider 2008 and the Formula 48 Yacht 2005 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.