Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 260 Bowrider 2009 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Formula 260 Bowrider 2009 against a deep vee Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 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 260 Bowrider 2009 measures 28,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 24,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 at 4,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 tips the scales at 2 275 lbs — 2 212 lbs less than the Formula 260 Bowrider 2009 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 40 Cruiser 2009 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 260 Bowrider 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 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 2009 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
Model40 Cruiser
Model Year2009
Model Year2009
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 - Detail5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 m) With Sport Arch: 8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail11 ft. 10 in. (3.61 m) With IPS: 12 ft. 1 in. (3.68 m) With Radar & IPS: 13 ft. 3 in. (4.03 m) With Mast Light: 12 ft. 4 in. (3.76 m) With Mast Light & IPS: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.41 m) With Radar & Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.28 m) With Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 11 in. (4.55 m) With Hardtop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 16 ft. 8 in. (5.07 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Meters5.08
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Inches2
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m) With Volvo IPS: 44 in. (1.12 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters1.12
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches44
Weight - Detail6,300 lbs. (2,858 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 20,950 lbs. (9,502 kg) Diesel: 22,150 lbs. (10,047 kg) With Hardtop - Gas: 21,550 lbs. (9,774 kg) With Hardtop - Diesel: 22,750 lbs. (10,319 kg)
Weight - kg2857.63
Weight - kg10319.22
Weight - lbs.63
Weight - lbs.2275
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Meters12.45
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet4
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters12.45
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches49
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Max no of engines1
Max no of engines2
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7 Gi DP
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta twin IPS 500 gas 400 hp with joystick
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
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Water capacity14 gal. (53 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 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