Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 260 Sun Sport 2005 vs Formula 290 Bowrider 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 260 Sun Sport 2005 vs Formula 290 Bowrider 2013 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 Sun Sport 2005 at 26,0 ft versus Formula 290 Bowrider 2013 at 29,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 290 Bowrider 2013 tips the scales at 895 lbs — 350 lbs less than the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2005 at 545 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 290 Bowrider 2013 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 290 Bowrider 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 290 Bowrider 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 29,0 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 Sun Sport
Model290 Bowrider
Model Year2005
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam9 ft. (2.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches108
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 m) Light Load w/Arch: 8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise22°
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail5,450 lbs. (2,472 kg)
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - kg2472.08
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - lbs.545
Weight - lbs.895
Length - Meters7.92
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet29
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 - Detail29 ft. 0 in. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Inches312
Length overall - Inches348
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 5.7 Gi DP
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail92 gal. (348 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal. (416 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters348.26
Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4
Fuel tank capacity - Gal92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal11
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)
Headroomnot available
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Water capacity21 gal. (79 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Gal18
Holding tank capacity - Gal23
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee