Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 260 Sun Sport 2005 vs Formula 37 Cruiser 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 260 Sun Sport 2005 vs Formula 37 Cruiser 2011 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 37 Cruiser 2011 measures 37,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 11,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2005 at 26,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2005 tips the scales at 545 lbs — 356 lbs more than the Formula 37 Cruiser 2011 at 189 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 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 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 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
Model37 Cruiser
Model Year2005
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. 0 in. (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. (.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 - Detail5,450 lbs. (2,472 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 - kg2472.08
Weight - kg8572.89
Weight - lbs.545
Weight - lbs.189
Length - Meters7.92
Length - Meters11.28
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet37
Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 11 in. (8.51 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]38 ft. 5 in. (11.71 m)
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 0 in. (7.92 m)
Length overall - Detail37 ft. (11.28 m)
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Meters11.28
Length overall - Inches312
Length overall - Inches444
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
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)
Headroom6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 m)
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Gal18
Holding tank capacity - Gal57
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee