Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 260 Sun Sport 2006 vs Formula 280 Bowrider 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 260 Sun Sport 2006 vs Formula 280 Bowrider 2007 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 2006 at 26,0 ft versus Formula 280 Bowrider 2007 at 29,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2006 tips the scales at 545 lbs — 463 lbs more than the Formula 280 Bowrider 2007 at 82 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 280 Bowrider 2007 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2006 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 280 Bowrider 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 280 Bowrider 2007 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 2006 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
Model280 Bowrider
Model Year2006
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches11
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.72 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail5,450 lbs. (2,472 kg)
Weight - DetailSingle: 7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg) Twin: 8,200 lbs. (3,719 kg)
Weight - kg2472.08
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - lbs.545
Weight - lbs.82
Length - Meters7.92
Length - Meters8.99
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. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Inches312
Length overall - Inches354
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 5.7 Gi DP
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Single 496 MAG Bravo Three
Fuel tank capacity - Detail92 gal. (348 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters348.26
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)
Headroomnot available
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Holding tank capacity - DetailSingle: 26 gal. (98 l) Twin: 2.6 gal. (9.8 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Gal18
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass