Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 260 Sun Sport 2006 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 260 Sun Sport 2006 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 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 40 Cruiser 2012 measures 40,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 14,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2006 at 26,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 tips the scales at 2 155 lbs — 1 610 lbs less than the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2006 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 40 Cruiser 2012 is rated for 12 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 40 Cruiser 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 40,8 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
Model40 Cruiser
Model Year2006
Model Year2012
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 - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 m) Light Load w/ 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. (4.42 m) With Radar & Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.42 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] - Detail32 in. (.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m) With Volvo IPS: 44 in. (1.12 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters1.12
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches44
Weight - Detail5,450 lbs. (2,472 kg)
Weight - DetailGas and Diesel: 20,950 lbs. (9,502 kg) With Hardtop - Gas and Diesel: 21,550 lbs. (9,774 kg)
Weight - kg2472.08
Weight - kg9774.91
Weight - lbs.545
Weight - lbs.2155
Length - Meters7.92
Length - Meters12.45
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet40.83
Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 11 in. (8.51 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m)
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 0 in. (7.92 m)
Length overall - Detail40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Meters12.45
Length overall - Inches312
Length overall - Inches49
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 5.7 Gi DP
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin IPS 550 Gas 400HP 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
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Operational Info
Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 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