Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 vs Formula 31 Cruiser 2012: Which Deep-V Boat Fits Your Needs?
Both the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 and the Formula 31 Cruiser 2012 are deep-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 31 Cruiser 2012 measures 31,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 at 28,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 31 Cruiser 2012 tips the scales at 14 100 lbs - 7 800 lbs less than the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 at 6 300 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 31 Cruiser 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 31 Cruiser 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 31 Cruiser 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 31,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 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 Sun Sport
Model31 Cruiser
Model Year2008
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam11 ft. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches132
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. (1.52 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail10 ft. 4 in. (3.15 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Meters3.15
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Inches124
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail6,300 lbs. (2,858 kg)
Weight - Detail14,100 lbs. (6,396 kg)
Weight - kg2857.63
Weight - kg6395.65
Weight - lbs.6300
Weight - lbs.14100
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Meters9.65
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet31.67
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 8 in. (9.65 m)
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters9.65
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches380
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]33 ft. 1 in. (10.08 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 5.7 Gi DP
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.7 GXiC DP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail92 gal. (348 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail180 gal. (681 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters348.26
Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal180
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Operational Info
Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14
Holding tank capacity - Liters151.42
Holding tank capacity - Gal18
Holding tank capacity - Gal40