Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 vs Formula 310 FX5 BR 2012 — A Close Look at Two Deep Vees
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 and the Formula 310 FX5 BR 2012 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 at 28,0 ft versus Formula 310 FX5 BR 2012 at 31,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 310 FX5 BR 2012 tips the scales at 975 lbs — 912 lbs less than the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 at 63 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 310 FX5 BR 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 310 FX5 BR 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 310 FX5 BR 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 31,0 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
Model310 FX5 BR
Model Year2008
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches114
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. (1.52 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. (1.83 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 8 in. (2.64 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Meters2.64
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Inches104
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise22³
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches37
Weight - Detail6,300 lbs. (2,858 kg)
Weight - Detail9,750 lbs. (4,423 kg)
Weight - kg2857.63
Weight - kg4422.52
Weight - lbs.63
Weight - lbs.975
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet31
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 0 in. (9.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters9.45
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches372
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
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 - Detail130 gal. (492 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters348.26
Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal92
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
Drive typeInboard
Drive typenot available
Operational Info
Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)
Headroom5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)
Water capacity15 gal. (57 l)
Water capacity29 gal. (110 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail36 gal. (136 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14
Holding tank capacity - Liters136.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal18
Holding tank capacity - Gal36