Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 boat specs
Formula
Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008
2008
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Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 boat specs
Formula
Formula 40 Cruiser 2006
2006
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Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 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 2006 measures 42,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 14,0 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 40 Cruiser 2006 tips the scales at 19 704 lbs — 19 641 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 40 Cruiser 2006 is rated for 12 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 40 Cruiser 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 42,0 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
MakeFormula
MakeFormula
Model260 Sun Sport
Model40 Cruiser
Model Year2008
Model Year2006
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. (1.52 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 11 ft. 10 in. (3.61 m) Light Load & Mast Light: 12 ft. 4 in. (3.76 m) Light Load w/ Radar & Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.28 m) Light Load w/ Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 11 in. (4.55 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Meters4.55
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Inches179
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.81 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.81
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches32
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail6,300 lbs. (2,858 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 18,510 lbs. (8,396 kg) Diesel: 19,304 lbs. (8,756 kg) w/ Hardtop - Gas: 18,910 lbs. (8,577 kg) w/ Hardtop - Diesel: 19,704 lbs. (8,938 kg)
Weight - kg2857.63
Weight - kg8937.58
Weight - lbs.63
Weight - lbs.19704
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Meters12.98
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet42
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m) Less Bow Platform: 40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters12.98
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches511
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 5.7 Gi DP
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 8.1 S High Output w/CWC
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
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
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

Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 or the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006?
The Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 comes in at 28,0 feet, making it roughly 14,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 or the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006?
For trailering, the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 has the edge at 63 lbs dry weight versus 19 704 lbs for the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 measures 152" wide, compared to 102" for the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 or the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006?
The Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 has the bigger tank at 92 gallons, versus 25 gallons on the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006. That 67-gallon difference translates to roughly 201–335 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 and Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Formula 260 Sun Sport 2008 and the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 are built by Formula. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.