When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 27 Cruiser 2012 and the Formula 290 FX4 2013 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 27 Cruiser 2012 at 28,2 ft versus Formula 290 FX4 2013 at 29,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 290 FX4 2013 tips the scales at 895 lbs — 800 lbs less than the Formula 27 Cruiser 2012 at 95 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.

Both boats are rated for 8 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.