Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 27 Performance Cruiser 2008 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 27 Performance Cruiser 2008 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2005 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 2005 measures 42,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 14,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 27 Performance Cruiser 2008 at 28,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Cruiser 2005 tips the scales at 19 704 lbs — 19 609 lbs less than the Formula 27 Performance Cruiser 2008 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.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Formula 40 Cruiser 2005 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 27 Performance Cruiser 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 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2005 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 27 Performance Cruiser 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
Model27 Performance Cruiser
Model40 Cruiser
Model Year2008
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 7 in. (2.92 m)
Beam12 ft. 8 in. (3.86 m)
Beam - Meters2.92
Beam - Meters3.86
Beam - Inches115
Beam - Inches152
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 10 ft. 4 in. (3.15 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 - Meters3.15
Bridge clearance - Meters4.55
Bridge clearance - Inches124
Bridge clearance - Inches179
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (.89 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail9,500 lbs. (4,309 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 - kg4309.12
Weight - kg8937.58
Weight - lbs.95
Weight - lbs.19704
Length - Meters8.59
Length - Meters12.98
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet42
Length - Inches2
Length - Inches7
Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. 5 in. (8.97 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 2 in. (8.59 m)
Length overall - Detail42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m) Less Bow Platform: 40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.59
Length overall - Meters12.98
Length overall - Inches338
Length overall - Inches511
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.7 Gi DP
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Twin 8.1 S High Output w/CWC
Fuel tank capacity - Detail107 gal. (405 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters405.04
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal107
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Water capacity26.5 gal. (100 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail30 gal. (114 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters113.56
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Gal3
Holding tank capacity - Gal57