Formula 270 Bowrider 2010 boat specs
Formula
Formula 270 Bowrider 2010
2010
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VS
Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 boat specs
Formula
Formula 40 Cruiser 2006
2006
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Formula 270 Bowrider 2010 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Formula 270 Bowrider 2010 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 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 270 Bowrider 2010 at 27,0 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 tips the scales at 19 704 lbs — 19 642 lbs less than the Formula 270 Bowrider 2010 at 62 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 270 Bowrider 2010 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 270 Bowrider 2010 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
Model270 Bowrider
Model40 Cruiser
Model Year201
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 - Detail5 ft. 0 in. (2.52 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 - Meters1.52
Bridge clearance - Meters4.55
Bridge clearance - Inches6
Bridge clearance - Inches179
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs. (2,812 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 - kg2812.27
Weight - kg8937.58
Weight - lbs.62
Weight - lbs.19704
Length - Meters8.23
Length - Meters12.98
Length - Feet27
Length - Feet42
Length overall - Detail27.0 ft. (8.23 m)
Length overall - Detail42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m) Less Bow Platform: 40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.23
Length overall - Meters12.98
Length overall - Inches324
Length overall - Inches511
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Max no of engines1
Max no of enginesnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 5.7 GiC DP
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 8.1 S High Output w/CWC
Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal. (379 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal57

Formula 270 Bowrider 2010 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Formula 270 Bowrider 2010 or the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006?
The Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 is the longer of the two at 42,0 feet overall. The Formula 270 Bowrider 2010 comes in at 27,0 feet, making it roughly 15,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Formula 270 Bowrider 2010 or the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006?
For trailering, the Formula 270 Bowrider 2010 has the edge at 62 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 270 Bowrider 2010 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 270 Bowrider 2010. 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 270 Bowrider 2010 or the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006?
The Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 has the bigger tank at 25 gallons, versus 1 gallons on the Formula 270 Bowrider 2010. That 24-gallon difference translates to roughly 72–120 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Formula 270 Bowrider 2010 and Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Formula 270 Bowrider 2010 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.