Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 270 Bowrider 2013 vs Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2008: Which Modified-V Boat Fits Your Needs?
Both the Formula 270 Bowrider 2013 and the Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2008 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2008 measures 31,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 270 Bowrider 2013 at 27,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2008 tips the scales at 14 100 lbs - 7 900 lbs less than the Formula 270 Bowrider 2013 at 6 200 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 31 Performance Cruiser 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Formula 270 Bowrider 2013 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2008 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 270 Bowrider 2013 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
Model270 Bowrider
Model31 Performance Cruiser
Model Year2013
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam11 ft. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches132
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. (2.52 m) With Samson Sports Razor Wakeboard Tower: 8 ft. 7 in. (2.62 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 10 ft. 4 in. (3.15 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.62
Bridge clearance - Meters3.15
Bridge clearance - Inches103
Bridge clearance - Inches124
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches40
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail6,200 lbs. (2,812 kg)
Weight - Detail14,100 lbs. (6,396 kg)
Weight - kg2812.27
Weight - kg6395.65
Weight - lbs.6200
Weight - lbs.14100
Length - Meters8.23
Length - Meters9.65
Length - Feet27
Length - Feet31
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 0 in. (8.23 m)
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 8 in. (9.65 m)
Length overall - Meters8.23
Length overall - Meters9.65
Length overall - Inches324
Length overall - Inches380
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches8
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]33 ft. 1 in. (10.08 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail100 gal. (379 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail180 gal. (681 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal100
Fuel tank capacity - Gal180
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.7 GXi DP
Operational Info
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters151.42
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal40