Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 270 Sun Sport 2011 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 270 Sun Sport 2011 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 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 270 Sun Sport 2011 at 27,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Cruiser 2005 tips the scales at 19 704 lbs — 19 642 lbs less than the Formula 270 Sun Sport 2011 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 2005 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 270 Sun Sport 2011 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 270 Sun Sport 2011 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 Sun Sport
Model40 Cruiser
Model Year2011
Model Year2005
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. (1.52 m) With Sport Arch: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 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 - Meters2.36
Bridge clearance - Meters4.55
Bridge clearance - Inches93
Bridge clearance - Inches179
Deadrise22°
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (.89 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches35
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 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 typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Single 350 MAG EC Bravo Three
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 typenot available
Drive typeInboard - Twin
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