Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 270 Sun Sport 2012 vs Formula 31 Cruiser 2009 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 270 Sun Sport 2012 and the Formula 31 Cruiser 2009 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 31 Cruiser 2009 measures 31,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 270 Sun Sport 2012 at 27,0 feet (2012). At 62 lbs and 141 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Formula 31 Cruiser 2009 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Formula 270 Sun Sport 2012 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 Cruiser 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 31 Cruiser 2009 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 Sun Sport 2012 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
Model31 Cruiser
Model Year2012
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam11 ft. 0 in. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches132
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. (1.52 m) With Sport Arch: 7 ft. 9 in. (2.36 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail10 ft. 4 in. (3.15 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.36
Bridge clearance - Meters3.15
Bridge clearance - Inches93
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] - Inches4
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.62
Weight - lbs.141
Length - Meters8.23
Length - Meters9.65
Length - Feet27
Length - Feet31
Length overall - Detail27 ft. (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 - Inches38
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 typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Single 350 MAG EC Bravo Three
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta twin 5.7 GXi DP
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 - Gal1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
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 - Gal4