Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 271 FAS³Tech 2005 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 271 FAS³Tech 2005 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 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 271 FAS³Tech 2005 measures 27,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 23,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 at 4,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 271 FAS³Tech 2005 tips the scales at 5 685 lbs — 3 410 lbs more than the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 at 2 275 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 2009 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 271 FAS³Tech 2005 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 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 4,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 271 FAS³Tech 2005 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
Model271 FAS³Tech
Model40 Cruiser
Model Year2005
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Beam12 ft. 8 in. (3.86 m)
Beam - Meters2.51
Beam - Meters3.86
Beam - Inches99
Beam - Inches152
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 4 ft. 11 in. (1.5 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail11 ft. 10 in. (3.61 m) With IPS: 12 ft. 1 in. (3.68 m) With Radar & IPS: 13 ft. 3 in. (4.03 m) With Mast Light: 12 ft. 4 in. (3.76 m) With Mast Light & IPS: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.41 m) With Radar & Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.28 m) With Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 11 in. (4.55 m) With Hardtop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 16 ft. 8 in. (5.07 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.5
Bridge clearance - Meters5.08
Bridge clearance - Inches59
Bridge clearance - Inches2
Deadrise24°
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (.86 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m) With Volvo IPS: 44 in. (1.12 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters1.12
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches44
Weight - Detail5,685 lbs. (2,579 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 20,950 lbs. (9,502 kg) Diesel: 22,150 lbs. (10,047 kg) With Hardtop - Gas: 21,550 lbs. (9,774 kg) With Hardtop - Diesel: 22,750 lbs. (10,319 kg)
Weight - kg2578.67
Weight - kg10319.22
Weight - lbs.5685
Weight - lbs.2275
Length - Meters8.25
Length - Meters12.45
Length - Feet27
Length - Feet4
Length - Inches1
Length - Inches1
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 1 in. (8.25 m)
Length overall - Detail40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.26
Length overall - Meters12.45
Length overall - Inches325
Length overall - Inches49
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Single 496 MAG Bravo One
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta twin IPS 500 gas 400 hp with joystick
Fuel tank capacity - Detail105 gal. (397 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters397.47
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal105
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Operational Info
Headroom4 ft. 5 in. (1.35 m)
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Water capacity19 gal. (72 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail2.6 gal. (9.8 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters11.36
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Gal2.6
Holding tank capacity - Gal57
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee