Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 271 FASTech 2006 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 271 FASTech 2006 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 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 2012 measures 40,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 13,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 271 FASTech 2006 at 27,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 271 FASTech 2006 tips the scales at 5 685 lbs — 3 530 lbs more than the Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 at 2 155 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 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 271 FASTech 2006 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 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 40,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 271 FASTech 2006 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 FAS?Tech
Model40 Cruiser
Model Year2006
Model Year2012
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. (4.42 m) With Radar & Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.42 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 and Diesel: 20,950 lbs. (9,502 kg) With Hardtop - Gas and Diesel: 21,550 lbs. (9,774 kg)
Weight - kg2578.67
Weight - kg9774.91
Weight - lbs.5685
Weight - lbs.2155
Length - Meters8.25
Length - Meters12.45
Length - Feet27
Length - Feet40.83
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
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 550 Gas 400HP 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
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