Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 271 FASTech 2008 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 271 FASTech 2008 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 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 2006 measures 42,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 271 FASTech 2008 at 27,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 tips the scales at 19 704 lbs — 14 019 lbs less than the Formula 271 FASTech 2008 at 5 685 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 2006 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 271 FASTech 2008 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 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 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 271 FASTech 2008 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 Year2008
Model Year2006
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 - 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 - Meters1.5
Bridge clearance - Meters4.55
Bridge clearance - Inches59
Bridge clearance - Inches179
Deadrise24℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail5,685 lbs. (2,579 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 - kg2578.67
Weight - kg8937.58
Weight - lbs.5685
Weight - lbs.19704
Length - Meters8.25
Length - Meters12.98
Length - Feet27
Length - Feet42
Length - Inches1
Length - Inches7
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 1 in. (8.25 m)
Length overall - Detail42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m) Less Bow Platform: 40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.26
Length overall - Meters12.98
Length overall - Inches325
Length overall - Inches511
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Single 496 MAG Bravo One
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 8.1 S High Output w/CWC
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
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
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