Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Bowrider 2005 vs Formula 37 Cruiser 2009: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Bowrider 2005 vs Formula 37 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 37 Cruiser 2009 measures 37,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 9,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 280 Bowrider 2005 at 28,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 37 Cruiser 2009 tips the scales at 18 900 lbs - 11 600 lbs less than the Formula 280 Bowrider 2005 at 7 300 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 37 Cruiser 2009 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Formula 280 Bowrider 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 37 Cruiser 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 37 Cruiser 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 11 passengers and at 37,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 280 Bowrider 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
Model280 Bowrider
Model37 Cruiser
Model Year2005
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam12 ft. 0 in. (3.66 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters3.66
Beam - Inches110
Beam - Inches144
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.72 m) Light Load w/Arch: 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail11 ft. 7 in. (3.53 m) With IPS: 11 ft. 10 in. (3.6 m) With Radar & IPS: 12 ft. 9 in. (3.88 m) With Mast Light: 13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m) With Mast Light & IPS: 13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m) With Radar & Mast Light: 13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m) With Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 4 in. (4.37 m) With Hardtop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 15 ft. 7 in. (4.74 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters4.75
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches187
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m) With Volvo IPS: 40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches40
Weight - DetailSingle: 6,100 lbs. (2,767 kg) Twin: 7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 17,500 lbs. (7,937 kg) Diesel: 18,200 lbs. (8,255 kg) With Hardtop - Gas: 18,200 (8,255 kg) With Hardtop - Diesel: 18,900 lbs. (8,572 kg) With IPS: 18,900 lbs. (8,572 kg)
Weight - kg3311.22
Weight - kg8572.89
Weight - lbs.7300
Weight - lbs.18900
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Meters11.28
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet37
Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 0 in. (9.14 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]38 ft. 5 in. (11.71 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail37 ft. 0 in. (11.28 m)
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters11.28
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches444
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 8.1 Gi DP w/CWC
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta twin 8.1 Gi DP with CWC
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail236 gal. (893 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters893.36
Fuel tank capacity - Gal120
Fuel tank capacity - Gal236
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Holding tank capacity - DetailSingle: 26 gal. (98 l) Twin: 2.6 gal. (9.8 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Holding tank capacity - Gal57
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee