Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Bowrider 2005 vs Formula 370 Super Sport 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Bowrider 2005 vs Formula 370 Super Sport 2011 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 370 Super Sport 2011 measures 38,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 10,5 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 370 Super Sport 2011 tips the scales at 15 100 lbs - 7 800 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 370 Super Sport 2011 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 370 Super Sport 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 370 Super Sport 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 11 passengers and at 38,5 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
Model370 Super Sport
Model Year2005
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam10 ft. 6 in. (3.2 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters3.2
Beam - Inches110
Beam - Inches126
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.72 m) Light Load w/Arch: 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail10 ft. (3.05 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters3.05
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches120
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - DetailSingle: 6,100 lbs. (2,767 kg) Twin: 7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - Detail15,100 lbs. (6,849 kg)
Weight - kg3311.22
Weight - kg6849.24
Weight - lbs.7300
Weight - lbs.15100
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Meters11.73
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet38.5
Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 0 in. (9.14 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail38 ft. 6 in. (11.73 m)
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters11.73
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches462
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 8.1 Gi DP w/CWC
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Twin 8.2 MAG EC Bravo Three X DTS
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail238 gal. (901 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters900.93
Fuel tank capacity - Gal120
Fuel tank capacity - Gal238
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity43 gal. (163 l)
Holding tank capacity - DetailSingle: 26 gal. (98 l) Twin: 2.6 gal. (9.8 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters189.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Holding tank capacity - Gal50
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee