Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Bowrider 2005 vs Formula 382 FASTech 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Bowrider 2005 vs Formula 382 FASTech 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 382 FASTech 2006 measures 38,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 10,0 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 382 FASTech 2006 tips the scales at 1 045 lbs — 972 lbs less than the Formula 280 Bowrider 2005 at 73 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 382 FASTech 2006 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 382 FASTech 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 382 FASTech 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 38,0 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
Model382 FAS?Tech
Model Year2005
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters2.51
Beam - Inches11
Beam - Inches99
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.72 m) Light Load w/Arch: 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 6 in. (1.68 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters1.68
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches66
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise24℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (.84 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches33
Weight - DetailSingle: 6,100 lbs. (2,767 kg) Twin: 7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - Detail10,450 lbs. (4,740 kg)
Weight - kg3311.22
Weight - kg4740.04
Weight - lbs.73
Weight - lbs.1045
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Meters11.63
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet38
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. 2 in. (11.63 m)
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters11.63
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches458
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches2
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 8.1 Gi DP w/CWC
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 496 MAG High Output Bravo One X
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail195 gal. (738 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters738.15
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal195
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity19 gal. (72 l)
Holding tank capacity - DetailSingle: 26 gal. (98 l) Twin: 2.6 gal. (9.8 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail6.5 gal. (25 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5
Headroomnot available
Headroom5 ft. 1 in. (1.55 m)