Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Bowrider 2006 vs Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Bowrider 2006 vs Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 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.
The Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Formula 280 Bowrider 2006 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 12 gal and 12 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Formula 280 Bowrider 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 Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 30,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 280 Bowrider 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
MakeFormula
Makenot available
Model280 Bowrider
Modelnot available
Model Year2006
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches11
Beam - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.72 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise21℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - DetailSingle: 6,100 lbs. (2,767 kg) Twin: 7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg3311.22
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.73
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet30
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 - Detail30.00 ft
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters9.14
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches360
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Single 8.1 Gi DP w/CWC
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeinboard
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMerCruiser
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower300 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity2
Holding tank capacity - DetailSingle: 26 gal. (98 l) Twin: 2.6 gal. (9.8 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower