Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Bowrider 2006 vs Formula 310 FX5 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Bowrider 2006 vs Formula 310 FX5 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Formula 280 Bowrider 2006 at 28,0 ft versus Formula 310 FX5 2011 at 31,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 310 FX5 2011 tips the scales at 975 lbs — 902 lbs less than the Formula 280 Bowrider 2006 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 310 FX5 2011 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 310 FX5 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 310 FX5 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 31,0 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
Model280 Bowrider
Model310 FX5
Model Year2006
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam9 ft. 6 in. (2.90 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Inches11
Beam - Inches114
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.72 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. (1.83 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 8 in. (2.64 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters2.64
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches104
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise22℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches37
Weight - DetailSingle: 6,100 lbs. (2,767 kg) Twin: 7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - Detail9,750 lbs. (4,423 kg)
Weight - kg3311.22
Weight - kg4422.52
Weight - lbs.73
Weight - lbs.975
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Meters9.45
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet31
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 - Detail31 ft. (9.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters9.45
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches372
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
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity29 gal. (110 l)
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 - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Headroomnot available
Headroom5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee