Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Bowrider 2007 vs Formula 31 PC 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Bowrider 2007 vs Formula 31 PC 2013 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 2007 at 29,0 ft versus Formula 31 PC 2013 at 31,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 31 PC 2013 tips the scales at 14 100 lbs - 5 900 lbs less than the Formula 280 Bowrider 2007 at 8 200 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 31 PC 2013 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Formula 280 Bowrider 2007 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 31 PC 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 31 PC 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 31,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 280 Bowrider 2007 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
Model31 PC
Model Year2007
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam11 ft. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches110
Beam - Inches132
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. 4 in. (3.15 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters3.15
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches124
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - DetailSingle: 7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg) Twin: 8,200 lbs. (3,719 kg)
Weight - Detail14,100 lbs. (6,396 kg)
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - kg6395.65
Weight - lbs.8200
Weight - lbs.14100
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Meters9.65
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet31.67
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 8 in. (9.65 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters9.65
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches380
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]33 ft. 1 in. (10.08 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Single 496 MAG Bravo Three
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail180 gal. (681 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal120
Fuel tank capacity - Gal180
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - DetailSingle: 26 gal. (98 l) Twin: 2.6 gal. (9.8 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters151.42
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Holding tank capacity - Gal40
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)