Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 vs Formula 330 Sun Sport 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 against a deep vee Formula 330 Sun Sport 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 330 Sun Sport 2008 measures 34,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 at 29,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 330 Sun Sport 2008 tips the scales at 1 095 lbs — 1 013 lbs less than the Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 at 82 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 330 Sun Sport 2008 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 330 Sun Sport 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 330 Sun Sport 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 34,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 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
Model330 Sun Sport
Model Year2008
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam10 ft. 2 in. (3.1 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters3.1
Beam - Inches11
Beam - Inches122
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: 6 ft. (1.83 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 9 ft. (2.74 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters2.74
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches108
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (0.89 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - DetailSingle: 7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg) Twin: 8,200 lbs. (3,719 kg)
Weight - Detail10,950 lbs. (4,967 kg)
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - kg4966.83
Weight - lbs.82
Weight - lbs.1095
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Meters10.5
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet34
Length - Inches6
Length - Inches5
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail34 ft. 5 in. (10.5 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters10.49
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches413
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Single 496 MAG Bravo Three
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.7 GXi DP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail160 gal. (606 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters605.67
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal16
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas or diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Headroomnot available
Headroom5 ft. 7 in. (1.7 m)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal26