Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 vs Formula 370 Super Sport 2012 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 and the Formula 370 Super Sport 2012 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 370 Super Sport 2012 measures 38,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 9,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 at 29,0 feet (2008). At 82 lbs and 151 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Formula 370 Super Sport 2012 is rated for 11 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 370 Super Sport 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 370 Super Sport 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 38,5 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
Model370 Super Sport
Model Year2008
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam10 ft. 6 in. (3.2 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters3.2
Beam - Inches11
Beam - Inches126
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. (3.05 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters3.05
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches12
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - DetailSingle: 7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg) Twin: 8,200 lbs. (3,719 kg)
Weight - Detail15,100 lbs. (6,849 kg)
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - kg6849.24
Weight - lbs.82
Weight - lbs.151
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Meters11.73
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet38.5
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail38 ft. 6 in. (11.73 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters11.73
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches462
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Single 496 MAG Bravo Three
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Twin 8.2 MAG EC Bravo Three X DTS
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail238 gal. (901 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters900.93
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal238
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 capacity43 gal. (163 l)
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters189.27
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal5