Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 boat specs
Formula
Formula 280 Bowrider 2008
2008
View full specs →
VS
Formula 382 FASTech 2008 boat specs
Formula
Formula 382 FASTech 2008
2008
View full specs →

Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 vs Formula 382 FASTech 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 against a deep vee Formula 382 FASTech 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 382 FASTech 2008 measures 38,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 9,0 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 382 FASTech 2008 tips the scales at 1 045 lbs — 963 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 382 FASTech 2008 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 382 FASTech 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Formula 382 FASTech 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 38,0 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
MakeFormula
MakeFormula
Model280 Bowrider
Model382 FAS?Tech
Model Year2008
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters2.51
Beam - Inches11
Beam - Inches99
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: 5 ft. 6 in. (1.68 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters1.68
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches66
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise24℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (0.84 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.84
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches33
Weight - DetailSingle: 7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg) Twin: 8,200 lbs. (3,719 kg)
Weight - Detail10,450 lbs. (4,740 kg)
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - kg4740.04
Weight - lbs.82
Weight - lbs.1045
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Meters11.63
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet38
Length - Inches6
Length - Inches2
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail38 ft. 2 in. (11.63 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters11.63
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches458
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 standardMerCruiser? Twin 496 MAG High Output Bravo One X
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail195 gal. (738 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters738.15
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal195
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity19 gal. (72 l)
Headroomnot available
Headroom5 ft. 1 in. (1.55 m)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail6.5 gal. (25 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5

Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 vs Formula 382 FASTech 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 or the Formula 382 FASTech 2008?
The Formula 382 FASTech 2008 is the longer of the two at 38,0 feet overall. The Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 comes in at 29,0 feet, making it roughly 9,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 or the Formula 382 FASTech 2008?
For trailering, the Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 has the edge at 82 lbs dry weight versus 1 045 lbs for the Formula 382 FASTech 2008. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Formula 382 FASTech 2008 is certified for 11. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Formula 382 FASTech 2008 measures 99" wide, compared to 11" for the Formula 280 Bowrider 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 or the Formula 382 FASTech 2008?
The Formula 382 FASTech 2008 has the bigger tank at 195 gallons, versus 12 gallons on the Formula 280 Bowrider 2008. That 183-gallon difference translates to roughly 549–915 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 and Formula 382 FASTech 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 and the Formula 382 FASTech 2008 are built by Formula. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.