Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 vs Formula 400 Super Sport 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Bowrider 2008 vs Formula 400 Super Sport 2005 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 400 Super Sport 2005 measures 41,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 12,0 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 400 Super Sport 2005 tips the scales at 188 lbs — 106 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 400 Super Sport 2005 is rated for 12 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 400 Super Sport 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 400 Super Sport 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 41,0 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
Model400 Super Sport
Model Year2008
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam11 ft. 0 in. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches11
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 - DetailLight Load: 10 ft. 6 in. (3.2 m) Light Load & Mast Light: 11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m) Light Load w/Radar & Mast Light: 11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m) Light Load w/Hardtop & Mast Light: 12 ft. 6 in. (3.81 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters3.81
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches15
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise22℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.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 - DetailGas: 16,100 lbs. (7,303 kg) Diesel: 17,900 lbs. (8,119 kg) With Hardtop - Gas: 17,000 lbs. (7,711 kg) With Hardtop - Diesel: 18,800 lbs. (8,528 kg)
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - kg8527.53
Weight - lbs.82
Weight - lbs.188
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Meters12.65
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet41
Length - Inches6
Length - Inches6
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail41 ft. 6 in. (12.65 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters12.65
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches498
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Single 496 MAG Bravo Three
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 8.1 OSi XDP w/CWC
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 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