Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Sun Sport 2006 vs Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2006 vs Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2008 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 Sun Sport 2006 at 28,0 ft versus Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2008 at 31,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2008 tips the scales at 14 100 lbs - 6 800 lbs less than the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2006 at 7 300 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 Performance Cruiser 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2006 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 Performance Cruiser 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 31,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2006 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 Sun Sport
Model31 Performance Cruiser
Model Year2006
Model Year2008
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 - DetailLight Load: 10 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. (.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - Detail14,100 lbs. (6,396 kg)
Weight - kg3311.22
Weight - kg6395.65
Weight - lbs.7300
Weight - lbs.14100
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Meters9.65
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet31
Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 0 in. (9.14 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]33 ft. 1 in. (10.08 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 8 in. (9.65 m)
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters9.65
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches380
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches8
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.0 GXi DP
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.7 GXi DP
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
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 2 in. (1.57 m)
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98 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
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee