Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Sun Sport 2006 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2006 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 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 280 Sun Sport 2006 measures 28,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 24,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 at 4,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 tips the scales at 2 275 lbs — 2 202 lbs less than the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2006 at 73 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 40 Cruiser 2009 is rated for 12 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 40 Cruiser 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 4,0 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
Model40 Cruiser
Model Year2006
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam12 ft. 8 in. (3.86 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters3.86
Beam - Inches11
Beam - Inches152
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.72 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail11 ft. 10 in. (3.61 m) With IPS: 12 ft. 1 in. (3.68 m) With Radar & IPS: 13 ft. 3 in. (4.03 m) With Mast Light: 12 ft. 4 in. (3.76 m) With Mast Light & IPS: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.41 m) With Radar & Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.28 m) With Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 11 in. (4.55 m) With Hardtop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 16 ft. 8 in. (5.07 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters5.08
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches2
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m) With Volvo IPS: 44 in. (1.12 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters1.12
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches44
Weight - Detail7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 20,950 lbs. (9,502 kg) Diesel: 22,150 lbs. (10,047 kg) With Hardtop - Gas: 21,550 lbs. (9,774 kg) With Hardtop - Diesel: 22,750 lbs. (10,319 kg)
Weight - kg3311.22
Weight - kg10319.22
Weight - lbs.73
Weight - lbs.2275
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Meters12.45
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet4
Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 0 in. (9.14 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters12.45
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches49
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.0 GXi DP
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta twin IPS 500 gas 400 hp with joystick
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 typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 2 in. (1.57 m)
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Holding tank capacity - Gal57
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee