Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Sun Sport 2006 vs Formula 45 Yacht 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2006 vs Formula 45 Yacht 2011 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 45 Yacht 2011 measures 45,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 17,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2006 at 28,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 45 Yacht 2011 tips the scales at 325 lbs — 252 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.
The Formula 45 Yacht 2011 tops out at 600 hp. Engine specs for the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2006 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Formula 45 Yacht 2011 carries 35 gallons versus 12 gallons in the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Formula 45 Yacht 2011 is rated for 13 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 45 Yacht 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 45 Yacht 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 45,0 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
Model45 Yacht
Model Year2006
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam13 ft. 11 in. (4.24 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters4.24
Beam - Inches11
Beam - Inches167
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.72 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail12 ft. 10 in. (3.91 m) With IPS: 13 ft. 6 in. (4.11 m) With Radar: 13 ft. 10 in. (4.22 m) With Mast Light: 15 ft. 5 in. (4.7 m) With Mast Light & IPS: 16 ft. 1 in. (4.9 m) With Hardtop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 17 ft. 4 in. (5.28 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters5.28
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches208
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail41 in. (1.04 m) With Volvo IPS: 39 in. (0.99 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters1.04
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches41
Weight - Detail7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - DetailWith IPS: 32,500 lbs. (14,742 kg)
Weight - kg3311.22
Weight - kg14741.74
Weight - lbs.73
Weight - lbs.325
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Meters13.72
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet45
Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 0 in. (9.14 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]48 ft. 2 in. (14.68 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail45 ft. (13.72 m)
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters13.72
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches54
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.0 GXi DP
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin IPS 600 HP435 with Joystick
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail350 gal. (1,325 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1324.89
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower600 hp
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 2 in. (1.57 m)
Headroom6 ft. 11 in. (2.11 m) Guest Stateroom: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m)
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity100 gal. (379 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (284 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters283.91
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Holding tank capacity - Gal75
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee