Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 vs Formula 31 Cruiser 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 vs Formula 31 Cruiser 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 31 Cruiser 2005 measures 33,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 at 29,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 31 Cruiser 2005 tips the scales at 14 100 lbs - 5 900 lbs less than the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 at 8 200 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 Cruiser 2005 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 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 Cruiser 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 31 Cruiser 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 33,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 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 Cruiser
Model Year2007
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 - 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. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (.86 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail8,200 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - Detail14,100 lbs. (6,396 kg)
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - kg6395.65
Weight - lbs.8200
Weight - lbs.14100
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Meters10.08
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet33
Length - Inches6
Length - Inches1
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail33 ft. 1 in. (10.08 m) Less Bow Platform: 31 ft. 8 in. (9.65 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters10.08
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches397
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 5.0 MPI Bravo Three
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
Fuel typenot available
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