Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 vs Formula 310 FX5 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 vs Formula 310 FX5 2013 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 2007 at 29,0 ft versus Formula 310 FX5 2013 at 31,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 310 FX5 2013 tips the scales at 9 750 lbs - 1 550 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 310 FX5 2013 is rated for 9 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 310 FX5 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 310 FX5 2013 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 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
Model310 FX5
Model Year2007
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Inches110
Beam - Inches114
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.72 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. (1.83 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 8 in. (2.64 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters2.64
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches104
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise22³
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches37
Weight - Detail8,200 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - Detail9,750 lbs. (4,423 kg)
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - kg4422.52
Weight - lbs.8200
Weight - lbs.9750
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet31
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 0 in. (9.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters9.45
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches372
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 5.0 MPI Bravo Three
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal120
Fuel tank capacity - Gal130
Drive typeInboard
Drive typenot available
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 2 in. (1.57 m)
Headroom5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity29 gal. (110 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail36 gal. (136 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters136.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Holding tank capacity - Gal36