Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 vs Formula 353 FASTECH Sport 2012: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 vs Formula 353 FASTECH Sport 2012 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 353 FASTECH Sport 2012 measures 35,3 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,3 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 353 FASTECH Sport 2012 tips the scales at 9 500 lbs - 1 300 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 353 FASTECH Sport 2012 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 353 FASTECH Sport 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 353 FASTECH Sport 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 35,3 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
Model353 FAS?TECH? Sport
Model Year2007
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters2.51
Beam - Inches110
Beam - Inches99
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.72 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters1.63
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches64
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise24℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail8,200 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - Detail9,500 lbs. (4,309 kg)
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - kg4309.12
Weight - lbs.8200
Weight - lbs.9500
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Meters10.74
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet35.25
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail35 ft. 3 in. (10.74 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters10.74
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches423
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 5.0 MPI Bravo Three
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 8.2 MAG EC Bravo One
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail149 gal. (583 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters564.03
Fuel tank capacity - Gal120
Fuel tank capacity - Gal149
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 2 in. (1.57 m)
Headroom4 ft. 10 in. (1.47 m)
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity19 gal. (72 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail2.6 gal. (9.8 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters11.36
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Holding tank capacity - Gal2.6