Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 boat specs
Formula
Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007
2007
View full specs →
VS
Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007 boat specs
Formula
Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007
2007
View full specs →

Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 vs Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 vs Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007 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 37 Performance Cruiser 2007 measures 37,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 8,0 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 37 Performance Cruiser 2007 tips the scales at 17 605 lbs — 17 523 lbs less than the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 at 82 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 37 Performance Cruiser 2007 is rated for 11 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 37 Performance Cruiser 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 37,0 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
MakeFormula
MakeFormula
Model280 Sun Sport
Model37 Performance Cruiser
Model Year2007
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam12 ft. 0 in. (3.66 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters3.66
Beam - Inches11
Beam - Inches144
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: 11 ft. 7 in. (3.53 m) Light Load & Mast Light: 12 ft. 5 in. (3.78 m) Light Load w/ Radar & Mast Light: 13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m) Light Load w/ Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 4 in. (4.37 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters4.37
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches172
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail30 in. (0.76 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.76
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches3
Weight - Detail8,200 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 16,500 lbs. (7,484 kg) Diesel: 17,300 lbs. (7,847 kg) w/ Hardtop - Gas: 16,805 (7,623 kg) w/ Hardtop - Diesel: 17,605 lbs. (7,985 kg)
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - kg7985.49
Weight - lbs.82
Weight - lbs.17605
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Meters11.28
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet37
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail37 ft. 0 in. (11.28 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters11.28
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches444
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]38 ft. 5 in. (11.71 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 5.0 MPI Bravo Three
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 8.1 Gi DP w/CWC
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail236 gal. (893 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters893.36
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal236
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 2 in. (1.57 m)
Headroom6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 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

Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 vs Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 or the Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007?
The Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007 is the longer of the two at 37,0 feet overall. The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 comes in at 29,0 feet, making it roughly 8,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 or the Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007?
For trailering, the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 has the edge at 82 lbs dry weight versus 17 605 lbs for the Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007 is certified for 11. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007 measures 144" wide, compared to 11" for the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 or the Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007?
The Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007 has the bigger tank at 236 gallons, versus 12 gallons on the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007. That 224-gallon difference translates to roughly 672–1120 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 and Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 and the Formula 37 Performance Cruiser 2007 are built by Formula. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.