Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2010 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 40 Cruiser 2010 measures 40,8 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 11,8 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 40 Cruiser 2010 tips the scales at 2 275 lbs — 2 193 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 40 Cruiser 2010 is rated for 12 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 40 Cruiser 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 40,8 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
Model40 Cruiser
Model Year2007
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam12 ft. 8 in. (3.86 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters3.86
Beam - Inches11
Beam - Inches152
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.72 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail11 ft. 10 in. (3.61 m) With IPS: 12 ft. 1 in. (3.68 m) With Radar & IPS: 13 ft. 3 in. (4.03 m) With Mast Light: 12 ft. 4 in. (3.76 m) With Mast Light & IPS: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.41 m) With Radar & Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.28 m) With Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 11 in. (4.55 m) With Hardtop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 16 ft. 8 in. (5.07 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters5.08
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches2
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m) With Volvo IPS: 44 in. (1.12 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters1.12
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches44
Weight - Detail8,200 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 20,950 lbs. (9,502 kg) Diesel: 22,150 lbs. (10,047 kg) With Hardtop - Gas: 21,550 lbs. (9,774 kg) With Hardtop - Diesel: 22,750 lbs. (10,319 kg)
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - kg10319.22
Weight - lbs.82
Weight - lbs.2275
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Meters12.45
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet40.83
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail40.83 ft. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters12.45
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches489.96
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m)
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 standardVolvo Penta Twin IPS 550 Gas 400HP with Joystick
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 2 in. (1.57 m)
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 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