Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 vs Formula 400 Super Sport 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 vs Formula 400 Super Sport 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 400 Super Sport 2013 measures 41,5 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 12,5 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 400 Super Sport 2013 tips the scales at 18 100 lbs - 9 900 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 400 Super Sport 2013 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 400 Super Sport 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 400 Super Sport 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 12 passengers and at 41,5 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
Model400 Super Sport
Model Year2007
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam11 ft. (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 - DetailWith Mast Light: 11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m) With Hardtop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 12 ft. 6 in. (3.81 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters3.81
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches150
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise22℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - DetailGas: 39 in. (0.99 mm) Diesel: 40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches40
Weight - Detail8,200 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 16,100 lbs. (7,303 kg) Diesel: 17,100 lbs. (7,756 kg) With Hardtop - Gas: 17,100 lbs. (7,756 kg) With Hardtop - Diesel: 18,100 lbs. (8,210 kg)
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - kg8210.02
Weight - lbs.8200
Weight - lbs.18100
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Meters12.65
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet41.5
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail41 ft. 6 in. (12.65 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters12.65
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches498
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified 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 - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal120
Fuel tank capacity - Gal250
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 2 in. (1.57 m)
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters189.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Holding tank capacity - Gal50