Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 vs Formula 45 Yacht 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2007 vs Formula 45 Yacht 2008 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 45 Yacht 2008 measures 45,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 16,0 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 45 Yacht 2008 tips the scales at 335 lbs — 253 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 45 Yacht 2008 is rated for 13 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 45 Yacht 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 45 Yacht 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 45,0 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
Model45 Yacht
Model Year2007
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam13 ft. 11 in. (4.24 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters4.24
Beam - Inches11
Beam - Inches167
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: 12 ft. 10 in. (3.91 m) Light Load w/ Mast Light: 15 ft. 5 in. (4.7 m) Light Load w/ Radar: 13 ft. 10 in. (4.22 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters4.7
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches185
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail41 in. (1.04 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters1.04
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches41
Weight - Detail8,200 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - Detail33,500 lbs. (15,195 kg)
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - kg15195.33
Weight - lbs.82
Weight - lbs.335
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Meters13.72
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet45
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail45 ft. 0 in. (13.72 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters13.72
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches54
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]48 ft. 2 in. (14.68 m)
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 standardVolvo Penta Twin IPS 600 HP435 with Joystick
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail350 gal. (1,325 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1324.89
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 2 in. (1.57 m)
Headroom6 ft. 11 in. (2.11 m) Guest Stateroom: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m)
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity100 gal. (379 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (284 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters283.91
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Holding tank capacity - Gal75