Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Sun Sport 2008 vs Formula 310 Sun Sport 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2008 is a deep-V design and the Formula 310 Sun Sport 2008 is a modified-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Formula 280 Sun Sport 2008 at 29,0 ft versus Formula 310 Sun Sport 2008 at 31,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 310 Sun Sport 2008 tips the scales at 9 750 lbs - 1 550 lbs less than the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2008 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 310 Sun Sport 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2008 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 310 Sun Sport 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 310 Sun Sport 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 31,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 280 Sun Sport 2008 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
Model310 Sun Sport
Model Year2008
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Inches110
Beam - Inches114
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: 6 ft. (1.83 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 8 ft. 8 in. (2.64 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters2.64
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches104
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise22℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches37
Weight - Detail8,200 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - Detail9,750 lbs. (4,423 kg)
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - kg4422.52
Weight - lbs.8200
Weight - lbs.9750
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Meters9.45
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet31
Length - Inches6
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 0 in. (9.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters9.45
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches372
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 5.0 MPI Bravo Three
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.7 Gi DP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail120 gal. (454 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal120
Fuel tank capacity - Gal130
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 2 in. (1.57 m)
Headroom5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity30 gal. (114 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail36 gal. (136 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters136.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Holding tank capacity - Gal36