Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Sun Sport 2008 vs Formula 40 PC 2013: Which Deep-V Boat Fits Your Needs?
Both the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2008 and the Formula 40 PC 2013 are deep-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 40 PC 2013 measures 40,8 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 11,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2008 at 29,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 PC 2013 tips the scales at 22 750 lbs - 14 550 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 40 PC 2013 is rated for 12 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 40 PC 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 PC 2013 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 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
Model40 PC
Model Year2008
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam12 ft. 8 in. (3.86 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters3.86
Beam - Inches110
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 Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.41 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 - Inches200
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 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: 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.8200
Weight - lbs.22750
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 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters12.45
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches490
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 typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep 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
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 2 in. (1.57 m)
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity57 gal. (216 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