Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 280 Sun Sport 2008 vs Formula 400 FX8 2013 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2008 and the Formula 400 FX8 2013 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — 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 400 FX8 2013 measures 41,5 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 12,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 280 Sun Sport 2008 at 29,0 feet (2008). At 82 lbs and 181 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Formula 400 FX8 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 400 FX8 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 400 FX8 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 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
Model400 FX8
Model Year2008
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 2 in. (2.79 m)
Beam11 ft. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters2.79
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches11
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, Sat. TV & Mast Light: 12 ft. 6 in. (3.81 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.59
Bridge clearance - Meters3.81
Bridge clearance - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Inches15
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise22³
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - DetailGas: 39 in. (0.99 m) Diesel: 40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail8,200 lbs. (3,311 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 16,100 lbs. (7,303 kg) Diesel: 17,100 lbs. (7,756 kg) Gas (with Hardtop): 17,100 lbs. Diesel (with Hardtop): 18,100 lbs. (8,210 kg)
Weight - kg3719.45
Weight - kg8210.02
Weight - lbs.82
Weight - lbs.181
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Metersnot available
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 materialAluminum
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 - Gal12
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typenot available
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 - Gal5