Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Bowrider 2010 vs Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 290 Bowrider 2010 vs Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 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.
The Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Formula 290 Bowrider 2010 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Formula 290 Bowrider 2010 carries 122 gallons versus 12 gallons in the Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Formula 290 Bowrider 2010 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 30,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 290 Bowrider 2010 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
MakeFormula
Makenot available
Model290 Bowrider
Modelnot available
Model Year201
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise22°
Deadrisenot available
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet30
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail30.00 ft
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters9.14
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches360
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.7 GiC DP
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail122 gal. (461 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters461.82
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal122
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Drive typeinboard
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMerCruiser
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower300 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity2
Holding tank capacity - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower