Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Bowrider 2010 vs Formula 31 Cruiser 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Formula 290 Bowrider 2010 against a deep vee Formula 31 Cruiser 2009 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely 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 290 Bowrider 2010 at 29,0 ft versus Formula 31 Cruiser 2009 at 31,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 290 Bowrider 2010 tips the scales at 895 lbs — 754 lbs more than the Formula 31 Cruiser 2009 at 141 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 31 Cruiser 2009 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 31 Cruiser 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 31 Cruiser 2009 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 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
Model290 Bowrider
Model31 Cruiser
Model Year201
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam11 ft. 0 in. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches132
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail10 ft. 4 in. (3.15 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters3.15
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches124
Deadrise22°
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - Detail14,100 lbs. (6,396 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg6395.65
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.141
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet31
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 8 in. (9.65 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters9.65
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches38
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters9.65
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches8
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]33 ft. 1 in. (10.08 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.7 GiC DP
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta twin 5.7 GXi DP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail122 gal. (461 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail180 gal. (681 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters461.82
Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal122
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters151.42
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal4
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)