Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Bowrider 2011 vs Formula 34 Cruiser 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Formula 290 Bowrider 2011 against a deep vee Formula 34 Cruiser 2010 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 34 Cruiser 2010 measures 34,3 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 5,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 290 Bowrider 2011 at 29,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 34 Cruiser 2010 tips the scales at 1 691 lbs — 796 lbs less than the Formula 290 Bowrider 2011 at 895 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 34 Cruiser 2010 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Formula 290 Bowrider 2011 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 34 Cruiser 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 34 Cruiser 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 34,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 290 Bowrider 2011 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
Model34 Cruiser
Model Year2011
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters3.51
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches138
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail11 ft. 4 in. (3.45 m) With Hartop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 14 ft. 0 in. (4.27 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters4.27
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches168
Deadrise22°
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 15,710 lbs. (7,126 kg) Diesel: 16,110 lbs. (7,307 kg) With Hardtop - Gas: 16,510 (7,489 kg) With Hardtop - Diesel: 16,910 lbs. (7,670 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg7670.24
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.1691
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet34.25
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail34.25 ft. (10.44 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters10.44
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches411
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters10.44
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]35 ft. 7 in. (10.85 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Single 8.2 MAG EC Bravo Three X
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 8.1 Gi DP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail122 gal. (461 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail206 gal. (780 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters461.82
Fuel tank capacity - Liters779.79
Fuel tank capacity - Gal122
Fuel tank capacity - Gal206
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 capacity55 gal. (208 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. 8 in. (2.03 m)