Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Bowrider 2011 vs Formula 350 Sun Sport 2010 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 290 Bowrider 2011 and the Formula 350 Sun Sport 2010 are modified 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 350 Sun Sport 2010 measures 35,0 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 6,0 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 350 Sun Sport 2010 tips the scales at 1 347 lbs — 452 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 350 Sun Sport 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 350 Sun Sport 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 350 Sun Sport 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 35,0 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
Model350 Sun Sport
Model Year2011
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam10 ft. 9 in. (3.28 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters3.28
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches129
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 10 in. (2.08 m) With Arch: 9 ft. 5 in. (2.87 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters2.87
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches113
Deadrise22°
Deadrise21℃
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 - Detail13,470 lbs. (6,109 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg6109.88
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.1347
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet35
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail35.0 ft. (10.67 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters10.67
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches42
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters10.67
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Single 8.2 MAG EC Bravo Three X
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 377 MAG EC Bravo Three
Fuel tank capacity - Detail122 gal. (461 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail172 gal. (651 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters461.82
Fuel tank capacity - Liters651.09
Fuel tank capacity - Gal122
Fuel tank capacity - Gal172
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 capacity30 gal. (113 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail37 gal. (140 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters140.06
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal37
Headroomnot available
Headroom5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m)