Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Bowrider 2011 vs Formula 370 Super Sport 2008 — 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 370 Super Sport 2008 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 370 Super Sport 2008 measures 38,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 9,0 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 290 Bowrider 2011 tips the scales at 895 lbs — 744 lbs more than the Formula 370 Super Sport 2008 at 151 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 370 Super Sport 2008 is rated for 11 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 370 Super Sport 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 370 Super Sport 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 38,0 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
Model370 Super Sport
Model Year2011
Model Year2008
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 - DetailLight Load: 10 ft. (3.05 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters3.05
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches12
Deadrise22°
Deadrise21℃
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 - Detail15,100 lbs. (6,849 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg6849.24
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.151
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet38
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail38 ft. 6 in. (11.73 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters11.73
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches462
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters11.73
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
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 standardVolvo Penta Twin 8.1 Gi DP with CWC
Fuel tank capacity - Detail122 gal. (461 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail238 gal. (901 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters461.82
Fuel tank capacity - Liters900.93
Fuel tank capacity - Gal122
Fuel tank capacity - Gal238
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity43 gal. (163 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters189.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal5
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)