Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Bowrider 2011 vs Formula 400 Super Sport 2012: Which Modified-V Boat Fits Your Needs?
Both the Formula 290 Bowrider 2011 and the Formula 400 Super Sport 2012 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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 400 Super Sport 2012 measures 41,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 12,5 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 400 Super Sport 2012 tips the scales at 18 100 lbs - 9 150 lbs less than the Formula 290 Bowrider 2011 at 8 950 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 400 Super Sport 2012 is rated for 12 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 400 Super Sport 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 400 Super Sport 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 12 passengers and at 41,5 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
Model400 Super Sport
Model Year2011
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam11 ft. (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. 6 in. (3.2 m) With Mast Light: 11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m) With Radar & Mast Light: 11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m) With Hardtop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 12 ft. 6 in. (3.81 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters3.81
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches150
Deadrise22°
Deadrise22℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches40
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 16,100 lbs. (7,303 kg) Diesel: 17,100 lbs. (7,756 kg) With Hardtop - Gas: 17,100 lbs. (7,756 kg) With Hardtop - Diesel: 18,100 lbs. (8,210 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg8210.02
Weight - lbs.8950
Weight - lbs.18100
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet41.5
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail41 ft. 6 in. (12.65 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters12.65
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches498
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters12.65
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 GiC DP EVC
Fuel tank capacity - Detail122 gal. (461 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters461.82
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal122
Fuel tank capacity - Gal250
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 - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters189.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal50
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)