Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 vs Formula 310 Bowrider 2009 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 and the Formula 310 Bowrider 2009 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 at 29,0 ft versus Formula 310 Bowrider 2009 at 31,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 310 Bowrider 2009 tips the scales at 9 875 lbs — 8 980 lbs less than the Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 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 310 Bowrider 2009 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 310 Bowrider 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 310 Bowrider 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 2012 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
Model310 Bowrider
Model Year2012
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches114
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 0 in. (1.83 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 8 in. (2.64 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters2.64
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches104
Deadrise22°
Deadrise22℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches37
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - Detail9,875 lbs. (4,479 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg4479.22
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.9875
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet31
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 0 in. (9.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters9.45
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches372
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters9.45
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 5.7 Gi DP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail122 gal. (461 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters461.82
Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal122
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
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 capacity29 gal. (110 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available