Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 vs Formula 310 Sun Sport 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 is a modified-V design and the Formula 310 Sun Sport 2011 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 at 29,0 ft versus Formula 310 Sun Sport 2011 at 31,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 310 Sun Sport 2011 tips the scales at 9 750 lbs - 800 lbs less than the Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 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 310 Sun Sport 2011 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 Sun Sport 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 310 Sun Sport 2011 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 Sun Sport
Model Year2012
Model Year2011
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. (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] - Inches40
Draft [max] - Inches37
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - Detail9,750 lbs. (4,423 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg4422.52
Weight - lbs.8950
Weight - lbs.9750
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet31
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail31 ft. (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 typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Single 8.2 MAG EC Bravo Three X
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Twin 350 MAG EC Bravo Three
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 - Gal130
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
Headroomnot available
Headroom5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)