Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 vs Formula 330 Sun Sport 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 vs Formula 330 Sun Sport 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 330 Sun Sport 2006 measures 33,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 at 29,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 tips the scales at 895 lbs — 798 lbs more than the Formula 330 Sun Sport 2006 at 97 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 330 Sun Sport 2006 is rated for 10 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 330 Sun Sport 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 330 Sun Sport 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 33,0 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
Model330 Sun Sport
Model Year2012
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam10 ft. 2 in. (3.10 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters3.1
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches122
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 6 ft. 0 in. (1.83 m) Light Load w/ Arch: 9 ft. 0 in. (2.74 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters2.74
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches108
Deadrise22°
Deadrise20℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (.89 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - Detail9,700 lbs. (4,400 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg4399.84
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.97
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet33
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail33 ft. 0 in. (10.00 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters10.06
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches396
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters10
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]34 ft. 5 in. (10.50 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Single 8.2 MAG EC Bravo Three X
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 350 MAG MPI Bravo Three
Fuel tank capacity - Detail122 gal. (461 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail160 gal. (606 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters461.82
Fuel tank capacity - Liters605.67
Fuel tank capacity - Gal122
Fuel tank capacity - Gal16
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Headroomnot available
Headroom5 ft. 7 in. (1.7 m)