Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 vs Formula 353 FASTECH Sport 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 vs Formula 353 FASTECH 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 353 FASTECH Sport 2006 measures 35,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 6,0 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 — 804 lbs more than the Formula 353 FASTECH Sport 2006 at 91 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 353 FASTECH 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 353 FASTECH Sport 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 353 FASTECH Sport 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 35,0 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
Model353 FAS?Tech Sport
Model Year2012
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters2.51
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters1.63
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches64
Deadrise22°
Deadrise24℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - Detail9,100 lbs. (4,128 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg4127.69
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.91
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet35
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail35 ft. 3 in. (10.74 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters10.74
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches423
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters10.74
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches3
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 496 MAG Bravo One
Fuel tank capacity - Detail122 gal. (461 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail154 gal. (583 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters461.82
Fuel tank capacity - Liters582.95
Fuel tank capacity - Gal122
Fuel tank capacity - Gal154
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity19 gal. (72 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail6.5 gal. (25 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5
Headroomnot available
Headroom4 ft. 10 in. (1.47 m)