Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 against a deep vee Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 measures 40,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 11,8 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 40 Cruiser 2012 tips the scales at 2 155 lbs — 1 260 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 40 Cruiser 2012 is rated for 12 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 40 Cruiser 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 40,8 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
Model40 Cruiser
Model Year2012
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam12 ft. 8 in. (3.86 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters3.86
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches152
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail11 ft. 10 in. (3.61 m) With IPS: 12 ft. 1 in. (3.68 m) With Radar & IPS: 13 ft. 3 in. (4.03 m) With Mast Light: 12 ft. 4 in. (3.76 m) With Mast Light & IPS: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.42 m) With Radar & Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.42 m) With Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 11 in. (4.55 m) With Hardtop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 16 ft. 8 in. (5.07 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters5.08
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches2
Deadrise22°
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m) With Volvo IPS: 44 in. (1.12 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters1.12
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches44
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - DetailGas and Diesel: 20,950 lbs. (9,502 kg) With Hardtop - Gas and Diesel: 21,550 lbs. (9,774 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg9774.91
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.2155
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet40.83
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters12.45
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches49
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters12.45
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m)
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 standardVolvo Penta Twin IPS 550 Gas 400HP with Joystick
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 - Gal25
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal57
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)