Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 vs Formula 400 FX8 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Formula 290 Bowrider 2012 against a deep vee Formula 400 FX8 2011 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 400 FX8 2011 measures 41,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 12,5 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 — 724 lbs more than the Formula 400 FX8 2011 at 171 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 400 FX8 2011 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 400 FX8 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 400 FX8 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 41,5 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
Model400 FX8
Model Year2012
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam11 ft. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches132
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail10 ft. 6 in. (3.2 m) With Mast Light: 11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters3.51
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches138
Deadrise22°
Deadrise22℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 16,100 lbs. (7,303 kg) Diesel: 17,100 lbs. (7,756 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg7756.42
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.171
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet41.5
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail41 ft. 6 in. (12.65 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters12.65
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches498
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters12.65
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 standardnot available
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
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters189.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal5
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)