Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 FX4 BR 2012 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2006: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 290 FX4 BR 2012 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 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 40 Cruiser 2006 measures 42,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 13,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 290 FX4 BR 2012 at 29,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 tips the scales at 19 704 lbs - 10 754 lbs less than the Formula 290 FX4 BR 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 40 Cruiser 2006 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 290 FX4 BR 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 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 12 passengers and at 42,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 290 FX4 BR 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 FX4 BR
Model40 Cruiser
Model Year2012
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m)
Beam12 ft. 8 in. (3.86 m)
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Meters3.86
Beam - Inches114
Beam - Inches152
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 11 ft. 10 in. (3.61 m) Light Load & Mast Light: 12 ft. 4 in. (3.76 m) Light Load w/ Radar & Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.28 m) Light Load w/ Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 11 in. (4.55 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters4.55
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches179
Deadrise22³
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches40
Draft [max] - Inches40
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 18,510 lbs. (8,396 kg) Diesel: 19,304 lbs. (8,756 kg) w/ Hardtop - Gas: 18,910 lbs. (8,577 kg) w/ Hardtop - Diesel: 19,704 lbs. (8,938 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg8937.58
Weight - lbs.8950
Weight - lbs.19704
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet42
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 0 in. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m) Less Bow Platform: 40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters12.98
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches511
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters12.98
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail122 gal. (462 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 - Gal250
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 8.1 S High Output w/CWC
Drive typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 1 in. (1.54 m)
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Water capacity21 gal. (79 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