Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 FX4 BR 2012 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2011: Which Deep-V Boat Fits Your Needs?
Both the Formula 290 FX4 BR 2012 and the Formula 40 Cruiser 2011 are deep-V designs, the first built in aluminium and the second in fibreglass, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 40 Cruiser 2011 measures 40,8 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 11,8 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 2011 tips the scales at 22 750 lbs - 13 800 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 2011 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 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2011 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 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 Year2011
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 - 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 - Inches200
Deadrise22³
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] - Inches40
Draft [max] - Inches44
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 20,950 lbs. (9,502 kg) Diesel: 22,150 lbs. (10,047 kg) With Hardtop - Gas: 21,550 lbs. (9,774 kg) With Hardtop - Diesel: 22,750 lbs. (10,319 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg10319.22
Weight - lbs.8950
Weight - lbs.22750
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet40.83
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 0 in. (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 - Inches490
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 materialAluminum
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
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
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin IPS 550 Gas 400HP with Joystick
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