Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 FX4 BR 2013 vs Formula 400 FX8 2012 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 290 FX4 BR 2013 and the Formula 400 FX8 2012 are deep vee designs with aluminum construction — 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 400 FX8 2012 measures 41,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 12,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 290 FX4 BR 2013 at 29,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 290 FX4 BR 2013 tips the scales at 895 lbs — 714 lbs more than the Formula 400 FX8 2012 at 181 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 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 290 FX4 BR 2013 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 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 400 FX8 2012 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 FX4 BR 2013 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
Model400 FX8
Model Year2013
Model Year2012
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) With Radar & Mast Light: 11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m) With Hardtop, Sat. TV & Mast Light: 12 ft. 6 in. (3.81 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters3.81
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches15
Deadrise22³
Deadrise22³
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) Gas (with Hardtop): 17,100 lbs. Diesel (with Hardtop): 18,100 lbs. (8,210 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg8210.02
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.181
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet41.5
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 0 in. (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
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal. (416 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal11
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 1 in. (1.54 m)
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)
Water capacity21 gal. (79 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters189.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal23
Holding tank capacity - Gal5