Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 FX4 2011 vs Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 290 FX4 2011 vs Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2007 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Formula 290 FX4 2011 at 29,0 ft versus Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2007 at 31,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 290 FX4 2011 tips the scales at 895 lbs — 754 lbs more than the Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2007 at 141 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 31 Performance Cruiser 2007 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Formula 290 FX4 2011 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 31 Performance Cruiser 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 31,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 290 FX4 2011 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
Model31 Performance Cruiser
Model Year2011
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam11 ft. 0 in. (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 - DetailLight Load: 10 ft. 4 in. (3.15 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters3.15
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches124
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (.86 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - Detail14,100 lbs. (6,396 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg6395.65
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.141
Length - Meters8.84
Length - Meters9.56
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet31
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 8 in. (9.56 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters9.65
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches38
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches8
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]33 ft. 1 in. (10.08 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Max no of engines2
Max no of enginesnot available
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Twin 377 MAG EC Bravo Three
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.7 GXi DP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail122 gal. (462 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail180 gal. (681 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters461.82
Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal122
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 1 in. (1.54 m)
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)
Water capacity21 gal. (79 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters151.42
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal4