Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 FX4 2011 vs Formula 34 Cruiser 2010 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 290 FX4 2011 and the Formula 34 Cruiser 2010 are deep vee designs with fiberglass 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 34 Cruiser 2010 measures 34,3 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 5,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 290 FX4 2011 at 29,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 34 Cruiser 2010 tips the scales at 1 691 lbs — 796 lbs less than the Formula 290 FX4 2011 at 895 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 34 Cruiser 2010 is rated for 10 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 34 Cruiser 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 34 Cruiser 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 34,3 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
Model34 Cruiser
Model Year2011
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters3.51
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches138
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail11 ft. 4 in. (3.45 m) With Hartop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 14 ft. 0 in. (4.27 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters4.27
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches168
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise18℃
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: 15,710 lbs. (7,126 kg) Diesel: 16,110 lbs. (7,307 kg) With Hardtop - Gas: 16,510 (7,489 kg) With Hardtop - Diesel: 16,910 lbs. (7,670 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg7670.24
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.1691
Length - Meters8.84
Length - Meters10.44
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet34.25
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail34.25 ft. (10.44 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters10.44
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches411
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]35 ft. 7 in. (10.85 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Max no of engines2
Max no of engines2
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Twin 377 MAG EC Bravo Three
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 8.1 Gi DP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail122 gal. (462 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail206 gal. (780 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters461.82
Fuel tank capacity - Liters779.79
Fuel tank capacity - Gal122
Fuel tank capacity - Gal206
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 1 in. (1.54 m)
Headroom6 ft. 8 in. (2.03 m)
Water capacity21 gal. (79 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 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