Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 FX4 2011 vs Formula 400 Super Sport 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 290 FX4 2011 vs Formula 400 Super Sport 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 400 Super Sport 2006 measures 41,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 12,0 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 290 FX4 2011 tips the scales at 895 lbs — 707 lbs more than the Formula 400 Super Sport 2006 at 188 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 Super Sport 2006 is rated for 12 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 400 Super Sport 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 400 Super Sport 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 41,0 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
Model400 Super Sport
Model Year2011
Model Year2006
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. 6 in. (3.2 m) Light Load & Mast Light: 11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m) Light Load w/ Radar & Mast Light: 11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m) Light Load w/ Hardtop & Mast Light: 12 ft. 6 in. (3.81 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters3.81
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches15
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise22℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (.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: 17,900 lbs. (8,119 kg) w/ Hardtop - Gas: 17,000 lbs. (7,711 kg) w/ Hardtop - Diesel: 18,800 lbs. (8,528 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg8527.53
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.188
Length - Meters8.84
Length - Meters12.65
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet41
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (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
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
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 8.1 OSi XDP w/CWC
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 - Gal25
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
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 - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters189.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal5