Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 FX4 2012 vs Formula 353 FASTECH 2013: Which Deep-V Boat Fits Your Needs?
Both the Formula 290 FX4 2012 and the Formula 353 FASTECH 2013 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 353 FASTECH 2013 measures 35,3 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 6,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 290 FX4 2012 at 29,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 353 FASTECH 2013 tips the scales at 9 500 lbs - 550 lbs less than the Formula 290 FX4 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 353 FASTECH 2013 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Formula 290 FX4 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 353 FASTECH 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 353 FASTECH 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 35,3 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 290 FX4 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
Model353 FAS?TECH
Model Year2012
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam8 ft. 3 in. (2.51 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters2.51
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters1.63
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches64
Deadrise22³
Deadrise24℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches40
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - Detail9,500 lbs. (4,309 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg4309.12
Weight - lbs.8950
Weight - lbs.9500
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet35.25
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 0 in. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail35 ft. 3 in. (10.74 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters10.74
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches423
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters10.74
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 - Detail149 gal. (564 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters461.82
Fuel tank capacity - Liters564.03
Fuel tank capacity - Gal122
Fuel tank capacity - Gal149
Drive typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 1 in. (1.54 m)
Headroom4 ft. 10 in. (1.47 m)
Water capacity21 gal. (79 l)
Water capacity19 gal. (72 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail2.6 gal. (9.8 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters11.36
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal2.6