Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 FX4 2012 vs Formula 45 Yacht 2011: Which Deep-V Boat Fits Your Needs?
Both the Formula 290 FX4 2012 and the Formula 45 Yacht 2011 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 45 Yacht 2011 measures 45,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 16,0 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 45 Yacht 2011 tips the scales at 32 500 lbs - 23 550 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.
The Formula 45 Yacht 2011 tops out at 600 hp. Engine specs for the Formula 290 FX4 2012 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Formula 45 Yacht 2011 carries 350 gallons versus 122 gallons in the Formula 290 FX4 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Formula 45 Yacht 2011 is rated for 13 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 45 Yacht 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 45 Yacht 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 13 passengers and at 45,0 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
Model45 Yacht
Model Year2012
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam13 ft. 11 in. (4.24 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters4.24
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches167
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail12 ft. 10 in. (3.91 m) With IPS: 13 ft. 6 in. (4.11 m) With Radar: 13 ft. 10 in. (4.22 m) With Mast Light: 15 ft. 5 in. (4.7 m) With Mast Light & IPS: 16 ft. 1 in. (4.9 m) With Hardtop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 17 ft. 4 in. (5.28 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters5.28
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches208
Deadrise22³
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail41 in. (1.04 m) With Volvo IPS: 39 in. (0.99 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters1.04
Draft [max] - Inches40
Draft [max] - Inches41
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - DetailWith IPS: 32,500 lbs. (14,742 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg14741.74
Weight - lbs.8950
Weight - lbs.32500
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet45
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 0 in. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail45 ft. (13.72 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters13.72
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches540
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters13.72
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]48 ft. 2 in. (14.68 m)
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 - Detail350 gal. (1,325 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters461.82
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1324.89
Fuel tank capacity - Gal122
Fuel tank capacity - Gal350
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeDiesel
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin IPS 600 HP435 with Joystick
Drive typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower600 hp
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 1 in. (1.54 m)
Headroom6 ft. 11 in. (2.11 m) Guest Stateroom: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m)
Water capacity21 gal. (79 l)
Water capacity100 gal. (379 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (284 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters283.91
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal75