Formula 290 FX4 2013 boat specs
Formula
Formula 290 FX4 2013
2013
View full specs →
VS
Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007 boat specs
Formula
Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007
2007
View full specs →

Formula 290 FX4 2013 vs Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Formula 290 FX4 2013 vs Formula 40 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 290 FX4 2013 measures 29,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 25,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007 at 4,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007 tips the scales at 19 704 lbs — 18 809 lbs less than the Formula 290 FX4 2013 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 40 Performance Cruiser 2007 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 290 FX4 2013 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 4,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 290 FX4 2013 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
MakeFormula
MakeFormula
Model290 FX4
Model40 Performance Cruiser
Model Year2013
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam12 ft. 8 in. (3.86 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters3.86
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches152
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 11 ft. 10 in. (3.61 m) Light Load & Mast Light: 12 ft. 4 in. (3.76 m) Light Load w/ Radar & Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.28 m) Light Load w/ Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 11 in. (4.55 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters4.55
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches179
Deadrise22°
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 18,510 lbs. (8,396 kg) Diesel: 19,304 lbs. (8,756 kg) w/ Hardtop - Gas: 18,910 lbs. (8,577 kg) w/ Hardtop - Diesel: 19,704 lbs. (8,938 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg8937.58
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.19704
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet4
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 0 in. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters12.45
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches49
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters12.45
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal. (416 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal11
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 8.1 S High Output w/CWC Inboard
Drive typenot available
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 1 in. (1.54 m)
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Water capacity21 gal. (79 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail23 gal. (87 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Gal23
Holding tank capacity - Gal57

Formula 290 FX4 2013 vs Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Formula 290 FX4 2013 or the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007?
The Formula 290 FX4 2013 is the longer of the two at 29,0 feet overall. The Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007 comes in at 4,0 feet, making it roughly 25,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Formula 290 FX4 2013 or the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007?
For trailering, the Formula 290 FX4 2013 has the edge at 895 lbs dry weight versus 19 704 lbs for the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Formula 290 FX4 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007 measures 152" wide, compared to 108" for the Formula 290 FX4 2013. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Formula 290 FX4 2013 or the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007?
The Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007 has the bigger tank at 25 gallons, versus 11 gallons on the Formula 290 FX4 2013. That 14-gallon difference translates to roughly 42–70 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Formula 290 FX4 2013 and Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Formula 290 FX4 2013 and the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2007 are built by Formula. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.