Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Sun Sport 2009 vs Formula 310 Bowrider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Formula 290 Sun Sport 2009 against a modified vee Formula 310 Bowrider 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Formula 290 Sun Sport 2009 at 29,0 ft versus Formula 310 Bowrider 2008 at 31,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 310 Bowrider 2008 tips the scales at 9 875 lbs — 8 980 lbs less than the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2009 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 310 Bowrider 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 310 Bowrider 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 310 Bowrider 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 31,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 290 Sun Sport 2009 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 Sun Sport
Model310 Bowrider
Model Year2009
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 0 in. (2.74 m)
Beam9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches114
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 6 ft. (1.83 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters1.83
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches72
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise22℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches37
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - Detail9,875 lbs. (4,423 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg4479.22
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.9875
Length - Meters8.84
Length - Meters9.45
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet31
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 0 in. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 0 in. (9.45 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters9.45
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches372
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Max no of engines2
Max no of enginesnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta twin 5.7 Gi DP
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.7 Gi DP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal. (416 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4
Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal11
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 1 in. (1.54 m)
Headroomnot available
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity30 gal. (114 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22 gal. (83 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters83.28
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal22
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available