Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Sun Sport 2009 vs Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Formula 290 Sun Sport 2009 against a modified vee Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 290 Sun Sport 2009 measures 29,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 25,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 at 4,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 tips the scales at 2 275 lbs — 1 380 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 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 is rated for 12 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 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 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 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
Model40 Performance Cruiser
Model Year2009
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 0 in. (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: 20,950 lbs. (9,502 kg) Diesel: 22,150 lbs. (10,047 kg) w/ Hardtop - Gas: 21,550 lbs. (9,774 kg) w/ Hardtop - Diesel: 22,750 lbs. (10,319 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg10319.22
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.2275
Length - Meters8.84
Length - Meters12.45
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 - 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 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 standardMerCruiser? Twin 8.1 S High Output with CWC Inboard
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
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 1 in. (1.54 m)
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22 gal. (83 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters83.28
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Gal22
Holding tank capacity - Gal57