Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010 boat specs
Formula
Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010
2010
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VS
Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 boat specs
Formula
Formula 31 Cruiser 2006
2006
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Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010 vs Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010 vs Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 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 31 Cruiser 2006 measures 33,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010 at 29,0 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010 tips the scales at 895 lbs — 754 lbs more than the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 at 141 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 31 Cruiser 2006 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 33,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010 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 Sun Sport
Model31 Cruiser
Model Year201
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 0 in. (2.74 m)
Beam11 ft. 0 in. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches132
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 10 ft. 4 in. (3.15 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters3.15
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches124
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (.86 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - Detail14,100 lbs. (6,396 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg6395.65
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.141
Length - Meters8.84
Length - Meters10.08
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet33
Length overall - Detail29.0 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail33 ft. 1 in. (10.08 m) Less Bow Platform: 31 ft. 8 in. (9.65 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters10.08
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches397
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches1
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Max no of engines2
Max no of enginesnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.7 GiC DP
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.7 GXi DP
Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal. (416 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail180 gal. (681 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4
Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal11
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 1 in. (1.54 m)
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22 gal. (83 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters83.28
Holding tank capacity - Liters151.42
Holding tank capacity - Gal22
Holding tank capacity - Gal4

Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010 vs Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010 or the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006?
The Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 is the longer of the two at 33,0 feet overall. The Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010 comes in at 29,0 feet, making it roughly 4,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010 or the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006?
For trailering, the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 has the edge at 141 lbs dry weight versus 895 lbs for the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010. 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 Sun Sport 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 is certified for 10. 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 31 Cruiser 2006 measures 132" wide, compared to 108" for the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010. 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 Sun Sport 2010 or the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006?
The Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 has the bigger tank at 18 gallons, versus 11 gallons on the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010 and Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2010 and the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 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.