When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2011 and the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2012 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Formula 290 Sun Sport 2011 at 29,0 ft versus Formula 290 Sun Sport 2012 at 29,0 ft. At 895 lbs and 895 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Both boats are rated for 8 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.