Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Sun Sport 2012 vs Formula 37 Cruiser 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 290 Sun Sport 2012 vs Formula 37 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 37 Cruiser 2006 measures 38,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 9,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2012 at 29,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 37 Cruiser 2006 tips the scales at 17 605 lbs — 16 710 lbs less than the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2012 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 37 Cruiser 2006 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2012 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 37 Cruiser 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 37 Cruiser 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 38,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 290 Sun Sport 2012 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
Model37 Cruiser
Model Year2012
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam12 ft. 0 in. (3.66 m)
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Meters3.66
Beam - Inches108
Beam - Inches144
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 10 in. (1.77 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 11 ft. 7 in. (3.53 m) Light Load & Mast Light: 12 ft. 5 in. (3.78 m) Light Load w/ Radar & Mast Light: 13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m) Light Load w/ Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 4 in. (4.37 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters4.37
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches172
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail30 in. (.76 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Meters0.76
Draft [max] - Inches4
Draft [max] - Inches3
Weight - Detail8,950 lbs. (4,060 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 16,500 lbs. (7,484 kg) Diesel: 17,300 lbs. (7,847 kg) w/ Hardtop - Gas: 16,805 (7,623 kg) w/ Hardtop - Diesel: 17,605 lbs. (7,985 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg7985.49
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.17605
Length - Meters8.84
Length - Meters11.71
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet38
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail38 ft. 5 in. (11.71 m) Less Bow Platform: 37 ft. 0 in. (11.28 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters11.71
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches461
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches5
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Single 8.2 MAG EC Bravo Three X
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 8.1 Gi DP w/CWC
Fuel tank capacity - Detail122 gal. (462 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail236 gal. (893 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters461.82
Fuel tank capacity - Liters893.36
Fuel tank capacity - Gal122
Fuel tank capacity - Gal236
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 1 in. (1.54 m)
Headroom6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 m)
Water capacity21 gal. (79 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal57