Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Sun Sport 2012 vs Formula 37 Cruiser 2011 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 290 Sun Sport 2012 and the Formula 37 Cruiser 2011 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 37 Cruiser 2011 measures 37,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 8,0 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 290 Sun Sport 2012 tips the scales at 895 lbs — 706 lbs more than the Formula 37 Cruiser 2011 at 189 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 2011 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 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 37 Cruiser 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 37,0 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 Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam12 ft. (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 - Detail11 ft. 7 in. (3.53 m) With IPS: 11 ft. 10 in. (3.6 m) With Radar & IPS: 12 ft. 9 in. (3.88 m) With Mast Light: 13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m) With Mast Light & IPS: 13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m) With Radar & Mast Light: 13 ft. 4 in. (4.06 m) With Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 4 in. (4.37 m) With Hardtop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 15 ft. 7 in. (4.74 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters4.75
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches187
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m) With Volvo IPS: 40 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: 17,500 lbs. (7,937 kg) Diesel: 18,200 lbs. (8,255 kg) With Hardtop - Gas: 18,200 (8,255 kg) With Hardtop - Diesel: 18,900 lbs. (8,572 kg) With IPS: 18,900 lbs. (8,572 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg8572.89
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.189
Length - Meters8.84
Length - Meters11.28
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet37
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail37 ft. (11.28 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters11.28
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches444
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]38 ft. 5 in. (11.71 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Single 8.2 MAG EC Bravo Three X
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Twin 8.2 MAG EC Bravo Three X DTS
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
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
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