Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 290 Sun Sport 2012 vs Formula 400 FX8 2013 — 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 400 FX8 2013 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 400 FX8 2013 measures 41,5 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 12,5 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 — 714 lbs more than the Formula 400 FX8 2013 at 181 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 400 FX8 2013 is rated for 12 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 400 FX8 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 400 FX8 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 41,5 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
Model400 FX8
Model Year2012
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. (2.74 m)
Beam11 ft. (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 - DetailWith Mast Light: 11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m) With Hardtop, Sat. TV & Mast Light: 12 ft. 6 in. (3.81 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.49
Bridge clearance - Meters3.81
Bridge clearance - Inches98
Bridge clearance - Inches15
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise22³
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - DetailGas: 39 in. (0.99 m) Diesel: 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: 16,100 lbs. (7,303 kg) Diesel: 17,100 lbs. (7,756 kg) Gas (with Hardtop): 17,100 lbs. Diesel (with Hardtop): 18,100 lbs. (8,210 kg)
Weight - kg4059.65
Weight - kg8210.02
Weight - lbs.895
Weight - lbs.181
Length - Meters8.84
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet41.5
Length overall - Detail29 ft. (8.84 m)
Length overall - Detail41 ft. 6 in. (12.65 m)
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters12.65
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches498
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Single 8.2 MAG EC Bravo Three X
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail122 gal. (462 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters461.82
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal122
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typenot available
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 1 in. (1.54 m)
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)
Water capacity21 gal. (79 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail22.5 gal. (85 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters87.06
Holding tank capacity - Liters189.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal22.5
Holding tank capacity - Gal5