Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 31 Cruiser 2005 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 31 Cruiser 2005 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 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 2005 measures 33,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 29,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 at 4,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 tips the scales at 2 275 lbs — 2 134 lbs less than the Formula 31 Cruiser 2005 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 40 Cruiser 2009 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 31 Cruiser 2005 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 4,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 31 Cruiser 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model31 Cruiser
Model40 Cruiser
Model Year2005
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam11 ft. 0 in. (3.35 m)
Beam12 ft. 8 in. (3.86 m)
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Meters3.86
Beam - Inches132
Beam - Inches152
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 10 ft. 4 in. (3.15 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail11 ft. 10 in. (3.61 m) With IPS: 12 ft. 1 in. (3.68 m) With Radar & IPS: 13 ft. 3 in. (4.03 m) With Mast Light: 12 ft. 4 in. (3.76 m) With Mast Light & IPS: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.41 m) With Radar & Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.28 m) With Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 11 in. (4.55 m) With Hardtop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 16 ft. 8 in. (5.07 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters3.15
Bridge clearance - Meters5.08
Bridge clearance - Inches124
Bridge clearance - Inches2
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (.86 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m) With Volvo IPS: 44 in. (1.12 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters1.12
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches44
Weight - Detail14,100 lbs. (6,396 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 20,950 lbs. (9,502 kg) Diesel: 22,150 lbs. (10,047 kg) With Hardtop - Gas: 21,550 lbs. (9,774 kg) With Hardtop - Diesel: 22,750 lbs. (10,319 kg)
Weight - kg6395.65
Weight - kg10319.22
Weight - lbs.141
Weight - lbs.2275
Length - Meters10.08
Length - Meters12.45
Length - Feet33
Length - Feet4
Length - Inches1
Length - Inches1
Length overall - Detail33 ft. 1 in. (10.08 m) Less Bow Platform: 31 ft. 8 in. (9.65 m)
Length overall - Detail40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters10.08
Length overall - Meters12.45
Length overall - Inches397
Length overall - Inches49
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.7 GXi DP
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta twin IPS 500 gas 400 hp with joystick
Fuel tank capacity - Detail180 gal. (681 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters151.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Gal4
Holding tank capacity - Gal57
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee