Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 boat specs
Formula
Formula 31 Cruiser 2006
2006
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Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 boat specs
Formula
Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008
2008
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Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 vs Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 vs Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 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 2006 measures 33,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 29,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 at 4,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 tips the scales at 2 275 lbs — 2 134 lbs less than the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 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 Performance Cruiser 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 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 Performance Cruiser 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 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 2006 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
MakeFormula
MakeFormula
Model31 Cruiser
Model40 Performance Cruiser
Model Year2006
Model Year2008
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 - DetailLight Load: 11 ft. 10 in. (3.61 m) Light Load & Mast Light: 12 ft. 4 in. (3.76 m) Light Load w/ Radar & Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.28 m) Light Load w/ Hardtop & Mast Light: 14 ft. 11 in. (4.55 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters3.15
Bridge clearance - Meters4.55
Bridge clearance - Inches124
Bridge clearance - Inches179
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (.86 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail14,100 lbs. (6,396 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 20,950 lbs. (9,502 kg) Diesel: 22,150 lbs. (10,047 kg) w/ Hardtop - Gas: 21,550 lbs. (9,774 kg) w/ 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 standardMerCruiser? Twin 8.1 S High Output with CWC Inboard
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
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
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 typeModified Vee

Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 vs Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 or the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008?
The Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 is the longer of the two at 33,0 feet overall. The Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 comes in at 4,0 feet, making it roughly 29,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 or the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008?
For trailering, the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 has the edge at 141 lbs dry weight versus 2 275 lbs for the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 measures 152" wide, compared to 132" for the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 or the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008?
The Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 has the bigger tank at 25 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 and Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Formula 31 Cruiser 2006 and the Formula 40 Performance Cruiser 2008 are built by Formula. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.