When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 31 Cruiser 2011 and the Formula 34 Cruiser 2009 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Formula 31 Cruiser 2011 at 31,7 ft versus Formula 34 Cruiser 2009 at 34,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 34 Cruiser 2009 tips the scales at 1 691 lbs — 1 550 lbs less than the Formula 31 Cruiser 2011 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 34 Cruiser 2009 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Formula 31 Cruiser 2011 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 34 Cruiser 2009 could be the deciding factor.