Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 31 Cruiser 2012 vs Formula 400 FX8 2011 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 31 Cruiser 2012 and the Formula 400 FX8 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 400 FX8 2011 measures 41,5 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 9,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 31 Cruiser 2012 at 31,7 feet (2012). At 141 lbs and 171 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Formula 400 FX8 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 31 Cruiser 2012 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 400 FX8 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 400 FX8 2011 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 31 Cruiser 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model31 Cruiser
Model400 FX8
Model Year2012
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam11 ft. (3.35 m)
Beam11 ft. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches132
Beam - Inches132
Bridge clearance - Detail10 ft. 4 in. (3.15 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail10 ft. 6 in. (3.2 m) With Mast Light: 11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters3.15
Bridge clearance - Meters3.51
Bridge clearance - Inches124
Bridge clearance - Inches138
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise22℃
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - Detail14,100 lbs. (6,396 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 16,100 lbs. (7,303 kg) Diesel: 17,100 lbs. (7,756 kg)
Weight - kg6395.65
Weight - kg7756.42
Weight - lbs.141
Weight - lbs.171
Length - Meters9.65
Length - Meters12.65
Length - Feet31.67
Length - Feet41.5
Length [over all with swim platform]33 ft. 1 in. (10.08 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 8 in. (9.65 m)
Length overall - Detail41 ft. 6 in. (12.65 m)
Length overall - Meters9.65
Length overall - Meters12.65
Length overall - Inches38
Length overall - Inches498
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Max no of engines2
Max no of enginesnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin 5.7 GXiC DP
Engine/s standardnot available
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
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m)
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters151.42
Holding tank capacity - Liters189.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal4
Holding tank capacity - Gal5