Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 310 Bowrider 2012 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 310 Bowrider 2012 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 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 40 Cruiser 2006 measures 42,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 11,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 310 Bowrider 2012 at 31,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 tips the scales at 19 704 lbs — 9 829 lbs less than the Formula 310 Bowrider 2012 at 9 875 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 2006 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 310 Bowrider 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 40 Cruiser 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 42,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 310 Bowrider 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
Model310 Bowrider
Model40 Cruiser
Model Year2012
Model Year2006
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m)
Beam12 ft. 8 in. (3.86 m)
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Meters3.86
Beam - Inches114
Beam - Inches152
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. (1.83 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 8 in. (2.64 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 - Meters2.64
Bridge clearance - Meters4.55
Bridge clearance - Inches104
Bridge clearance - Inches179
Deadrise22℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail9,875 lbs. (4,479 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 18,510 lbs. (8,396 kg) Diesel: 19,304 lbs. (8,756 kg) w/ Hardtop - Gas: 18,910 lbs. (8,577 kg) w/ Hardtop - Diesel: 19,704 lbs. (8,938 kg)
Weight - kg4479.22
Weight - kg8937.58
Weight - lbs.9875
Weight - lbs.19704
Length - Meters9.45
Length - Meters12.98
Length - Feet31
Length - Feet42
Length overall - Detail31 ft. (9.45 m)
Length overall - Detail42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m) Less Bow Platform: 40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters9.45
Length overall - Meters12.98
Length overall - Inches372
Length overall - Inches511
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches7
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Max no of engines2
Max no of enginesnot available
Engine/s standardMerCruiser® Twin 350 MAG EC Bravo Three
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 8.1 S High Output w/CWC
Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal13
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Operational Info
Water capacity29 gal. (110 l)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail36 gal. (136 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters136.27
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Gal36
Holding tank capacity - Gal57
Headroomnot available
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)