Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 310 FX5 BR 2013 vs Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 310 FX5 BR 2013 and the Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 are deep vee designs with aluminum 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 40 Cruiser 2012 measures 40,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 9,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 310 FX5 BR 2013 at 31,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 310 FX5 BR 2013 tips the scales at 9 875 lbs — 7 720 lbs more than the Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 at 2 155 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 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 310 FX5 BR 2013 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 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 40,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 310 FX5 BR 2013 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 FX5 BR
Model40 Cruiser
Model Year2013
Model Year2012
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 - 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. (4.42 m) With Radar & Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.42 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 - Meters2.64
Bridge clearance - Meters5.08
Bridge clearance - Inches104
Bridge clearance - Inches2
Deadrise22³
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m) With Volvo IPS: 44 in. (1.12 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Meters1.12
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft [max] - Inches44
Weight - Detail9,875 lbs. (4,479 kg)
Weight - DetailGas and Diesel: 20,950 lbs. (9,502 kg) With Hardtop - Gas and Diesel: 21,550 lbs. (9,774 kg)
Weight - kg4479.22
Weight - kg9774.91
Weight - lbs.9875
Weight - lbs.2155
Length - Feet31
Length - Feet40.83
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 0 in. (9.45 m)
Length overall - Detail40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Meters9.45
Length overall - Meters12.45
Length overall - Inches372
Length overall - Inches49
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters12.45
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
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
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin IPS 550 Gas 400HP with Joystick
Drive typenot available
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)