Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 310 FX5 2012 vs Formula 400 FX8 2013 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 310 FX5 2012 and the Formula 400 FX8 2013 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 400 FX8 2013 measures 41,5 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 10,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 310 FX5 2012 at 31,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 310 FX5 2012 tips the scales at 975 lbs — 794 lbs more than the Formula 400 FX8 2013 at 181 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 400 FX8 2013 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 310 FX5 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 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 400 FX8 2013 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 310 FX5 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
Model Year2012
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m)
Beam11 ft. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches114
Beam - Inches132
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. (1.83 m) With Arch: 8 ft. 8 in. (2.64 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Mast Light: 11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m) With Hardtop, Sat. TV & Mast Light: 12 ft. 6 in. (3.81 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.64
Bridge clearance - Meters3.81
Bridge clearance - Inches104
Bridge clearance - Inches15
Deadrise22³
Deadrise22³
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (0.94 m)
Draft [max] - DetailGas: 39 in. (0.99 m) Diesel: 40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft [max] - Inches4
Weight - Detail9,750 lbs. (4,423 kg)
Weight - DetailGas: 16,100 lbs. (7,303 kg) Diesel: 17,100 lbs. (7,756 kg) Gas (with Hardtop): 17,100 lbs. Diesel (with Hardtop): 18,100 lbs. (8,210 kg)
Weight - kg4422.52
Weight - kg8210.02
Weight - lbs.975
Weight - lbs.181
Length - Feet31
Length - Feet41.5
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 0 in. (9.45 m)
Length overall - Detail41 ft. 6 in. (12.65 m)
Length overall - Meters9.45
Length overall - Meters12.65
Length overall - Inches372
Length overall - Inches498
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
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
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Operational Info
Headroom5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m)
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)
Water capacity29 gal. (110 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail36 gal. (136 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters136.27
Holding tank capacity - Liters189.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal36
Holding tank capacity - Gal5