Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 34 Performance Cruiser 2008 vs Formula 400 FX8 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Formula 34 Performance Cruiser 2008 against a deep vee Formula 400 FX8 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Formula 400 FX8 2012 measures 41,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 7,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 34 Performance Cruiser 2008 at 34,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 34 Performance Cruiser 2008 tips the scales at 1 691 lbs — 1 510 lbs more than the Formula 400 FX8 2012 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 2012 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula 34 Performance Cruiser 2008 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 400 FX8 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 400 FX8 2012 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 34 Performance Cruiser 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model34 Performance Cruiser
Model400 FX8
Model Year2008
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m)
Beam11 ft. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters3.51
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches138
Beam - Inches132
Bridge clearance - DetailLight Load: 11 ft. 4 in. (3.45 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail10 ft. 6 in. (3.2 m) With Mast Light: 11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m) With Radar & Mast Light: 11 ft. 6 in. (3.51 m) With Hardtop, Sat. TV & Mast Light: 12 ft. 6 in. (3.81 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters3.45
Bridge clearance - Meters3.81
Bridge clearance - Inches136
Bridge clearance - Inches15
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise22³
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - DetailGas: 15,710 lbs. (7,126 kg) Diesel: 16,110 lbs. (7,307 kg) w/ Hardtop - Gas: 16,510 (7,489 kg) w/ Hardtop - Diesel: 16,910 lbs. (7,670 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 - kg7670.24
Weight - kg8210.02
Weight - lbs.1691
Weight - lbs.181
Length - Meters10.44
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet34
Length - Feet41.5
Length - Inches3
Length - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]35 ft. 7 in. (10.85 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail34 ft. 3 in. (10.44 m)
Length overall - Detail41 ft. 6 in. (12.65 m)
Length overall - Meters10.44
Length overall - Meters12.65
Length overall - Inches411
Length overall - Inches498
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? Twin 496 MAG Bravo Three
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail206 gal. (780 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters779.79
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal206
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typenot available
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 8 in. (2.03 m)
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 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