Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 vs Formula 400 FX8 2012: A Close Look at Two Deep-V Boats
Both the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 and the Formula 400 FX8 2012 are deep-V designs, the first built in fibreglass and the second in aluminium, so 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?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 at 40,0 ft versus Formula 400 FX8 2012 at 41,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 tips the scales at 22 750 lbs - 4 650 lbs more than the Formula 400 FX8 2012 at 18 100 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.
Both boats are rated for 12 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Bottom line: The Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 and Formula 400 FX8 2012 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.
General Boat Info
Model40 Cruiser
Model400 FX8
Model Year2009
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam12 ft. 8 in. (3.86 m)
Beam11 ft. (3.35 m)
Beam - Meters3.86
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Inches152
Beam - Inches132
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. (4.41 m) With Radar & Mast Light: 14 ft. 6 in. (4.28 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 - 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 - Meters5.08
Bridge clearance - Meters3.81
Bridge clearance - Inches200
Bridge clearance - Inches150
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise22³
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m) With Volvo IPS: 44 in. (1.12 m)
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.91 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.12
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Inches44
Draft [max] - Inches36
Weight - DetailGas: 20,950 lbs. (9,502 kg) Diesel: 22,150 lbs. (10,047 kg) With Hardtop - Gas: 21,550 lbs. (9,774 kg) With Hardtop - Diesel: 22,750 lbs. (10,319 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 - kg10319.22
Weight - kg8210.02
Weight - lbs.22750
Weight - lbs.18100
Length - Meters12.45
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet40
Length - Feet41.5
Length - Inches10
Length - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Detail41 ft. 6 in. (12.65 m)
Length overall - Meters12.45
Length overall - Meters12.65
Length overall - Inches490
Length overall - Inches498
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Max no of engines2
Max no of enginesnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta twin IPS 500 gas 400 hp with joystick
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal250
Fuel tank capacity - Gal250
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typenot available
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Liters189.27
Holding tank capacity - Gal57
Holding tank capacity - Gal50