Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 vs Formula 45 Yacht 2011 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 and the Formula 45 Yacht 2011 are deep vee designs with fiberglass 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 45 Yacht 2011 measures 45,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 41,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 at 4,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 tips the scales at 2 275 lbs — 1 950 lbs more than the Formula 45 Yacht 2011 at 325 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.
The Formula 45 Yacht 2011 tops out at 600 hp. Engine specs for the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Formula 45 Yacht 2011 carries 35 gallons versus 25 gallons in the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Formula 45 Yacht 2011 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Formula 45 Yacht 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 45 Yacht 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 45,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Formula 40 Cruiser 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model40 Cruiser
Model45 Yacht
Model Year2009
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam12 ft. 8 in. (3.86 m)
Beam13 ft. 11 in. (4.24 m)
Beam - Meters3.86
Beam - Meters4.24
Beam - Inches152
Beam - Inches167
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 - Detail12 ft. 10 in. (3.91 m) With IPS: 13 ft. 6 in. (4.11 m) With Radar: 13 ft. 10 in. (4.22 m) With Mast Light: 15 ft. 5 in. (4.7 m) With Mast Light & IPS: 16 ft. 1 in. (4.9 m) With Hardtop, Satellite TV & Mast Light: 17 ft. 4 in. (5.28 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters5.08
Bridge clearance - Meters5.28
Bridge clearance - Inches2
Bridge clearance - Inches208
Deadrise18℃
Deadrise18℃
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m) With Volvo IPS: 44 in. (1.12 m)
Draft [max] - Detail41 in. (1.04 m) With Volvo IPS: 39 in. (0.99 m)
Draft [max] - Meters1.12
Draft [max] - Meters1.04
Draft [max] - Inches44
Draft [max] - Inches41
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 - DetailWith IPS: 32,500 lbs. (14,742 kg)
Weight - kg10319.22
Weight - kg14741.74
Weight - lbs.2275
Weight - lbs.325
Length - Meters12.45
Length - Meters13.72
Length - Feet4
Length - Feet45
Length - Inches1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]42 ft. 7 in. (12.98 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]48 ft. 2 in. (14.68 m)
Length overall - Detail40 ft. 10 in. (12.45 m)
Length overall - Detail45 ft. (13.72 m)
Length overall - Meters12.45
Length overall - Meters13.72
Length overall - Inches49
Length overall - Inches54
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Max no of engines2
Max no of engines2
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta twin IPS 500 gas 400 hp with joystick
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin IPS 600 HP435 with Joystick
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail350 gal. (1,325 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1324.89
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeInboard
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower600 hp
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Headroom6 ft. 11 in. (2.11 m) Guest Stateroom: 5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m)
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Water capacity100 gal. (379 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (284 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Liters283.91
Holding tank capacity - Gal57
Holding tank capacity - Gal75