Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 40 Cruiser 2011 vs Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 40 Cruiser 2011 vs Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
The Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 tops out at 300 hp. Engine specs for the Formula 40 Cruiser 2011 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Formula 40 Cruiser 2011 carries 25 gallons versus 12 gallons in the Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008. 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 40 Cruiser 2011 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 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 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Formula 40 Cruiser 2011 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 Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008 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
MakeFormula
Makenot available
Model40 Cruiser
Modelnot available
Model Year2011
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam12 ft. 8 in. (3.86 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters3.86
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches152
Beam - Inchesnot available
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 - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters5.08
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches2
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise18℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (1.02 m) With Volvo IPS: 44 in. (1.12 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters1.12
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches44
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
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 - Detailnot available
Weight - kg10319.22
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.2275
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Meters12.45
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet40.83
Length - Feet30
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 - Detail30.00 ft
Length overall - Meters12.45
Length overall - Meters9.14
Length overall - Inches49
Length overall - Inches360
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Max no of engines2
Max no of enginesnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo Penta Twin IPS 550 Gas 400HP with Joystick
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Liters454.25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal12
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeinboard
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMerCruiser
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower300 hp
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 9 in. (2.06 m)
Headroomnot available
Water capacity55 gal. (208 l)
Water capacity2
Holding tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters215.77
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Gal57
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower