Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Formula 400 FX8 2013 vs Formula Boats 280 Sun Sport 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Formula 400 FX8 2013 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 400 FX8 2013 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Formula 400 FX8 2013 carries 250 gallons versus 120 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 400 FX8 2013 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 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 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
Model400 FX8
Modelnot available
Model Year2013
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam11 ft. (3.35 m)
Beamnot available
Beam - Meters3.35
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Inches132
Beam - Inchesnot available
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 - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters3.81
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches150
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise22³
Deadrisenot available
Draft [max] - DetailGas: 39 in. (0.99 m) Diesel: 40 in. (1.02 m)
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches40
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
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 - Detailnot available
Weight - kg8210.02
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.18100
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet41.5
Length - Feet30
Length overall - Detail41 ft. 6 in. (12.65 m)
Length overall - Detail30.00 ft
Length overall - Meters12.65
Length overall - Meters9.14
Length overall - Inches498
Length overall - Inches360
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
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 - Gal250
Fuel tank capacity - Gal120
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeGas
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMerCruiser
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower300 hp
Drive typenot available
Drive typeinboard
Operational Info
Headroom6 ft. 2 in. (1.88 m)
Headroomnot available
Water capacity50 gal. (189 l)
Water capacity20
Holding tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters189.27
Holding tank capacity - Liters98.42
Holding tank capacity - Gal50
Holding tank capacity - Gal26
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower