Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 boat specs
Aquasport
Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006
2006
View full specs →
VS
Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 boat specs
Aquasport
Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005
2005
View full specs →

Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 vs Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 vs Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 at 26,0 ft versus Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 at 28,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 tips the scales at 6 425 lbs — 2 610 lbs less than the Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 at 3 815 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 500 hp, the Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 has a 200-hp advantage over the Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006's 300-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 carries 188 gallons versus 15 gallons in the Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 8 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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 and its 500-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 with its 300-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
MakeAquasport
MakeAquasport
Model255 Osprey
Model275 Explorer
Model Year2006
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam9 ft. 8 in. (2.89 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.95
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches116
Bridge clearance - DetailWithout top (approx.): 6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m) With T-top (approx.): 8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m) With Bimini top (approx.): 7 ft. 5 in. (2.26 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWithout top (approx.): 7 ft. 1 in. (2.16 m) With hardtop (approx.): 9 ft. 3 in. (2.82 m) With Bimini top (approx.): 8 ft. 4 in. (2.54 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.54
Bridge clearance - Meters2.82
Bridge clearance - Inches1
Bridge clearance - Inches111
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (0.46 m)
Draft [drive up] - Detail19 in. (0.48 m)
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] meters0.48
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [drive up] inches19
Draft [max] - Detail39 in. (0.99 m)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (0.86 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches39
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - Detail3,815 lbs. (1,730 kg)
Weight - Detail6,425 lbs. (2,914 kg)
Weight - kg1730.45
Weight - kg2914.33
Weight - lbs.3815
Weight - lbs.6425
Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)
Height [transom]25 in. (0.64 m)
Length - Meters8.01
Length - Meters8.53
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet28
Length - Inches4
Length - Inches3
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 4 in. (8.01 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 3 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Meters8.03
Length overall - Meters8.61
Length overall - Inches316
Length overall - Inches339
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail150 gal. (682 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail188 gal. (712 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81
Fuel tank capacity - Liters711.66
Fuel tank capacity - Gal15
Fuel tank capacity - Gal188
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max300 hp (224 kw)
Engine max500 hp (373 kw)
Operational Info
Water capacity8 gal. (30 l)
Water capacity27 gal. (102 l)
Headroomnot available
HeadroomStanding: 6 ft. 4 in. (1.93 m) Sitting: 46 in. (1.16 m)
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity4

Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 vs Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 or the Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005?
The Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 or the Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005?
For trailering, the Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 has the edge at 3 815 lbs dry weight versus 6 425 lbs for the Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 is rated to a maximum of 500 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 tops out at 300 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 measures 116" wide, compared to 102" for the Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 or the Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005?
The Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 has the bigger tank at 188 gallons, versus 15 gallons on the Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006. That 173-gallon difference translates to roughly 519–865 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 and Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Aquasport 255 Osprey 2006 and the Aquasport 275 Explorer 2005 are built by Aquasport. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.