Beachcomber 20 Cruise 2008 boat specs
Beachcomber
Beachcomber 20 Cruise 2008
2008
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VS
Beachcomber 21 FISH N PLAY  2005 boat specs
Beachcomber
Beachcomber 21 FISH N PLAY 2005
2005
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Beachcomber 20 Cruise 2008 vs Beachcomber 21 FISH N PLAY 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Beachcomber 20 Cruise 2008 vs Beachcomber 21 FISH N PLAY 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 90 hp for the Beachcomber 20 Cruise 2008 and 90 hp for the Beachcomber 21 FISH N PLAY 2005. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beachcomber 21 FISH N PLAY 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Beachcomber 20 Cruise 2008 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beachcomber 21 FISH N PLAY 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Beachcomber 21 FISH N PLAY 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Beachcomber 20 Cruise 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeBeachcomber
MakeBeachcomber
Model20 Cruise
Model21 FISH N PLAY
Model Year2008
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam102 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,500 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg680.39
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.15
Weight - lbs.not available
Length [at waterline]Pontoon Length: 20 ft. 7 in
Length [at waterline]not available
Length - Feet21
Length - Feet21
Length - Inches8
Length - Inches7
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 8 in
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 7 in
Length overall - Meters6.6
Length overall - Meters6.58
Length overall - Inches26
Length overall - Inches259
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialnot available
Hull typePontoon
Hull typenot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in
Tube diameter25 in
Tube gauge0.080 in. 5052 alloy
Tube gauge0.08
Number of tubes2
Number of tubesnot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail25 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters94.64
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typenot available
Engine max90 hp
Engine max90 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people1
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1

Beachcomber 20 Cruise 2008 vs Beachcomber 21 FISH N PLAY 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Beachcomber 20 Cruise 2008 or the Beachcomber 21 FISH N PLAY 2005?
The Beachcomber 21 FISH N PLAY 2005 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The Beachcomber 20 Cruise 2008 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Beachcomber 20 Cruise 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the Beachcomber 21 FISH N PLAY 2005 is certified for 6. 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.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Beachcomber 20 Cruise 2008 and Beachcomber 21 FISH N PLAY 2005 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
Are the Beachcomber 20 Cruise 2008 and Beachcomber 21 FISH N PLAY 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Beachcomber 20 Cruise 2008 and the Beachcomber 21 FISH N PLAY 2005 are built by Beachcomber. 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.