Chris-Craft Lancer 20  2013 boat specs
Chris-Craft
Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013
2013
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VS
Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 boat specs
Chris-Craft
Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005
2005
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Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 vs Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 vs Chris-Craft Launch 28 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 measures 28,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 9,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 at 18,8 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 tips the scales at 2 913 lbs — 2 838 lbs more than the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 at 75 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 Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 carries a rated maximum of 225 hp. Engine data for the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 carries 34 gallons versus 15 gallons in the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005. 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 Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 28,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChris-Craft
MakeChris-Craft
ModelLancer 2
ModelLaunch 28
Model Year2013
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m)
Beam10 ft. 0 in. (3.05 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters3.05
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches12
Bridge clearance - Detail43 in. (1.10 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.09
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches43
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail17.5 in. (44.5 cm)
Draft [drive up] - DetailSingle engine: 19 in. (48.3 cm) Twin engine: 20 in. (50.8 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] inches17.5
Draft [drive up] inches2
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86.4 cm)
Draft [max] - DetailSingle engine: 35 in. (89 cm) Twin engine: 33.5 in. (85 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches35
Weight - Detail2,913 lbs. (1,321 kg)
Weight - Detail7,500 lbs. (3,402 kg)
Weight - kg1321.31
Weight - kg3401.94
Weight - lbs.2913
Weight - lbs.75
Width [transom] - Detail6 ft. 10 in. (2.08 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail4 ft. 10 in. (1.47 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.47
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches58
Height - Inchesnot available
Length [at waterline]15 ft. 6 in. (4.72 m)
Length [at waterline]not available
Length - Feet18.83
Length - Feet28
Length [over all with swim platform]20 ft. 2 in. (6.15 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 10 in. (5.74 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Meters5.74
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Inches226
Length overall - Inches336
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters8.53
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeVolvo
Engine makenot available
Engine model4.3L Gxi V6
Engine modelnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail34 gal. (129 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail150 gal. (568 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters128.7
Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81
Fuel tank capacity - Gal34
Fuel tank capacity - Gal15
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower225 PSHP
Horsepowernot available
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 8.1 Gi, 375 hp (280 kw) SX (Single Prop) Drive
Operational Info
Maximum people5
Maximum peoplenot available
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity35 gal. (132 l) Closed transom: 9 gal. (34 l) Walk-thru

Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 vs Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 or the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005?
The Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 comes in at 18,8 feet, making it roughly 9,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 or the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005?
For trailering, the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 has the edge at 75 lbs dry weight versus 2 913 lbs for the Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013. 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.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 has a documented max rating of 225 hp. Engine specifications for the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the Chris-Craft Launch 28 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 Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 measures 95" wide, compared to 12" for the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005. 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 Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 or the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005?
The Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 has the bigger tank at 34 gallons, versus 15 gallons on the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005. That 19-gallon difference translates to roughly 57–95 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 and Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chris-Craft Lancer 20 2013 and the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2005 are built by Chris-Craft. 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.