Chris-Craft Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 boat specs
Chris-Craft
Chris-Craft Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010
2010
View full specs →
VS
Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008 boat specs
Chris-Craft
Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008
2008
View full specs →

Chris-Craft Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 vs Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Chris-Craft Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 and the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008 measures 28,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 9,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chris-Craft Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 at 18,8 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chris-Craft Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 tips the scales at 2 913 lbs — 2 838 lbs more than the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Chris-Craft Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008 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 Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChris-Craft
MakeChris-Craft
ModelLaunch 20 (2011 Model)
ModelLaunch 28
Model Year201
Model Year2008
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 - Detail46.5 in. (1.18 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.19
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches46.5
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43.2 cm)
Draft [drive up] - DetailSingle Engine: 19 in. (48.3 cm) Twin Engine: 20 in. (50.8 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] inches17
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
Height - Detail4 ft. 11 in. (1.47 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.5
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches59
Height - Inchesnot available
Length [at waterline]15 ft. 6 in. (4.72 m)
Length [at waterline]not available
Length - Meters5.74
Length - Meters8.53
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
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
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 typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 8.1 Gi, 375 hp (280 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum people7
Maximum peoplenot available
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity35 gal. (132 l)

Chris-Craft Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 vs Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chris-Craft Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 or the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008?
The Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008 is the longer of the two at 28,0 feet overall. The Chris-Craft Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 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 Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 or the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008?
For trailering, the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008 has the edge at 75 lbs dry weight versus 2 913 lbs for the Chris-Craft Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010. 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.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Chris-Craft Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008 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 Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 measures 95" wide, compared to 12" for the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008. 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 Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 or the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008?
The Chris-Craft Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 has the bigger tank at 34 gallons, versus 15 gallons on the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008. 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 Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 and Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chris-Craft Launch 20 (2011 Model) 2010 and the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2008 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.