Chris-Craft Launch 20  2011 boat specs
Chris-Craft
Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011
2011
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Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 boat specs
Chris-Craft
Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012
2012
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Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 vs Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 and the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 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 2012 measures 27,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 9,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 at 18,8 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 tips the scales at 8 121 lbs — 5 208 lbs less than the Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 at 2 913 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 Launch 28 2012 tops out at 375 hp. Engine specs for the Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 carries 34 gallons versus 15 gallons in the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012. 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 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 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 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 27,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 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 2
ModelLaunch 28
Model Year2011
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m)
Beam10 ft. (3.05 m)
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Meters3.05
Beam - Inches95
Beam - Inches12
Bridge clearance - Detail46.5 in. (1.18 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 6 in. (1.34 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters1.19
Bridge clearance - Meters1.37
Bridge clearance - Inches46.5
Bridge clearance - Inches54
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43.2 cm)
Draft [drive up] - DetailSingle Engine: 17 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: 25 in. (89 cm) Twin Engine: 33.5 in. (85 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches33.5
Weight - Detail2,913 lbs. (1,321 kg)
Weight - DetailDry: 7,500 lbs. (3,402 kg) Trailerable: 8,121 lbs. (3,684 kg)
Weight - kg1321.31
Weight - kg3683.62
Weight - lbs.2913
Weight - lbs.8121
Height - Detail4 ft. 11 in. (1.47 m)
Height - Detail6 ft. 5 in. (1.96 m)
Height - Meters1.5
Height - Meters1.96
Height - Inches59
Height - Inches77
Length [at waterline]15 ft. 6 in. (4.72 m)
Length [at waterline]23 ft. 1 in. (6.98 m)
Length - Meters5.74
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet18.83
Length - Feet27.83
Length [over all with swim platform]20 ft. 2 in. (6.15 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. 8 in. (9 m)
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 10 in. (5.74 m)
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 10 in. (8.48 m)
Length overall - Meters5.74
Length overall - Meters8.48
Length overall - Inches226
Length overall - Inches334
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail8 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)
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 makenot available
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine modelnot available
Engine model8.1L Gi
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower375 PSHP
Operational Info
Maximum people7
Maximum peoplenot available
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity35 gal. (132 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail10 gal. (38 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal1

Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 vs Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 or the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012?
The Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 is the longer of the two at 27,8 feet overall. The Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 comes in at 18,8 feet, making it roughly 9,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 or the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012?
For trailering, the Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 has the edge at 2 913 lbs dry weight versus 8 121 lbs for the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012. 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 Launch 28 2012 has a documented max rating of 375 hp. Engine specifications for the Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 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 Launch 20 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 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 measures 95" wide, compared to 12" for the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012. 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 or the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012?
The Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 has the bigger tank at 34 gallons, versus 15 gallons on the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012. 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 and Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Chris-Craft Launch 20 2011 and the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 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.