Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 vs Chris-Craft Speedster 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 vs Chris-Craft Speedster 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 2012 measures 27,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 25,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Chris-Craft Speedster 2005 at 2,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Chris-Craft Launch 28 2012 tips the scales at 8 121 lbs — 7 836 lbs more than the Chris-Craft Speedster 2005 at 285 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 carries a rated maximum of 375 hp. Engine data for the Chris-Craft Speedster 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 Speedster 2005 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 Speedster 2005 caps at 6. 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 Speedster 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeChris-Craft
MakeChris-Craft
ModelLaunch 28
ModelSpeedster
Model Year2012
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam10 ft. (3.05 m)
Beam7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m)
Beam - Meters3.05
Beam - Meters2.41
Beam - Inches12
Beam - Inches95
Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. 6 in. (1.34 m)
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.37
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches54
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise20℃
Deadrise20℃
Draft [drive up] - DetailSingle Engine: 17 in. (48.3 cm) Twin Engine: 20 in. (50.8 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail17.5 in. (44.5 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.51
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] inches2
Draft [drive up] inches17.5
Draft [max] - DetailSingle Engine: 25 in. (89 cm) Twin Engine: 33.5 in. (85 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86.4 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Inches33.5
Draft [max] - Inches34
Weight - DetailDry: 7,500 lbs. (3,402 kg) Trailerable: 8,121 lbs. (3,684 kg)
Weight - Detail2,850 lbs. (1,293 kg)
Weight - kg3683.62
Weight - kg1292.74
Weight - lbs.8121
Weight - lbs.285
Width [transom] - Detail8 ft. 6 in. (2.29 m)
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail6 ft. 5 in. (1.96 m)
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters1.96
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches77
Height - Inchesnot available
Length [at waterline]23 ft. 1 in. (6.98 m)
Length [at waterline]not available
Length - Feet27.83
Length - Feet2
Length [over all with swim platform]29 ft. 8 in. (9 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 10 in. (8.48 m)
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 2 in. (6.15 m)
Length overall - Meters8.48
Length overall - Meters6.15
Length overall - Inches334
Length overall - Inches242
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters6.15
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches2
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine makenot available
Engine model8.1L Gi
Engine modelnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail150 gal. (568 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail34 gal. (129 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81
Fuel tank capacity - Liters128.7
Fuel tank capacity - Gal15
Fuel tank capacity - Gal34
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower375 PSHP
Horsepowernot available
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardVolvo 4.3 l Gxi MPI V6, 225 hp (168 kw)
Operational Info
Water capacity35 gal. (132 l)
Water capacitynot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail10 gal. (38 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal1
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available