When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Crest 230 Superfish - C4 Fish 2011 and the Crest 27 2009 are pontoon designs with aluminum 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 Crest 27 2009 measures 27,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 3,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crest 230 Superfish - C4 Fish 2011 at 23,3 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crest 230 Superfish - C4 Fish 2011 tips the scales at 2 555 lbs — 2 210 lbs more than the Crest 27 2009 at 345 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Crest 27 2009 has a 35-hp advantage over the Crest 230 Superfish - C4 Fish 2011's 115-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crest 27 2009 is rated for 18 passengers, while the Crest 230 Superfish - C4 Fish 2011 caps at 15. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crest 27 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crest 27 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 18 passengers and at 27,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crest 230 Superfish - C4 Fish 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 15 that costs less to run day-to-day.