The Crest Caribbean 250 2012 vs Crest Family Fisherman 25 2004 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Crest Caribbean 250 2012 at 25,8 ft versus Crest Family Fisherman 25 2004 at 25,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crest Caribbean 250 2012 tips the scales at 2 626 lbs — 2 370 lbs more than the Crest Family Fisherman 25 2004 at 256 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 Caribbean 250 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Crest Family Fisherman 25 2004's 125-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 Family Fisherman 25 2004 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Crest Caribbean 250 2012 caps at 16. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crest Family Fisherman 25 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crest Family Fisherman 25 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 17 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crest Caribbean 250 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 16 that costs less to run day-to-day.