The Crest Crest II Fish 230FC 2013 vs Crest Explorer 2200 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Crest Crest II Fish 230FC 2013 at 23,5 ft versus Crest Explorer 2200 2005 at 22,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crest Explorer 2200 2005 tips the scales at 2 325 lbs — 2 301 lbs less than the Crest Crest II Fish 230FC 2013 at 24 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 140 hp, the Crest Crest II Fish 230FC 2013 has a 50-hp advantage over the Crest Explorer 2200 2005's 90-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 Explorer 2200 2005 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Crest Crest II Fish 230FC 2013 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crest Explorer 2200 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crest Explorer 2200 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crest Crest II Fish 230FC 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.