The Crest Crest II LE XRS 20 2006 vs Crest Wave 230 Sun Sport 2012 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 Crest Wave 230 Sun Sport 2012 measures 23,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 21,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crest Crest II LE XRS 20 2006 at 2,0 feet (2006). At 2 392 lbs and 2 455 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 100 hp for the Crest Crest II LE XRS 20 2006 and 90 hp for the Crest Wave 230 Sun Sport 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crest Wave 230 Sun Sport 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Crest Crest II LE XRS 20 2006 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crest Wave 230 Sun Sport 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crest Wave 230 Sun Sport 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 23,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crest Crest II LE XRS 20 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.