The Crest Crest II LM 30 2005 vs Crest III XRS 20 2008 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 LM 30 2005 at 3,0 ft versus Crest III XRS 20 2008 at 2,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crest III XRS 20 2008 tips the scales at 2 615 lbs — 2 332 lbs less than the Crest Crest II LM 30 2005 at 283 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 125 hp for the Crest Crest II LM 30 2005 and 115 hp for the Crest III XRS 20 2008. 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 Crest II LM 30 2005 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Crest III XRS 20 2008 caps at 13. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crest Crest II LM 30 2005 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crest Crest II LM 30 2005 comes in at 2 lbs per hp versus 23 lbs per hp for the Crest III XRS 20 2008. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Crest Crest II LM 30 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 17 passengers and at 3,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crest III XRS 20 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 13 that costs less to run day-to-day.