The Crest Explorer 2200 2005 vs Crest II 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Crest Explorer 2200 2005 measures 22,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 20,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crest II 20 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). At 2 325 lbs and 2 302 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 — 90 hp for the Crest Explorer 2200 2005 and 100 hp for the Crest II 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 Explorer 2200 2005 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Crest II 20 2008 caps at 11. 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 II 20 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.