The Crest Family Fisherman 22 2004 vs Crest II XRS 22 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 Family Fisherman 22 2004 at 22,0 ft versus Crest II XRS 22 2008 at 22,0 ft. At 2 400 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 - 125 hp for the Crest Family Fisherman 22 2004 and 115 hp for the Crest II XRS 22 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 Family Fisherman 22 2004 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Crest II XRS 22 2008 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crest Family Fisherman 22 2004 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crest Family Fisherman 22 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 14 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crest II XRS 22 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.