Both the Crest II LE 30 2007 and the Crest III Classic 20 2008 are pontoon designs, both built in aluminium, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Crest II LE 30 2007 measures 30,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 10,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crest III Classic 20 2008 at 20,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crest II LE 30 2007 tips the scales at 2 830 lbs - 315 lbs more than the Crest III Classic 20 2008 at 2 515 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 150 hp, the Crest II LE 30 2007 has a 35-hp advantage over the Crest III Classic 20 2008's 115-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 II LE 30 2007 is rated for 18 passengers, while the Crest III Classic 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 II LE 30 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crest II LE 30 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 18 passengers and at 30,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crest III Classic 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.