CRN Ability 2006 vs CRN Cloud 9 2017 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the CRN Ability 2006 or the CRN Cloud 9 2017?

The CRN Cloud 9 2017 is the longer of the two at 243,0 feet overall. The CRN Ability 2006 comes in at 177,9 feet, making it roughly 65,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The CRN Cloud 9 2017 is rated to a maximum of 2 000 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The CRN Ability 2006 tops out at 1 340 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The CRN Ability 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 54 passengers, while the CRN Cloud 9 2017 is certified for 74. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The CRN Cloud 9 2017 measures 530" wide, compared to 403" for the CRN Ability 2006. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the CRN Ability 2006 or the CRN Cloud 9 2017?

The CRN Cloud 9 2017 has the bigger tank at 60 043 gallons, versus 33 021 gallons on the CRN Ability 2006. That 27022-gallon difference translates to roughly 81066–135110 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the CRN Ability 2006 and CRN Cloud 9 2017 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the CRN Ability 2006 and the CRN Cloud 9 2017 are built by CRN. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

CRN Ability 2006 vs CRN Cloud 9 2017

CRN

CRN Ability 2006

2006

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CRN

CRN Cloud 9 2017

2017

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

CRN Ability 2006 vs CRN Cloud 9 2017 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The CRN Ability 2006 vs CRN Cloud 9 2017 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 2 000 hp, the CRN Cloud 9 2017 has a 660-hp advantage over the CRN Ability 2006's 1 340-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the CRN Cloud 9 2017 carries 60 043 gallons versus 33 021 gallons in the CRN Ability 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The CRN Cloud 9 2017 is rated for 74 passengers, while the CRN Ability 2006 caps at 54. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the CRN Cloud 9 2017 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the CRN Cloud 9 2017 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 74 passengers and at 243,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The CRN Ability 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 54 that costs less to run day-to-day.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail177.90 ft

Length overall - Detail243.00 ft

Length - Feet177.9

Length - Feet243

Length overall - Meters54.22

Length overall - Meters74.07

Length overall - Inches2135

Length overall - Inches2916

Beam33.60 ft

Beam44.20 ft

Beam - Meters10.24

Beam - Meters13.47

Beam - Inches403

Beam - Inches530

Draft [max] - Detail9.10 ft

Draft [max] - Detail11.40 ft

Draft [max] - Meters2.77

Draft [max] - Meters3.47

Draft [max] - Inches109

Draft [max] - Inches137

Displacement1609375.00 lbs

Displacementnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Gal33021

Fuel tank capacity - Gal60043

Fuel tank capacity - Liters124998.02

Fuel tank capacity - Liters227287.37

Engine makeCaterpillar

Engine makeCatapillar

Engine model3512B

Engine model3516C

Horsepower1340 hp

Horsepower2000 hp

Drive typeinboard

Engine 2 Engine MakeCaterpillar

Engine 2 Engine MakeCatapillar

Engine 2 Engine Model3512B

Engine 2 Engine Model3516C

Engine 2 Horsepower1340 hp

Engine 2 Horsepower2000 hp

Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard

Performance

Cruising speed14

Cruising speed15

Cruising speed measureknots

Maximum speed15

Maximum speed16.5

Maximum speed measureknots

Operational Info

Sleeping capacity12

Cabins6

Head6

Head5

Water capacity364

Water capacity10566

Boat typePower

CRN Ability 2006 vs CRN Cloud 9 2017 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the CRN Ability 2006 or the CRN Cloud 9 2017?

The CRN Cloud 9 2017 is the longer of the two at 243,0 feet overall. The CRN Ability 2006 comes in at 177,9 feet, making it roughly 65,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The CRN Cloud 9 2017 is rated to a maximum of 2 000 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The CRN Ability 2006 tops out at 1 340 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The CRN Ability 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 54 passengers, while the CRN Cloud 9 2017 is certified for 74. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The CRN Cloud 9 2017 measures 530" wide, compared to 403" for the CRN Ability 2006. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the CRN Ability 2006 or the CRN Cloud 9 2017?

The CRN Cloud 9 2017 has the bigger tank at 60 043 gallons, versus 33 021 gallons on the CRN Ability 2006. That 27022-gallon difference translates to roughly 81066–135110 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the CRN Ability 2006 and CRN Cloud 9 2017 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the CRN Ability 2006 and the CRN Cloud 9 2017 are built by CRN. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← CRN Ability 2006 full specs ← CRN Cloud 9 2017 full specs