Crownline 180 BR 2004 vs Crownline 260 EX 2007 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 180 BR 2004 or the Crownline 260 EX 2007?

For trailering, the Crownline 180 BR 2004 has the edge at 26 lbs dry weight versus 56 lbs for the Crownline 260 EX 2007. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crownline 260 EX 2007 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 180 BR 2004 tops out at 225 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 Crownline 180 BR 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Crownline 260 EX 2007 is certified for 14. 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Crownline 180 BR 2004 or the Crownline 260 EX 2007?

The Crownline 260 EX 2007 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 27 gallons on the Crownline 180 BR 2004. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 180 BR 2004 and Crownline 260 EX 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 180 BR 2004 and the Crownline 260 EX 2007 are built by Crownline. 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

Crownline 180 BR 2004 vs Crownline 260 EX 2007

Crownline

Crownline 180 BR 2004

2004

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Crownline

Crownline 260 EX 2007

2007

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 180 BR 2004 vs Crownline 260 EX 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 180 BR 2004 vs Crownline 260 EX 2007 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 425 hp, the Crownline 260 EX 2007 has a 200-hp advantage over the Crownline 180 BR 2004's 225-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Crownline 260 EX 2007 carries 75 gallons versus 27 gallons in the Crownline 180 BR 2004. 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 Crownline 260 EX 2007 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Crownline 180 BR 2004 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crownline 260 EX 2007 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 260 EX 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crownline 180 BR 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCrownline

Model180 BR

Model260 EX

Model Year2004

Model Year2007

Measurements / Dimensions

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise19℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail27 in

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in. (53 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches27

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [max] - Detail13 in

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.33

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches13

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail2450 - 2600 lb

Weight - Detail5,400 lbs. - 5,600 lbs. (2,452 - 2,540 kg)

Weight - kg1179.34

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - lbs.26

Weight - lbs.56

Height [transom]46 in

Height [transom]not available

Beamnot available

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inchesnot available

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail65 in. (1.7 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.65

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches65

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches6

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 6 in. (8 m)

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters8.08

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches318

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail27 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (284 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters102.21

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Engine max225 hp

Engine max425 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardM5.7 L Bravo III 250 php

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeInboard

Operational Info

Maximum people8 Person Capacity

Maximum people14

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity2,205 lbs. (1,000 kg)

Crownline 180 BR 2004 vs Crownline 260 EX 2007 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 180 BR 2004 or the Crownline 260 EX 2007?

For trailering, the Crownline 180 BR 2004 has the edge at 26 lbs dry weight versus 56 lbs for the Crownline 260 EX 2007. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crownline 260 EX 2007 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 180 BR 2004 tops out at 225 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 Crownline 180 BR 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Crownline 260 EX 2007 is certified for 14. 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 has the larger fuel tank — the Crownline 180 BR 2004 or the Crownline 260 EX 2007?

The Crownline 260 EX 2007 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 27 gallons on the Crownline 180 BR 2004. That 48-gallon difference translates to roughly 144–240 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 180 BR 2004 and Crownline 260 EX 2007 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 180 BR 2004 and the Crownline 260 EX 2007 are built by Crownline. 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.

← Crownline 180 BR 2004 full specs ← Crownline 260 EX 2007 full specs