Crownline 185 SS 2012 vs Crownline 240 EX 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 185 SS 2012 or the Crownline 240 EX 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 240 EX 2004 has the edge at 5 lbs dry weight versus 32 lbs for the Crownline 185 SS 2012. 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 240 EX 2004 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 185 SS 2012 tops out at 220 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 185 SS 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Crownline 240 EX 2004 is certified for 13. 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 Crownline 240 EX 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 92" for the Crownline 185 SS 2012. 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 Crownline 185 SS 2012 or the Crownline 240 EX 2004?

The Crownline 240 EX 2004 has the bigger tank at 62 gallons, versus 25 gallons on the Crownline 185 SS 2012. That 37-gallon difference translates to roughly 111–185 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 185 SS 2012 and Crownline 240 EX 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 185 SS 2012 and the Crownline 240 EX 2004 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 185 SS 2012 vs Crownline 240 EX 2004

Crownline

Crownline 185 SS 2012

2012

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Crownline

Crownline 240 EX 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 185 SS 2012 vs Crownline 240 EX 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 185 SS 2012 vs Crownline 240 EX 2004 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 320 hp, the Crownline 240 EX 2004 has a 100-hp advantage over the Crownline 185 SS 2012's 220-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 240 EX 2004 carries 62 gallons versus 25 gallons in the Crownline 185 SS 2012. 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 240 EX 2004 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Crownline 185 SS 2012 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crownline 240 EX 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 240 EX 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crownline 185 SS 2012 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

Model185 SS

Model240 EX

Model Year2012

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam92 in. (2.33 m)

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches92

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail48 in. (1.22 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.22

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches48

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise19℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (40 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (81 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail35 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail2,950 - 3,200 lbs. (1,338 - 1,451 kg)

Weight - Detail4800 lbs. - 5000 lbs

Weight - kg1451.49

Weight - kg2267.96

Weight - lbs.32

Weight - lbs.5

Length - Feet18.42

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.61 m)

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Meters5.61

Length overall - Meters6.86

Length overall - Inches221

Length overall - Inches27

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]58.25 in

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercruiser

Engine makenot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail25 gal. (94 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail62 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters94.64

Fuel tank capacity - Liters234.7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal25

Fuel tank capacity - Gal62

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max220 hp

Engine max320 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,140 lbs. (517 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people8

Maximum people13 Persons

Crownline 185 SS 2012 vs Crownline 240 EX 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 185 SS 2012 or the Crownline 240 EX 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 240 EX 2004 has the edge at 5 lbs dry weight versus 32 lbs for the Crownline 185 SS 2012. 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 240 EX 2004 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 185 SS 2012 tops out at 220 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 185 SS 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Crownline 240 EX 2004 is certified for 13. 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 Crownline 240 EX 2004 measures 102" wide, compared to 92" for the Crownline 185 SS 2012. 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 Crownline 185 SS 2012 or the Crownline 240 EX 2004?

The Crownline 240 EX 2004 has the bigger tank at 62 gallons, versus 25 gallons on the Crownline 185 SS 2012. That 37-gallon difference translates to roughly 111–185 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 185 SS 2012 and Crownline 240 EX 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 185 SS 2012 and the Crownline 240 EX 2004 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 185 SS 2012 full specs ← Crownline 240 EX 2004 full specs