Crownline 185 SS 2012 vs Crownline 300 LS 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Crownline 185 SS 2012 or the Crownline 300 LS 2008?

The Crownline 300 LS 2008 is the longer of the two at 32,0 feet overall. The Crownline 185 SS 2012 comes in at 18,4 feet, making it roughly 13,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crownline 300 LS 2008 is rated to a maximum of 600 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 300 LS 2008 is certified for 9. 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 300 LS 2008 measures 112" 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 300 LS 2008?

The Crownline 300 LS 2008 has the bigger tank at 82 gallons, versus 25 gallons on the Crownline 185 SS 2012. That 57-gallon difference translates to roughly 171–285 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 185 SS 2012 and Crownline 300 LS 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 185 SS 2012 and the Crownline 300 LS 2008 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 300 LS 2008

Crownline

Crownline 185 SS 2012

2012

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Crownline

Crownline 300 LS 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 185 SS 2012 vs Crownline 300 LS 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 185 SS 2012 vs Crownline 300 LS 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 600 hp, the Crownline 300 LS 2008 has a 380-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 300 LS 2008 carries 82 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 300 LS 2008 is rated for 9 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 300 LS 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 300 LS 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 32,0 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

Model300 LS

Model Year2012

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam92 in. (2.33 m)

Beam112 in. (2.87 m)

Beam - Meters2.34

Beam - Meters2.84

Beam - Inches92

Beam - Inches112

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℃

Deadrise22℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

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

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg1451.49

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.32

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Feet18.42

Length - Feet32

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

Length overall - Detail32 ft. 5 in. (9.9 m)

Length overall - Meters5.61

Length overall - Meters9.88

Length overall - Inches221

Length overall - Inches389

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters9.9

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches5

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 - Detail82 gal. (526 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters94.64

Fuel tank capacity - Liters310.4

Fuel tank capacity - Gal25

Fuel tank capacity - Gal82

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeInboard - Twin

Engine max220 hp

Engine max600 hp (Twins)

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardM496 MAG MPI Bravo III

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,140 lbs. (517 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people8

Maximum peoplenot available

Crownline 185 SS 2012 vs Crownline 300 LS 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Crownline 185 SS 2012 or the Crownline 300 LS 2008?

The Crownline 300 LS 2008 is the longer of the two at 32,0 feet overall. The Crownline 185 SS 2012 comes in at 18,4 feet, making it roughly 13,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crownline 300 LS 2008 is rated to a maximum of 600 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 300 LS 2008 is certified for 9. 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 300 LS 2008 measures 112" 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 300 LS 2008?

The Crownline 300 LS 2008 has the bigger tank at 82 gallons, versus 25 gallons on the Crownline 185 SS 2012. That 57-gallon difference translates to roughly 171–285 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 185 SS 2012 and Crownline 300 LS 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 185 SS 2012 and the Crownline 300 LS 2008 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 300 LS 2008 full specs