Crownline 21 SS 2012 vs Crownline 260 EX 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Crownline 21 SS 2012 or the Crownline 260 EX 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 21 SS 2012 has the edge at 3 700 lbs dry weight versus 5 600 lbs for the Crownline 260 EX 2004. 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 2004 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 21 SS 2012 tops out at 320 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 21 SS 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Crownline 260 EX 2004 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Crownline 21 SS 2012 and Crownline 260 EX 2004 share an 102 in. (2.59 m) beam - meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Crownline 21 SS 2012 or the Crownline 260 EX 2004?

The Crownline 260 EX 2004 has the bigger tank at 84 gallons, versus 41 gallons on the Crownline 21 SS 2012. That 43-gallon difference translates to roughly 129–215 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 21 SS 2012 and Crownline 260 EX 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crownline 21 SS 2012 and the Crownline 260 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 21 SS 2012 vs Crownline 260 EX 2004

Crownline

Crownline 21 SS 2012

2012

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Crownline

Crownline 260 EX 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 21 SS 2012 vs Crownline 260 EX 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 21 SS 2012 vs Crownline 260 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 425 hp, the Crownline 260 EX 2004 has a 105-hp advantage over the Crownline 21 SS 2012's 320-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 2004 carries 84 gallons versus 41 gallons in the Crownline 21 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 260 EX 2004 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Crownline 21 SS 2012 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crownline 260 EX 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 260 EX 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 14 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crownline 21 SS 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCrownline

Model21 SS

Model260 EX

Model Year2012

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam102 in.

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail49 in. (1.24 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.24

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches49

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise16℃

Deadrise19℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (41 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] - Detail30 in. (76 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail35 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches30

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail3,500 - 3,700 lbs. (1,588 - 1,678 kg)

Weight - Detail5400 lbs. - 5600 lbs.

Weight - kg1678.29

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - lbs.3700

Weight - lbs.5600

Length - Feet20.83

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 10 in. (6.35 m)

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 6 in.

Length overall - Meters6.35

Length overall - Meters7.47

Length overall - Inches250

Length overall - Inches294

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]65 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 - Detail41 gal. (155 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail84 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters155.2

Fuel tank capacity - Liters317.97

Fuel tank capacity - Gal41

Fuel tank capacity - Gal84

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max320 hp

Engine max425 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,442 lbs. (654 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people10

Maximum people14 Persons

Crownline 21 SS 2012 vs Crownline 260 EX 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Crownline 21 SS 2012 or the Crownline 260 EX 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 21 SS 2012 has the edge at 3 700 lbs dry weight versus 5 600 lbs for the Crownline 260 EX 2004. 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 2004 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 21 SS 2012 tops out at 320 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 21 SS 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Crownline 260 EX 2004 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Crownline 21 SS 2012 and Crownline 260 EX 2004 share an 102 in. (2.59 m) beam - meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Crownline 21 SS 2012 or the Crownline 260 EX 2004?

The Crownline 260 EX 2004 has the bigger tank at 84 gallons, versus 41 gallons on the Crownline 21 SS 2012. That 43-gallon difference translates to roughly 129–215 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 21 SS 2012 and Crownline 260 EX 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crownline 21 SS 2012 and the Crownline 260 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 21 SS 2012 full specs ← Crownline 260 EX 2004 full specs