Crownline 226 LS 2005 vs Crownline 285 SS 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Crownline 226 LS 2005 or the Crownline 285 SS 2012?

The Crownline 285 SS 2012 is the longer of the two at 28,5 feet overall. The Crownline 226 LS 2005 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 6,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 226 LS 2005 or the Crownline 285 SS 2012?

For trailering, the Crownline 226 LS 2005 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 57 lbs for the Crownline 285 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 285 SS 2012 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 226 LS 2005 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 226 LS 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Crownline 285 SS 2012 is certified for 8. 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 226 LS 2005 and Crownline 285 SS 2012 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 226 LS 2005 or the Crownline 285 SS 2012?

The Crownline 285 SS 2012 has the bigger tank at 84 gallons, versus 62 gallons on the Crownline 226 LS 2005. That 22-gallon difference translates to roughly 66–110 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 226 LS 2005 and Crownline 285 SS 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 226 LS 2005 and the Crownline 285 SS 2012 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 226 LS 2005 vs Crownline 285 SS 2012

Crownline

Crownline 226 LS 2005

2005

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Crownline

Crownline 285 SS 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 226 LS 2005 vs Crownline 285 SS 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 226 LS 2005 vs Crownline 285 SS 2012 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Crownline 285 SS 2012 measures 28,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 6,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crownline 226 LS 2005 at 22,0 feet (2005). At 43 lbs and 57 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 430 hp, the Crownline 285 SS 2012 has a 110-hp advantage over the Crownline 226 LS 2005'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 285 SS 2012 carries 84 gallons versus 62 gallons in the Crownline 226 LS 2005. 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 226 LS 2005 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Crownline 285 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 226 LS 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 226 LS 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 22,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crownline 285 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

Model226 LS

Model285 SS

Model Year2005

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail56 in. (1.42 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail65 in. (1.05 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.42

Bridge clearance - Meters1.65

Bridge clearance - Inches56

Bridge clearance - Inches65

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise22℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in. (51 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail29 in. (74 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] meters0.74

Draft [drive up] inches2

Draft [drive up] inches29

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail43 in. (110 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters1.09

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches43

Weight - Detail4,100 - 4,300 lbs. (1,679 - 1,769 kg)

Weight - Detail5,500 - 5,700 lbs

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - kg2585.47

Weight - lbs.43

Weight - lbs.57

Length - Meters6.7

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet22

Length - Feet28.5

Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 0 in. (7.3 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 0 in. (6.7 m)

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 6 in. (8.61 m)

Length overall - Meters6.71

Length overall - Meters8.69

Length overall - Inches264

Length overall - Inches342

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail62 gal. (235 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail84 gal. (318 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters234.7

Fuel tank capacity - Liters317.97

Fuel tank capacity - Gal62

Fuel tank capacity - Gal84

Drive typeI/O

Engine max320 hp

Engine max430 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercruiser

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,583 lbs. (718 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people11

Maximum peoplenot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Crownline 226 LS 2005 vs Crownline 285 SS 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Crownline 226 LS 2005 or the Crownline 285 SS 2012?

The Crownline 285 SS 2012 is the longer of the two at 28,5 feet overall. The Crownline 226 LS 2005 comes in at 22,0 feet, making it roughly 6,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 226 LS 2005 or the Crownline 285 SS 2012?

For trailering, the Crownline 226 LS 2005 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 57 lbs for the Crownline 285 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 285 SS 2012 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 226 LS 2005 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 226 LS 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Crownline 285 SS 2012 is certified for 8. 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 226 LS 2005 and Crownline 285 SS 2012 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 226 LS 2005 or the Crownline 285 SS 2012?

The Crownline 285 SS 2012 has the bigger tank at 84 gallons, versus 62 gallons on the Crownline 226 LS 2005. That 22-gallon difference translates to roughly 66–110 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 226 LS 2005 and Crownline 285 SS 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 226 LS 2005 and the Crownline 285 SS 2012 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 226 LS 2005 full specs ← Crownline 285 SS 2012 full specs