Crownline 23 SS 2011 vs Crownline 260 EX 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 23 SS 2011 or the Crownline 260 EX 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 23 SS 2011 has the edge at 42 lbs dry weight versus 56 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Crownline 23 SS 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 11 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 23 SS 2011 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 23 SS 2011 or the Crownline 260 EX 2004?

The Crownline 260 EX 2004 has the bigger tank at 84 gallons, versus 62 gallons on the Crownline 23 SS 2011. 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 23 SS 2011 and Crownline 260 EX 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 23 SS 2011 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 23 SS 2011 vs Crownline 260 EX 2004

Crownline

Crownline 23 SS 2011

2011

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Crownline

Crownline 260 EX 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 23 SS 2011 vs Crownline 260 EX 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 23 SS 2011 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 430 hp for the Crownline 23 SS 2011 and 425 hp for the Crownline 260 EX 2004. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Crownline 260 EX 2004 carries 84 gallons versus 62 gallons in the Crownline 23 SS 2011. 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 23 SS 2011 caps at 11. 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 23 SS 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCrownline

Model23 SS

Model260 EX

Model Year2011

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam102 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail53 in. (1.34 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.35

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches53

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise19℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches18

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 - Detail4,000 - 4,200 lbs. (1,814 - 1,905 kg)

Weight - Detail5400 lbs. - 5600 lbs

Weight - kg1905.09

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - lbs.42

Weight - lbs.56

Length - Feet23.25

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 3 in. (7.1 m)

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Meters7.09

Length overall - Meters7.47

Length overall - Inches279

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 makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Engine model5.0 l MPI Bravo III

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail62 gal. (235 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail84 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters234.7

Fuel tank capacity - Liters317.97

Fuel tank capacity - Gal62

Fuel tank capacity - Gal84

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Horsepower260 php

Horsepowernot available

Engine max430 php

Engine max425 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,583 lbs. (718 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people11

Maximum people14 Persons

Crownline 23 SS 2011 vs Crownline 260 EX 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 23 SS 2011 or the Crownline 260 EX 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 23 SS 2011 has the edge at 42 lbs dry weight versus 56 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Crownline 23 SS 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 11 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 23 SS 2011 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 23 SS 2011 or the Crownline 260 EX 2004?

The Crownline 260 EX 2004 has the bigger tank at 84 gallons, versus 62 gallons on the Crownline 23 SS 2011. 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 23 SS 2011 and Crownline 260 EX 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 23 SS 2011 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 23 SS 2011 full specs ← Crownline 260 EX 2004 full specs