Crownline 230 BR 2004 vs Crownline 230 LS 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Crownline 230 BR 2004 or the Crownline 230 LS 2008?

For trailering, the Crownline 230 LS 2008 has the edge at 4 300 lbs dry weight versus 4 400 lbs for the Crownline 230 BR 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 230 BR 2004 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 230 LS 2008 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 230 BR 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Crownline 230 LS 2008 is certified for 11. 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 230 BR 2004 and Crownline 230 LS 2008 share an 102 in. 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 230 BR 2004 or the Crownline 230 LS 2008?

The Crownline 230 LS 2008 has the bigger tank at 62 gallons, versus 59 gallons on the Crownline 230 BR 2004. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 230 BR 2004 and Crownline 230 LS 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crownline 230 BR 2004 and the Crownline 230 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 230 BR 2004 vs Crownline 230 LS 2008

Crownline

Crownline 230 BR 2004

2004

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Crownline

Crownline 230 LS 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 230 BR 2004 vs Crownline 230 LS 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 230 BR 2004 vs Crownline 230 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 425 hp, the Crownline 230 BR 2004 has a 105-hp advantage over the Crownline 230 LS 2008's 320-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 59 gal and 62 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crownline 230 BR 2004 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Crownline 230 LS 2008 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crownline 230 BR 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 230 BR 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 12 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crownline 230 LS 2008 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

Model230 BR

Model230 LS

Model Year2004

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in.

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise21℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in.

Draft [drive up] - Detail19 in. (48 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] meters0.48

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [drive up] inches19

Draft [max] - Detail32 in.

Draft [max] - Detail33 in. (84 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inches33

Weight - Detail4200-4400 lb.

Weight - Detail4,100 - 4,300 lbs. (1,861 - 1,952 kg)

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - lbs.4400

Weight - lbs.4300

Height [transom]60 in.

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 7 in.

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 0 in. (7.3 m)

Length overall - Meters7.19

Length overall - Meters7.32

Length overall - Inches283

Length overall - Inches288

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail56 in. (1.42 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.42

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches56

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.3

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail59 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail62 gal. (235 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters223.34

Fuel tank capacity - Liters234.7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal59

Fuel tank capacity - Gal62

Engine max425 hp

Engine max320 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardM5.7 L Alpha 250 php

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Maximum people12 Persons

Maximum people11

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,583 lbs. (718 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Crownline 230 BR 2004 vs Crownline 230 LS 2008 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Crownline 230 BR 2004 or the Crownline 230 LS 2008?

For trailering, the Crownline 230 LS 2008 has the edge at 4 300 lbs dry weight versus 4 400 lbs for the Crownline 230 BR 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 230 BR 2004 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 230 LS 2008 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 230 BR 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Crownline 230 LS 2008 is certified for 11. 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 230 BR 2004 and Crownline 230 LS 2008 share an 102 in. 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 230 BR 2004 or the Crownline 230 LS 2008?

The Crownline 230 LS 2008 has the bigger tank at 62 gallons, versus 59 gallons on the Crownline 230 BR 2004. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 230 BR 2004 and Crownline 230 LS 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crownline 230 BR 2004 and the Crownline 230 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 230 BR 2004 full specs ← Crownline 230 LS 2008 full specs