Crownline 230 BR 2004 vs Crownline 260 EX 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 230 BR 2004 or the Crownline 260 EX 2008?

For trailering, the Crownline 230 BR 2004 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 56 lbs for the Crownline 260 EX 2008. 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 230 BR 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Crownline 260 EX 2008 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 230 BR 2004 and Crownline 260 EX 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 260 EX 2008?

The Crownline 260 EX 2008 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 59 gallons on the Crownline 230 BR 2004. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 230 BR 2004 and Crownline 260 EX 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 230 BR 2004 and the Crownline 260 EX 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 260 EX 2008

Crownline

Crownline 230 BR 2004

2004

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Crownline

Crownline 260 EX 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 230 BR 2004 vs Crownline 260 EX 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 230 BR 2004 vs Crownline 260 EX 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 425 hp for the Crownline 230 BR 2004 and 425 hp for the Crownline 260 EX 2008. 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 2008 carries 75 gallons versus 59 gallons in the Crownline 230 BR 2004. 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 2008 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Crownline 230 BR 2004 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crownline 260 EX 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 260 EX 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crownline 230 BR 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCrownline

Model230 BR

Model260 EX

Model Year2004

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise19℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in. (53 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [max] - Detail32 in

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail4200-4400 lb

Weight - Detail5,400 lbs. - 5,600 lbs. (2,452 - 2,540 kg)

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - lbs.44

Weight - lbs.56

Height [transom]60 in

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 7 in

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 6 in. (8 m)

Length overall - Meters7.19

Length overall - Meters8.08

Length overall - Inches283

Length overall - Inches318

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail65 in. (1.7 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.65

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches65

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters8

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches6

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail59 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (284 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters223.34

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal59

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Engine max425 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardM5.7 L Bravo III 250 php

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeInboard

Operational Info

Maximum people12 Persons

Maximum people14

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity2,205 lbs. (1,000 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Crownline 230 BR 2004 vs Crownline 260 EX 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 230 BR 2004 or the Crownline 260 EX 2008?

For trailering, the Crownline 230 BR 2004 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 56 lbs for the Crownline 260 EX 2008. 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 230 BR 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Crownline 260 EX 2008 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 230 BR 2004 and Crownline 260 EX 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 260 EX 2008?

The Crownline 260 EX 2008 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 59 gallons on the Crownline 230 BR 2004. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 230 BR 2004 and Crownline 260 EX 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 230 BR 2004 and the Crownline 260 EX 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 260 EX 2008 full specs