Crownline 230 LS 2008 vs Crownline 288 BR 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 230 LS 2008 or the Crownline 288 BR 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 288 BR 2004 has the edge at 8 lbs dry weight versus 43 lbs for the Crownline 230 LS 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crownline 288 BR 2004 is rated to a maximum of 640 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 LS 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Crownline 288 BR 2004 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Crownline 288 BR 2004 measures 116" wide, compared to 102" for the Crownline 230 LS 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Crownline 230 LS 2008 or the Crownline 288 BR 2004?

The Crownline 288 BR 2004 has the bigger tank at 129 gallons, versus 62 gallons on the Crownline 230 LS 2008. That 67-gallon difference translates to roughly 201–335 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 230 LS 2008 and Crownline 288 BR 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 230 LS 2008 and the Crownline 288 BR 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 230 LS 2008 vs Crownline 288 BR 2004

Crownline

Crownline 230 LS 2008

2008

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Crownline

Crownline 288 BR 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 230 LS 2008 vs Crownline 288 BR 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 230 LS 2008 vs Crownline 288 BR 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 640 hp, the Crownline 288 BR 2004 has a 320-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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Crownline 288 BR 2004 carries 129 gallons versus 62 gallons in the Crownline 230 LS 2008. 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 230 LS 2008 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Crownline 288 BR 2004 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crownline 230 LS 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 230 LS 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crownline 288 BR 2004 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

Model230 LS

Model288 BR

Model Year2008

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam116 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.95

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches116

Bridge clearance - Detail56 in. (1.42 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.42

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches56

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise24℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in

Draft [drive up] meters0.48

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches19

Draft [drive up] inches21

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

Draft [max] - Detail38 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.84

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches33

Draft [max] - Inches38

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

Weight - Detail8

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - kg3628.74

Weight - lbs.43

Weight - lbs.8

Length - Meters7.3

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet24

Length - Feetnot available

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

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Meters7.32

Length overall - Meters8.74

Length overall - Inches288

Length overall - Inches344

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]70 in

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardM5.7 L Alpha 250 php

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail62 gal. (235 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail129 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters234.7

Fuel tank capacity - Liters488.32

Fuel tank capacity - Gal62

Fuel tank capacity - Gal129

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max320 hp

Engine max640 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,583 lbs. (718 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people11

Maximum peoplen

Crownline 230 LS 2008 vs Crownline 288 BR 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 230 LS 2008 or the Crownline 288 BR 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 288 BR 2004 has the edge at 8 lbs dry weight versus 43 lbs for the Crownline 230 LS 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crownline 288 BR 2004 is rated to a maximum of 640 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 LS 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Crownline 288 BR 2004 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Crownline 288 BR 2004 measures 116" wide, compared to 102" for the Crownline 230 LS 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Crownline 230 LS 2008 or the Crownline 288 BR 2004?

The Crownline 288 BR 2004 has the bigger tank at 129 gallons, versus 62 gallons on the Crownline 230 LS 2008. That 67-gallon difference translates to roughly 201–335 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 230 LS 2008 and Crownline 288 BR 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 230 LS 2008 and the Crownline 288 BR 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 230 LS 2008 full specs ← Crownline 288 BR 2004 full specs