Crownline 250 CR 2004 vs Crownline 252 EX 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 250 CR 2004 or the Crownline 252 EX 2008?

For trailering, the Crownline 252 EX 2008 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 66 lbs for the Crownline 250 CR 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 252 EX 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 250 CR 2004 tops out at 375 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 250 CR 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Crownline 252 EX 2008 is certified for 13. 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 250 CR 2004 and Crownline 252 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 250 CR 2004 or the Crownline 252 EX 2008?

The Crownline 250 CR 2004 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Crownline 252 EX 2008. That 70-gallon difference translates to roughly 210–350 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 250 CR 2004 and Crownline 252 EX 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 250 CR 2004 and the Crownline 252 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 250 CR 2004 vs Crownline 252 EX 2008

Crownline

Crownline 250 CR 2004

2004

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Crownline

Crownline 252 EX 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 250 CR 2004 vs Crownline 252 EX 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 250 CR 2004 vs Crownline 252 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Crownline 252 EX 2008 has a 50-hp advantage over the Crownline 250 CR 2004's 375-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 250 CR 2004 carries 75 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Crownline 252 EX 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 252 EX 2008 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Crownline 250 CR 2004 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crownline 252 EX 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 252 EX 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crownline 250 CR 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCrownline

Model250 CR

Model252 EX

Model Year2004

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise19℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [max] - Detail38 in

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail6400 lbs. - 6600 lbs

Weight - Detail5,100 - 5,300 lbs. (2,313 - 2,404 kg)

Weight - kg2993.71

Weight - kg2404.04

Weight - lbs.66

Weight - lbs.53

Height [transom]74.25 in

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 6 in. (7.8 m)

Length overall - Meters7.52

Length overall - Meters7.77

Length overall - Inches296

Length overall - Inches306

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail60 in. (1.52 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.52

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches6

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.8

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet25

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches6

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Engine max375 hp

Engine max425 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardM5.0 L MPI Bravo III - 260 php

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeInboard

Operational Info

Maximum people9 Persons

Maximum people13

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity2,065 lbs. (937 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Crownline 250 CR 2004 vs Crownline 252 EX 2008 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 250 CR 2004 or the Crownline 252 EX 2008?

For trailering, the Crownline 252 EX 2008 has the edge at 53 lbs dry weight versus 66 lbs for the Crownline 250 CR 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 252 EX 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 250 CR 2004 tops out at 375 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 250 CR 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Crownline 252 EX 2008 is certified for 13. 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 250 CR 2004 and Crownline 252 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 250 CR 2004 or the Crownline 252 EX 2008?

The Crownline 250 CR 2004 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Crownline 252 EX 2008. That 70-gallon difference translates to roughly 210–350 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 250 CR 2004 and Crownline 252 EX 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 250 CR 2004 and the Crownline 252 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 250 CR 2004 full specs ← Crownline 252 EX 2008 full specs