Crownline 250 CR 2004 vs Crownline 266 SC 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Crownline 250 CR 2004 or the Crownline 266 SC 2012?

For trailering, the Crownline 266 SC 2012 has the edge at 6 200 lbs dry weight versus 6 600 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 266 SC 2012 is rated to a maximum of 430 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 266 SC 2012 is certified for 10. 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 266 SC 2012 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 266 SC 2012?

The Crownline 250 CR 2004 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 62 gallons on the Crownline 266 SC 2012. That 13-gallon difference translates to roughly 39–65 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 250 CR 2004 and Crownline 266 SC 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crownline 250 CR 2004 and the Crownline 266 SC 2012 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 266 SC 2012

Crownline

Crownline 250 CR 2004

2004

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Crownline

Crownline 266 SC 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 250 CR 2004 vs Crownline 266 SC 2012: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 250 CR 2004 vs Crownline 266 SC 2012 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 430 hp, the Crownline 266 SC 2012 has a 55-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 62 gallons in the Crownline 266 SC 2012. 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 266 SC 2012 is rated for 10 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 266 SC 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 266 SC 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 26,5 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

Model266 SC

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in.

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise21℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in.

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [max] - Detail38 in.

Draft [max] - Detail39 in. (99 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail6400 lbs. - 6600 lbs.

Weight - Detail6,000 - 6,200 lbs. (2,721 - 2,812 kg)

Weight - kg2993.71

Weight - kg2812.27

Weight - lbs.6600

Weight - lbs.6200

Height [transom]74.25 in.

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 8 in.

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 6 in. (8.1 m)

Length overall - Meters7.52

Length overall - Meters8.08

Length overall - Inches296

Length overall - Inches318

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail68 in. (1.72 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.73

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches68

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet26.5

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail62 gal. (235 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Liters234.7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal62

Engine max375 hp

Engine max430 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercruiser

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Maximum people9 Persons

Maximum people10

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,442 lbs. (654 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Crownline 250 CR 2004 vs Crownline 266 SC 2012 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Crownline 250 CR 2004 or the Crownline 266 SC 2012?

For trailering, the Crownline 266 SC 2012 has the edge at 6 200 lbs dry weight versus 6 600 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 266 SC 2012 is rated to a maximum of 430 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 266 SC 2012 is certified for 10. 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 266 SC 2012 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 266 SC 2012?

The Crownline 250 CR 2004 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 62 gallons on the Crownline 266 SC 2012. That 13-gallon difference translates to roughly 39–65 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 250 CR 2004 and Crownline 266 SC 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crownline 250 CR 2004 and the Crownline 266 SC 2012 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 266 SC 2012 full specs