Both the Crownline 252 EX 2009 and the Crownline E6 EC 2011 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Crownline 252 EX 2009 at 25,0 ft versus Crownline E6 EC 2011 at 26,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crownline E6 EC 2011 tips the scales at 5 700 lbs - 400 lbs less than the Crownline 252 EX 2009 at 5 300 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 425 hp for the Crownline 252 EX 2009 and 430 hp for the Crownline E6 EC 2011. 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 E6 EC 2011 carries 55 gallons versus 50 gallons in the Crownline 252 EX 2009. 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 2009 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Crownline E6 EC 2011 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crownline 252 EX 2009 could be the deciding factor.