Crownline 255 CCR 2005 vs Crownline 280 CR 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Crownline 255 CCR 2005 or the Crownline 280 CR 2011?

The Crownline 280 CR 2011 is the longer of the two at 28,7 feet overall. The Crownline 255 CCR 2005 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 2,7 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Crownline 255 CCR 2005 or the Crownline 280 CR 2011?

For trailering, the Crownline 255 CCR 2005 has the edge at 6 300 lbs dry weight versus 7 600 lbs for the Crownline 280 CR 2011. 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Crownline 280 CR 2011 has a documented max rating of 425 hp. Engine specifications for the Crownline 255 CCR 2005 were not available in our database - check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Crownline 255 CCR 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Crownline 280 CR 2011 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Crownline 255 CCR 2005 and Crownline 280 CR 2011 share an 102 in. (2.59 m) 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 255 CCR 2005 or the Crownline 280 CR 2011?

The Crownline 280 CR 2011 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 62 gallons on the Crownline 255 CCR 2005. 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 255 CCR 2005 and Crownline 280 CR 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crownline 255 CCR 2005 and the Crownline 280 CR 2011 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 255 CCR 2005 vs Crownline 280 CR 2011

Crownline

Crownline 255 CCR 2005

2005

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Crownline

Crownline 280 CR 2011

2011

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 255 CCR 2005 vs Crownline 280 CR 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 255 CCR 2005 vs Crownline 280 CR 2011 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Crownline 255 CCR 2005 at 26,0 ft versus Crownline 280 CR 2011 at 28,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crownline 280 CR 2011 tips the scales at 7 600 lbs - 1 300 lbs less than the Crownline 255 CCR 2005 at 6 300 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.

The Crownline 280 CR 2011 tops out at 425 hp. Engine specs for the Crownline 255 CCR 2005 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Crownline 280 CR 2011 carries 75 gallons versus 62 gallons in the Crownline 255 CCR 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 8 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Crownline 280 CR 2011 at 28,7 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Crownline 255 CCR 2005 at 26,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking - a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.

General Boat Info

MakeCrownline

Model255 CCR

Model280 CR

Model Year2005

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail68 in. (1.72 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail79.5 in. (2 m) without arch

Bridge clearance - Meters1.73

Bridge clearance - Meters2.03

Bridge clearance - Inches68

Bridge clearance - Inches79.5

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise18℃

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

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [drive up] inches21

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

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail6,100 - 6,300 lbs. (2,767 - 2,858 kg)

Weight - Detail7,400 - 7,600 lbs. (3,356 - 3,447 kg)

Weight - kg2857.63

Weight - kg3447.3

Weight - lbs.6300

Weight - lbs.7600

Length - Meters8

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet28.67

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 8 in. (8.74 m)

Length overall - Meters8.08

Length overall - Meters8.74

Length overall - Inches318

Length overall - Inches344

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard5.7 GI DP 280 php

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail62 gal. (234.7 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (284 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters234.7

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal62

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Drive typeI/O

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelnot available

Engine model350 MAG MPI Bravo III

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower300 php

Engine maxnot available

Engine max425 hp

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Crownline 255 CCR 2005 vs Crownline 280 CR 2011 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Crownline 255 CCR 2005 or the Crownline 280 CR 2011?

The Crownline 280 CR 2011 is the longer of the two at 28,7 feet overall. The Crownline 255 CCR 2005 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 2,7 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer - the Crownline 255 CCR 2005 or the Crownline 280 CR 2011?

For trailering, the Crownline 255 CCR 2005 has the edge at 6 300 lbs dry weight versus 7 600 lbs for the Crownline 280 CR 2011. 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Crownline 280 CR 2011 has a documented max rating of 425 hp. Engine specifications for the Crownline 255 CCR 2005 were not available in our database - check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Crownline 255 CCR 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Crownline 280 CR 2011 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.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Crownline 255 CCR 2005 and Crownline 280 CR 2011 share an 102 in. (2.59 m) 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 255 CCR 2005 or the Crownline 280 CR 2011?

The Crownline 280 CR 2011 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 62 gallons on the Crownline 255 CCR 2005. 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 255 CCR 2005 and Crownline 280 CR 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crownline 255 CCR 2005 and the Crownline 280 CR 2011 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 255 CCR 2005 full specs ← Crownline 280 CR 2011 full specs