Crownline 255 SS 2013 vs Crownline 288 BR 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 255 SS 2013 or the Crownline 288 BR 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 288 BR 2004 has the edge at 8 lbs dry weight versus 56 lbs for the Crownline 255 SS 2013. 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 255 SS 2013 tops out at 430 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 255 SS 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 13 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 255 SS 2013. 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 255 SS 2013 or the Crownline 288 BR 2004?

The Crownline 288 BR 2004 has the bigger tank at 129 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Crownline 255 SS 2013. That 74-gallon difference translates to roughly 222–370 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 255 SS 2013 and Crownline 288 BR 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 255 SS 2013 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 255 SS 2013 vs Crownline 288 BR 2004

Crownline

Crownline 255 SS 2013

2013

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Crownline

Crownline 288 BR 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 255 SS 2013 vs Crownline 288 BR 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 255 SS 2013 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 210-hp advantage over the Crownline 255 SS 2013's 430-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 55 gallons in the Crownline 255 SS 2013. 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 255 SS 2013 is rated for 13 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 255 SS 2013 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 255 SS 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 25,7 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

Model255 SS

Model288 BR

Model Year2013

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam116 in

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.95

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches116

Deadrise17℃

Deadrise24℃

Weight - Detail5,300 - 5,600 lbs. (2,404 - 2,540 kg)

Weight - Detail8

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - kg3628.74

Weight - lbs.56

Weight - lbs.8

Length - Feet25.67

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 8 in. (7.8 m)

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 8 in

Length overall - Meters7.82

Length overall - Meters8.74

Length overall - Inches308

Length overall - Inches344

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Detail38 in

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Inches38

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]70 in

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercruiser

Engine makenot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail129 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Liters488.32

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel tank capacity - Gal129

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max430 hp

Engine max640 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,725 lbs. (782 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people13

Maximum peoplen

Crownline 255 SS 2013 vs Crownline 288 BR 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 255 SS 2013 or the Crownline 288 BR 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 288 BR 2004 has the edge at 8 lbs dry weight versus 56 lbs for the Crownline 255 SS 2013. 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 255 SS 2013 tops out at 430 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 255 SS 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 13 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 255 SS 2013. 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 255 SS 2013 or the Crownline 288 BR 2004?

The Crownline 288 BR 2004 has the bigger tank at 129 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Crownline 255 SS 2013. That 74-gallon difference translates to roughly 222–370 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 255 SS 2013 and Crownline 288 BR 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 255 SS 2013 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 255 SS 2013 full specs ← Crownline 288 BR 2004 full specs