Crownline 260 CR 2011 vs Crownline 288 BR 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Crownline 260 CR 2011 or the Crownline 288 BR 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 260 CR 2011 has the edge at 6 600 lbs dry weight versus 8 000 lbs for the Crownline 288 BR 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 288 BR 2004 is rated to a maximum of 640 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 260 CR 2011 tops out at 425 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 260 CR 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 9 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 260 CR 2011. 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 260 CR 2011 or the Crownline 288 BR 2004?

The Crownline 288 BR 2004 has the bigger tank at 129 gallons, versus 75 gallons on the Crownline 260 CR 2011. That 54-gallon difference translates to roughly 162–270 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 260 CR 2011 and Crownline 288 BR 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crownline 260 CR 2011 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 260 CR 2011 vs Crownline 288 BR 2004

Crownline

Crownline 260 CR 2011

2011

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Crownline

Crownline 288 BR 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 260 CR 2011 vs Crownline 288 BR 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 260 CR 2011 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 215-hp advantage over the Crownline 260 CR 2011's 425-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 75 gallons in the Crownline 260 CR 2011. 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 260 CR 2011 is rated for 9 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 260 CR 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 260 CR 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 26,7 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

Model260 CR

Model288 BR

Model Year2011

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam116 in.

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.95

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches116

Bridge clearance - Detail74.25 in. (1.9 m) without arch

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.88

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches74.25

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise24℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (58 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in.

Draft [drive up] meters0.58

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches23

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (97 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail38 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Inches38

Weight - Detail6,400 - 6,600 lbs. (2,903 - 2,994 kg)

Weight - Detail8000

Weight - kg2993.71

Weight - kg3628.74

Weight - lbs.6600

Weight - lbs.8000

Length - Feet26.67

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 8 in. (8.13 m)

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 8 in.

Length overall - Meters8.13

Length overall - Meters8.74

Length overall - Inches320

Length overall - Inches344

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]70 in.

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercury

Engine makenot available

Engine model5.0 l MPI Bravo III

Engine modelnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (284 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail129 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Liters488.32

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal129

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Horsepower260 php

Horsepowernot available

Engine max425 php

Engine max640 hp

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,344 lbs. (610 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people9

Maximum peoplen

Crownline 260 CR 2011 vs Crownline 288 BR 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Crownline 260 CR 2011 or the Crownline 288 BR 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 260 CR 2011 has the edge at 6 600 lbs dry weight versus 8 000 lbs for the Crownline 288 BR 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 288 BR 2004 is rated to a maximum of 640 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 260 CR 2011 tops out at 425 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 260 CR 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 9 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 260 CR 2011. 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 260 CR 2011 or the Crownline 288 BR 2004?

The Crownline 288 BR 2004 has the bigger tank at 129 gallons, versus 75 gallons on the Crownline 260 CR 2011. That 54-gallon difference translates to roughly 162–270 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 260 CR 2011 and Crownline 288 BR 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crownline 260 CR 2011 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 260 CR 2011 full specs ← Crownline 288 BR 2004 full specs