Crownline 260 EX 2004 vs Crownline 280 CR 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 260 EX 2004 or the Crownline 280 CR 2012?

For trailering, the Crownline 260 EX 2004 has the edge at 56 lbs dry weight versus 76 lbs for the Crownline 280 CR 2012. 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: How many people can each boat hold?

The Crownline 260 EX 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Crownline 280 CR 2012 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 260 EX 2004 and Crownline 280 CR 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 260 EX 2004 or the Crownline 280 CR 2012?

The Crownline 260 EX 2004 has the bigger tank at 84 gallons, versus 75 gallons on the Crownline 280 CR 2012. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 260 EX 2004 and Crownline 280 CR 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 260 EX 2004 and the Crownline 280 CR 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 260 EX 2004 vs Crownline 280 CR 2012

Crownline

Crownline 260 EX 2004

2004

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Crownline

Crownline 280 CR 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 260 EX 2004 vs Crownline 280 CR 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 260 EX 2004 vs Crownline 280 CR 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 425 hp for the Crownline 260 EX 2004 and 430 hp for the Crownline 280 CR 2012. 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 260 EX 2004 carries 84 gallons versus 75 gallons in the Crownline 280 CR 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 260 EX 2004 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Crownline 280 CR 2012 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 EX 2004 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 260 EX 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 0,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crownline 280 CR 2012 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 EX

Model280 CR

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise19℃

Deadrise18℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [max] - Detail35 in

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail5400 lbs. - 5600 lbs

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

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - kg3447.3

Weight - lbs.56

Weight - lbs.76

Height [transom]65 in

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 6 in

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

Length overall - Meters7.47

Length overall - Meters8.74

Length overall - Inches294

Length overall - Inches344

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

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

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.03

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches79.5

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet28.67

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail84 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (284 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters317.97

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal84

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Engine max425 hp

Engine max430 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercruiser

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Maximum people14 Persons

Maximum peoplenot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Crownline 260 EX 2004 vs Crownline 280 CR 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 260 EX 2004 or the Crownline 280 CR 2012?

For trailering, the Crownline 260 EX 2004 has the edge at 56 lbs dry weight versus 76 lbs for the Crownline 280 CR 2012. 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Crownline 260 EX 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Crownline 280 CR 2012 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 260 EX 2004 and Crownline 280 CR 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 260 EX 2004 or the Crownline 280 CR 2012?

The Crownline 260 EX 2004 has the bigger tank at 84 gallons, versus 75 gallons on the Crownline 280 CR 2012. That 9-gallon difference translates to roughly 27–45 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 260 EX 2004 and Crownline 280 CR 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 260 EX 2004 and the Crownline 280 CR 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 260 EX 2004 full specs ← Crownline 280 CR 2012 full specs