Crownline 260 EX 2005 vs Crownline 300 LS 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Crownline 260 EX 2005 or the Crownline 300 LS 2008?

The Crownline 300 LS 2008 is the longer of the two at 32,0 feet overall. The Crownline 260 EX 2005 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 8,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crownline 300 LS 2008 is rated to a maximum of 600 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 260 EX 2005 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 EX 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Crownline 300 LS 2008 is certified for 9. 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 300 LS 2008 measures 112" wide, compared to 102" for the Crownline 260 EX 2005. 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 EX 2005 or the Crownline 300 LS 2008?

The Crownline 300 LS 2008 has the bigger tank at 82 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Crownline 260 EX 2005. 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 260 EX 2005 and Crownline 300 LS 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 260 EX 2005 and the Crownline 300 LS 2008 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 2005 vs Crownline 300 LS 2008

Crownline

Crownline 260 EX 2005

2005

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Crownline

Crownline 300 LS 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 260 EX 2005 vs Crownline 300 LS 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 260 EX 2005 vs Crownline 300 LS 2008 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 600 hp, the Crownline 300 LS 2008 has a 175-hp advantage over the Crownline 260 EX 2005'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 300 LS 2008 carries 82 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Crownline 260 EX 2005. 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 2005 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Crownline 300 LS 2008 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crownline 260 EX 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 260 EX 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crownline 300 LS 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCrownline

Model260 EX

Model300 LS

Model Year2005

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam112 in. (2.87 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.84

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches112

Bridge clearance - Detail65 in. (1.7 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.65

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches65

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise19℃

Deadrise22℃

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail5,400 lbs. - 5,600 lbs. (2,452 - 2,540 kg)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.56

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Meters7.46

Length - Meters9.9

Length - Feet24

Length - Feet32

Length - Inches6

Length - Inches5

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 6 in. (8 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 6 in. (7.46 m)

Length overall - Detail32 ft. 5 in. (9.9 m)

Length overall - Meters7.47

Length overall - Meters9.88

Length overall - Inches294

Length overall - Inches389

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard5.7 GL DP 260 php

Engine/s standardM496 MAG MPI Bravo III

Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal. (303 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail82 gal. (526 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83

Fuel tank capacity - Liters310.4

Fuel tank capacity - Gal8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal82

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeInboard - Twin

Engine max425 hp

Engine max600 hp (Twins)

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,205 lbs. (1,000 kg)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people14

Maximum peoplenot available

Crownline 260 EX 2005 vs Crownline 300 LS 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Crownline 260 EX 2005 or the Crownline 300 LS 2008?

The Crownline 300 LS 2008 is the longer of the two at 32,0 feet overall. The Crownline 260 EX 2005 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 8,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crownline 300 LS 2008 is rated to a maximum of 600 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 260 EX 2005 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 EX 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Crownline 300 LS 2008 is certified for 9. 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 300 LS 2008 measures 112" wide, compared to 102" for the Crownline 260 EX 2005. 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 EX 2005 or the Crownline 300 LS 2008?

The Crownline 300 LS 2008 has the bigger tank at 82 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Crownline 260 EX 2005. 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 260 EX 2005 and Crownline 300 LS 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 260 EX 2005 and the Crownline 300 LS 2008 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 2005 full specs ← Crownline 300 LS 2008 full specs