Crownline 260 EX 2006 vs Crownline 266 BR 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Crownline 260 EX 2006 or the Crownline 266 BR 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 266 BR 2004 has the edge at 4 600 lbs dry weight versus 5 600 lbs for the Crownline 260 EX 2006. 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 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Crownline 266 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Crownline 260 EX 2006 and Crownline 266 BR 2004 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 260 EX 2006 or the Crownline 266 BR 2004?

The Crownline 260 EX 2006 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 69 gallons on the Crownline 266 BR 2004. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 260 EX 2006 and Crownline 266 BR 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crownline 260 EX 2006 and the Crownline 266 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 EX 2006 vs Crownline 266 BR 2004

Crownline

Crownline 260 EX 2006

2006

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Crownline

Crownline 266 BR 2004

2004

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 260 EX 2006 vs Crownline 266 BR 2004: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 260 EX 2006 vs Crownline 266 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 425 hp for the Crownline 260 EX 2006 and 425 hp for the Crownline 266 BR 2004. 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 2006 carries 75 gallons versus 69 gallons in the Crownline 266 BR 2004. 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 2006 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Crownline 266 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 EX 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 260 EX 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 14 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crownline 266 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 EX

Model266 BR

Model Year2006

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam102 in.

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

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] - Detail20 in.

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inches20

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

Draft [max] - Detail35 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches35

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

Weight - Detail4400 - 4600 lb.

Weight - kg2540.12

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - lbs.5600

Weight - lbs.4600

Length - Meters8

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 6 in.

Length overall - Meters8.08

Length overall - Inches318

Height [transom]not available

Height [transom]59.75 in.

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard5.7 l BRAVO III 250 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (284 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail69 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Liters261.19

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal69

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max425 hp

Operational Info

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

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people14

Maximum peoplen

Crownline 260 EX 2006 vs Crownline 266 BR 2004 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Crownline 260 EX 2006 or the Crownline 266 BR 2004?

For trailering, the Crownline 266 BR 2004 has the edge at 4 600 lbs dry weight versus 5 600 lbs for the Crownline 260 EX 2006. 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 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Crownline 266 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.

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

Both the Crownline 260 EX 2006 and Crownline 266 BR 2004 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 260 EX 2006 or the Crownline 266 BR 2004?

The Crownline 260 EX 2006 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 69 gallons on the Crownline 266 BR 2004. That 6-gallon difference translates to roughly 18–30 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 260 EX 2006 and Crownline 266 BR 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Crownline 260 EX 2006 and the Crownline 266 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 EX 2006 full specs ← Crownline 266 BR 2004 full specs