Crownline 270 BR 2004 vs Crownline E1 EC 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 270 BR 2004 or the Crownline E1 EC 2012?

For trailering, the Crownline E1 EC 2012 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 55 lbs for the Crownline 270 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 270 BR 2004 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline E1 EC 2012 tops out at 320 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 270 BR 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Crownline E1 EC 2012 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Crownline 270 BR 2004 and Crownline E1 EC 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 270 BR 2004 or the Crownline E1 EC 2012?

The Crownline 270 BR 2004 has the bigger tank at 88 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Crownline E1 EC 2012. That 33-gallon difference translates to roughly 99–165 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 270 BR 2004 and Crownline E1 EC 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 270 BR 2004 and the Crownline E1 EC 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 270 BR 2004 vs Crownline E1 EC 2012

Crownline

Crownline 270 BR 2004

2004

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Crownline

Crownline E1 EC 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 270 BR 2004 vs Crownline E1 EC 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 270 BR 2004 vs Crownline E1 EC 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Crownline 270 BR 2004 has a 105-hp advantage over the Crownline E1 EC 2012's 320-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 270 BR 2004 carries 88 gallons versus 55 gallons in the Crownline E1 EC 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 E1 EC 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Crownline 270 BR 2004 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crownline E1 EC 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline E1 EC 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 24,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crownline 270 BR 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCrownline

Model270 BR

ModelE1 EC

Model Year2004

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Deadrise23℃

Deadrise19℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in

Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in. (51 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inches2

Draft [max] - Detail38 in

Draft [max] - Detail39 in. (99 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail5300 - 5500 lb

Weight - Detail4,200 - 4,400 lbs. (1,905 - 1,996 kg)

Weight - kg2494.76

Weight - kg1995.8

Weight - lbs.55

Weight - lbs.44

Height [transom]68 in

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 1 in

Length overall - Detail24 ft. 6 in. (7.5 m)

Length overall - Meters7.95

Length overall - Meters7.47

Length overall - Inches313

Length overall - Inches294

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail62 in. (1.58 m)

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.57

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches62

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet24.5

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail88 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters333.12

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal88

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Engine max425 hp

Engine max320 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercruiser

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O

Operational Info

Maximum peoplen

Maximum people9

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,450 lbs. (658 kg)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Crownline 270 BR 2004 vs Crownline E1 EC 2012 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 270 BR 2004 or the Crownline E1 EC 2012?

For trailering, the Crownline E1 EC 2012 has the edge at 44 lbs dry weight versus 55 lbs for the Crownline 270 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 270 BR 2004 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline E1 EC 2012 tops out at 320 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 270 BR 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Crownline E1 EC 2012 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.

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

Both the Crownline 270 BR 2004 and Crownline E1 EC 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 270 BR 2004 or the Crownline E1 EC 2012?

The Crownline 270 BR 2004 has the bigger tank at 88 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Crownline E1 EC 2012. That 33-gallon difference translates to roughly 99–165 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 270 BR 2004 and Crownline E1 EC 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 270 BR 2004 and the Crownline E1 EC 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 270 BR 2004 full specs ← Crownline E1 EC 2012 full specs