Crownline 280 CR 2013 vs Crownline E4 EC 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Crownline 280 CR 2013 or the Crownline E4 EC 2011?

The Crownline 280 CR 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,7 feet overall. The Crownline E4 EC 2011 comes in at 24,5 feet, making it roughly 4,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 280 CR 2013 or the Crownline E4 EC 2011?

For trailering, the Crownline E4 EC 2011 has the edge at 55 lbs dry weight versus 76 lbs for the Crownline 280 CR 2013. 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 280 CR 2013 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline E4 EC 2011 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 280 CR 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Crownline E4 EC 2011 is certified for 13. 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 280 CR 2013 and Crownline E4 EC 2011 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 280 CR 2013 or the Crownline E4 EC 2011?

The Crownline 280 CR 2013 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Crownline E4 EC 2011. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 280 CR 2013 and Crownline E4 EC 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 280 CR 2013 and the Crownline E4 EC 2011 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 280 CR 2013 vs Crownline E4 EC 2011

Crownline

Crownline 280 CR 2013

2013

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Crownline

Crownline E4 EC 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 280 CR 2013 vs Crownline E4 EC 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Crownline 280 CR 2013 against a modified vee Crownline E4 EC 2011 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Crownline 280 CR 2013 measures 28,7 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crownline E4 EC 2011 at 24,5 feet (2011). At 76 lbs and 55 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 430 hp, the Crownline 280 CR 2013 has a 110-hp advantage over the Crownline E4 EC 2011'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 280 CR 2013 carries 75 gallons versus 55 gallons in the Crownline E4 EC 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 E4 EC 2011 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Crownline 280 CR 2013 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crownline E4 EC 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline E4 EC 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 24,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crownline 280 CR 2013 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

Model280 CR

ModelE4 EC

Model Year2013

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam102 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

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

Bridge clearance - Detail62 in. (1.58 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.03

Bridge clearance - Meters1.57

Bridge clearance - Inches79.5

Bridge clearance - Inches62

Deadrise18℃

Deadrise19℃

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

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] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches39

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

Weight - Detail5,200 - 5,500 lbs. (2,359 - 2,495 kg)

Weight - kg3447.3

Weight - kg2494.76

Weight - lbs.76

Weight - lbs.55

Length - Feet28.67

Length - Feet24.5

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

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

Length overall - Meters8.74

Length overall - Meters7.47

Length overall - Inches344

Length overall - Inches294

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMercruiser

Engine makeMercury

Fuel tank capacity - Detail75 gal. (284 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91

Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2

Fuel tank capacity - Gal75

Fuel tank capacity - Gal55

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max430 hp

Engine max320 php

Engine modelnot available

Engine model350 MAG MPI Bravo III

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower300 php

Operational Info

Water capacity26 gal. fresh water

Water capacitynot available

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity2,065 lbs. (937 kg)

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people13

Crownline 280 CR 2013 vs Crownline E4 EC 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Crownline 280 CR 2013 or the Crownline E4 EC 2011?

The Crownline 280 CR 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,7 feet overall. The Crownline E4 EC 2011 comes in at 24,5 feet, making it roughly 4,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 280 CR 2013 or the Crownline E4 EC 2011?

For trailering, the Crownline E4 EC 2011 has the edge at 55 lbs dry weight versus 76 lbs for the Crownline 280 CR 2013. 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 280 CR 2013 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline E4 EC 2011 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 280 CR 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Crownline E4 EC 2011 is certified for 13. 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 280 CR 2013 and Crownline E4 EC 2011 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 280 CR 2013 or the Crownline E4 EC 2011?

The Crownline 280 CR 2013 has the bigger tank at 75 gallons, versus 55 gallons on the Crownline E4 EC 2011. That 20-gallon difference translates to roughly 60–100 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 280 CR 2013 and Crownline E4 EC 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 280 CR 2013 and the Crownline E4 EC 2011 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 280 CR 2013 full specs ← Crownline E4 EC 2011 full specs