When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Crownline 285 SS 2013 and the Crownline 340 CR 2009 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Crownline 340 CR 2009 measures 36,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 7,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crownline 285 SS 2013 at 28,5 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crownline 340 CR 2009 tips the scales at 165 lbs — 108 lbs less than the Crownline 285 SS 2013 at 57 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 850 hp, the Crownline 340 CR 2009 has a 420-hp advantage over the Crownline 285 SS 2013's 430-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 340 CR 2009 carries 193 gallons versus 84 gallons in the Crownline 285 SS 2013. 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 340 CR 2009 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Crownline 285 SS 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 340 CR 2009 could be the deciding factor.