Both the Crownline 285 SS 2013 and the Crownline E2 EC 2013 are deep-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so 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 285 SS 2013 measures 28,5 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crownline E2 EC 2013 at 22,5 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crownline 285 SS 2013 tips the scales at 5 700 lbs - 1 000 lbs more than the Crownline E2 EC 2013 at 4 700 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 430 hp, the Crownline 285 SS 2013 has a 110-hp advantage over the Crownline E2 EC 2013'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 285 SS 2013 carries 84 gallons versus 37 gallons in the Crownline E2 EC 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 E2 EC 2013 is rated for 11 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 E2 EC 2013 could be the deciding factor.