Crownline 290 CR 2004 vs Crownline 305 SS 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 290 CR 2004 or the Crownline 305 SS 2011?

For trailering, the Crownline 305 SS 2011 has the edge at 89 lbs dry weight versus 105 lbs for the Crownline 290 CR 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 305 SS 2011 is rated to a maximum of 600 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 290 CR 2004 tops out at 425 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 290 CR 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Crownline 305 SS 2011 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Crownline 290 CR 2004 measures 124" wide, compared to 112" for the Crownline 305 SS 2011. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Crownline 290 CR 2004 or the Crownline 305 SS 2011?

The Crownline 290 CR 2004 has the bigger tank at 146 gallons, versus 84 gallons on the Crownline 305 SS 2011. That 62-gallon difference translates to roughly 186–310 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Crownline 290 CR 2004 and Crownline 305 SS 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 290 CR 2004 and the Crownline 305 SS 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 290 CR 2004 vs Crownline 305 SS 2011

Crownline

Crownline 290 CR 2004

2004

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Crownline

Crownline 305 SS 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crownline 290 CR 2004 vs Crownline 305 SS 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crownline 290 CR 2004 vs Crownline 305 SS 2011 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 600 hp, the Crownline 305 SS 2011 has a 175-hp advantage over the Crownline 290 CR 2004's 425-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 290 CR 2004 carries 146 gallons versus 84 gallons in the Crownline 305 SS 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 305 SS 2011 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Crownline 290 CR 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 305 SS 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crownline 305 SS 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 30,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crownline 290 CR 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

Model290 CR

Model305 SS

Model Year2004

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam124 in

Beam112 in. (2.84 m)

Beam - Meters3.15

Beam - Meters2.84

Beam - Inches124

Beam - Inches112

Deadrise16℃

Deadrise24℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in

Draft [drive up] - DetailSingle and Twin: 24.5 in. (7.46 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.43

Draft [drive up] meters0.64

Draft [drive up] inches17

Draft [drive up] inches24.5

Draft [max] - Detail35 in

Draft [max] - DetailSingle: 41 in. (12.49 cm) Twin: 34 in. (10.36 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Meters1.04

Draft [max] - Inches35

Draft [max] - Inches41

Weight - Detail10,000 lbs. - 10,500 lbs

Weight - Detail7,800 - 8,900 lbs. (3,538 - 4,037 kg)

Weight - kg4762.72

Weight - kg4036.97

Weight - lbs.105

Weight - lbs.89

Height [transom]102 in. in

Height [transom]not available

Length overall - Detail28 ft. 11 in

Length overall - Detail30 ft. 6 in. (9.3 m)

Length overall - Meters8.81

Length overall - Meters9.3

Length overall - Inches347

Length overall - Inches366

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet30.5

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail146 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail84 gal. (318 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters552.67

Fuel tank capacity - Liters317.97

Fuel tank capacity - Gal146

Fuel tank capacity - Gal84

Engine max425-Single 640-Twins

Engine max600 php (Twins)

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines2

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercury

Engine modelnot available

Engine modelTwin 5.0 l MPI Bravo III

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typenot available

Drive typeI/O - Twin

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower520 php

Operational Info

Headroom6 ft. 2 in

Headroomnot available

Water capacity20 gal

Water capacitynot available

Maximum peopleN

Maximum peoplenot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Crownline 290 CR 2004 vs Crownline 305 SS 2011 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crownline 290 CR 2004 or the Crownline 305 SS 2011?

For trailering, the Crownline 305 SS 2011 has the edge at 89 lbs dry weight versus 105 lbs for the Crownline 290 CR 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 305 SS 2011 is rated to a maximum of 600 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crownline 290 CR 2004 tops out at 425 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 290 CR 2004 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Crownline 305 SS 2011 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Crownline 290 CR 2004 measures 124" wide, compared to 112" for the Crownline 305 SS 2011. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Crownline 290 CR 2004 or the Crownline 305 SS 2011?

The Crownline 290 CR 2004 has the bigger tank at 146 gallons, versus 84 gallons on the Crownline 305 SS 2011. That 62-gallon difference translates to roughly 186–310 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Crownline 290 CR 2004 and Crownline 305 SS 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crownline 290 CR 2004 and the Crownline 305 SS 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 290 CR 2004 full specs ← Crownline 305 SS 2011 full specs