Both the Crownline E4 EC 2011 and the Crownline E6 EC 2012 are modified-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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Crownline E4 EC 2011 at 24,5 ft versus Crownline E6 EC 2012 at 26,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crownline E6 EC 2012 tips the scales at 5 700 lbs - 200 lbs less than the Crownline E4 EC 2011 at 5 500 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 E6 EC 2012 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. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 55 gal and 55 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

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 E6 EC 2012 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.