Eastern 20 2011 boat specs
Eastern
Eastern 20 2011
2011
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Eastern 31 2008 boat specs
Eastern
Eastern 31 2008
2008
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Eastern 20 2011 vs Eastern 31 2008 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Eastern 20 2011 and the Eastern 31 2008 are modified 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?

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 380 hp, the Eastern 31 2008 has a 290-hp advantage over the Eastern 20 2011's 90-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 4 gal and 1 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Eastern 31 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Eastern 20 2011 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Eastern 31 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Eastern 31 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 31,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Eastern 20 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeEastern
MakeEastern
Model2
Model31
Model Year2011
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 6 in
Beam11 ft. 2 in
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters3.4
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches134
Draft [max] - Detail10 in
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.25
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Inches1
Draft [max] - Inches39
Weight - Detail1,500 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg680.39
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.15
Weight - lbs.not available
Width [transom] - Detail20 in. or 25 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - Detail19 in. freeboard
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.48
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches19
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Feet20.17
Length - Feet31
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 2 in
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Meters6.15
Length overall - Meters9.55
Length overall - Inches242
Length overall - Inches376
Length [at waterline]not available
Length [at waterline]29 ft. 2 in
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches4
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal
Fuel tank capacity - DetailTwo 100 gal. tanks
Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Gal4
Fuel tank capacity - Gal1
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine max90 hp
Engine max380 hp
Operational Info
Headnot available
HeadManual with 20 gal. tank

Eastern 20 2011 vs Eastern 31 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Eastern 20 2011 or the Eastern 31 2008?
The Eastern 31 2008 is the longer of the two at 31,0 feet overall. The Eastern 20 2011 comes in at 20,2 feet, making it roughly 10,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Eastern 31 2008 is rated to a maximum of 380 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Eastern 20 2011 tops out at 90 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 Eastern 20 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Eastern 31 2008 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 Eastern 31 2008 measures 134" wide, compared to 9" for the Eastern 20 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 Eastern 20 2011 or the Eastern 31 2008?
The Eastern 20 2011 has the bigger tank at 4 gallons, versus 1 gallons on the Eastern 31 2008. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Eastern 20 2011 and Eastern 31 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Eastern 20 2011 and the Eastern 31 2008 are built by Eastern. 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.