Eastern 248 Islander 2012 boat specs
Eastern
Eastern 248 Islander 2012
2012
View full specs →
VS
Eastern 31 2008 boat specs
Eastern
Eastern 31 2008
2008
View full specs →

Eastern 248 Islander 2012 vs Eastern 31 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee Eastern 248 Islander 2012 against a modified vee Eastern 31 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

The Eastern 31 2008 tops out at 380 hp. Engine specs for the Eastern 248 Islander 2012 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Eastern 248 Islander 2012 carries 9 gallons versus 1 gallons in the Eastern 31 2008. 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 Eastern 31 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Eastern 248 Islander 2012 caps at 7. 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 248 Islander 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeEastern
MakeEastern
Model248 Islander
Model31
Model Year2012
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam11 ft. 2 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.4
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches134
Draft [max] - Detail15 in
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.38
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Inches15
Draft [max] - Inches39
Weight - Detail3,500 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1587.57
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.35
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet24
Length - Feet31
Length overall - Detail24 ft
Length overall - Detail31 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Meters7.32
Length overall - Meters9.55
Length overall - Inches288
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 typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail90 gal
Fuel tank capacity - DetailTwo 100 gal. tanks
Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69
Fuel tank capacity - Liters378.54
Fuel tank capacity - Gal9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal1
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine maxnot available
Engine max380 hp
Operational Info
Headnot available
HeadManual with 20 gal. tank

Eastern 248 Islander 2012 vs Eastern 31 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Eastern 248 Islander 2012 or the Eastern 31 2008?
The Eastern 31 2008 is the longer of the two at 31,0 feet overall. The Eastern 248 Islander 2012 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 7,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Eastern 31 2008 has a documented max rating of 380 hp. Engine specifications for the Eastern 248 Islander 2012 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Eastern 248 Islander 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 7 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 102" for the Eastern 248 Islander 2012. 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 248 Islander 2012 or the Eastern 31 2008?
The Eastern 248 Islander 2012 has the bigger tank at 9 gallons, versus 1 gallons on the Eastern 31 2008. That 8-gallon difference translates to roughly 24–40 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Eastern 248 Islander 2012 and Eastern 31 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Eastern 248 Islander 2012 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.