PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 boat specs
PlayCraft
PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006
2006
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VS
PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 boat specs
PlayCraft
PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011
2011
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PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 vs PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 vs PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 measures 25,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 23,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 at 2,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 tips the scales at 375 lbs — 359 lbs less than the PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 at 16 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 90 hp, the PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 has a 84-hp advantage over the PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011's 6-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 carries 103 gallons versus 3 gallons in the PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006. 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 PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 is rated for 15 passengers, while the PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakePlayCraft
MakePlayCraft
ModelSport Cruiser 2000 OB
ModelUltra 2500 I/O
Model Year2006
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 5 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam - Meters2.57
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches101
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail1,600 lbs
Weight - Detail3,750 lbs
Weight - kg725.75
Weight - kg1700.97
Weight - lbs.16
Weight - lbs.375
Length - Feet2
Length - Feet25
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail25 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Meters7.62
Length overall - Inches24
Length overall - Inches3
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter24 in
Tube diameter24 in
Tube gauge.080 in
Tube gauge0.090 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail30 - 103 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters113.56
Fuel tank capacity - Liters389.9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel tank capacity - Gal103
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine max90 hp
Engine max5.7 l
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,025 lbs
Maximum capacity3,000 lbs
Maximum people1
Maximum people15
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typenot available
Hull typePontoon

PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 vs PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 or the PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011?
The PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 23,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 or the PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011?
For trailering, the PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 has the edge at 16 lbs dry weight versus 375 lbs for the PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011. 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 PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 is rated to a maximum of 90 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 tops out at 6 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 PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 1 passengers, while the PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 is certified for 15. 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 PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 measures 102" wide, compared to 101" for the PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006. 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 PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 or the PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011?
The PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 has the bigger tank at 103 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006. That 100-gallon difference translates to roughly 300–500 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 and PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the PlayCraft Sport Cruiser 2000 OB 2006 and the PlayCraft Ultra 2500 I/O 2011 are built by PlayCraft. 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.