When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the SportCraft 252 Express 2007 and the SportCraft 31 SF 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?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The SportCraft 31 SF 2008 measures 31,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the SportCraft 252 Express 2007 at 25,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the SportCraft 252 Express 2007 tips the scales at 375 lbs — 363 lbs more than the SportCraft 31 SF 2008 at 12 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 SportCraft 31 SF 2008 tops out at 700 hp. Engine specs for the SportCraft 252 Express 2007 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the SportCraft 252 Express 2007 carries 137 gallons versus 29 gallons in the SportCraft 31 SF 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 SportCraft 31 SF 2008 is rated for 9 passengers, while the SportCraft 252 Express 2007 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the SportCraft 31 SF 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the SportCraft 31 SF 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 SportCraft 252 Express 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.