Stingray 185LS 2005 vs Stingray 250CS 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer - the Stingray 185LS 2005 or the Stingray 250CS 2011?

For trailering, the Stingray 185LS 2005 has the edge at 2 155 lbs dry weight versus 4 971 lbs for the Stingray 250CS 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.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Stingray 185LS 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Stingray 250CS 2011 is certified for 10. 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.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Stingray 250CS 2011 measures 102" wide, compared to 85" for the Stingray 185LS 2005. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank - the Stingray 185LS 2005 or the Stingray 250CS 2011?

The Stingray 250CS 2011 has the bigger tank at 68 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Stingray 185LS 2005. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Stingray 185LS 2005 and Stingray 250CS 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Stingray 185LS 2005 and the Stingray 250CS 2011 are built by Stingray. 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.

Boat Comparison

Stingray 185LS 2005 vs Stingray 250CS 2011

Stingray

Stingray 185LS 2005

2005

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Stingray

Stingray 250CS 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Stingray 185LS 2005 vs Stingray 250CS 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Stingray 185LS 2005 vs Stingray 250CS 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Stingray 250CS 2011 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Stingray 185LS 2005 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Stingray 250CS 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Stingray 250CS 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Stingray 185LS 2005 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

MakeStingray

Model185LS

Model250CS

Model Year2005

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam85 in. (216 cm)

Beam102 in. (259 cm)

Beam - Meters2.16

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches85

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail41 in. (104 cm)

Bridge clearance - Detail77 in. (196 cm) with standard windshield

Bridge clearance - Meters1.04

Bridge clearance - Meters1.96

Bridge clearance - Inches41

Bridge clearance - Inches77

Deadrise19℃

Deadrise21°

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail19 in. (48 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] meters0.48

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [drive up] inches19

Draft [max] - Detail29 in. (74 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.74

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches29

Draft [max] - Inches35

Weight - Detail2155 lbs. (w/ 3.0L engine)

Weight - Detail4,971 lbs. with 5.0 l engine

Weight - kg977.49

Weight - kg2254.81

Weight - lbs.2155

Weight - lbs.4971

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 5 in. (5.6 m)

Length overall - Detail25 ft. (7.6 m)

Length overall - Meters5.61

Length overall - Meters7.62

Length overall - Inches221

Length overall - Inches300

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - DetailMolded Depth: 78 in. (198 cm) windshield base to keel Max Depth: 92 in. (234 cm) with standard windshield Bow Depth: 40 in. (102 cm) bow to cushion top; 72 in. (183 cm) max depth

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Centimeters233.68

Depth - Inchesnot available

Depth - Inches92

Height - Detailnot available

Height - DetailFreeboard: 45 in. (114 cm)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters1.14

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches45

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Feet25

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (80 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail68 gal. (257 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49

Fuel tank capacity - Liters257.41

Fuel tank capacity - Gal21

Fuel tank capacity - Gal68

Fuel typenot available

Fuel typeGas

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1070 lbs. (485 kg)

Maximum capacity2,265 lbs. (1,027 kg)

Maximum people7

Maximum people10

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity4 + 1

Storagenot available

StorageIce Box: 32 + 25 qt. (30 + 24 l)

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity25 gal. (95 l)

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Stingray 185LS 2005 vs Stingray 250CS 2011 - Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer - the Stingray 185LS 2005 or the Stingray 250CS 2011?

For trailering, the Stingray 185LS 2005 has the edge at 2 155 lbs dry weight versus 4 971 lbs for the Stingray 250CS 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.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Stingray 185LS 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Stingray 250CS 2011 is certified for 10. 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 Stingray 250CS 2011 measures 102" wide, compared to 85" for the Stingray 185LS 2005. 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 Stingray 185LS 2005 or the Stingray 250CS 2011?

The Stingray 250CS 2011 has the bigger tank at 68 gallons, versus 21 gallons on the Stingray 185LS 2005. That 47-gallon difference translates to roughly 141–235 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Stingray 185LS 2005 and Stingray 250CS 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Stingray 185LS 2005 and the Stingray 250CS 2011 are built by Stingray. 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.

← Stingray 185LS 2005 full specs ← Stingray 250CS 2011 full specs