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Reprinted from the February 2004 issue with permission of Go Boating Magazine.

All the Crowning Touches

by James Corns

Crownline is the king of small touches, including fit and finish, and although the new 260 EX doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it does refine it with precision, taking the entire deckboat realm to new heights. The boat is a real eye-catcher, but the best thing about it is not what you see; it’s what you feel when you’re behind the wheel. This craft is all about the ride.

Our on-the-water trial of the 260 EX took place off the coast of St. Petersburg, Florida. At 24 feet, 6 inches in length, the 260 EX is Crownline’s largest deckboat, and its size shows in both the ride and the open feel of the layout.

Crownline’s 260 EX is the deckboat by which all others should be judged

We pitted the 260 EX against waters much rougher than it would probably ever encounter on most lakes or rivers, but the boat had no difficulty stepping up to the challenge. In fact, the 260 EX performed better than many big-water sportfishers we tested that same week.

Turns were phenomenal. If the boat has any rivals when it comes to cornering, they are probably Crownline’s own 206, Glastron’s GX235 and the Yamaha SX230, which we tested in our previous issue. These three boats, along with the 260 EX, really stood out in our minds this model year, due to their responsive, sure-keeled cornering.

The chop was daunting during our run through the bay, but the 260 EX surprised us with its excellent stability and its aptitude for slicing through the waves. There was no cavitation, no blowout and no shuddering, thanks in part to the boat’s vented hull chine. In fact, the 260 EX’s reverse chines and delta performance pad helped deliver one of the driest, smoothest ocean rides we can remember having on a boat under 40 feet — and the 260 EX is only a 24-footer.

Our test boat was powered by a 320 hp Volvo Penta 5.7 GXI SX stern drive, which is in the lower end of engine packages available on the 260 EX, but it was a good match for the boat. You could always go higher with the horsepower if you want, but there’s no real need for it in this case. Of course, we were only carrying three adults and 3/4 of a tank of fuel, so if you’re going to be carrying six or more passengers regularly, more power might be called for. The largest engines available are a 425 hp Volvo Penta 8.1 GXI and a 425 hp MerCruiser 496 MAG HO Bravo 3.

From Both Sides

If your friends and family enjoy taking a dip in whatever body of water you’re cruising through, the Crownline 260 EX is well suited to their needs. The boat has two integrated swim platforms — one at the bow and one at the stern — and both platforms feature a built-in four-step telescoping ladder that assists swimmers in re-boarding.

The boat is most easily boarded at one of the swim steps, which both offer direct access to the cockpit. A walk-through transom allows you to enter the cockpit from the starboard side, and the forward platform lets you step over the U-shaped settee that takes up the bow.

The standout feature on the 260 EX is easily the aft bench seat that converts to a full sunbed. The unique seat has a folding backrest that lets you face either forward or backward on the bench, and if you flip the backrest all the way down, you can lie down completely and catch some rays. [WARNING: You should not lie down on the sunbed or face backward when the boat is in motion. Passengers should be facing forward when the boat is under way.]

A long, straight settee runs down the starboard side of the boat, from the transom to the captain’s helm seat, which is located at the center of the boat (also to starboard). The straight settee butts up against the aft bench seat, essentially creating a larger L-shaped settee.

Across from the straight settee, on the port side, is a mini-galley with a sink, sea rail and storage. A smaller straight settee, appropriate for one or two people, is just forward of the mini-galley. An enclosed head compartment is even farther forward.

The enclosed head compartment includes a portable toilet, an opening screened portlight, a light and a sink with shower. Like most of the head compartments found on today’s trailerable boats, however, it’s going to be a tight fit for anyone over age 12. You’re more apt to use this compartment as fallback storage space.

Speaking of storage space, there’s a good deal of it. In addition to all the stowage space hidden under the boat’s various settees, there is a storage area built into the underside of the starboard helm console. Moreover, a large, lockable ski/kneeboard storage locker with a hinged lid and a removable protective pad is built into the deck.

The helm is handsomely designed, with a full set of instrumentation set off by stainless steel bezeled Faria gauges. A Sony marine stereo with CD player and four speakers is standard. We were bewitched by the helm’s bucket seat, which is not only comfortable but also beautifully designed.

Some of the touches on the 260 EX, while not immediately evident, are nonetheless important. For instance, the boat has a fully integrated bow and cockpit fiberglass liner, as well as chrome/brass through-hull fittings, stainless steel hardware (including a welded rail with a ski tow eye), and rack and pinion steering.

Other more obvious touches include fully recessed docking lights, courtesy lights, two-tier drink holders, snap-in Berber carpeting and a pressurized water system with a 15-gallon freshwater tank. We also like the fact that there is both a built-in bow cooler and an insulated 48-quart carry-on cooler, so there’s no need to run out of cold drinks.

Anal-retentive boaters (such as us) who pull their hair out at the thought of an unsightly stowage space or a settee with less-than-perfect stitching can find peace of mind in the Crownline 260 EX. It looks good, it rides well and it turns like few other boats on the water.

Reprinted from the February 2004 issue with permission of Go Boating Magazine.