It seems that most everything is becoming extreme these days so little wonder that Crownline has its own “EXtreme” model in the 262 deckboat. The Crownline 262 EX has comfortable seating for 10 people, a head in the port console, and five engine options from a single 250-hp MerCruiser with a Bravo III to one powered with a MerCruiser 496 MAG HO 425-hp engine with a B II drive. The latter model is $28,000 more than the base boat with 250-hp engine. Either way you’re getting a lot of boat here, and a fast one, too, due the pad on the keel and the chine vents. Crownline says their intention is to produce Corvettes in an industry that specializes in station wagons.

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Crownline is company that thinks big and moves fast. Started in 1991, in just 15 years it became the #3 builder in the U.S. in terms of boats produced in the competitive 21’ to 34’ market. That is quite an accomplishment considering it was going up against builders such as Sea Ray, Bayliner, Four Winns and Chaparral. The company made that nearly steep trajectory in sales because of product design, innovation, styling and value. Crownline seems to have everything going for it except longevity and brand recognition because it is relatively new.



A storage bin under the aft sunpad/seat was a Crownline first. Note the gas assisted strut.

Crownline Distinctions

Deckboats took off in the mid 1990s, popularized first by Hurricane, but then nearly every other builder quickly jumped in to make a better mousetrap. Crownline’s 262 EX is a refined deckboat that keeps all of the features that make them popular – large bow area, easy exit and entrance to the water or beach from the bow, a large head, and just more room all over. But to the deck boat they have added the bottom and hull design that is so successfully uses on their sportboats: There are actually three things that have made the Crownline hull distinctive—

1. Crownline knows that “stern wonder” at idle speeds bothers stern drive boat owners. To solve the problem, they have designed in what they call “vortex generators” on the port and starboard side of the hull disrupt the normal stern wash at idle. One the 262 EX they also only offer Bravo III drives and these dual props probably do more than any other thing to keep the boat moving straight at idle.
   
   
2. The builder has designed in a “pad” on the keel. Pads have been around a long time and we are surprised more builders don’t use them. The pad is flat and not only does it slightly reduce wetted surface, but it also creates lift, making it easier for the boat to get on plane, and once thee easier to push fast.
   
   
3. The third thing that Crownline has done is to put air vents into the chine, one port and one starboard. Many builders do this and it may add a knot or two the boat WOT speed. Crownline says it also helps their boat get on plane faster. But with these cut outs in the chine sometime diminished boat handling, so Crownline has designed in..
   
   
4. “F.A.S.T. tabs.” This stands for “Fin Assisted Safe Turn.” Crownline has designed in a small protuberance that is sort of like a wing. The wing reduces the boat’s turning deficiencies, according to Crownline.

Taken together, these four hull design elements definitely set Crownline apart from most other builders who have hulls which are basically either a constant dead rise deep-V or semi deep-V or have a warped bottom. As noted, a few other builders also have the chine vents. Our experience in test has been that these vents do not noticeably adversely affect handling in any case.



Crownline was first with the “hot tub” seat with movable arm rest. Virtually all sportboat builders install this design of seat now, however, only a few offer the arm rests.

Long List of Standard Equipment

Crownline claims that their list of standard equipment is more extensive than any of their competitors, and while we haven’t checked them all, we’d say that there is as good as most builders, and certainly in their class and price-point. Here is a list of items that we note are often not included: Canvas for bow and cockpit by Westland, Bimini top, lockable ski storage locker in the deck sole, rack-and-pinion steering, snap-in carpet, depth finder with water and air temperature gauge, docking lights, extended swim platform, porta-potty, eight cleats instead of 4 or 6, two-tone gelcoat, pressure water, and bucket seats.

Things like the canvas, depth finder, and extended swim platform seem like necessities, but you would be amazed at what some builders – including top-end ones – put on their option list.

Razor Package

The extreme Razor Package includes a wakeboard tower constructed of 1.5" aluminum pipe with a pull-test certified at 1800 lbs. (level 3). Tower installation and removal is simplified with quick-release hardware. Razor hulls come with a fully integrated structural fiberglass liner, Super Sport interior, SSS (Suspension System Seating) buckets and deluxe sundeck. Special graphics quickly identify the Razor with or without the tower installed. A tower-only package is available and can be installed on 21 SS, 23 SS and the 270 BR models.

Warranty

The warranty on the Crownline 262 EX is one of the best in the business and is on a par with those of the top price-point boats. While you should read the fine print of any warranty before buying, particularly a product costing as much as a deck boat. On the Crownline website it says “…we have received MerCruiser’s Installation Quality Certified Manufacturer’s status. As a result of this certification, all Crownline boats come standard with a five-year limited powertrain warranty. We weren’t aware that MerCruisers was making 5-year warranties, so this is indeed a rare situation.

Other aspects of Crownline’s warranty includes—

*Lifetime structural deck, hull and transom warranty to for as long as you own your boat,

*Lifetime stringer system warranty against delamination or manufacturers defect,

*Lifetime warranty on gauges (with a notation),

*Five year upholstery warranty against manufacturers defects, seam tears and thread separation,

*Five year canvas warranty against manufacturers defects, seam tears and thread separation,

*Five year warranty against manufacturers defect on stainless steel,

*Five year warranty on gelcoat blistering.

Summary

We have not tested the Crownline 262 EX but as you can see from the remarks above the builder has put a lot of thought and innovation into the boat and out feeling is that it should be on your short list. Your big decision will be how much horsepower to install. We advise that you think carefully about how your are going to use the boat and what its loads will be. Extra horsepower is expensive and we would suggest that you check out tests we have down with other boats of the same weight as this vessel to help you make that decision. And always, of course, consult with your dealer and get him on the hook.