Larger Than Life Frank Sargeant Trailer Boats February 21, 2007

How big is a 24-foot boat? It sounds like the start of a “Who’s on first” gag, but this is actually a legitimate question — especially when you’re standing on the dock next to Crownline’s new 240 LS. When it comes to bowriders, there aren’t many that match the depth of this good-looking rig. Some boats seem big for their size, and this is a huge 24-footer. There’s a feeling of real security both in the bow and aft seating because of the tall inwales; this is a boat that families with toddlers will love because the little guys won’t be in danger of falling over the side.

That said, the depth of the boat doesn’t keep it from looking sporty. Crownlines have a distinctive shape below the rubrail that casts shadows and gives the boats a unique, flowing design that can be recognized long before the logo is visible on the side. The shaped curves of the 240’s hull give it a bit of a European look; you can see James Bond on this boat, running out to attack SPECTER’s yacht anchored somewhere off the French Riviera — that kind of look, you know?



SNAP TO!

Although the Crownline’s $60,667 base price includes a 260 hp MerCruiser 5.0L MPI, our test unit was upgraded with a 375 hp MerCruiser 496 Mag coupled to a twin-propeller Bravo 3 drive. The boat ran as smart as it looked, starting with a smoking

6.7-second sprint from 0 to 30 mph — and, remember, this is a 4700-pound hull.

There’s another jump in acceleration between 3000 rpm and full throttle. It is literally head-snapping, and our boat’s big 8.1L V-8, equipped with a Corsa Quick & Quiet through-hull exhaust, plays a lovely tune as it winds up. With the exhaust uncorked, you will be noticed as you blast by at full throttle, with about 100 decibels (dBa) bellowing through the pipes.

Fuel economy is decent... that is, considering you’re feeding just less than 500 cubic inches of big block. Optimum cruising economy registered 2.7 mpg at 3000 rpm and a comfortable 31.6 mph. Although a bit on the small side for our tastes, the 50-gallon tank gives plenty of range for all-day cruising at this throttle setting. If you like to run at higher revs, you’ll want to keep an eye on the fuel gauge, however, as economy drops to 1.6 mpg at full speed, which we recorded at 4800 rpm and 52.8 mph during testing. This equates to a range of only 72 miles, assuming the usual 10 percent fuel safety margin.

We tested on a sunny but breezy winter day on Tampa Bay. The chop was no challenge for the boat’s sharp forward entry and the deep-V at the transom; the ride was smooth, even at full trim. We tested with two adults aboard, plus a half-tank of fuel.

The Bravo 3’s dual-propeller drive system held beautifully in tight corners, and at idle speeds provided very positive steering, even in reverse, making this an easy boat to dock should wind or current challenge you. The extra blade area of its twin, counter-rotating wheels brings this rig out of the hole in a hurry, too.

With 19 degrees of deadrise at the transom and a 39-degree entry forward, the 240 LS does a nice job of taming chop. The weight and shape of the hull contribute to a smooth ride, and the tall freeboard and stainless steel-framed windshield also keep passengers dry. A nice touch on the walk-through is the stainless latch with retainer pin — a far cry from the Velcro straps seen on some boats.



STOW IT

Crownline’s designers have made creative use of the available storage space on the new 240 LS. Fenders, for example, fit into neat pods in the transom, and these are hidden under flip-up hatches that also cover a cool set of transom stereo speakers.

The bow area boasts “hot tub” seats (hey, I know, it’s a little California, but that’s the buzz word for boats of this category this year.) Visualize a chaise lounge with the knees slightly elevated... you get the idea. It’s a comfortable setup that still lets you see what’s going on in front of the boat. And, the seats flip up to access exceptionally large storage areas below.



OPTIONS COME STANDARD

Crownline is a 20-year-old company with some 50,000 hulls to its credit. It prides itself on including more standard gear than other brands. The telescoping stainless boarding ladders have built-in handles — a little extra not often seen on other boats. Other standards include: a depthfinder with water temperature gauge; integrated

docking lights; a 15-gallon freshwater system; tilt steering; and an enclosed head with portable toilet, sink and shower. The head compartment has a porthole to prevent claustrophobia, too — and the frame on that

porthole has heavy-duty “dogs” to secure it. Touches like this tend to convince you that Crownline has gone the extra mile to make sure everything is right on this new model.

The options list is also unique. Check out the “Social Swim transom” stereo system. With this $1531 upgrade, you get the premium sound system with an MP3 hookup, four splash-proof Kicker Marine speakers in the cockpit and two more on the transom (facing aft), plus full controls for the system accessible from the water level on the transom. There’s also a “sound-shield” option, in which all the volume can be directed into these transom speakers, leaving the cockpit relatively quiet. Very gee whiz stuff.

WOODEN YOU KNOW IT?

In an era when most builders advertise all-composite construction, Crownline is sticking with tried-and-true pressure-treated plywood stringers. More than a few other well-respected boatbuilders, including Pursuit and Stamas, go this route on the theory that you get added stiffness and a unique “feel” in a hull that’s framed in wood. These builders also point out that a properly built wood stringer encased in fiberglass and surrounded with foam is structurally more durable than a stringer built with only fiberglass and a foam core.

The build schedule also uses Armorcote gelcoat, which delivers an exceptional depth and gloss. A vinylester barrier coat prevents blistering and water intrusion. The layup includes both woven and bi-axial fiberglass, with foam coring in hatch lids and other areas.

Our inspection of the upholstery reveals it has real depth and a solid feel, much like quality furniture. And the deep buckets at the helm offer a secure ride in tight corners. The lower front section of these seats flips up to provide a bolster effect for stand-up driving in rough going. >

Not surprisingly, Crownline’s new 240 LS does not fall into the economy class of boats. Loaded with options, including the 375-horse, big-block MerCruiser, our rig carried a sticker of $76,000. If you want even more performance, power packages all the way up to the awesome 425 hp MerCruiser 496 Mag HO are available. Based on our test, however, we believe that

375 ponies are plenty for this boat — but we definitely recommend investing the extra $750 to move up to the Bravo 3 (as tested) over the Bravo 1 drive. It offers a big gain in holeshot pop and handling at a minimal cost. The twin-prop drive is only 21 pounds heavier than the single-prop setup, by the way.

So, how big is a 24-foot boat? Depends... Who’s on second?



Check Out That Tower

Our test boat’s eye appeal benefited even more from its forward-raked wakeboard tower/Bimini top combo. This massive aluminum structure is one of the better-looking towers we’ve seen on a sport boat, and represents a major step up from the conventional Bimini arrangement, though at considerable cost ($3838). Yikes.



Smart Boat

Fully optioned out, our Crownline 240 LS test platform was equipped with Mercury’s SmartCraft instrumentation, including the new Smart Tow speed control that allows drivers to set an exact speed digitally, and to return to that speed without juggling the throttle. For those who take skiing and wakeboarding seriously, this will be a big plus. In addition, users can preset various holeshot “profiles” suited to everything from tubing to slaloming.

The system is also handy for maintaining an effective running speed in choppy water — it’s basically a cruise-control on the water. Of course, like cruise control in your car, it requires you to remain alert and ready to slow the boat as necessary.

This was our first hands-on experience with Smart Tow, and we noticed a momentary hesitation in the digital throttle on the test boat — whether this was a rigging anomaly or SOP, it took some getting used to.



SPECIFICATIONS

CROWNLINE 240 LS

Base Price (w/ MerCruiser 5.0L MPI) $60,667

Price as Tested $76,000

Length (w/ swim platform) 25’ 0”

Beam 8’ 6”

Weight 4700 lbs.

Fuel Capacity 50 gals.

Maximum Horsepower 425

Engine as Tested MerCruiser 496 Mag/Bravo 3

Horsepower 375

Propeller Bravo 3 26” stainless propset



Crownline, Dept. TBM, 11885 Country Club Road, West Frankfort, IL 62896; 618/937-6426; crownline.com



MerCruiser, Dept. TBM, P.O. Box 1959, Fond du Lac, WI 54936; 800/MERCURY; mercurymarine.com



BONUS WEB INFORMATION

ADDITIONAL TEST INFORMATION



CROWNLINE 240 LS



TOP SPEED (mph) 52.8 @ 4800 rpm

OPTIMUM CRUISING SPEED (mph) 31.6 @ 3000 rpm



ACCELERATION (seconds)

0-30 mph 6.9



SOUND MEASUREMENTS (dBa)

Idle at Helm (600 rpm) 64

Idle at Transom (600 rpm) 73

Cruise at Helm (3000 rpm) 86

WOT at Helm (4800 rpm) 100



NOTABLE STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Bimini top with stainless supports; cockpit door with filler; carry-on cooler; depthsounder; docking lights; fire extinguisher; fender storage tubes; lockable ski storage; 15-gallon freshwater system; console head and sink; Sony marine stereo with four speakers; six pull-up cleats; tilt wheel



NOTABLE OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT

Corsa Quick & Quiet through-hull exhaust; cockpit filler and table; Sport Package including special trim, remote control lighting, portable table and forward boarding ladder; trim tabs; Sony six-disc changer; Social Swim Transom stereo system; transom shower; pumpout head; wakeboard tower



ENGINE AS TESTED

Make MerCruiser 496 Mag/Bravo 3

Horsepower 375

Number of Cylinders V-8

Displacement 8.1L (496 cid)

Weight 1224 lbs.

Gear Ratio 1.81:1

WOT RPM Range 4800

Propeller Bravo 3 16x26” stainless propset



TEST NOTES

l Big on beam, big on depth — a huge 24 footer!

l Killer Sony “Social Swim” transom tunes option will blow you out of the water

l You get a ton of standard features included in the base price

l Good performance, great handling with the Bravo 3 drive

l Bring your credit score — this is not an inexpensive rig