Boating — December 2018

(Brent) #1
SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATIONnaut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
1000 4.17 4.80 1.00 4.17 4.80 206 238 0 56
1500 5.65 6.50 1.70 3.32 3.82 164 189 0 60
2000 6.78 7.80 2.70 2.51 2.89 124 143 3 67
2500 7.56 8.70 4.40 1.72 1.98 85 98 5 65
3000 12.34 14.20 6.10 2.02 2.33 100 115 7 70
3500 20.94 24.10 6.60 3.17 3.65 157 181 3 70
4000 26.85 30.90 8.30 3.24 3.72 160 184 2 71
4500 31.37 36.10 10.70 2.93 3.37 145 167 2 72
5000 35.02 40.30 13.80 2.54 2.92 126 145 2 73
5500 40.06 46.10 17.90 2.24 2.58 111 127 2 74
6000 43.80 50.40 22.30 1.96 2.26 97 112 2 77
6450 47.36 54.50 27.20 1.74 2.00 86 99 2 79
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED

High Points
XFull and spacious head compart-
ment with port-a-potty, solid-
surface countertop, sink with
hand-held shower sprayer, and
opening port light for ventilation.
XStandard audio system includes
Kicker KMC10 waterproof head unit
with Bluetooth, USB and eight Wet
Sounds speakers.
XAbundant stowage is found in the
open area at the front of the helm
console, the multiple drawers that
offer organization under that same
console, below most seat cushions,
and within the expansive ski locker
below the cockpit fl oor.

Specs
· LOA: 22'11" · BEAM: 8'6" · DRY WEIGHT:
4,300 lb. · SEATING/WEIGHT CAPACITY:
11/ 2,570 lb. · FUEL CAPACITY: 55 gal.

How We Tested
ENGINE: Mercury 250 Verado
DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Mercury Enertia
141 / 2 " x 17" 3-blade stainless steel
GEAR RATIO: 1.85:1
FUEL LOAD: 145
CREW WEIGHT: 350
Price
$56,995 (nationally advertised
price; see dealer for full details)

CROWNLINE


E23 XS


reduce drag. Behind the vent, a subtle fi n
aids overall handling. The design works
exceptionally well. Slamming the throttle
forward, the Mercury Verado 250 on the
transom planed our test boat in 3.4 sec-
onds, avoiding any signifi cant bow rise
while never causing the captain to lose
forward vision. What really put a silly grin
on our faces, however, was the aggressive
handling. Repeatedly, we cranked the
wheel hard over and felt the hull nimbly
roll into the turn with absolute precision,
the prop not once losing its bite as we con-
tinued to push the boat’s limits. Turns
were razor-sharp with an intuitive inside
lean and tenacious bite at the prop. Top
speed: 54.5 mph.

Crownline’s E23 XS blurs the lines be-
tween the traditional sport- and deck-boat
platforms. In profi le, the design fi ts a sport
boat’s personality, with aggressive style
lines and a raked wraparound windshield.
The squared-off bow cockpit suggests a
deck boat, but only till you note the gently
inward-curving hull sides. Rather than
make the bow take on an old-school deck’s
boxlike appearance, Crownline introduces
welcome style without compromising in-
terior space. To port or starboard, stretch
out lengthwise with a supportive backrest
and fl ip-down armrest. Or welcome a few
more friends to join you and gather around
the side-mounted pedestal table for snacks
and conversation. When it’s time to nose
into that favorite beach, a four-step ladder
pivots out of the anchor locker; a recessed
3-foot-wide platform covered in nonslip
traction material adds practicality and
garners style points.
The main cockpit continues to break

the mold. A generous ski locker with woven
matting includes extensions fore and aft
for longer items. Dual captain’s chairs,
a starboard jump seat and an L-shaped
lounge are often the status quo for both
deck boats and sport boats, but check out
the shared backrest between the lounge
and aft sun pad. Dual electronic actuators
enable it to be tilted at virtually any angle,
meaning you can recline facing the swim
platform or, when fl attened, stretch out on
a 5-foot-deep sun bed.
T he spor t-boat ha l f of t h is boat ’s blend-
ed personality, however, defi nitely shines
through in the E23’s spirited ride. Crown-
line’s F.A.S.T. Tab hull features vented
chines to aerate the running surface and

PHOTOS: COURTESY CROWNLINE BOATS

CROWNLINE BOATS
West Frankfort, Illinois; 618-937-6426; crownline.com

C


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