Crownline E4 or E6
 

We are considering buying a Crownline E4 and were wondering if anyone knows how it handles rough water on Winnipesaukee.

The E4and E6 are new models for Crownline. We have a 270 BR from Crownline and it is great.

Find out what it weighs. A deep-v boat of at least 4500 lbs dry will be fine on Winnipesaukee, during all but the worst of weather.

Crownline
 

The e4 and the e6 both only have a 19 degree dead rise. This is a rather flatter bottom compared to other boats. This will cause the boat to "pound" instead of cut through the waves. The Sea Ray sundeck series is the best handling boat on the market. They have a 21 degree dead rise and are just amazing. I have had 3 sun decks and swear by them. They are the best boats on the market, I suggest you look into them at Irwins.

I looked up the specs. Those are 26 foot boats that weigh 5500 lbs or more. They'll be just fine on Winnipesaukee.

I agree with Winniboater81, that more deadrise is better than less, but displacement and length have a bigger effect on ride. On a really choppy day, go for a spin aboard a 21 foot, 3000 lb boat with 24 degrees of deadrise, and then a 26 foot, 5500 lb boat with 19 degrees of deadrise, and you'll see what I mean.

A smaller amount of deadrise will let the boat plane at a slower speed and use less fuel at cruising speed. My boat has 24 degrees of deadrise and weighs about 6000 lbs, loaded up for the day. It'll plane at 20 or so, but it needs to be going at least 25 MPH to be in the "economy" range.

I looked at the Crownline E series boats last fall. Initially I was looking at the Crownline and Four Winns Funship. I ended up switching gears a little bit and narrowing it down to a Searay Sundeck and Chapparal Sunesta becasue of the reasons expressed above (deadrise). The Searay Sundeck's were nice but ultimitly the Chap people at Fayes boatyard in Gilford were Awesome to work with and I feel like I got a great deal on a boat that would perform well on a big lake and looked good (the latter being the most important of course).

The Sunesta 244 has a deadrise of 20 degrees and weights in at 4,400. It also has the same style rear seat as the Crownline. Good Luck with your search!

I have a friend that is looking at the e4. I think I will direct him to this thread. Are you sure about the deadrise angle? The believe that the folks at Winnisquam Marine told him that it had a deadrise of 20 or 21 degrees. Thanks for any input.

Specs page says 19
 

The Crownline website says 19, that said, websites aren't always accurate.

I'd encourage you demo a few boats in the size range. I notice that the biggest available motor is 320hp small block. And the boat specs at 5200 - 5500lbs dry. By way of comparison, my last boat, a Cobalt 240, spec'ed out at 4600lbs dry with a 320hp small block. I found the performance ok, but I'm not sure I would have if the boat was 600 - 900lbs heavier. Granted, my 240 had a deadrise of 20 vs 19, but sometimes I wished it had an 8.1l.. I corrected that issue this year.

Wouldn't be a total Cobalt fanboy if I didn't recommend you look at a 242, similar size and price range from what I can tell of the E4.

I've got a Cobalt 250 with the 8.1L big block and the overall performance is awesome. It rides beautifully.

I challenge any of you to be able to identify the difference in ride of a boat with 18, 19, 20 or 21 degrees of transom deadrise.

Overall length and weight will have a much greater effect on performance than a 2 degree difference in deadrise.

Crownline has traditionally made a good boat but they are under new ownership, it could be wise to let things shake out for a year before buying a new one.

I like the boats from Chaparral, I would definitely give them a look.

...fyi...the E4 & E6 series from Crownline are NOT a "true" V-bottom...it is a variation on a "cathedral" design, (think Boston whaler)...it is more stable at rest, is faster out of the hole, is a tad more efficient at "cruising" speeds, and rides a bit "different" than a conventional V-hull, but is not uncomfortable in "rough" water...Crownline makes and rigs a nice boat...Like MW, I really like the "old" 270BR (now the 285?)...a true deep-V with tons of room and a nice "bathroom"...if you can find one with a 496 Mag and the Bravo 3 drive even better...I agree what GF said about bottom "angles" & weight...I hope I have thoroughly confused you now..lol...Bottom line is pick what you like and take a demo spin...like cars these days, it's hard to find a "lemon"...most of the boat companies named make a nice ride...

When I purchased my boat I was able to sea trial boath a 19 and 21 degree dead rise. The marina had both boats side by side in the marina. I did the figure 8 test and the 19 degree deadrise did pancake into it's wake where the 21 degree cut right through it. The boats were 31 and 34 feet long. The 31 with the 21 degree handled the waves much better.

I do agree the SeaRay sundeck handles the waves extremely well. A friend has the 24 foot sundeck.

I took a ride in a Cobalt with some friends on the lake (I think it was a 242) and I LOVE the boat. They make you pay for the luxury but I think my next boat will be a Cobalt and I am a big fan of the Four Winns brand.

Cobalt
 

I'm on my third Cobalt now (200, 240 and now 262) and while I would never claim that they are bargain priced, I strongly encourage anyone who's considering them to do a demo and get an actual number for a boat built the way you want it.

I ended up in a 200 back in 2004 because I got a better price than a similar Crownline, ordered the way I wanted it, with the motor I wanted (Crownline dealer wanted to sell me an in stock boat with a 5.0, I ordered a new Cobalt built to my specs with a 350 Mag for slightly less money from EastCoast Flightcraft).

I think you'll find that the actual selling price (ignore the MSRP on the website) is far more in line with other dealerships actual selling price for similar/competitive boats...

Since then, I've had a great relationship with those guys, would be happy to help anyone who's interested...

Just my $0.02.

Well, out of all the different boats we have had over the years, I would say that our 06' 26ft BR is by far the most plush. They did a great job with the interior...

It rides great. Perfect for the lake. One early morning, had it close to 55mph :liplick:

We had a smaller Four Winns before the Cobalt. It was a killer on the back. It was only a 20 footer and fairly light.

We also have a Boston Whaler Dauntless that we keep in Rack Storage in Florida. You almost never see stern drives in the ocean for many reasons. Our Whaler handles in-shore and off-shore incredibly well. It's more of a fishing boat then our Cobalt, but each do their job very well.

Keep in mind that the greater the deadrise, the greater the draft. You may want to consider that if the water is a little shallow at your place....or if you like to "beach" the boat a lot. If you're in the chop a lot, you can't beat a 24 degree hull.

Except with a 25 degree hull :D