Looking over Crownline’s gutsy 202BR wakeboard/ski machine, the term typical does not apply. To begin, the 202BR offers three complete interior layouts: one sport and two traditional for customizing the boat to your perspective desires. Traditional arrangements comprise one or two back-to-back loungers with two-position jump seats. The sport edition (our test boat model) features two adjustable bucket seats with a slide-out conversion from rear bench seat to sun pad. All three include a single-piece bow liner with a fully cushioned playpen.
Along with a killer Sony stereo system to ensure the fun quotient, storage is not lacking, either, counting several compartments under seats and the engine cover, with cavernous side bolsters. To be expected, the in-floor ski locker is spacious and carpet-lined, with a lockable ventilated aluminum lid.
Something else you don’t see every day — mounted to the underside of the locker’s lid is a removable vinyl pouch for keeping items like watches, wallets and keys safely out of the way. Ditto for two rear compartments which include their own set of removable mesh bags, held in place with snaps, for storing towels or wet goods.
If you like a serious display of instrumentation, you won’t be disappointed. Behind the high wrap-around windshield, the 202’s contoured dash has it all, from tilt steering with racecar-like wheel, engine trim gauge and hour meter, to a tachometer, temperature, fuel and so on as standard. Of course, having one of Crownline’s new optional factory-installed wakeboard towers overhead in our test boat felt like we were sitting behind the wheel of the Batmobile.
Although the 202’s intention is clearly not for racing purposes, engine options run wide from a 190-hp 4.3-liter Alpha to 7.4L-liter MPI Bravo IIIs with 310 hp.
Pushing the throttles on the small-block 5.7-liter EFI, Bravo III to the max at 5,000 rpm, cranked our test boat to a top speed of 54.2 mph.
Run through a range of cruising speeds, the 202BR’s running profiles are virtually flat, giving the impression it might be a little bow-heavy. However, its handling speaks otherwise, holding straight lines free of wandering and sliding into sharp turns on command from the rack-and-pinion steering, with firm, graceful footing without any chine trip or inordinate digging on the side.
Dropping into a slow 20-mph range, the 202BR produces a boarding wake that would shame several inboard models, with the Bravo III holding the speed exceptionally steady — normally not an easy task for stern-drives. Having a duo-prop outdrive with 260 hp, the 202BR behaved as if it didn’t care if there was anything behind it.
Under loaded and unloaded conditions, time trials zipped past at 4.7 seconds or less, requiring a maximum running distance of 129.14 feet to jump from 0 to 30 mph! If that won’t yank you out of your shorts, nothing will.
At $33,700, you get a quality-built boat, well planned to carry out its mission.
Specifications
Length 20 ft. 2 in.
Beam 8 ft. 6 in.
Fuel capacity: 40 gal.
Cockpit*: 84 in. (w) x 84 in. (l)
Cockpit depth*: 33 in. (driver) x 23 in. (rear seat)
Bow interior*: 60 in. (w) x 58 in. (l)
Seating capacity (NMMA rating): 12
Seating capacity (actual people)*: 10
Driver knee room*: 19.5 in.
Windshield height*: 44 in.
Bridge clearance*: 45.5 at windshield, 77 at tower
Walk-through width*: 22.5 in.
Passenger foot room*: NA
Rear foot room*: NA
Rear seat width*: 76 in.
Rear seat to engine cover*: NA
Dry weight: 3,100 lb.
Platform: 69 in. (w) x 14.5 in. (l)
Height from water*: 11 in.
Test engine: 5.7-liter EFI Bravo III
Base engine: None
Engine options: 4.3L up to 7.4-liter
MSRP on base boat: $
MSRP on test boat: $ 33,700.
Top speed: 54.2 mph @ 5,000 rpm
Speed @ 75-percent throttle*: 35.8 mph @ 3,750 rpm
Speed @ 50-percent throttle*: 20.2 mph @ 2,500 rpm
Loaded acceleration time to 30 mph*: 4.7 seconds
Loaded distance to 30 mph*: 129.14 feet
Unloaded acceleration time to 30 mph*: 4.58 seconds
Unloaded distance to 30 mph*: 107.45 ft.
Time to plane*: 2.85 seconds
Noise level**: 87, 89, 90 dbA
*Test-team measurement
** Noise levels were recorded at 36 mph using a digital decibel meter set on the “A-weighted” scale, which closely resembles human hearing. The three numbers displayed represent (in this order) sound measurements made at the helm at driver’s head level, rear seat at passenger head level and just behind the transom.
MORE INFORMATION
Crownline Boats
RR 4, Box 339A
West Frankfort, IL 62896-966
618-937-6426
www.crownline.com
