Crownline 18SS

NOT SO MUCH
- No anchor well
- Hull chatter in heavy chop
- Bow-lift on acceleration from a stand-still

Crownlines are distributed in many countries, including Australia. The full range encompasses more than 20 models.

Sports bowriders make up the bulk of the Crownline line-up, but there are a number of cabin and cruising boats to choose from -- in lengths right up to 11.0m.

Crownlines are noted for their quality of construction and fit-out and the brand is well regarded in the US. Despite offering a better quality product than most mass-produced models, Crownlines are still keenly priced.

boatsales.com.au has tested several Crownlines during the past few years. For this test, and for the 2013 Crownline model year, we elected to get back-to-basics and check out the entry model, the 18SS bowrider.

Easily trailered behind a family car, and with economical MerCruiser petrol sterndrive power, the 18SS is a ripper boat for lazy days on the Broadwater, bay and harbour with family and friends. 

The fit and finish of the interior of the 18SS is certainly a step above most craft in this class and price range. We were particularly impressed with the two-colour tone dash and fascia which has the engine gauges neatly embedded in a vinyl-wrapped panel.

Over on the port side there is an upholstered glove box with matching trim.

Stainless-steel cup/drink holders are everywhere. There’s one on each side of the dash for the skipper and forward passenger, two more up in the bow, and three in each of the cockpit storage pockets.

With regard to standard inclusions, the Crownline 18SS is not lacking. In fact, there are few options because just about everything you need is included in the standard inventory.

Some, but not all, of the features include a Sony AM/FM CD stereo (USB and IPod ready), navigation lights, automatic bilge pump, ski locker, horn, 12-volt outlet, pop-up cleats, boarding ladder, water separating filter, quick-release bimini top with cover, curved safety-glass windscreen, tilt steering wheel, bow and cockpit covers, along with cockpit carpet and carpet-lined storage lockers and inner cockpit sides.

The Crownline 18SS is available with MerCruiser petrol sterndrive power only, but there are three engine options. The test boat was fitted with the premium and maximum power, a MerCruiser 4.3L MPI V6 engine producing a healthy 220hp.

Fitted with a locally-made Dunbier single-axle braked trailer, the test package is priced at $46,900 at Gold Coast dealer Nitro Marine. Also included in this price is Nitro’s inshore safety gear pack, all registrations and a lifetime manufacturer warranty on the hull (pretty impressive).

Less than $47K is a pretty keen price for a craft with the prowess and equipment level of the Crownline 18SS, but you can get into the boat for significantly less. 

Fit the base engine (MerCruiser 135hp TKS sterndrive), lose the trailer and sports pack (which includes the bow and cockpit covers, bimini, etc) and you can get on the water in the 18SS for less than $30K!

A more realistic option for customers who don’t have a mooring or marina berth is the standard boat with the sports pack, base engine and the Dunbier trailer. The result is a middle of the road price of $39,990.

Options available for the 18SS includes a ski pack, wakeboard tower, spare wheel for the trailer and bracket and electronics of your choice.

The bow compartment seats three but is slightly smaller than in some competitor craft. Forward of the windscreen, the beam of the boat narrows or tapers in sharply, limiting the available seating space.

The seating area has three defined cushioned seats suitable for two adults and a child (or maybe a small adult). The height and padding of the back-rests behind the two side seats is just right, but there is little support behind the centre/forward seat.

Each of the three cushions lift-off to reveal three carpet-lined storage bins. As there is no defined anchor well in the 18SS, one of these bins will need to take the anchor and rode.

The walk-through windscreen in the 18SS is made of safety glass (not perspex) and reinforced with stainless-steel bracing struts. When you open the centre pane, it hinges forward and back down to port before clicking into an automatic locking mechanism. This is good thinking as it prevents this centre windscreen pane from catching in the wind and slamming shut unexpectedly.

Both helm seats swivel and slide fore and aft. They also have a front bolster which flips up and back against the seat backrest so that you can sit a bit higher up to steer the boat.

This effectively gives you two seated driving positions. For running at speed, you generally put the bolster down so you sit low-down under the windscreen with good weather protection and comfortable wheel and throttle positioning. Conversely, the bolster up position is great for close-quarter manoeuvring at docking speeds because you sit higher up and have better all-round vision.

Storage areas in the Crownline include the three bow-seat bins, the passenger glove box, a ski storage locker under the floor, a full-width dry-storage locker under the rear bench seat, and large storage areas within the sterndrive engine box -- on each side of the engine itself.

The rear cockpit and seating/lounge area are designed for day boating, off-the-beach swimming, social skiing, etc. Should you be so inclined you can comfortably stretch out on the padded, vinyl upholstered engine cover -- or use it as a seat before stepping down onto the rear boarding platform and port-side boarding ladder.

You can also board the boat from the stern without having to step on the seat or lounge cushions. As the attached photo illustrates, the centre cushions in both the rear lounge and the rear bench seat lift out to reveal a step system covered with strips of non-slip tape to help you keep your footing when climbing aboard.

The battery is housed on a carpeted platform behind removable netting on the starboard-side transom corner. The battery master switch is situated close by on the engine box side panel.

As noted, the test rig was fitted with the maximum power engine, a MerCruiser 4.3L MPI 220hp V6 mated to an Alpha One drive leg spinning a 19-inch pitch alloy propeller.

The 4.3L is a plenty of grunt for an 18ft boat and this was reflected in the boat’s performance. The test rig was initially a bit tardy, as there was quite a bit of bow-lift, regardless of the trim position. Once it got up on plane, however, the Crownline proved a veritable rocket ship, attaining a top speed of 42.5 knots.

Underway, it was a delight to drive too. The power steering was finger-tip light and the hull was good fun to throw into high speed turns -- just for the heck of it.

Two other engine options are available. The first is MerCruiser’s 3.0L 135hp TKS four-cylinder engine. The second is a step up in power and price with the 190hp carburettor version of the MerCruiser 4.3L V6. Both engines will provide adequate-to-good performance but for sheer fun-factor you can’t go past the more powerful fuel-injected engine fitted to the test boat.

Otherwise the 18SS is hard to fault. It corners beautifully (with a limpet like grip on the water), and can be chucked about at virtually any speed.

The great thing about the handling, ride and performance of the 18SS is that anyone can climb aboard and drive it. You don’t need to be experienced to drive this boat as it has no real vices; it’s not going to bite you if you get the trim angle wrong or if you miss-time a wave and drop it into a wave trough. And that, I believe, is the point of this boat. Safe, stable, and surefooted, the 18SS is the ideal starter package.

Around $40K will get you into the Crownline 18SS with the base model engine and Aussie-made Dunbier trailer. Spend $47K and you get the works -- a top-notch family bowrider with all the bells and whistles.

Priced from: $29,900 with MerCruiser 3.0L TKS 135hp in-line four-cylinder petrol sterndrive (no trailer).
Length overall: 5.5m
Beam: 2.3m
Draft: 690mm
Dry weight: 1180kg
Towing weight: Approx. 1650kg
Deadrise: 18 degrees
Maximum power: 220hp
Engine as tested: MerCruiser 4.3L MPI 220hp V6
Fuel: 102 litres
Maximum Persons: Eight