Crownline Eclipse E4 XS Review

If you are looking for a bowrider with top notch finishes and outstanding attention to detail, the Crownline Eclipse E4 XS is worth looking into.

Every boat builder strives to do something just a little differently to separate itself from the competition. Some builders compete on price, others by building unique types of product. Still others stand out by paying extra attention to detail, offering higher-end components and finishes for customers who insist on the best. Since it launched its first boat back in 1991, Crownline Boats has grown to become one of North America’s best-known fiberglass boat brands by focusing on those little details that make a big difference. That approach is clearly evident in the company’s all-new outboard-powered Crownline Eclipse E4 XS.

With its stylish design and seating for up to 13 passengers, the E4 XS is a lot of boat for its trim 24-foot overall length. The main cockpit neatly blends plenty of seating with an open layout that allows easy passage throughout the boat – a difficult marriage to achieve in any boat, much less a 24-footer. The boat’s seating centers around an innovative and elegantly styled, L-shaped bench seat with comfortable, ergonomically designed high seat backs for optimum comfort. Stretching across the stern and continuing forward along the port side, it faces a wide companion seat located along the starboard side of the cockpit, creating a spacious area that’s ideal for lounging or conversing.

The E4 XS provides an plenty of seating in an open layout that allows easy passage throughout the boat.

Look closely on the transom portion of that big L-shaped cockpit seat and you’ll notice a small button located on the seat base which operates it electrically, allowing it to convert from a traditional forward-facing transom seat to an aft-facing sun lounge. Hold the button down a little longer and it goes completely flat, creating a spacious sun pad. In its sun pad or aft-facing lounge position, this is the ideal spot to dry off after a swim.

A transom walk-through allows easy passage back into the cockpit without disturbing guests relaxing on the sun pad.

The large swim platform with its soft touch finish includes a stainless steel four-step boarding ladder and a ski tow as standard equipment, along with a transom shower to spray the sand off your feet and help keep the boat interior clean. A transom walk-through allows easy passage back into the cockpit without disturbing guests flaked out on the sun pad, while a convenient storage compartment to the port side of the swim platform is the ideal spot to store wet ski tow ropes and other similarly sized items.

Amidships, the driver and navigator sit on pedestal-mounted bucket seats with flip-up bolsters, which can spin around to provide additional cockpit seating when not under way. An integrated, 100-quart cockpit cooler keeps plenty of cold beverages close at hand. Stainless steel beverage holders integrated into the sidewalls are an elegant touch.

The elegant helm would look right at home in a fine sportscar.

The neatly designed helm console of the Crownline Eclipse E4 XS offers full instrumentation above a stylish tilt wheel with polished spokes. There’s also a standard four-speaker Jensen waterproof AM/FM marine stereo with Bluetooth connectivity. It sounds great, but can nonetheless be upgraded to a Polk Audio 92 system that will please even the most discerning audiophiles. The passenger console conceals a spacious head compartment with a standard light, opening screened port window, a Porta-potti, and cabinetry with a sink and solid surface counter top. The Porta-potti can be upgraded to an electric flush head if desired.

Spanning the twin consoles is a graceful, flowing, walk-through windshield with a bow closeout beneath. Being able to close this up in cool weather allows the boat to be enjoyed much earlier or later in the year for true three-season use.

Up front in the bow, oversized seats accommodate even the tallest passengers in comfort. You’ll find ample under-seat storage here too, while optional flip-up armrests and stainless steel grab handles and cup holders add some extra utility. An available bow filler cushion offers even further flexibility, allowing this space to convert to an additional sun pad. There’s also a small bow platform, which conceals an additional four-step stainless steel boarding ladder that’s essential any time you beach the boat for a picnic.

In spite of its roomy interior and accommodation for 13 people, the E4 XS can handle outboards to 300 hp, making it a legitimate 50 mph boat.

Rated to handle outboard of up to 300 horsepower, the Crownline Eclipse E4 XS rides on the company’s F.A.S.T. tab-vented hull, which is constructed with reversed chines and a performance pad for quick acceleration, fast planing and nimble handling – even with a full load aboard. It also just looks great, combining with the aggressive bow rake to give the boat a sleek, aggressive stance that absolutely fits with its playful personality. With a 250 horsepower outboard, this is a legitimate 50 mph boat.

Because Crownline has long advocated the value of being able to personalize your boat, the E4 XS also comes with an extensive list of available options, including a Bimini top, a variety of canvas packages, stereo upgrades, a keychain remote to activate the courtesy lights, LED lighting, underwater lighting, and a number of tower options for wakeboarding.

With its open layout and delightful features, the Crownline Eclipse E4 XS is an exciting and nicely made runabout that seems tailor-made for boating families.