Best Crestliner Boat Models (Ranked) in 2027

1. 1850 Fish Hawk

The 1850 Fish Hawk ranks first because it is the best all-around Crestliner, combining an 18-foot-6-inch welded 2XB deep-V hull with a 96-inch beam and a transom rated near 150 horsepower. Rigged with a 115-horsepower outboard, it lands near $38,000, while a 150-horsepower Mercury FourStroke pushes the price to the mid-$40,000s.

This boat is for anglers who fish big reservoirs or windy lakes where two-foot chop is routine, trading some towing ease for seaworthiness. It is more stable than the 1750 Fish Hawk for three casting anglers, but it demands a proper half-ton tow vehicle and adequate horsepower to plane cleanly. Compared to the 1600 Vision, it costs nearly double but delivers the deadrise and freeboard that make rough water fishable.

2. 1600 Vision

The 1600 Vision ranks second as the best value in the lineup, with a 16-foot-4-inch mod-V hull, 75-inch beam, and a transom rated near 75 horsepower, typically rigged with a 60-horsepower Mercury and single-axle trailer for $22,000–$26,000. It ships with a livewell, dual aft jump seats, a bow casting platform, and factory-installed trolling-motor and depth-finder prep, eliminating aftermarket bolt-ons.

This boat is for first-time owners or those on protected waters under 2,000 acres, trading rough-water capability for affordability and easy towing behind a mid-size SUV. It rides rougher in chop than the 1850 Fish Hawk, which is the entire trade-off, but it holds value well for a step-up later. Compared to the 1700 Vision, it is cheaper and lighter, though the 1700 offers more bow space and a drier ride.

3. 1750 Fish Hawk

The 1750 Fish Hawk ranks third because it delivers the deep-V hull experience without the 1850's tow weight or price, measuring 17 feet 6 inches with a 94-inch beam and a transom rated near 115 horsepower. A 90-horsepower rig sits near $32,000, while 115 horsepower pushes toward $36,000, keeping the aerated livewell, lockable rod storage, and flat casting decks.

This boat is for two anglers who fish windy reservoirs but do not need the 1850's extra beam or horsepower ceiling, trading cockpit space and three-person capacity for lower price and easier towing. It is tighter than the 1850 Fish Hawk, so you will pick fewer big-water days, but it is more seaworthy than the 1700 Vision. Compared to the 1850, it saves roughly $6,000 while retaining most of the deep-V benefits.

4. 1850 Sportfish

The 1850 Sportfish ranks fourth because it reconfigures the proven 18-foot-6-inch, 96-inch-beam deep-V platform for fish-and-cruise duty, rated near 150 horsepower and priced from $36,000–$43,000 rigged. It keeps a livewell and rod storage, so fishing capability remains intact, but adds more seating, optional ski tow, and upholstery packages that swing the price. This makes it the purpose-built crossover for owners whose calendar is half fishing and half tubing.

This boat is for families who want one boat for both serious angling and watersports, trading casting-deck square footage for passenger comfort. Compared to the 1850 Fish Hawk, it surrenders bow deck space but gains the versatility to pull a tube or host friends. It is a better family choice than the 1750 Fish Hawk, though it costs more and is less specialized for pure fishing days.

5. 1700 Vision

The 1700 Vision ranks fifth as the stretched Vision platform, measuring 17 feet with an 82-inch beam and a transom rated near 90 horsepower, priced between $26,000–$31,000 rigged with a 70-to-90-horsepower outboard. It offers more bow casting space and a slightly drier ride than the 1600 Vision while remaining a mod-V, keeping the shallow draft and easy towing.

This boat is for inland-lake anglers who want more room and a smoother ride than the 1600 Vision without the cost or tow requirements of a deep-V. It trades rough-water capability for affordability, but adds enough length to handle light chop better than its smaller sibling. Compared to the 1750 Fish Hawk, it is cheaper and easier to launch, though it cannot match the deep-V's stability in wind.

6. 2150 Fish Hawk

The 2150 Fish Hawk ranks sixth because it is the ultimate big-water machine, measuring 21 feet with a 98-inch beam and a transom rated near 250 horsepower, with high freeboard, deep deadrise, and large livewells. Rigged with a 200-to-250-horsepower outboard, real electronics, and a tandem-axle trailer, it routinely crosses $55,000 and can approach $65,000. This is the Great Lakes and big-reservoir walleye machine, built to handle conditions that would stop smaller boats.

This boat is for serious Great Lakes anglers who need maximum seaworthiness and have the tow rig to handle it, trading affordability and ease of use for unmatched capability. It is genuine overkill on inland lakes, where the 1850 Fish Hawk is more practical and cheaper. Compared to the 1850, it demands a heavier tow vehicle and a much larger budget, but it offers a dramatically higher performance ceiling in rough water.

7. 1660 Retriever Tiller

The 1660 Retriever Tiller ranks seventh for its specialized backwater utility, measuring 16 feet with a 70-inch beam and a flat shallow bottom, tiller-steered and rated near 40 horsepower. Bare packages start near $15,000, while about $20,000 gets a 40-horsepower outboard and trailer, all built on the welded hull with minimal amenities. Duck hunters, trappers, and backwater anglers buy this boat and keep it for twenty years, valuing its durability and shallow-water access.

This boat is for those who fish skinny water, flooded timber, or duck marsh, trading ride comfort in chop for flat-bottom stability and shallow draft. It is punishing in rough water, but nobody who buys one cares, as it is designed for protected backwaters. Compared to the 1400 Kodiak Tiller, it offers more length and capacity, though it is still a no-frills, purpose-built tool.

8. 1850 Commander Elite

The 1850 Commander Elite ranks eighth as the welded-aluminum answer to a fiberglass bass boat, measuring 18 feet 6 inches with a low-profile deck, oversized front and rear casting platforms, and multiple livewells, rated near 150 horsepower. Fully rigged with a 150-horsepower outboard, a kicker, and electronics, expect to pay $42,000–$50,000. Its flat deck layout prioritizes casting ergonomics over passenger comfort, making it a specialist's purchase.

This boat is for dedicated bass anglers who want aluminum's impact tolerance and repairability but demand fiberglass-like deck space, trading family seating and versatility for casting efficiency. Compared to the 1850 Fish Hawk, it is more expensive and narrower in purpose, but it out-fishes the generalist on pure deck ergonomics. It is a better choice than the 1750 Bass Hawk for those who need the extra length and livewell capacity.

9. 1400 Kodiak Tiller

The 1400 Kodiak Tiller ranks ninth as the cheapest way into a welded Crestliner hull, measuring 14 feet with a welded mod-V and tiller steering, rated around 25 horsepower. Packages run $11,000–$15,000 with a small outboard and trailer, and one person can launch it alone without assistance. It has no livewell luxury and no frills, but it delivers the brand's lifetime hull warranty at an entry-level price.

This boat is for solo anglers, cabin owners, or those who want a second boat for small lakes and rivers, trading features and capacity for simplicity and low cost. It is an excellent first boat for a beginner, but it is too small for rough water or multiple anglers. Compared to the 1660 Retriever Tiller, it is cheaper and lighter, though it offers less length and a mod-V rather than flat bottom.

10. 1750 Bass Hawk

The 1750 Bass Hawk ranks tenth as a specialized mod-V bass platform, measuring 17 feet 6 inches with large bow and stern casting decks, an aerated bass livewell, and a transom rated near 115 horsepower. A 90-to-115-horsepower rig with trolling motor and electronics generally runs $30,000–$36,000, making it a competitive aluminum bass boat. It is flatter-decked and faster than the Fish Hawk, but rougher on open water and deliberately narrow in purpose.

This boat is for bass tournament anglers who fish lakes and rivers, trading rough-water capability and family versatility for casting efficiency and speed. It is a better pure bass boat than the 1750 Fish Hawk, but it is a poor choice for big water or multi-species fishing. Compared to the 1850 Commander Elite, it is cheaper and more compact, though it lacks the larger boat's livewell capacity and deck space.

How we ranked these

We measured hull performance across deadrise, beam, freeboard, and horsepower ratings, then weighted each model's suitability for its intended water type—calm inland lakes versus rough reservoirs. Price bands were normalized to fully rigged, out-the-door figures, including outboard, trailer, and standard accessories. Resale liquidity and warranty transferability were factored as long-term cost metrics, with higher weight given to models that hold value and serve the broadest buyer pool.

We deliberately ignored brand loyalty, dealer proximity, and cosmetic features like upholstery color or stereo upgrades. We also excluded subjective ride comfort claims without measurable data, and we did not penalize models for lacking amenities that are easily added later. The focus stayed on hull integrity, practical fishability, and total cost of ownership, because those are the factors that determine whether a boat remains useful and resellable over a decade.

Related questions

Which Crestliner holds its value best?

Mid-size deep-V multi-species hulls—the 1750 and 1850 Fish Hawk—hold value best because they have the widest buyer pool in northern markets and sell quickly used. Specialist layouts like the Commander Elite and Bass Hawk move slower. Registering the transferable lifetime hull warranty within 90 days meaningfully helps resale.

Do I need 150 horsepower on an 1850?

Not strictly, but a 115 is the practical floor. Under-powering a deep-V hurts hole shot, planing at load, and fuel economy in chop. If you routinely carry three anglers plus gear, spec at or near the transom rating rather than saving $3,000 up front.

Is a mod-V ever the right choice over a deep-V?

Frequently. On inland lakes, rivers, and shallow backwaters a mod-V drafts less, weighs less, tows easier, and costs far less. Deep-V only earns its premium where wind-driven chop is routine. Buying deep-V for calm water is money spent on capability you never use.

What is the cheapest way into a welded Crestliner hull?

The 1400 Kodiak tiller at roughly $11,000–$15,000 rigged, or a used 1660 Retriever. Both get you the welded construction and lifetime hull warranty without livewells or casting decks. For many owners a used mid-size hull at the same price is the better buy.

Can these boats handle watersports?

The 1850 Sportfish is the purpose-built crossover, with family seating and an optional ski tow on the same deep-V platform. Fish Hawk models can pull a tube with adequate horsepower, but their casting-deck layouts and single-purpose seating make them awkward for a full day of it.

How does the 1750 Fish Hawk compare to the 1850?

The 1750 is the same deep-V philosophy on a shorter hull: 17 feet 6 inches, 94-inch beam, rated near 115 horsepower. It costs less—$32,000–$36,000 rigged—and tows easier, but the cockpit is tighter and you'll pick fewer big-water days. For a two-angler crew, it's arguably the smartest hull in the catalog.

What's the difference between the Vision and Fish Hawk lines?

Vision models are mod-V hulls designed for calm inland water, shallower draft, and lighter towing. Fish Hawk models are deep-Vs built for rough water and wind chop. The Vision costs thousands less and includes factory-installed trolling-motor prep, but it rides rougher in three-foot waves.

FAQ

What is the best Crestliner for rough water?

The 1850 Fish Hawk for most buyers, and the 2150 Fish Hawk if 'rough' means the Great Lakes. Both use the welded deep-V hull with meaningful deadrise and reverse chines, which knock down wind chop and keep spray off the crew. Beam and freeboard matter as much as deadrise—the 2150's 98-inch beam and higher sides are what make it a genuinely different boat, not just a longer one.

How long does the Crestliner lifetime hull warranty last?

It runs for the life of the boat and is transferable to subsequent owners, but registration matters—confirm the registration window and terms with the dealer at purchase, since an unregistered warranty is the single most common reason a used buyer discovers they have no coverage. It covers defects in materials and workmanship on the welded aluminum hull, not normal wear, neglect, or damage from misuse or improper repair.

What does a new Crestliner actually cost?

Rigged and out the door: roughly $11,000–$20,000 for the small tillers, $22,000–$31,000 for the Vision mod-V models, $30,000–$45,000 across the Fish Hawk, Bass Hawk, and Sportfish range, $42,000–$50,000 for the Commander Elite, and $55,000–$65,000 for a fully rigged 2150. Engine choice, electronics, and dealer region swing those bands hard. Always confirm the as-rigged window sticker before signing anything.

How does Crestliner compare to Lund and Alumacraft?

All three are legitimate aluminum builders. Lund has the broadest lineup and often the strongest resale premium; Alumacraft usually comes in cheaper for comparable length. Crestliner's case is the all-welded 2XB hull and the transferable lifetime hull warranty, which favor long-term owners and used buyers. Cross-shop them on the same water in the same conditions if a dealer will let you—the ride difference is more obvious in chop than on paper.

Can I use a Crestliner in saltwater?

Yes, with discipline. Flush the engine after every use, rinse all metal surfaces and the trailer, maintain sacrificial anodes, and avoid extended slip storage without proper protection. These are freshwater-designed hulls; the welded construction helps against corrosion but does not make them immune to it.

Which model should a first-time boat owner buy?

The 1600 or 1700 Vision, unless your home water is genuinely rough. They're affordable, easy to tow, and come with the features most beginners need—livewell, casting deck, trolling-motor prep—without the complexity or cost of a deep-V. You'll learn what you actually use, and if you outgrow it, resale is solid.

What is the most common rigging mistake?

Buying electronics before horsepower. An under-powered deep-V plows, planes slowly, and burns more fuel. You can add a graph later for $1,000–$2,500, but repowering costs many times that and the dealer won't give you much for a low-hour small outboard. Always rig horsepower first, then trolling motor and batteries as a system.

How much should I budget for annual ownership costs?

Beyond the boat, budget annually for insurance, registration, winterization and storage, an outboard service, and a slip if you keep it in water. For a mid-size rig, those recurring costs land in the low four figures a year. Stretching to the top of your budget on the hull can leave you unable to run the boat properly.

Is the 2150 Fish Hawk worth the price jump?

Only if you regularly fish the Great Lakes or very large reservoirs. At $55,000–$65,000 rigged, it's a serious machine with a 98-inch beam and 250-horsepower rating. But it requires a heavy tow vehicle, and on smaller water it's genuine overkill. The 1850 Fish Hawk handles most rough conditions at a much lower cost.

Sources

• https://www.crestliner.com/
• https://www.boattrader.com/
• https://www.discoverboating.com/
• https://www.walleyecentral.com/
• https://www.bassmaster.com/
• https://www.takemefishing.org/

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