Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Crestliner Boat Models (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO Syndicate
Best Crestliner Boat Models (Ranked)
Crestliner has built all-welded aluminum boats in Little Falls, Minnesota since 1946, and the brand's reputation rests on its 2XB welded hull and a transferable lifetime hull warranty that few competitors match. This ranking covers the models that matter most to real buyers: bass and crappie fishing rigs, big-water multi-species walleye boats, family fish-and-ski deck boats, and rugged tiller jons for shallow backwaters.
We judged the field on hull durability, ride quality in chop, fishability (livewells, rod storage, casting deck space), powering options, resale strength, and price-to-value. Whether you tow a small trailer behind a sedan or rig a 250-horsepower walleye machine, there is a Crestliner here for you.
Direct Answer
The best overall Crestliner is the 2024 Crestliner 1850 Fish Hawk, a do-everything 18-foot welded deep-V that fishes hard and rides dry, priced around $38,000-$45,000 rigged. The best value is the 2024 Crestliner 1600 Vision, a versatile mod-V that delivers a real livewell, casting decks, and an aluminum trailer near $22,000-$26,000.
Prices swing widely with engine choice, electronics, and dealer region, so always confirm the as-rigged window sticker before signing.
How We Ranked
- Hull construction — Crestliner's all-welded 2XB hull resists leaks and oil-canning far better than riveted competitors, and it drives resale.
- Ride and dry-ness — deep-V deadrise and reverse chines determine how the boat handles wind-driven chop on big water.
- Fishability — livewell volume, aerated bait stations, rod lockers, and usable casting-deck square footage decide real fishing days.
- Powering and rigging — transom rating, factory Mercury/Yamaha options, and trolling-motor and electronics prep matter for total cost.
- Value and resale — purchase price against feature set, plus how well the model holds money on the used market.
1. 2024 Crestliner 1850 Fish Hawk 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The 1850 Fish Hawk is the model that best captures what makes Crestliner worth buying. It is a true 18-foot 6-inch deep-V with a 96-inch beam, built on the welded 2XB hull, and rated for roughly 150 horsepower. That combination makes it stable enough for two or three anglers casting from the bow and seaworthy enough to fish a windy reservoir or one of the Great Lakes' protected bays without rattling your teeth.
Out of the box it carries an aerated livewell of about 28 gallons, lockable rod storage that swallows eight-foot rods, and a flat, generous bow casting deck. A typical 150-horsepower Mercury FourStroke rig runs in the mid-$40,000s, while a smaller 115-horsepower setup keeps you closer to $38,000.
The lifetime hull warranty and welded construction help it hold value strongly on the used market.
- Price: ~$38,000-$45,000 rigged
- Pros: Versatile deep-V ride, strong livewell, big rod storage, excellent resale
- Cons: Pricey once fully rigged; needs adequate horsepower to plane quickly
Verdict: The most complete Crestliner for multi-species anglers who fish real water.
2. 2024 Crestliner 1600 Vision 💎 BEST VALUE
The 1600 Vision is the smartest dollar in the lineup. It is a 16-foot 4-inch mod-V with a 75-inch beam, rated to around 75 horsepower, and it ships with the features that budget shoppers usually have to add later: an aerated livewell, dual aft jump seats, a bow casting platform, and trolling-motor and depth-finder prep.
Powered by a 60-horsepower Mercury on a single-axle aluminum trailer, a Vision package commonly lands between $22,000 and $26,000. It is light enough to tow behind a mid-size SUV and shallow enough to chase crappie, panfish, and bass in skinny backwaters. You give up the big-water ride of the deep-V hulls, but for inland lakes and rivers it is hard to beat the value.
- Price: ~$22,000-$26,000 rigged
- Pros: Low price, real livewell, light towing, shallow draft
- Cons: Mod-V rides rougher in chop; limited for big open water
Verdict: The most boat for the money in the Crestliner family.
3. 2024 Crestliner 1750 Fish Hawk
The 1750 Fish Hawk is the 17-foot 6-inch little brother to the 1850 and a sweet spot for anglers who want the welded deep-V hull without the larger boat's price and tow weight. With a 94-inch beam and a rating near 115 horsepower, it handles light chop well and still fishes three comfortably.
A common 90-horsepower rig runs near $32,000, while a 115-horsepower setup pushes toward $36,000. It keeps the aerated livewell, lockable rod storage, and flat casting decks of its bigger sibling.
- Price: ~$32,000-$36,000 rigged
- Pros: Deep-V ride in a smaller package, easy tow, strong feature set
- Cons: Tighter cockpit than the 1850; fewer big-water days
Verdict: A right-sized welded deep-V for trailerable multi-species fishing.
4. 2024 Crestliner 1850 Sportfish
The 1850 Sportfish is a fish-and-cruise version of the deep-V platform, trading some hardcore fishing real estate for family-friendly seating and an optional ski tow setup. At 18-foot 6-inches with a 96-inch beam and a rating around 150 horsepower, it is the model to buy when half your weekends are fishing and half are tubing with the kids.
Expect roughly $36,000 to $43,000 depending on engine and upholstery package. It still includes a livewell and rod storage, so you are not giving up fishing entirely.
- Price: ~$36,000-$43,000 rigged
- Pros: Family seating, watersports-ready, welded deep-V hull
- Cons: Less casting deck than the Fish Hawk; heavier loadout
Verdict: The best Crestliner crossover for fishing families.
5. 2024 Crestliner 1700 Vision
The 1700 Vision stretches the value-leading Vision platform to 17 feet with an 82-inch beam and a rating near 90 horsepower. The extra length adds bow casting space and a slightly drier ride than the 1600 while keeping the price reasonable.
A 70 to 90-horsepower package generally runs $26,000 to $31,000. It is an ideal step up for an angler who outgrew a smaller jon or mod-V but is not ready for a full deep-V.
- Price: ~$26,000-$31,000 rigged
- Pros: More room than the 1600, still affordable, good livewell
- Cons: Mod-V hull limits rough-water comfort
Verdict: A roomier value pick for inland multi-species anglers.
6. 2024 Crestliner 2150 Fish Hawk
When you need to run big, windy water, the 2150 Fish Hawk answers. At 21 feet with a 98-inch beam and a transom rating around 250 horsepower, it is the serious walleye and Great Lakes machine of the lineup, with high freeboard and a deep deadrise that knocks down rollers.
Rigged with a 200 to 250-horsepower outboard, electronics, and a tandem-axle trailer, these routinely cross $55,000 and can approach $65,000. The payoff is confidence in conditions that send smaller boats home.
- Price: ~$55,000-$65,000 rigged
- Pros: Big-water capable, huge livewells, high horsepower ceiling
- Cons: Expensive; heavy tow; overkill for small lakes
Verdict: The Crestliner for anglers who fish the biggest water.
7. 2024 Crestliner 1660 Retriever Tiller
The 1660 Retriever is a rugged 16-foot tiller-steered utility jon built for hunters, trappers, and backwater anglers. The welded hull and a 70-inch beam ride a flat, shallow bottom rated near 40 horsepower, so it gets into water other boats cannot reach.
A bare-bones tiller package starts near $15,000, climbing to about $20,000 with a 40-horsepower outboard and trailer. It is utilitarian, not fancy, and that is the point.
- Price: ~$15,000-$20,000 rigged
- Pros: Shallow draft, tough welded hull, low entry price
- Cons: Basic amenities; rough ride in any chop
Verdict: The best Crestliner for duck hunting and skinny-water work.
8. 2024 Crestliner 1850 Commander Elite
The 1850 Commander Elite is a premium 18-foot 6-inch bass and walleye tournament boat. With a low-profile deck, oversized front and rear casting platforms, multiple livewells, and a rating near 150 horsepower, it targets the angler who wants a glass-style bass layout in welded aluminum.
Fully rigged with a 150-horsepower outboard, a kicker, and electronics, expect $42,000 to $50,000. It blends serious fishability with the durability advantage of an all-welded hull.
- Price: ~$42,000-$50,000 rigged
- Pros: Tournament-grade decks, multiple livewells, welded toughness
- Cons: Premium price; specialized fishing focus
Verdict: A welded answer to fiberglass bass boats.
9. 2024 Crestliner 1400 Kodiak Tiller
The 1400 Kodiak is the entry door to Crestliner ownership: a compact 14-foot welded mod-V tiller rated around 25 horsepower. It is light enough for one person to launch, simple enough to maintain forever, and cheap enough to be a true second boat.
Packages typically run $11,000 to $15,000 with a small outboard and trailer. There is no livewell luxury here, just a dependable, tow-anywhere fishing platform.
- Price: ~$11,000-$15,000 rigged
- Pros: Cheapest welded Crestliner, ultralight tow, simple upkeep
- Cons: Tiny capacity; minimal features
Verdict: The budget gateway to the all-welded Crestliner hull.
10. 2024 Crestliner 1750 Bass Hawk
The 1750 Bass Hawk is a dedicated 17-foot 6-inch bass rig with a mod-V hull, large bow and stern casting decks, an aerated bass livewell, and a rating near 115 horsepower. It is faster and flatter-decked than the Fish Hawk, tuned for tournament bass anglers who want welded durability at a sub-deep-V price.
A 90 to 115-horsepower rig with a trolling motor and electronics generally runs $30,000 to $36,000. It is a focused tool rather than an all-rounder.
- Price: ~$30,000-$36,000 rigged
- Pros: Bass-specific layout, welded hull, good speed
- Cons: Mod-V rougher on big water; less versatile than Fish Hawk
Verdict: The welded-aluminum pick for serious bass fishing.
How to Choose
What to Look For
- Hull and welds: inspect every welded seam for cracks or grinding marks, and check the keel and chines for past grounding damage; a welded Crestliner should not leak.
- Engine hours and service: ask for the outboard's hour readout and service records; a four-stroke under 300 hours with documented maintenance is ideal, and a compression test is cheap insurance.
- Trailer and bunks: confirm the aluminum trailer's bearings, tires, lights, and winch strap, since a tired trailer can cost thousands to replace.
- Survey and water test: for any used boat over roughly $20,000, pay for a marine survey and insist on a full-throttle water test to verify planing, steering, and bilge dryness.
FAQ
Are Crestliner boats welded or riveted? Modern Crestliner fishing hulls use the all-welded 2XB construction, which eliminates the rivet leaks common to budget aluminum boats. The brand backs this with a transferable lifetime hull warranty, a major reason the boats hold resale value.
What is the difference between a Fish Hawk and a Vision? The Fish Hawk line uses a deeper deep-V hull for a drier, smoother ride on bigger, windier water, while the Vision line uses a shallower mod-V tuned for inland lakes and rivers at a lower price. Fish Hawk is the multi-species choice; Vision is the value choice.
What engine size should I put on a Crestliner? Match or get close to the transom's maximum rating for the best holeshot and resale. A 1600 Vision is happy with a 60-horsepower outboard, a 1850 Fish Hawk wants 115 to 150 horsepower, and a 2150 Fish Hawk rewards 200 to 250 horsepower for big-water running.
Do Crestliner boats hold their value? Yes, generally better than riveted aluminum competitors. The welded hull, lifetime warranty, and strong dealer network keep used demand high, so well-maintained Fish Hawk and Commander models tend to depreciate slowly compared with the wider aluminum market.
Bottom Line
For most buyers the 2024 Crestliner 1850 Fish Hawk is the best overall Crestliner, combining a dry welded deep-V ride, serious fishability, and strong resale around $38,000-$45,000. If budget rules the decision, the 2024 Crestliner 1600 Vision is the clear best value near $22,000-$26,000, delivering real fishing features in a light, easy-towing package.
Choose the hull to match your water, rig adequate horsepower, and a Crestliner should fish for decades.
Sources
- Crestliner official model lineup and specifications, crestliner.com
- Discover Boating, aluminum fishing boat buyer guides
- Boat Trader, new and used Crestliner listings and pricing
- BoatUS, used boat survey and water-test guidance
- NADA Guides / J.D. Power, aluminum fishing boat valuations
- Boating Magazine, multi-species and walleye boat reviews
- Mercury Marine, FourStroke outboard powering recommendations
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