The Crest Crest II 18 2006 vs Crest Wave 230 Touring L 2012 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Crest Wave 230 Touring L 2012 measures 23,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 5,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crest Crest II 18 2006 at 18,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crest Wave 230 Touring L 2012 tips the scales at 2 455 lbs — 2 240 lbs less than the Crest Crest II 18 2006 at 215 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 75 hp for the Crest Crest II 18 2006 and 90 hp for the Crest Wave 230 Touring L 2012. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crest Wave 230 Touring L 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Crest Crest II 18 2006 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crest Wave 230 Touring L 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crest Wave 230 Touring L 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 23,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crest Crest II 18 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.