The Crest Sport Fisherman 18 4CL 2004 vs Crest Sport Fisherman 18 4CL 2005 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Crest Sport Fisherman 18 4CL 2004 at 18,0 ft versus Crest Sport Fisherman 18 4CL 2005 at 18,0 ft. At 1 600 lbs and 1 698 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class - either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 75 hp for the Crest Sport Fisherman 18 4CL 2004 and 75 hp for the Crest Sport Fisherman 18 4CL 2005. 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 Sport Fisherman 18 4CL 2004 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Crest Sport Fisherman 18 4CL 2005 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crest Sport Fisherman 18 4CL 2004 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crest Sport Fisherman 18 4CL 2004 comes in at 21 lbs per hp versus 23 lbs per hp for the Crest Sport Fisherman 18 4CL 2005. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration - meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Crest Sport Fisherman 18 4CL 2004 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crest Sport Fisherman 18 4CL 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.