Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 vs Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 or the Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 104 lbs for the Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004 tops out at 1 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004 is certified for 3. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 measures 96" wide, compared to 56" for the Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Are the Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 and Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 and the Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004 are built by Crestliner. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 vs Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004

Crestliner

Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005

2005

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Crestliner

Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004

2004

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 vs Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 vs Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 has a 149-hp advantage over the Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004's 1-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 18,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCrestliner

Model182 Fish Hawk Contender

ModelXCR 1256 V

Model Year2005

Model Year2004

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam95.5 in. (243 cm)

Beam56 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters1.42

Beam - Inches95.5

Beam - Inches56

Depth - Detail24 in. (61 cm)

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters60.96

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches24

Depth - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail1,300 lbs. (590 kg)

Weight - Detail104 lbs

Weight - kg589.67

Weight - kg47.17

Weight - lbs.13

Weight - lbs.104

Width [transom] - Detail95.5 in. (243 cm)

Width [transom] - Detailnot available

Height - Detail35 in. (89 cm)

Height - Detail27 in

Height - Meters0.89

Height - Meters0.69

Height - Inches35

Height - Inches27

Height [transom]25 in. (64 cm)

Height [transom]15 in

Length - Meters5.6

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feetnot available

Length - Inches3

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail18 ft. 3 in. (5.6 m)

Length overall - Detail12 ft. 1 in

Length overall - Meters5.56

Length overall - Meters3.68

Length overall - Inches219

Length overall - Inches145

Body / Hull

Hull thicknessBottom: .100 Sides: .090 Transom: .125

Hull thicknessnot available

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialAluminum

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail31 gal. (117 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters117.35

Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal31

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typenot available

Engine max150 hp

Engine max1

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,360 lbs. (617 kg)

Maximum capacity575 lbs

Maximum people6

Maximum people3 Persons

Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 vs Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 or the Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004?

For trailering, the Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 has the edge at 13 lbs dry weight versus 104 lbs for the Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 is rated to a maximum of 150 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004 tops out at 1 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004 is certified for 3. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 measures 96" wide, compared to 56" for the Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Are the Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 and Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 and the Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004 are built by Crestliner. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Crestliner 182 Fish Hawk Contender 2005 full specs ← Crestliner XCR 1256 V 2004 full specs