Matching a deep vee Crestliner 1850 Commander 2012 against a modified vee Crestliner Retriever Jon 1546 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Crestliner 1850 Commander 2012 measures 18,6 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crestliner Retriever Jon 1546 2012 at 15,1 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner 1850 Commander 2012 tips the scales at 1 565 lbs — 1 536 lbs more than the Crestliner Retriever Jon 1546 2012 at 29 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 150 hp, the Crestliner 1850 Commander 2012 has a 125-hp advantage over the Crestliner Retriever Jon 1546 2012's 25-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 1850 Commander 2012 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Crestliner Retriever Jon 1546 2012 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner 1850 Commander 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner 1850 Commander 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 18,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Retriever Jon 1546 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.