The Crestliner Ambush 16 2012 is a modified-V design and the Crestliner CR 1232 2011 is a flat-bottom design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably 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 Ambush 16 2012 measures 16,0 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crestliner CR 1232 2011 at 11,8 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Ambush 16 2012 tips the scales at 900 lbs - 810 lbs more than the Crestliner CR 1232 2011 at 90 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 60 hp, the Crestliner Ambush 16 2012 has a 57-hp advantage over the Crestliner CR 1232 2011's 3-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 Ambush 16 2012 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner CR 1232 2011 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Ambush 16 2012 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Crestliner Ambush 16 2012 comes in at 15 lbs per hp versus 30 lbs per hp for the Crestliner CR 1232 2011. 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.