Both the Crestliner Ambush 16 2012 and the Crestliner Jons - C 2070V 2009 are modified-V designs, both built in aluminium, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Crestliner Jons - C 2070V 2009 measures 20,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 4,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crestliner Ambush 16 2012 at 16,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Jons - C 2070V 2009 tips the scales at 1 340 lbs - 440 lbs less than the Crestliner Ambush 16 2012 at 900 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 - 60 hp for the Crestliner Ambush 16 2012 and 60 hp for the Crestliner Jons - C 2070V 2009. 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 Crestliner Jons - C 2070V 2009 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Crestliner Ambush 16 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 Jons - C 2070V 2009 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Jons - C 2070V 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 7 passengers and at 20,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Ambush 16 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.