Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Crestliner Ambush 16 2013 vs Crestliner Grand Cayman 2785 RFL TriToon 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Crestliner Ambush 16 2013 against a pontoon Crestliner Grand Cayman 2785 RFL TriToon 2009 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 Grand Cayman 2785 RFL TriToon 2009 measures 28,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 12,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crestliner Ambush 16 2013 at 16,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Grand Cayman 2785 RFL TriToon 2009 tips the scales at 305 lbs — 296 lbs less than the Crestliner Ambush 16 2013 at 9 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 300 hp, the Crestliner Grand Cayman 2785 RFL TriToon 2009 has a 240-hp advantage over the Crestliner Ambush 16 2013's 60-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Crestliner Grand Cayman 2785 RFL TriToon 2009 carries 56 gallons versus 15 gallons in the Crestliner Ambush 16 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Crestliner Ambush 16 2013 is rated for 4 passengers, while the Crestliner Grand Cayman 2785 RFL TriToon 2009 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 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Ambush 16 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 16,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Grand Cayman 2785 RFL TriToon 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeCrestliner
MakeCrestliner
ModelAmbush 16
ModelGrand Cayman 2785 RFL TriToon
Model Year2013
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam76 in. (193 cm)
Beam102 in. (259 cm)
Beam - Meters1.93
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches76
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise7°
Deadrisenot available
Depth - DetailSide: 22 in. (56 cm)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters55.88
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches22
Depth - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail900 lbs. (408 kg)
Weight - Detail3,050 lbs. (1,383 kg)
Weight - kg408.23
Weight - kg1383.46
Weight - lbs.9
Weight - lbs.305
Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet16
Length - Feet28
Length overall - Detail16 ft. (4.9 m)
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 8 in. (8.7 m)
Length overall - Meters4.88
Length overall - Meters8.74
Length overall - Inches192
Length overall - Inches344
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters8.7
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches8
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail15 gal. (57 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail56 gal. (212 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters56.78
Fuel tank capacity - Liters211.98
Fuel tank capacity - Gal15
Fuel tank capacity - Gal56
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max60 hp
Engine max300 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,101 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum capacity4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg)
Maximum people4
Maximum people2
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter27 in. (69 cm)
Tube gaugenot available
Tube gauge0.080 in