Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Crestliner Ambush 18 2011 vs Crestliner Grand Cayman 2485 I/O 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Crestliner Ambush 18 2011 against a pontoon Crestliner Grand Cayman 2485 I/O 2008 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 2485 I/O 2008 measures 23,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Crestliner Ambush 18 2011 at 18,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Crestliner Ambush 18 2011 tips the scales at 1 009 lbs — 1 007 lbs more than the Crestliner Grand Cayman 2485 I/O 2008 at 2 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 Crestliner Ambush 18 2011 carries a rated maximum of 90 hp. Engine data for the Crestliner Grand Cayman 2485 I/O 2008 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Crestliner Grand Cayman 2485 I/O 2008 carries 35 gallons versus 22 gallons in the Crestliner Ambush 18 2011. 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 Grand Cayman 2485 I/O 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Crestliner Ambush 18 2011 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Crestliner Grand Cayman 2485 I/O 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Crestliner Grand Cayman 2485 I/O 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Crestliner Ambush 18 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 4 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeCrestliner
MakeCrestliner
ModelAmbush 18
ModelGrand Cayman 2485 I/O
Model Year2011
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam79 in. (201 cm)
Beam102 in. (259 cm)
Beam - Meters2.01
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches79
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 - Detail1,009 lbs. (452 kg)
Weight - Detail2,000 lbs. (907 kg) with 4.3 l
Weight - kg457.67
Weight - kg907.18
Weight - lbs.1009
Weight - lbs.2
Height [transom]20 in. (51 cm)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet23
Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.5 m)
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 6 in. (7.1 m)
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters7.16
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches282
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Meters7.1
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.100 in
Hull thickness0.080 in
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typePontoon
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail22 gal. (91 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters83.28
Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49
Fuel tank capacity - Gal22
Fuel tank capacity - Gal35
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeI/O
Engine max90 hp
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,202 lbs. (545 kg)
Maximum capacity3,200 lbs. (1,451 kg)
Maximum people4
Maximum people12
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailBlack Marine Master 1-axle w/ loading guides
Trailer - Detailnot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameternot available
Tube diameter27 in. (69 cm)
Number of tubesnot available
Number of tubes2